Our Take on Fashion: The DivaStyle Coach takes on Glamour’s 5 Work Outfits in 60 Seconds
Glamour magazine is a great resource for fashion-conscious consumers – and their recent video entitled “What to Wear to Work: 5 Work Outfit Ideas in 60 Seconds” is an example of their fresh take on fashion for working women. I have my own perspective on work wear, and in this article I’m going to give you my evaluation of their choices and let you know whether the outfits they recommend would be work-appropriate for business.
If you haven’t yet seen the video, click below:
While all the outfits shown are fashion-forward and attractive, I have some issues with them for business attire – completely dependent on the industry you work in and your personal preferences:
Outfit 1: Bright pants with a pastel top, accented with black. This outfit is happy and beautiful – the bright colored pants and pastel top allow you to incorporate a wonderful spring palette without going overboard. My issues and recommendations for this outfit are:
- The lack of a cardigan / jacket with this outfit gives it a more casual feel – for a lot of employers, this is not an issue, but for a conservative industry like law, banking or insurance, it could be a minor negative. Adding a cardigan or jacket in the same color as the top makes the outfit more business-appropriate.
- A creative industry like marketing or advertising would be perfectly fine for this outfit – but if you plan on moving into management at some point or being promoted to a supervisory position, I would highly recommend adding a jacket. During the summer, the jacket could be made of lightweight cotton or a cotton-poly blend. For cooler weather, be sure to pick a jacket with a lining so that you remain warm and polished, while avoiding bulk, and the jacket will last a lot longer.
- The beautiful pastel of the top will mix and match with other brights, as shown in the video, and also for more conservative color combinations like khaki, black, or white.
Outfit 2: A bright pleated skirt with a pastel top, open wedge sandals and black accents. This outfit is cute and colorful – and the pleated skirt is both classic and right on trend. My issues and recommendations for this outfit are:
- I repeat my suggestion that a cardigan or jacket would give the outfit a more dressed-up and polished feel and for a conservative industry, this is a must.
- The pleated skirt might not fit every body shape or size – in fact, a pear-shaped woman would do well to avoid this skirt because the pleats opening up will highlight and emphasize the width of your hips. A more slender-hipped, straighter figure could wear this skirt more easily without worrying about an imbalance in proportions.
- The open wedge sandals will be okay for some more progressive employers, but the style of the shoe will likely not allow for the wearer to utilize stockings / pantyhose. A lot of women have abandoned pantyhose and stockings, but for business wear, they are still an essential. While it’s possible no one will mention it to you as the weather warms and the stockings disappear, it decreases the level of ‘polish’ in your attire to delete the hosiery. Because of the length of the skirt, I would recommend not only wearing pantyhose, but switching the open wedge sandals for closed-in flats. A shorter skirt with high heels says “evening” and that is not appropriate for the majority of business offices.
Outfit 3: Monochromatic skirt and top – the skirt includes a high side split and curved hemline. I love the color on this outfit, and dressing monochromatically is a great way to appear taller, thinner and more polished. This look is intentional – and intentional matching implies that you’ve put thought into the outfit. My issues and recommendations for this outfit are:
- I would recommend against the high split in the skirt combined with the uneven hemline. One or the other might not be counter-productive for a creative or less formal employer, but for a conservative industry, the combination of the two is simply over the top. Be careful when considering split skirts for your wardrobe that you don’t end up showing too much leg when seated. Try to sit down in a chair before purchasing the skirt, or bend down as if you were sitting in a chair in order to ‘test drive’ how the skirt will look. Whether you work in a cubicle or an open office, this is important to your business image.
Outfit 4: Pastel jacket and striped tank, pants with rolled hem, bright pumps in contrasting color. This outfit scored very high with me until I reached the rolled hem of the pants – again, for a conservative employer, this might not be a 100% positive. A creative or relaxed business environment will be much more accepting. My issues and recommendations for this outfit are:
- The clothing fits the model well – nothing is too big or too small and that is also a critical factor in creating polished and attractive outfits. Ignore the size tag in the clothing and buy what fits your “right now” body for the best possible result.
- Rather than rolling up the hem of the pants, if you like the cropped look and are comfortable with your ankles and feet, consider instead purchasing a slender cropped pant – make sure that the legs of the pants are proportional to your hip width. A wide-legged cropped pant will make you look wider and heavier – while one that fits your proportions will help you achieve a longer and leaner leg line, adding height to your overall image.
