Can I Wear This to Work? |
Can I Wear This |
Can I Wear This to Work? - Survey Results |
The results are in! We conducted a short, unscientific survey to get a handle on the new definition of professional image. We are going to show some of those responses here on Can I Wear This to Work.
The magazines have been telling us for several seasons, now, that cropped pants will not call your professional image into question. According to our survey, however, only 43% of the respondent think cropped pants are appropriate for work in a business casual environment. The survey respondents included HR professionals as well as office workers and entrepreneurs. Our suggestion is to avoid them. There are better choices which are less likely to call your professional image into question. When in doubt, go with a classic.
"Cropped pants can be an issue. If they are tailored and are a part of a suit or a set then they are okay. But the fabric is important and what is worn with them can make them business casual. If the individual is unsure, then it is best to avoid wearing them." "Cropped pants [are okay] if there is a company policy for relaxed summer dressing." "Cropped pants in summer can be OK if worn with heels and a "smart" top." "Cropped pants are a grey area. They are suitable with the appropriate shoes..." "Cropped pants - when in proportion to your height, weight, and body type." "Cropped pants... can be business casual if worn properly." |
Designers' Spring Ready to Wear Collections - Can I Wear This to Work? |
The fashion designers generally show several collections each year, including Spring ready-to-wear. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to discern the rtw collection from the couture collection. The question becomes 'Are the ready-to-wear collections translatable to work attire?'. From the folks at Style.com, check out the Spring designs from Diane Von Furstenberg. You will need flash player to view. Click here to get it. We will be looking at more designers, so check back often and voice your opinion on Can I Wear This to Work. |
Prints and Bright Colors - Can I Wear This to Work? |
Flowers are in fashion this Spring and so are bright colors. Before you can wear those prints and bright colors to work, take your cue from the managerial team. If the women in management are wearing them, then you can feel comfortable wearing them, as well. But don't fret if your management team hasn't embraced the Spring trends. You can still wear them, but consider wearing the Spring trends as accessories - shoes, bags, jewelry, even blouses or tops. This hint of Spring will keep your professional image intact even in a colorless environment. There are still some schools of thoughts that feel bright colors and prints have no place in the workplace. Do you think prints and bright colors can have a negative effect on your professional image or can they enhance your professional image. Take the poll on the right and weigh in. |
Dresses - Can I Wear This to Work? |
Dresses have made a come back. But, there is a debate as to whether or not dresses project a professional image. Of course, halter dresses, off-the-shoulder dresses and spaghetti straps are completely inappropriate, but what about other styles? Here are three dress that are mainstream, but are they appropriate for work? Take the poll on the right and weigh in. |
From Work to Afterwork - Can I Wear This to Work? |
We are in the throes of the holiday season. This is one of my favorite times of year because of all of the festivities. Some of the parties will take place after work and require more formal attire than you wear to work. The challenge has always been transitioning from work clothes to party clothes without having to go home to change clothes or bringing a whole new wardrobe to work with you. But there are quick and easy ways to go from work to party.
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Sweater Dresses with Tights - Can I Wear This to Work? |
Sweater dresses are hot for fall this year. They are being worn with sheer hose, tights and boots. Some are appropriate for the workplace; some, not so much.
There is a happy medium if you want to wear this trend. Find a sweater dress that fits. It should not be too tight, or too loose; too short or too long. Given the inherent nature of the sweater dress, be sure to choose a silhouette that flatters your shape and if you are self-conscious of your figure flaws, invest in a good body shaper to smooth out the lumps, bumps or rolls. If you need help in choosing the silhouettes that flatter your figure, contact Polished Professional Image. |
Fall Trends 2008 - Can I Wear This to Work? |
Some of the Belle Curve styles are a few standard deviations to the left! It goes without saying (I'm going to say it anyway, though) that the split on the outfit on the left is completely inappropriate for the office. Even if the split is closed up, the silhouette of the outfit can be a risky choice for work. It might be a little too sexy on the right figure and a little distracting on the wrong one. The peplum is designed to accentuate the hips and the pencil skirt, accentuates the hips even more. I like the outfit on the right. Thanks to the belt which cinches the waist, it is curvy, yet appropriate for work. The A-Line skirt also helps give the illusion of a narrow waist. I love that pop of blue and the shape of the sleeve is modern and not too (too) trendy. |
Summer Time! Can I Wear This to Work? |
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Summer Time! Can I Wear This to Work? |
Summer is here in full force. Time to don lighter weight skirts and dresses. But don't let the hot weather compromise your professional image. There are skirts and dresses that are appropriate for work and those that should only be worn afterwork and weekends.
To my astonishment, the dress on the left was shown in the work category! Can you believe it? While this dress is gorgeous, a sundress for work is completely inappropriate. Even if you wear a jacket with it - inappropriate. Here is a little test to determine if a dress is inappropriate for work: if the dress is only appropriate with a jacket or sweater, then it is inappropriate. If it cannot stand that test on it's own, do not wear it to work. This dress on the right, is a better choice for work. It has a nice summery print, the fabric is light and airy without being see-thru and the cap sleeves, while short, are acceptable for the workplace. This dress stands the appropriateness test.
