There are few occasions that are as nerve-wracking as prom night. This is because, aside from the anxiety provoking "what ifs" the night of the prom, you have to avoid all of the potential pitfalls leading up to the prom. Whether you're going with the date of your dreams or you're planning to attend the prom with a group of girlfriends, there's no getting around the issue of prom dresses. Finding the right eveningwear such a formal occasion can seem like an impossible challenge. Here, then, are answers to common questions that relate to prom dresses, homecoming dresses, and quinceanera dresses.
1. I'm short and want to look taller for my prom. What should I do?
There are three elements that can help you appear taller on your special night: the right heels, the right prom dress, and the right hairstyle. First, plan on wearing high heels. Whether you add one inch or three with high heels, it's important that you look for prom dresses that will accommodate the heels. You might want to go with a cocktail length dress, but a floor length dress will add length to your body - and an illusion of height. Look for floor length prom dresses that have side slits for better maneuverability. Finally, take care in selecting your hairstyle. Go with an updo to add height - even if you need to add extensions or a hairpiece.
2. I'm a senior in high school, but I look like an eighth grader. How do I look older for prom?
When it comes to maturity, keep two things in mind: bearing and appearance. Body language is important, in that how you move your body, how you tilt your head, the timber of your voice, and the way you walk all speak volumes about your perceived age. While you definitely don't want to pretend you're someone you're not, this might be a good opportunity to practice skills that will help you evolve into the person you want to be. Practice walking in your prom shoes, watch your facial expressions in the mirror, record your voice to hear how it sounds, and so forth. Make any adjustments (and practice) so that your mannerisms reflect what you feel inside.
When you look for prom dresses, look for those that are more formal. Formal clothing makes women appear older, as do colors that are dark and rich. Depending on your coloring, you might want to go with jewel tones, black, or chocolate brown.
3. How do I know how to have my hair styled for prom?
How you fashion your hair greatly depends upon the style of your prom dress. If your dress has a high collar or a busy neckline, an updo is the only way to go. On the other hand, if your prom dress is sleeveless, strapless, or has spaghetti straps, you can wear your hair long or short, full or sleek. The one caveat is to make sure your hair doesn't cover up an important feature of your prom dress. That gorgeous keyhole back, for example, will be invisible if you have hair down to your waist!
Selasa, 09 Februari 2016
Adult Costume Ideas! Spice Up Your BBQ With Cool Costume Theme Parties
Our 2006 Summer has finally arrived, and for all the costume party enthusiasts that just can’t wait for Fall for Halloween to arrive once again, you may be searching for some really cool adult costume ideas for your next hot summer shindig!
The BBQ is ready, the burgers are seasoned, but you want to add a little more pizzazz to your outdoor summer party. So you decide to throw a costume party, but where do you begin? I will help you with some fun ideas that will have your guests requesting a costume encore party for many summer seasons to come.
Throwing a home and backyard costume party is a great way to entertain your guests, and is a fantastic way for new people to meet other individuals in a fun and interactive environment.
If you have gone to a get-together in the past where you don’t know many people, it can sometimes be very awkward, but when you create an interactive theme and add fun costumes, everyone can play the part, plus it allows all the guests to mingle comfortably in a unique non-stressful atmosphere.
Before sending out your invitations, you want to create a costume theme that is not difficult to achieve, and does not cost a lot of money. Some of the most popular theme parties in the past have been Hawaiian, Mardi Gras, Masquerade parties, but how about you get a little more creative and think of something that may not have been done yet, and if you’re having some difficulty coming up with any ideas, let me help you!
<b>If You And Your Guests Love Movies, Fantasy, And Adult Party Themes, Read On!</b>
When organizing a birthday party for children, it’s usually very simple and most kids enjoy being a clown, cowboy & cowgirl, or their favorite sci-fi characters. However, for adults you want to create a little more stimulation for the guests, and create that party theme that people just want to be a part of and talk about for weeks on end afterwards.
How do you go about creating this knockout theme party you ask? It’s simple! First you have to understand the type of guests you are going to invite, and then tailor the theme around what they like and their personalities.
This will determine how risky or tame your adult costume party will turn out to be. You don’t want to go too crazy if you happen to invite your parents, or future In-laws, and you don’t want to go to soft if you have a wild group of friends that like to go all out!