- Replace the bright pumps with ones closer to the color of the pants if you are not comfortable with your feet being the center of attention; you can add more spark to the outfit with jewelry or a scarf if you want to add more color and that will also help you raise the focus from your feet and lower body to your upper body and face.
Outfit 5: Bright jacket and top, medium-colored shorts, open toe wedges – another bright color combination that harkens to Spring, and includes some nice details. Definitely not for a conservative employer, this outfit give me several reasons why I would make distinctive recommendations for changes:
- I love the jacket and top, but the shorts chosen for this outfit would be totally inappropriate for a majority of business offices. I cannot think of many employers that would be comfortable with their support staff, managers or other employees dressing in this manner. The shorts are just TOO short – the color is fine, the fit is not too tight, but the length is all wrong. Lengthen the shorts to just above or even just below the knee, and you’ll be in much better shape. If longer shorts do not appeal to you, convert the shorts to an above-the-knee skirt in the same color and you’ll fare much better.
Grab the wonderful inspiration of color, shape and fabric from this video and use it for your spring and summer wardrobe updates – but always remember to incorporate adjustments based on the industry you work in, your position within your company, and your geographic location.
Are Dress Codes in the Workplace Important?
Are dress codes in the workplace still important?
It’s a very interesting question in our current Internet-based business environment. When the ‘dot-com’ boom was in full force, it became a prized circumstance to be able to wear just about ANYTHING to work. Many dot-com companies had very relaxed dress codes and allowed employees to come to work in clothing that might normally have been reserved for weekends or vacations.
If you sit with any employer and begin to discuss dress codes you might end up in a debate – our the employer may simply refuse to enter into the discussion. Creating a dress code for a workplace can be a tricky thing – and may be pretty far down on the employer’s “list” because they may feel that adults shouldn’t NEED dress code guidance.
Fashion is extensively promoted throughout the world – from magazines and newspapers to television and the internet, there is no shortage of information on fashion, but is that them same as having the information needed to discern what is business-appropriate?
The extensive amount of information available on fashion does not always help the cause of the dress code. The appearance of employees sets a definite tone for an employer, no matter what their size or industry. In a corporate, office-based environment, it’s even more important to clearly define and maintain a dress codes.
With summer approaching, and opportunities for young men and ladies to become employed in offices, the importance of learning how to dress for the business environment is even more important. Some young men and ladies are more interested in what is ‘fashion forward’ or in current style instead of what their employer might want. They are simply not as interested in what the world might think of them – an attitude that can be encouraged by relatively relaxed dress codes / rules in educational institutions.
A compulsory dress code can help to keep the company’s image and public perception under control and maintaining the company’s chosen image in public is essential for a new or seasonal hire to be taken seriously. The chances of successfully completing an internship or summer placement decrease dramatically when the candidate does not take the company’s image into account, instead choosing to wear what they LIKE, not necessarily what is appropriate for the position.
If no dress codes are adhered to in a workplace then anyone could concievably wear anything of his/her choice. This will distract other employees and have a severe impact on their performance. If a colleague proves to be a distraction the other employees will have a hard time concentrating on their work. Productivity suffers, and that affects a business’ overall bottom line. An inappropriately-dressed employee can also prove to be a distraction for clients and potential clients – reflecting negatively on the overall impression of the company in what all recognize as a very competitive business climate.
Dress codes have to be reasonable depending on the type of work, and still relatively easy to implement.
A dress code that is extremely restrictive or overly detailed (including preferred manufacturer’s colors, etc without specifying an accepted uniform) can make it harder for employees to comply. On the other hand, a dress code that is nebulous and undefined can cause the same kinds of problems when an employee takes excessive license and then cites the lack of detail in the dress code as their defense.
It’s very important that employees start their work day in the proper attire – it sets a tone for the rest of the work day. Studies have shown that overly casual attire has a detrimental effect on productivity – not just because of the distraction to other employees, but because of the negative effect casual dress has on an individual’s attitude and energy level.
Some easy to spot garments that are unacceptable in most employer’s dress code include:
• Clothing which has abusive, discriminatory or foul language or graphics
• Tank tops, muscle shirts or halter tops
• Wearing torn jeans and tops
• Hats or caps (notable exception here for employer-issued headgear)
• Wearing sweat pants or sweat suits (the implication is that you just rolled in from the gym).
