Improve Your Working Wardrobe Today

Those who move up in the business world quickly and easily know
the importance of a polished image. Knowing how to dress appropriately
for business is a key element in establishing your creditability and an
important factor in career advancement.

No matter what your age or business, your attire should reflect the tone
of the business and lend credibility to your position. Dressing appropriately
and doing it with ease is something that everyone can accomplish and can
be summed up in a couple of words - selection and organization.

Your Workplace

All workplaces have commonalities and differences when it comes to the
desired type of dress. It is your job as an employee or business owner to
understand your company's guidelines and the message you want to send.
For example, accounting, banking and law require business dress; advertising
and architecture are corporate creative; real estate, retail and the service
industry require dress codes to which clients can relate; and in medicine,
patients will feel much more comfortable with a doctor who is well -groomed.
All industries have standards and guidelines. Whether you are an employee
or business owner your success depends on how you are viewed and your
appearance is a major component.

Your Wardrobe Essentials

Most people stand in front of their closet every morning not knowing
what to wear. What do they do? They end up wearing the same reliable
outfits they are used to which is usually 20 percent of their wardrobe.
With a little planning, one hundred percent of their wardrobe can be
utilized and with little effort. To get to this point requires a little work
up front but will pay of huge in the long term.

To get your wardrobe organized start by getting rid of all the items
that you haven't worn in a year and then start building a workable
wardrobe. If you are starting a new job, changing careers or simply
deciding to get your wardrobe under control, begin by buying the
best classic items you can afford in year- round fabrics.  

A new wardrobe should consist of a jacket, skirt and pants in a
solid, neutral color such as navy, beige or black. These pieces
should be bought together to ensure that they are all the same fabric
and color. Add a white blouse and 2 or 3 tops in your favorite
colors and a print skirt and/or a print pant. With these items you
will have several different outfits - jacket/pants and white blouse;
jacket/skirt and white blouse; jacket/pants and green top; jacket/skirt
and green top etc. You can then start adding jackets, pants and
skirts that match.

Since your basic clothing capsule is a neutral solid color you
can add a little pizzazz (depending on your industry) with
color and accessories. When your wardrobe consists of
pieces that match it is much easier to make wardrobe decisions.

Building a working wardrobe is an ongoing task that can be
made easy through planning and organization. When you decide
you are ready to add more pieces to your wardrobe look at
it as an investment in yourself. As a rule of thumb, each item
you buy should match 3 other pieces in your wardrobe, be
well-constructed, easy to launder and be in a classic style.

Your Wardrobe Considerations

q  Choose styles that are comfortable - that do not itch
 or restrict movement.

q  All skirts should fall slightly above or below the knee
for a most flattering look.

q  Avoid fashion fads and do not wear flashy or
noisy jewelry.

q  Always wear hose.

q  Wear closed shoes that have moderate heel height
- nothing too high

q  Avoid sleeveless tops and plunging necklines

q  Keep fragrances to a minimum

q  A full-length mirror is a must - always check the
 finished look before you leave home.