<b>Adult Fun Starts With A Unique Theme And What You Create Around It</b>
Once you determine your guests’ character traits, your next step is to find decorations, and also have your food complement the theme of your party. So you have a wild bunch of partiers? How about having a “Saran Wrap Party”! This one is easy, all you have to do is get all your guests to arrive wearing only Saran Wrap, and they can get as creative as they like, or they can be as revealing as they feel comfortable with. How about having a backyard beach party with a twist. All the men have to wear a one or two-piece women’s bathing suit, and the women have to wear men’s attire such as board shorts and beach shirts.
Now I know you may be asking where the fun is for the women wearing guys attire. The whole purpose is to get the guys in those g-string bikinis and create a really funny atmosphere. The men will be feeding off the humour and the women will feel less intimidated and possibly more open to the environment when meeting new guys at your party.
Whatever you decide to do, have fun and use your imagination. Get balloons, streamers, and lots of fun decorations, because they will really add to your theme and party atmosphere.
If you need to find costumes and accessories, and you just don’t have the time to drive all over town to find something really cool, consider many of the online costume shops that are offering fantastic summer deals! This is the best time to find what you need, because it’s not as busy as the fall season, and you will get your selected items quickly, and just in time for your next summer costume bash. Good luck and have fun!
The BBQ is ready, the burgers are seasoned, but you want to add a little more pizzazz to your outdoor summer party. So you decide to throw a costume party, but where do you begin? I will help you with some fun ideas that will have your guests requesting a costume encore party for many summer seasons to come.
Throwing a home and backyard costume party is a great way to entertain your guests, and is a fantastic way for new people to meet other individuals in a fun and interactive environment.
If you have gone to a get-together in the past where you don’t know many people, it can sometimes be very awkward, but when you create an interactive theme and add fun costumes, everyone can play the part, plus it allows all the guests to mingle comfortably in a unique non-stressful atmosphere.
Before sending out your invitations, you want to create a costume theme that is not difficult to achieve, and does not cost a lot of money. Some of the most popular theme parties in the past have been Hawaiian, Mardi Gras, Masquerade parties, but how about you get a little more creative and think of something that may not have been done yet, and if you’re having some difficulty coming up with any ideas, let me help you!
<b>If You And Your Guests Love Movies, Fantasy, And Adult Party Themes, Read On!</b>
When organizing a birthday party for children, it’s usually very simple and most kids enjoy being a clown, cowboy & cowgirl, or their favorite sci-fi characters. However, for adults you want to create a little more stimulation for the guests, and create that party theme that people just want to be a part of and talk about for weeks on end afterwards.
How do you go about creating this knockout theme party you ask? It’s simple! First you have to understand the type of guests you are going to invite, and then tailor the theme around what they like and their personalities.
This will determine how risky or tame your adult costume party will turn out to be. You don’t want to go too crazy if you happen to invite your parents, or future In-laws, and you don’t want to go to soft if you have a wild group of friends that like to go all out!
<b>Adult Fun Starts With A Unique Theme And What You Create Around It</b>
Once you determine your guests’ character traits, your next step is to find decorations, and also have your food complement the theme of your party. So you have a wild bunch of partiers? How about having a “Saran Wrap Party”! This one is easy, all you have to do is get all your guests to arrive wearing only Saran Wrap, and they can get as creative as they like, or they can be as revealing as they feel comfortable with. How about having a backyard beach party with a twist. All the men have to wear a one or two-piece women’s bathing suit, and the women have to wear men’s attire such as board shorts and beach shirts.
Now I know you may be asking where the fun is for the women wearing guys attire. The whole purpose is to get the guys in those g-string bikinis and create a really funny atmosphere. The men will be feeding off the humour and the women will feel less intimidated and possibly more open to the environment when meeting new guys at your party.
Whatever you decide to do, have fun and use your imagination. Get balloons, streamers, and lots of fun decorations, because they will really add to your theme and party atmosphere.
If you need to find costumes and accessories, and you just don’t have the time to drive all over town to find something really cool, consider many of the online costume shops that are offering fantastic summer deals! This is the best time to find what you need, because it’s not as busy as the fall season, and you will get your selected items quickly, and just in time for your next summer costume bash. Good luck and have fun!