What things should employers keep in mind at the time of creating or updating a dress code?
Dress codes have to be reasonable depending on the type of work and the work environment. A factory-based job will by necessity have a different dress code than a retail establishment or a chain restaurant.
When developing a dress ode the employer should ensure that they are:
• Job related - not depending on personal preferences, but referencing industry standards and customs
• Not treating one gender less favorably than the other
• Not treating one race, creed or other individual preference less favorably than another.
It’s very important that the employer communicates these dress codes to the employees well in advance of the date of adoption, and allow a reasonable period for comment and possible modification. Getting input from employees – and ensuring that the dress code is communicated well to all current employees – is another way to ensure buy-in and easier compliance, Consider updating or modifying the dress code every 3 – 5 years as feedback and experience in the workplace demand. Knowing that fashion rules are fluid and constantly changing does not mean an employer should look forward to redefining their dress code completely, but allowing for adjustment keeps the information fresh and relevant, and will prove to be easier for all involved.
What’s YOUR Fashion Personality?
Being consistent with a style or mode of fashion is not necessarily a bad thing – consistency with your image can inspire trust and confidence in you and your abilities – but everyone could use a periodic style update to keep their look fresh and new. If it’s been a year or more since your last fashion ‘tweak’, this is a great time to do a fashion reality check and determine if you are stuck in a fashion statement rut, or if you can dig out of the old and into the new.
Try this simple fashion screening to see if you match one or more of the examples:
1. If these words could be used to describe you: deep, thoughtful, introspective, serious, and perfectionistic. Your motto may be: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right!”
You may find resonance with the Perfect Melancholy personality and style orientation. Melancholy does not mean Sad in this case, but it can mean that the individual who fits this personality and style type will gravitate to balanced and harmonious looks. They always desire to look “put together” and will be most comfortable in ‘outfits’ or ‘ensembles’ that are intentionally purchased and dedicated to be worn together. They are seen by others as refined, elegant and fashionable, exuding cool sophistication and good taste.
2. If these words could be used to describe you: easygoing, diplomatic, requiring time to adapt to changes, reserved, but with an innate wit and a gift for saying the right thing at the right time. People may say about you “She is such a nice woman” or “He is so sweet…”
You may find resonance with the Peaceful Phlegmatic personality and style orientation. Phlegmatic is an odd word, but this personality type is critical for the success of many aspects of society. This individual will choose softly tailored, unstructured garments with little fussy detail. They might have a few favorite outfits that form the base of their wardrobe, and then mix and match items to give versatility. This individual will avoid tailoring or details that might restric their mobility, and will favor fabrics with texture. They are seen by others as warm and friendly, with a keen sense of responsibility, and they are also seen as valued and trusted friends.
3. If these words could be used to describe you: fun-loving, sunny, outgoing, dramatic, and talkative. Others may say about you “She never met a stranger” or “He talks all the time…”
You may find resonance with the Popular Sanguine personality and style orientation. This personality tends to draw people to them because they seem to be having such a good time. They can turn trivial events into soap operas, are humorous, fascinating, and energetic. You may find it a challenge to focus on one aspect of your wardrobe, instead collecting items from many different sources and failing to produce a cohesive whole. Becoming fixated on a certain color or type of garment can cause you to fall into a rut and look the same all the time. This personality is artistic, charming and gives great attention to the senses and how things look – and may run the risk of being seen as superficial. They are capable of accomplishing great things with their vibrant, dynamic and charming personalities and should develop an image plan that enhances their strengths.
4. If these words could be used to describe you: powerful, determined, self-disciplined, determined, and stubborn. If you are put into positions where someone direct and forceful is needed, and people refer to you as a “go getter” or a “doer”, you may find resonance with the Powerful Choleric personality and style orientation.
This individual are programmed to put more emphasis on getting their own way versis getting others to like them; they strive for control, love being challenged, and easily accept difficult assignments. They are strong leaders – having an ability to focus that help them get things done. This individual chooses garments and accessories that make a statement and project the power and force of their personality. They might have fewer garments in their wardrobe, but likely will make it up in accessories. They are not afraid of color, and also prefer to dress in ‘ensembles’ – a nose-to-toes finished look. Fabrics with a defined shape and in refined fabrics. Nothing overly casual will suit this individual – they are often viewed as cool and aloof, with nerves of steel and a wardrobe to match.