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Spring has Sprung! Can I Wear This to Work? |
The dress on the left is gorgeous! The print is great, the length is flattering. What makes this dress inappropriate for work is the sleeveless styling and the deep plunge in the front. Wearing this dress without a jacket is just too sexy for work. This dress on the right, also gorgeous, is perfect for work. The |
We Have Blue Jean Fridays - Can I Wear This to Work? |
It's possible. When management is in jeans, you can maintain your professional image, but it will depend on the jeans. Rather than choosing a crop jean, like the one on the left, choose a jean that is full length. A dark jean has a more classic look than the distressed jeans (the ones that appear worn in the thigh area). Also save the embellished jeans for the weekend. Another consideration for Blue Jean Fridays, is to choose the right type of jean for your body type. For |
Bangles and Charms - Can I Wear This to Work? |
In the Give Yourself a Boost workshops, we address choosing a jewelry collection for work. It is another accessory that can positively or negatively affect your professional image. There was a time when the watch that you wore spoke volumes on how you were viewed professionally. That is not as much of an issue today. However, the jewelry that you wear can still impact your image.
Bangles can have the same distraction. Every time that you move your arms the bangles, well, bang together creating that musical tone that we love so much, but distract the heck out of our co-workers. As an alternative to your charms and bangles, consider wearing a link-type bracelet without the charms or a single wide bangle bracelet. Your arm will be well adorned and your professional image will remain intact. |
Can I Wear This Make-up to Work? |
Did you know that make-up is an accessory? And like all accessories, you have to consider the image that the
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It's the Holiday Season |
The holiday season is filled with parties and celebration. Some companies still have holiday parties - after work and sometimes during regular work hours. So how do you dress for work when you have so much partying to do after work. First, know that there is no way that you will be able to dress down this dress for work! You can't put a blazer over it, a sweater on top of it or a pair of pants under it. This dress is just too fancy for work (and yes, I picked this style because I have seen this style in an office setting - worn with a jacket). But a nice suit can be worn for work, then dressed up for the party with a fancy camisole, jewelry, scarves. Another way to dress up a plain, everyday, yet classic outfit is by amping up your make-up. By giving your make-up a more glamorous look, you give the whole outfit a more glamorous look. And don't forget that you can change your hairstyle and give a classic outfit a glamorous look. Don't let the holidays ruin your polished professional image.
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Fall Preview |
When you are working on creating your polished professional image, don't underestimate the impact of accessories. They can make or break your professional image. For example, the wrong shoes can be too sexy or too dowdy. This shoe on the right is truly high-fashion. But, can you wear this shoe to work? The ankle strap, cut-out, and really high heel puts this shoe in the "too sexy" category. You might get away with wearing this shoe with slacks, but what would be the point to that? The pants would conceal the highlight of the shoe.
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Fall Preview |
Suits, ethnic prints, knits and a lot of gray lies in between. Some of these trends are designed for work, some can be adapted for work. But some... This season we'll take a look at the fashion trends as well as the accessories trends, including shoes, purses and jewelry.
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Space Odyssey Trend |
The Space Odyssey trend feature a number of very avante garde outfits that are unsuitable for work. But there are also a number of ensembles that are While I personally like the basic, unadorned styling of this dress, it can be given a little more style by adding a few accessories such as scarf or a pin or a necklace. And a blazer will give this dress an extra dose of polish.
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Trapeze Artist Trend |
But, seriously. Even this style of dress can be adapted to most figure types. It is the perfect silhouette for the pear-shape figure. The A-line flares just right over the wider hips of the pear shape. To balance the look, make sure you have a broader shoulder line. For inverted triangle figures, the A-line gives the illusion of a wider hip line. The A-line looks good on the hourglass figure because most things do. And on the rectangle figure, the A-line gives the illusion of the curves that the rectangle is missing. As with the other trends for this season, the skirts and dresses can be really short. Make sure you wear an appropriate length; appropriate for the office, your body type and your age.
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So Eighties Trend |
Because there are so many sheer pieces in this look, you have to be careful of what you choose from this trend for your work outfits. And since we are approaching summer, of course, sandals are being pushed. But remember, for work, pumps or loafers are a more professional choice. One more thing about this trend. The skirts and dresses can be really short. Make sure you wear an appropriate length; appropriate for the office, your body type and your age.
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Pinup Girls Trend |
This particular style can be worn by most body types. It is, of course, flattering to the hourglass figure as the more tailored styles highlight the small waist. The strong shoulder line of this trend provides balance for the triangle or pear shaped figures. And it gives the illusion of curves for those inverted triangles with their narrow hips. Even the rectangle shapes can wear this style as long as they choose a style that is not too narrow in the waist and fits properly. |
New Romantics |
The Feminine Romantic personality runs the risk of looking too little- girlish in her flowers and bows and lacy outfits. But a polished professional image can be created by choosing a more toned down version of the clothes that matches the Feminine romantic style personality. The dress shown on the right is a good example of a print dress that is not too little-girly for the office. Make sure you are not showing too much cleavage, though. And add more polish to the outfit by accessorizing with jewelry that complements the outfit.
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Get Sporty |
So, how do you adapt it for work? This is an easy one. Remove the leggings and wear the top with the skirt. Another option is to wear the top with a pair of slacks and lose the skirt. |
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