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07 Dec
SHOEtiquette: What Kind of Shoes Does A Very Hip Etiquette Expert Wear
What kind of shoes does a very hip etiquette expert (a.k.a. VHEE) wear? Should I wear shoes that are ultra professional or can I venture outside of the etiquette box every now and then and wear shoes that are cute, fun, and stylish?
I recently posed this question to my Twitter friend, Meg Gomez @prettypinkpro and she offered these excellent suggestions (and pictures) on her blog.
Meg and I have never met in person, yet I think she captured my style perfectly! Let me know what you think.
Clothes the Deal: What You Wear to Work Really Does Matter
Business women spend countless hours on their education, networking, writing papers, getting credentials, taking workshops and classes — anything to stay competitive and get ahead, but a majority of them overlook their own visual résumé as part of the package.
Never underestimate the power of your own image. When you dress in a way that lets people know you have a sense of security, and present yourself in a professional manner, it makes a huge difference.
Call it “dress for success” or “dress for the job you want” — it’s more than an adage for women. Style and image have played and continue to play a crucial role in the career strategies and trajectories of many high-powered execs. How you look says a lot about you — whether you’re organized, lazy, fashion-forward, creative, or serious.
When you make an effort to present your best self, it shows respect for your employer, your job, and the career strata in which you aspire. When you dress sloppy, you send the message that your comfort and the way you like to dress are more important than your potential audience. When you dress well, you command the respect of your peers, and communicate what kinds of business opportunities you’d like to have. Read more
Beware Of The Bulging Wallet
Do you suffer from “thick wallet syndrome,” also known as George Costanza Wallet (made famous by the character in the popular television show, Seinfeld)? If so, it’s probably time to banish your bulging wallet. All you really need to carry is a credit/debit card, driver’s license or ID, and a couple of twenties in case you find yourself in a pinch. Besides, you don’t need the back problems that go along with an overstuffed wallet in your back pocket. Clean out all the old receipts, scrunched up pictures and sandwich-stamp member cards, and invest in something sleek and more sophisticated. A money clip, for example, fits comfortably inside a jacket pocket and is the most elegant and efficient solution for a man who doesn’t always wear a jacket. Better leather-goods makers including Tumi, Coach, Bosca and Mont Blanc offer simple card cases, big enough to hold one or two credit cards, a driver’s license or photo ID, and a few business cards. Try not to carry a lot of change in your pants pocket. Leave it in your car for use at toll booths or parking meters or put it in the tip jar the next time you visit a coffee shop.
Details Complete a Wardrobe
S
ometimes the little touches make the biggest impact. Accessories are small luxuries that create a favorable impression. Many years ago when I was the special events manager for the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Florida, I would attend weekly preconference meetings with meeting planners who were bringing their groups to the hotel. As I sat in the meetings, I couldn’t help but notice the catering manager’s designer fountain pen with a black lacquer finish. Although it seems small, it had a big effect on the way I perceived his overall image. Everything about him was nicely put together, his suit, tie, and hair, but that fountain pen completed his impeccable appearance. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a pen, but it should look attractive and write well.
I’m a big fan of the Sheaffer Agio frosted pink nickel trim fountain pen. I love the slim design and the way it writes. Do you have a favorite pen?
Survey Reveals That It Pays to Be Attractive
In the current job market, putting an effort in your appearance has little to do with vanity, and everything to do with economic survival. Newsweek recently surveyed hiring managers and job seekers about the role of beauty in the workplace and found that it pays to be good-looking.
How To Fold a Suit Pocket Handkerchief
When it comes to dressing for success, it’s the details that make a huge difference. Pocket squares give a suit or jacket a finished look. My dear friend and image consultant, Susan Bigsby, shows you how to fold a suit pocket handkerchief in this informative video.