If you have seen aspects of your personality in this article and would like to know more about how one or more of these categories might fit you, check out the ‘Personality and Wardrobe‘ service.
Air Travel: Is The Clothing You Wear Important?
When it comes to air travel and clothing, we are all different. There are some travelers whose travel attire is a business suit – perhaps out of necessity, or because of the implied credibility a business suit can bring to the wearer. Others may wear traditional jeans – either because they classify jeans as comfortable and functional, or because that’s their preferred style and the image they want to project. Still others wear something as comfortable as possible, such as their pajamas (certainly NOT recommended) or sweat pants (very comfortable, but not always the most attractive option).
With continual refinements and increases in airport security and the accompanying changes in air travel rules, there are many individuals who wonder if the clothing they wear to the airport is important. If you are one of those individuals, you must take into account not only the facts of air travel, but the inconsistencies and vagaries of dealing with human beings. Often, it is a judgment call as to whether your attire might cause you a challenge in getting through airport security in an efficient manner.
It seems as if ever since airplanes became the ‘hands-down’ most popular way to travel, a focus has been placed on comfort. Regardless of whether or not you will be taking a long flight, you will want to be comfortable. There is nothing worse than wearing an itchy sweater or tight pair of pants during what may become a long flight.
Unless you bring a chance of clothes with you and place them in your carryon bag, wearing something ill-fitting or uncomfortable means you are out of luck. That is why it is important that you think of what you will be wearing before you leave for the airport. Even if you are traveling for business, you should be able to change in to your business clothes as soon as you arrive at your destination, perhaps even in the airport bathrooms.
When it comes to comfort, as previously mentioned, many air travelers make the decision to wear sweat pants and a comfortable top – while not always the most fashion-forward solution, it does make for relatively stress-free travel from a comfort perspective. You may find in most cases that these types of clothes can make transitioning through airport security checkpoints a little easier.
This is because most sweat pants are not made with any metal items, unless they are decorated with rhinestones, nailheads and the like. Essentially, this means that you should be able to enter the security checkpoint and leave it quicker than most other travelers, such as the travelers who are decked out in multiple accessories that might need to be removed prior to screening, or might set off a security scanner.
When it comes to accessories, you will find that a number of different items set off airport metal detectors – and because these machines are constantly observed, recalibrated and adjusted, it’s difficult to predict exactly WHAT will set them off. That is why most airport security officers request that you remove all of your jewelry prior to entering the scanner. Once your jewelry is removed, you will need to place it in a small bin, which will be scanned right along with your carryon luggage. Whether you have rings or a necklace, you are advised to remove them, if you can. For your convenience, you can leave your earrings on. If by chance, your earrings set the metal detectors off, you will likely be pulled aside and airport security should easily be able to tell whether or not your earrings were what set off the alarms through the use of a handheld scanner.
In addition to jewelry, you will find that your belt and / or the belt buckle may set off an airport’s metal detector. For that reason, a large number of airports have requested that you remove your belts before entering the metal detectors as a precaution and to avoid holding up the line. Since a large number of travelers wear belts, this is done to help speed up the process of checking each and every passenger. If you do not enjoy removing some of your jewelry or removing your belt, it is advised that you leave those items at home or pack them in your carry-on luggage.
Recently, a number of new air travel rules have been implemented. One of those rules requires that all passengers remove their shoes for screening. Your shoes, once removed, will be scanned by an x-ray machine, right along with the rest of your carryon luggage. In recent years, only random passengers were asked to remove their shoes, but now everyone is. For that reason, you will to wear simple shoes that you can easily remove and put back on.
Another air travel rule, recently implemented, is the ban on liquids. It also means that you are prohibited from placing liquid beauty supplies in your carryon luggage unless they are of a certain size – and many companies have responded to this restriction by manufacturing travel size “sets” of their products for easy use during travel.
One concern for some women is the allowance of gel or water filled bras, and the sensitivity of airport scanners with regard to underwire bras. Currently, you are allowed to wear these types of bras onboard an airplane. If you are in fact pulled aside for a handheld scan, be sure to mention it discreetly. Bra manufacturers have, for the most part, switched away from actual metal underwires, but for full-figured women, they may still be an option.