Accessorize Your Wedding Attire with a Stunning Bridal Handbag
If there's one day when you want to look stunning, it's your wedding day. You also want to be practical on this busy day. You probably would like to carry a few needful things along so you'll have them on-hand as you prepare for the reception or as you drive away into the sunset with your beloved. Bridal handbags are both stunning and practical for this very purpose.
Bridal handbags, or wedding purses, come in all shapes and sizes with many dashing designs, and with just enough room to carry those small personal items such as touch-up powder, eye liner, lipstick, deodorant, a comb or brush, keys, handkerchiefs, or maybe even a little spare change! After the wedding, there are always photos, reception food and drink, and a time of fellowship with family and friends. A bridal handbag allows you to carry a few things along to touch up your hair and makeup as you make the transition from the wedding to the reception.
Types of Bridal Handbags
Bridal handbags are usually very small and easy to carry. They may be decorated with sequins, beads, crystals, lace, ribbons, miniature tassels, or precious stones. Wedding handbags are usually made of materials such as satin, silk, nylon, or polyester.
There are three basic styles of handbags for brides: clutch, fancy, and structured. Clutch bridal purses are typically made of silk or satin, have an inner lining, and do not have straps or handles. Fancy handbags are usually made with elegant designs embellished with precious stones, crystals, or beads. They also come with decorated handles made of metal or cloth with optional shoulder straps. Structured wedding handbags have a stable bottom and are usually made of satin, silk, nylon, or polyester. They also usually have handles and clasps made of metal.
Accentuate Your Wedding Dress
Bridal handbags are a great accessory for your wedding attire. Choose a bridal purse that matches or complements your dress, jewelry, tiara, and wedding shoes. The handbag should be made of the same or similar material as your dress and have similar patterns and designs. If your dress has lace and white pearls, find a wedding purse decorated with lace and white pearls (or beads that resemble pearls).
Choose a bridal handbag that fits your style and your figure. The handbag should be easy to handle and not too large. You don't want to attract too much attention to your wedding purse. It shouldn't stand out, but it should blend with your other attire. It should add a touch of elegance without dominating the reception photos.
Wedding Handbags as Bridesmaid Gifts
Wedding handbags can also be ordered to match the dresses of bridesmaids and given as gifts from the bride. Choose handbags that your bridesmaids can use for other occasions, not only at the wedding. Every woman and girl loves a new handbag, so these make excellent gifts!
If you're not sure where to shop for bridal handbags, you can find a variety of styles online along with other wedding accessories such as tiaras, ring cushions, jewelry, and more. Use these tips to find a lovely bridal handbag for your special day!
Bridal handbags, or wedding purses, come in all shapes and sizes with many dashing designs, and with just enough room to carry those small personal items such as touch-up powder, eye liner, lipstick, deodorant, a comb or brush, keys, handkerchiefs, or maybe even a little spare change! After the wedding, there are always photos, reception food and drink, and a time of fellowship with family and friends. A bridal handbag allows you to carry a few things along to touch up your hair and makeup as you make the transition from the wedding to the reception.
Types of Bridal Handbags
Bridal handbags are usually very small and easy to carry. They may be decorated with sequins, beads, crystals, lace, ribbons, miniature tassels, or precious stones. Wedding handbags are usually made of materials such as satin, silk, nylon, or polyester.
There are three basic styles of handbags for brides: clutch, fancy, and structured. Clutch bridal purses are typically made of silk or satin, have an inner lining, and do not have straps or handles. Fancy handbags are usually made with elegant designs embellished with precious stones, crystals, or beads. They also come with decorated handles made of metal or cloth with optional shoulder straps. Structured wedding handbags have a stable bottom and are usually made of satin, silk, nylon, or polyester. They also usually have handles and clasps made of metal.
Accentuate Your Wedding Dress
Bridal handbags are a great accessory for your wedding attire. Choose a bridal purse that matches or complements your dress, jewelry, tiara, and wedding shoes. The handbag should be made of the same or similar material as your dress and have similar patterns and designs. If your dress has lace and white pearls, find a wedding purse decorated with lace and white pearls (or beads that resemble pearls).