How to Fold a Suit Pocket Handkerchief — powered by eHow.com
Author and style sage Alan Flusser shares his secret for dressing well
Years ago, when a man decided to buy a new suit, he turned to the most trusted professional he could afford to guide him in his single largest wardrobe investment. Today’s well-helled turn to Alan Flusser. Having authored four best-selling books on men’s dress and style, Flusser is the president of Alan Flusser Designs, a menswear business he founded in 1979. He is responsible for dressing some of the most famous men in the world. Additionally, he designed wardrobe for Gordon Gekko (played by Michael Douglas) in Wall Street, and Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman. In this short video produced by men.style.com, Flusser gives a little sartorial advice for dressing well.
No Wire Hangers, Ever!
Actress Joan Crawford might have been psychotic but her advice about wire hangers was right on! She most likely hated them because they are terrible for your clothes. Wire hangers ruin the shape of shoulders by stretching them into unsightly points that over time are very difficult to get rid of.
I recently cleaned and organized my closet and pondered the thought of what to do with all those nasty wire hangers that I got from my dry cleaner. Read more
Secrets of "Sock"cess – A Man's Guide
Over-the-calf dress socks
The first thing people notice about you is your face. The second is your shoes and then your socks. Socks (called hosiery in finer men’s stores) protect your feet from rubbing against your shoes, keep your feet warm, and provide another style element in your wardrobe.
Here are the three categories of men’s socks:
DRESS SOCKS. Rule of thumb: The dressier the situation, the darker the socks.
In addition to being a dark color, dress socks are usually made from a fine fabric such as silk, although wool and cotton socks in a thin fabric are also appropriate. Some socks may also contain a percentage of nylon for fit, durability and smooth appearance.
The appropriate length of dress socks is more commonly over-the-calf (the longest available). Read more
Five Tips for Cracking the Summer Dress Code
By Mary Lou Andre, Guest Blogger
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, offices all over the country tend to get a little more casual. While many professionals welcome the opportunity to shed more formal business attire and be a bit more relaxed in their appearance, many more are unsure where to draw the line. Here are five tips for maintaining a professional image that won’t cost you your reputation (or your paycheck!) this summer:
Think business first, casual second. “Business casual” is actually an oxymoron. No matter the weather, you are wise to think business first, casual second — or never, if that is your preference. Light weight suiting and career separates with conservative necklines and hemlines coordinated with equally professional footwear, tops and accessories are the way to go in warm weather.
Know the code. Before hitting the mall to add some new summer items to your wardrobe, review your office dress code to be sure what you select is appropriate for where you work. For instance, many companies frown on any type of sandal being worn to the office. Be a conformist in a good way by selecting closed-toe summer footwear that honors your personal style while giving you professional clout with the powers that be.
Connect with your inner wisdom. Deep down we all know which clothes make us feel most powerful, credible and business-like. If you have to, separate your summer play clothes from your work clothes and simplify the latter. In many parts of the country, summer is the shortest season of the year. You probably don’t need a large collection of work clothes to get you dressed and out the door looking (and feeling!) like a pro.
Get groomed. Don’t let your personal grooming routine go on vacation while you’re still expected at work. For instance, showing up to any professional business engagement unshaven or with wet hair can signal that you are unorganized, lazy or lack common sense. The best part about personal grooming — it doesn’t have to cost a lot and allows you to show respect for yourself, which instantly shows respect for others.
Be consistent year-round. Finally, no matter your work style (or the time of year), there is a lot to be said about being consistent. Anchor yourself into a stable image that represents the most capable image of you every day of the week. You’ll brand yourself (as well as the company you represent) as reliable and serious about getting your job done.
Last Word
Work doesn’t stop in the summer months. Your professional image shouldn’t stop working for you either. Taking the time early in the season to go through your closet to retire items that no longer work while noting what you need to add to get you out the door faster and appropriately dressed for the day ahead is time well spent. When you shop in your closet first, shopping at the store is more efficient and cost effective.
Mary Lou Andre is a nationally recognized wardrobe, dress code and corporate image consultant, speaker and author. She is founder and president of Organization By Design, Inc., a Needham, Massachusetts-based wardrobe management, fashion and image consulting firm that helps individuals and organizations understand the power of being appropriately dressed in a variety of situations. For more great tips and information, visit dressingwell.com.