Since there are few hard and fast rules or restrictions on the clothing that you can wear while flying the great skies, you need to choose for yourself and use a healthy dose of common sense. Check the ‘alert status’ prior to traveling to the airport and use the current level to help you make the decision on what to wear. There is no need to cause yourself or anyone else an additional delay in clearing airport security.
Recent events and changes in airport security have also included “hair pat-downs” – where women with extensive or elaborate hairdos are having their hair patted down as a potential weapon source or place to hide something. If you have the freedom to do so, wearing your hair in an easily-scanned and / or observed style can limit the need for airport security personnel to depend on their own judgment as to whether to pull you out of line for special inspection.
Whether you want to be fashionable or comfortable, it is all up to you – be an informed passenger and try to minimize any accessories or embellishments in your hair or clothing that might set off an airport security scan. You can still express your personality and individuality without causing yourself or someone else a delay. Use color and clothing shape to distinguish yourself from other passengers in a good way.
Pulling Your Fashion Act Together
Dear Reader,
You’re an intelligent, funny woman with a fabulous personality – but…
Does the ability to check out the newest fashion trends and adopt them into your own closet and style preferences seem beyond you? You CAN evaluate the latest trends and styles with a discerning eye and help you pull together just the right look that speaks to not only your personality, but supports the image development plan you’ve put together – here’s how!
Your personal style – literally from nose to toes and including everything from your shoes and stockings to the jewelry you wear and the hat on your head (if you’re a hat wearer) speaks volumes about who you are – don’t let the latest trends cause you to purchase items that are outside of your personality preferences and best color combinations – trends are absolutely going to come and go!
The key to putting together a great outfit – and by association a great image – is a bit risky, but it’s also simple. The rules of thumb?
Balance, “less is more” and authenticity.
Choose one “wow” item – a real showstopper than amps up your energy and your confidence, and authentically represents the “real you,” and build around it. For example, if you have an absolutely fabulous piece of jewelry that you must show off (and this does not mean necessarily that it’s “blinged out”, try wearing it with a simple black dress, or a black jacket and top. Black flatters just about all figures without overwhelming the look of your jewelry, and can form a great foil for that special piece. If black is not one of your Core Colors, choose a color that harmonizes with the colors in your jewelry – just make sure it’s one that you want near your face. If you’re at a loss to pick just the right color, white or ivory – especially near your face – are great colors to work with.
Want to show off your new elaborately stitched jeans? A solid shirt paired with heels works well with decorated jeans. If the design on the jeans is too busy the shirt will tone it down some. With this kind of look (best for weekend, party or casual wear), remember that the embellishment on the jeans is the primary attention getter. Any other accessories can be relatively toned down so that you don’t have too many focal points.
How about those new bright pink pumps? You can’t go wrong by complimenting the shoes with a pair of solid black pants or a skirt and a crisp white shirt. Black and solid bright or jewel-tone colors matches well together. If you want to take the focus off of your feet, plan to wear a skin-tone stocking or knee-high to lower the contrast slightly. If you’re wearing pants and want to show off the pumps, try an ankle-length cropped pant. Repeat the bright color of the pumps in your jewelry to help harmonize the entire outfit and help it look intentional. For a bit of whimsy, choose a related (but different) bright color for your handbag to bring another level of interest.
And what about those gold sequined flats that you just couldn’t pass up? Cropped pants in a business-right fabric, combined with a simple shirt are ideal compliments for your golden feet, and could be worn to most workplaces on a Casual Friday. Those same flats could do wonders for a simple outfit on the weekend, or for going out dancing with friends at night. Be careful not to overdo the sequins, though – leave the similarly sequined top for the nighttime forays.
The key is to pick one item – in a special color, a wonderful fit, or with standout ornamentation – and build around it. Don’t just stick with one look – switch up the appeal from glamorous one day to urban or understated the next.
Take the time to educate yourself on different styles and what they look like on YOUR body – the one you have right now! There’s no reason why you can’t also draw inspiration from your favorite looks of past eras – just remember to choose role models that have similar physical features (height, figure proportion) for best results.
Fashion is about self-confidence – YOUR self-confidence. If you feel great in an outfit, others will feel your vibe and enjoy your positive results. If you’re stretching out and trying something new, feel free to “fake it until you make it.” Only by trying some new things will you continue to grow and develop into your own unique and authentic fashion personality. Whether you are 18 or 81 take pride in your appearance and do everything within your power to feel comfortable and attractive with your style choices.