Choose a bridal handbag that fits your style and your figure. The handbag should be easy to handle and not too large. You don't want to attract too much attention to your wedding purse. It shouldn't stand out, but it should blend with your other attire. It should add a touch of elegance without dominating the reception photos.
Wedding Handbags as Bridesmaid Gifts
Wedding handbags can also be ordered to match the dresses of bridesmaids and given as gifts from the bride. Choose handbags that your bridesmaids can use for other occasions, not only at the wedding. Every woman and girl loves a new handbag, so these make excellent gifts!
If you're not sure where to shop for bridal handbags, you can find a variety of styles online along with other wedding accessories such as tiaras, ring cushions, jewelry, and more. Use these tips to find a lovely bridal handbag for your special day!
A Short History of Gloves
An old and reclusive art, glove making has been intertwined with human culture since the days of the caveman. The first gloves resembled crude mittens. As the years passed, glove making became more of a refined art. Articulated fingers were stitched in to provide more dexterity and ease of movement. While glove makers' guilds once dominated in a society obsessed with a covered hand, today very few remain. Fewer still are the patterns available for hand-made gloves. Machine sewn and hand-finished gloves are mostly what you'll find in the market.
Gloves are seen in ancient writings, such as Homer's The Odyssey, in which Laertes is said to wear gloves in his garden so as to avoid the brambles. There is some debate over the translation of this text. In The History of Herodotus, written in 440 BC, Herodotus describes how Leotychides was given a bribe in the form of a gauntlet overflowing with silver, which later incriminated him.
As years passed, the complexity and versatility of gloves grew. Plated gauntlets are dated back as far as the early 14th century. Before that, mail gloves were worn. Some knights were cited as wearing mail gloves under their plated gauntlets for added strength.
Now, if we look to the fashion world, we see a marvelous array of styles. Cloth and leather gauntlets displayed intricate embroideries. Ladies in the 19th century adored opera gloves. One peculiarity is that they tried to fit their hands into gloves a size too small! This forced one's hand to rest in a half cupped position - perfect for greeting, but not for kissing. If you have ever attempted to don a glove you are too big for, you realize what a task these women undertook! Buttonhook and powdered alum provided some lubrication, but still, before an opera, determined women would sit for hours, coaxing their hands down into tight gloves.
Few tomes remain that give us real insight of early gloves. One of the more revered in existence today is Le Gant. The book, while entirely in French, reveals many patterns and divulges a brief development and history of the glove. Also included are passages telling us of the period's social relevance and sexual significance pertaining to the glove.
Insulation from the heat or cold. Protection from scratches and cuts. The instigation of duels. Bold or minute fashion statements. Gloves have worn many hats, so to speak, throughout history. They continue to be a wholly integral part of many jobs today. Conversely, there has been a sharp decline in the use of gloves as fashion accessories over the past several decades. Fewer and fewer girls attend their proms with gloves. Fashion is a fickle thing, and only time will tell the future of the glove.
Glove enthusiast, Taylor Hartley, conducts and posts research regarding all types of gloves. For more information regarding industrial and personal use gloves, visit http://www.unitedglove.com.
Gloves are seen in ancient writings, such as Homer's The Odyssey, in which Laertes is said to wear gloves in his garden so as to avoid the brambles. There is some debate over the translation of this text. In The History of Herodotus, written in 440 BC, Herodotus describes how Leotychides was given a bribe in the form of a gauntlet overflowing with silver, which later incriminated him.
As years passed, the complexity and versatility of gloves grew. Plated gauntlets are dated back as far as the early 14th century. Before that, mail gloves were worn. Some knights were cited as wearing mail gloves under their plated gauntlets for added strength.
Now, if we look to the fashion world, we see a marvelous array of styles. Cloth and leather gauntlets displayed intricate embroideries. Ladies in the 19th century adored opera gloves. One peculiarity is that they tried to fit their hands into gloves a size too small! This forced one's hand to rest in a half cupped position - perfect for greeting, but not for kissing. If you have ever attempted to don a glove you are too big for, you realize what a task these women undertook! Buttonhook and powdered alum provided some lubrication, but still, before an opera, determined women would sit for hours, coaxing their hands down into tight gloves.
