By Fashion & Style Contributor, Karen Curtis, YourStylistKaren.com
The best advice I have received regarding my career was given to me while I was a participant in an organization called INROADS. The advice still rings true, “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have now.” Truthfully, appearances and the items we select for our career wear matter; be assured that others (upper management) are taking note. Good grooming, flexibility, and hard work are important but equally important is your presentation.
Here are my top tips for presenting a polished professional look with your career wear:
1. Hem your pants.
Pants that are not tailored correctly can look silly if they are too short or sloppy if they drag on the ground. It is a rule of thumb that the same pair of dress pants should not be able to be worn with both flats and heels. Check out this article for suggested lengths and more examples.
2. Check your sleeve length.
Having your suit jackets and blazers tailored are a must. Sleeves that are too long or too short can also give the impression that you do not care about your appearance. A good measure is to check that the cuff of your sleeve hits just under your wrist when holding your arms by your sides.
3. Purchase blouses that flatter.
It is so distracting and not to mention unprofessional to have a button-up shirt that gapes and shows your cleavage or undergarments (see below). If you are well endowed then be extra positive to make sure your shirt does not gape by stretching your arms to test the blouse before purchasing. If your shirt fits perfectly in length but still gapes then try using fashion tape to keep everything in place.
Sigourney Weaver (photo credit – Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images)
4. Wear appropriate undergarments.
There is nothing more uncomfortable than to see someone with bunched underwear or panty lines. Your slipped bra strap should also not be a regular fixture. Get fitted for your accurate bra size, make sure you are wearing the right size in all other undergarments. It is a good policy to have a black bra, nude bra and a white bra. If necessary, invest in good smoothing shapers, slips and even control top pantyhose.
L to R: Nicole Kidman, Cheryl Cole, Celine Dion, Rihanna (photo credit- Style 36)
5. Invest in good shoes.
As ladies, we tend to cross our legs. That elevates your shoes and makes any scuffs, holes, and worn heels very evident. Invest in two classic pairs of heels, two flat pairs and two pair of kitten heels that are comfortable enough to last through the day. When you notice that your shoes are looking worn, take them to be repaired or donate them to Goodwill.
Simply put:
“If you don’t have fit, you don’t have style.”- Stacy London
What tips do you have for selecting the right career wear to get the job you want?
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