Few tomes remain that give us real insight of early gloves. One of the more revered in existence today is Le Gant. The book, while entirely in French, reveals many patterns and divulges a brief development and history of the glove. Also included are passages telling us of the period's social relevance and sexual significance pertaining to the glove.
Insulation from the heat or cold. Protection from scratches and cuts. The instigation of duels. Bold or minute fashion statements. Gloves have worn many hats, so to speak, throughout history. They continue to be a wholly integral part of many jobs today. Conversely, there has been a sharp decline in the use of gloves as fashion accessories over the past several decades. Fewer and fewer girls attend their proms with gloves. Fashion is a fickle thing, and only time will tell the future of the glove.
Glove enthusiast, Taylor Hartley, conducts and posts research regarding all types of gloves. For more information regarding industrial and personal use gloves, visit http://www.unitedglove.com.
A Season Of Classic Looks And Delicate Details
What will women be wearing this fall? The style-savvy experts at Chadwick's, the nation's first and largest value fashion catalog, say that clean and conservative looks are back in vogue. Skin-baring outfits are out and layering is in. Volume and textured fabric are fashion's buzzwords, and rich colors like black, red, purple and gray ruled the runways. Chadwick's offers the following tips on how to be fashionable this fall:
Sleek Silhouettes
The "new suit" features fitted jackets paired with slim pants and skirts, for a polished, tailored look. Consider a mandarin collar or washed wool plaid blazer with a favorite pair of pants for sophisticated style. Or menswear-styled suit jackets, softened with feminine details and gentle draping, create a look that works in a boardroom or a bistro.
Give your pants some pizzazz by wearing cropped or wide-legged styles. Several top designers explored this trend with contrasting looks-pairing loose with tight and long with short. Anyone can wear this look by balancing the silhouette with heels or an appropriate top.
Touchable Textures
Luxurious velvet made a comeback this season. Chadwick's designs feature crushed and jewelry-close velvet blazers that create a modern look.
From chunky cable to fine gauge, there's a knit for all occasions. For a cozy option on chilly fall nights, choose a sweater-knit. For a feminine spin, try a twin set lined with ruffles or a beaded cardigan.
Au Courant Accents
For tasteful fall layering, it's all in the details. Pieces trimmed in lace or ruffles create a romantic touch under shirts and jackets.
Wound along the hem of a skirt or down a pant leg, embroidery adds a splash of style. Paisley and floral designs are classic twists on this modern trend.
One signature snapshot is a jacket cinched at the waist with a belt. Pair it with a boot of any height for an up-to-the-minute look.
Sleek Silhouettes
The "new suit" features fitted jackets paired with slim pants and skirts, for a polished, tailored look. Consider a mandarin collar or washed wool plaid blazer with a favorite pair of pants for sophisticated style. Or menswear-styled suit jackets, softened with feminine details and gentle draping, create a look that works in a boardroom or a bistro.
Give your pants some pizzazz by wearing cropped or wide-legged styles. Several top designers explored this trend with contrasting looks-pairing loose with tight and long with short. Anyone can wear this look by balancing the silhouette with heels or an appropriate top.
Touchable Textures
Luxurious velvet made a comeback this season. Chadwick's designs feature crushed and jewelry-close velvet blazers that create a modern look.
From chunky cable to fine gauge, there's a knit for all occasions. For a cozy option on chilly fall nights, choose a sweater-knit. For a feminine spin, try a twin set lined with ruffles or a beaded cardigan.
Au Courant Accents
For tasteful fall layering, it's all in the details. Pieces trimmed in lace or ruffles create a romantic touch under shirts and jackets.
Wound along the hem of a skirt or down a pant leg, embroidery adds a splash of style. Paisley and floral designs are classic twists on this modern trend.
One signature snapshot is a jacket cinched at the waist with a belt. Pair it with a boot of any height for an up-to-the-minute look.
A guide on how to buy neck tie for your wedding
It is your wedding time and you are trudging all around endless shops on the weekends and not getting what you want. You shall easily find the perfect tie for your outfit if you consider some simple things.
Always consider that tie or cravats what is going to suit however ties are cheaper but cravats shall look great. Think about bow ties and cummerbunds, match of the wedding color scheme, buy or hire and how you are going to take care and clean.
<b> 1. </b> Ties or cravats
Although cravats are more popular for formal wedding, they are more expensive than the ties and are not worn in daily routine. A good quality silk neck tie will also be a nice choice if it matches with your outfit.
<b> 2. </b> Cummerbunds or bow tie
Some of you may prefer bow ties instead of neck ties that also come in various colors and styles. Bow ties can be self tied or pre tied but the range of pre tied ones is far more than the self tied. Many bow ties come with matching cummerbunds and could be ideal match for your wedding dress.
<b> 3. </b> Matching color scheme
If your wedding color scheme is “standard” color, you can choose a close match ties or cravats that are widely available.
<b> 4. </b> To hire or buy
In formal weddings, suits and other items can be hired or purchased whereby if you hire the item, you can save a considerable amount of money especially in the case of suits. In neck ties, it could be more difficult because the shop could have a limited number of ties or cravats. The most popular wedding neck ties come in plain polyester satin or silk fabric that you can hire at $10 -$15 for a fair good value.
<b> 5. </b> Clean and take care of your ties
Once you have bought your ties, make sure that they are not creased or crumpled. For this, lay them flat or hang on a tie rack. While you try them, you should completely undo nay knots and hang up the tie for couple of days so that the lines from the knot clear. If on the day of wedding something spills on the tie just dab it with a dry cloth so that it soaks up as much as possible. If it is something like fruit juice or gravy let it dry and then gently dab it with the narrow end of the tie. Silk and polyester fabric reacts differently so this method will help a little. Don’t iron the tie for any reason and never iron it directly instead cover it with a cotton cloth and then iron on a cool setting.
For further details, visit our recommended website <a href="http://www.tying-neck-tie.info">tying-neck-tie.info </a>
Always consider that tie or cravats what is going to suit however ties are cheaper but cravats shall look great. Think about bow ties and cummerbunds, match of the wedding color scheme, buy or hire and how you are going to take care and clean.
<b> 1. </b> Ties or cravats
Although cravats are more popular for formal wedding, they are more expensive than the ties and are not worn in daily routine. A good quality silk neck tie will also be a nice choice if it matches with your outfit.
<b> 2. </b> Cummerbunds or bow tie
Some of you may prefer bow ties instead of neck ties that also come in various colors and styles. Bow ties can be self tied or pre tied but the range of pre tied ones is far more than the self tied. Many bow ties come with matching cummerbunds and could be ideal match for your wedding dress.
<b> 3. </b> Matching color scheme
If your wedding color scheme is “standard” color, you can choose a close match ties or cravats that are widely available.
<b> 4. </b> To hire or buy
In formal weddings, suits and other items can be hired or purchased whereby if you hire the item, you can save a considerable amount of money especially in the case of suits. In neck ties, it could be more difficult because the shop could have a limited number of ties or cravats. The most popular wedding neck ties come in plain polyester satin or silk fabric that you can hire at $10 -$15 for a fair good value.
<b> 5. </b> Clean and take care of your ties
Once you have bought your ties, make sure that they are not creased or crumpled. For this, lay them flat or hang on a tie rack. While you try them, you should completely undo nay knots and hang up the tie for couple of days so that the lines from the knot clear. If on the day of wedding something spills on the tie just dab it with a dry cloth so that it soaks up as much as possible. If it is something like fruit juice or gravy let it dry and then gently dab it with the narrow end of the tie. Silk and polyester fabric reacts differently so this method will help a little. Don’t iron the tie for any reason and never iron it directly instead cover it with a cotton cloth and then iron on a cool setting.
For further details, visit our recommended website <a href="http://www.tying-neck-tie.info">tying-neck-tie.info </a>
A Clothes Encounter In The Business World
Do you ever wonder where all the dress rules have gone? Depending on when and where you are on any given business day, the words "distant past" might come to mind. It's difficult to decide if people don't know what to wear to work or if they have lost sight of the relevance of appearance to professional success.
The Queen of England is reported to have told Prince Charles, "Dress gives one the outward sign from which people can judge the inward state of mind. One they can see, the other they cannot." Clearly, she was saying what many people are reluctant to accept; that people judge us by the way we dress. In all situations, business and social, our outward appearance sends a message.
Try going to a busy restaurant at lunchtime. Look around you at what people are wearing and see if you don't make judgments about who they are, their line of business, their personalities and their competencies. Think about how you feel when you are dressed in your usual business attire as opposed to casual dress. Your choice of business apparel speaks to your professional behavior and credibility. It is important to understand how to dress for business if you wish to promote yourself and your organization in a positive manner,
How you dress depends on four factors: the industry in which you work, the job you have within that industry, the geographic area in which you live; and most importantly, what your client expects to see.
Professional Dress for Men
In men's clothing, fashion does not change significantly from season to season but business attire is about being professional and not about being fashionable. It's about presenting yourself in a way that makes your clients feel comfortable and confident with you. Dressing for success is still the rule. The professional businessman should keep in mind these few points when deciding what to wear to work.
Choose a conservative suit in navy, black or gray either pinstripe or solid. The quality of the material speaks as loudly as the color and can make the difference between sleaze and suave.
A solid white or blue dress shirt with long sleeves offers the most polished look. The more pattern and color you add, the more the focus is on your clothing, rather than your professionalism.
Ties should be made of silk or a silk-like fabric. Avoid the cartoon characters and go for simple and subtle if you want to enhance your credibility.
Socks should be calf-length or above. Make sure they match not only what you are wearing, but also each other. A quick glance in good light before heading out the door can save embarrassment later in the day. Check for holes as well if you'll be going through airport security and removing your shoes.
Shoes should without question be conservative, clean and well polished. Lace-up shoes are the choice over slip-ons or flip flops. Don't think for a minute that people don't notice shoes. Many people will look at your feet before your face.
Belts need to match or closely coordinate with your shoes. Once again, quality counts.
Keep jewelry to a minimum. In a time when men sport gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings, the business professional should limit himself to a conservative watch, a wedding band and maybe his college ring.
Personal hygiene is part of the success equation. Freshly scrubbed wins out over heavily fragranced any day of the week. Save the after-shave for after hours, but never the shave itself.
The finishing touch for the business man is his choice of accessories: briefcase, portfolio and pen. When it comes to sealing the deal, a top of the line suit, a silk tie and a good pair of leather shoes can lose their affect when you pull out the ball point pen you picked up in the hotel meeting room the day before.
Professional Dress for Women
When women entered the workplace in the 1970's and 1980's in greater numbers than ever before and began to move into positions which had traditionally been held by men, many of them believed that they needed to imitate male business attire. The result was women showing up at the office in skirted suits or coordinated skirts and jackets with tailored blouses finished off with an accessory item that looked very much like a man's tie. Happily those days are gone. While the business woman may now wear trousers to work, she does it out of a desire to appear professional and at the same time enjoy the flexibility and comfort that pants offer over skirts. Her goal is no longer to mirror her male colleagues.
The same overall rules apply to women's work attire as apply to men's. Business clothing is not a reflection of the latest fashion trend. A woman should be noticed for who she is and her professional skills rather than for what she wears. Her business wear should be appropriate for her industry and her position or title within the industry.
Start with a skirted suit or pants suit for the most conservative look. A skirted suit is the most professional. With a few exceptions, dresses do not offer the same credibility unless they are accompanied by matching jackets.
Skirts should be knee-length or slightly above or below. Avoid extremes. A skirt more than two inches above the knee raises eyebrows and questions.
Pants should break at the top of the foot or shoe. While Capri pants and their fashion cousins that come in assorted lengths from mid-calf to ankle are the latest trend, they are out of place in the conservative business environment.
Blouses and sweaters provide color and variety to woman's clothing, but they should be appealing rather than revealing. Inappropriate necklines and waistlines can give the wrong impression.
Women need to wear hose in the business world. Neutral or flesh-tone stockings are the best choices. Never wear dark hose with light-colored clothing or shoes. Keep an extra pair of stockings in your desk drawer unless the hosiery store is next door or just down the street from the office.
Faces, not feet, should be the focal point in business so chose conservative shoes. A low heel is more professional than flats or high heels. In spite of current fashion and the sandal rage, open-toed or backless shoes are not office attire. Not only are sandals a safety hazard, they suggest a certain official agenda.
When it comes to accessories and jewelry, less is once again more. Keep it simple: one ring per hand, one earring per ear. Accessories should reflect your personality, not diminish your credibility.
Business attire is different from weekend and evening wear. Investing in a good business wardrobe is an investment in your professional future. For those who think it's not what you wear but who you are that creates success, give that some more thought. Business skills and experience count, but so does personal appearance and that all-important first impression.
© 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
The Queen of England is reported to have told Prince Charles, "Dress gives one the outward sign from which people can judge the inward state of mind. One they can see, the other they cannot." Clearly, she was saying what many people are reluctant to accept; that people judge us by the way we dress. In all situations, business and social, our outward appearance sends a message.
Try going to a busy restaurant at lunchtime. Look around you at what people are wearing and see if you don't make judgments about who they are, their line of business, their personalities and their competencies. Think about how you feel when you are dressed in your usual business attire as opposed to casual dress. Your choice of business apparel speaks to your professional behavior and credibility. It is important to understand how to dress for business if you wish to promote yourself and your organization in a positive manner,
How you dress depends on four factors: the industry in which you work, the job you have within that industry, the geographic area in which you live; and most importantly, what your client expects to see.
Professional Dress for Men
In men's clothing, fashion does not change significantly from season to season but business attire is about being professional and not about being fashionable. It's about presenting yourself in a way that makes your clients feel comfortable and confident with you. Dressing for success is still the rule. The professional businessman should keep in mind these few points when deciding what to wear to work.
Choose a conservative suit in navy, black or gray either pinstripe or solid. The quality of the material speaks as loudly as the color and can make the difference between sleaze and suave.
A solid white or blue dress shirt with long sleeves offers the most polished look. The more pattern and color you add, the more the focus is on your clothing, rather than your professionalism.
Ties should be made of silk or a silk-like fabric. Avoid the cartoon characters and go for simple and subtle if you want to enhance your credibility.
Socks should be calf-length or above. Make sure they match not only what you are wearing, but also each other. A quick glance in good light before heading out the door can save embarrassment later in the day. Check for holes as well if you'll be going through airport security and removing your shoes.
Shoes should without question be conservative, clean and well polished. Lace-up shoes are the choice over slip-ons or flip flops. Don't think for a minute that people don't notice shoes. Many people will look at your feet before your face.
Belts need to match or closely coordinate with your shoes. Once again, quality counts.
Keep jewelry to a minimum. In a time when men sport gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings, the business professional should limit himself to a conservative watch, a wedding band and maybe his college ring.
Personal hygiene is part of the success equation. Freshly scrubbed wins out over heavily fragranced any day of the week. Save the after-shave for after hours, but never the shave itself.
The finishing touch for the business man is his choice of accessories: briefcase, portfolio and pen. When it comes to sealing the deal, a top of the line suit, a silk tie and a good pair of leather shoes can lose their affect when you pull out the ball point pen you picked up in the hotel meeting room the day before.
Professional Dress for Women
When women entered the workplace in the 1970's and 1980's in greater numbers than ever before and began to move into positions which had traditionally been held by men, many of them believed that they needed to imitate male business attire. The result was women showing up at the office in skirted suits or coordinated skirts and jackets with tailored blouses finished off with an accessory item that looked very much like a man's tie. Happily those days are gone. While the business woman may now wear trousers to work, she does it out of a desire to appear professional and at the same time enjoy the flexibility and comfort that pants offer over skirts. Her goal is no longer to mirror her male colleagues.
The same overall rules apply to women's work attire as apply to men's. Business clothing is not a reflection of the latest fashion trend. A woman should be noticed for who she is and her professional skills rather than for what she wears. Her business wear should be appropriate for her industry and her position or title within the industry.
Start with a skirted suit or pants suit for the most conservative look. A skirted suit is the most professional. With a few exceptions, dresses do not offer the same credibility unless they are accompanied by matching jackets.
Skirts should be knee-length or slightly above or below. Avoid extremes. A skirt more than two inches above the knee raises eyebrows and questions.
Pants should break at the top of the foot or shoe. While Capri pants and their fashion cousins that come in assorted lengths from mid-calf to ankle are the latest trend, they are out of place in the conservative business environment.
Blouses and sweaters provide color and variety to woman's clothing, but they should be appealing rather than revealing. Inappropriate necklines and waistlines can give the wrong impression.
Women need to wear hose in the business world. Neutral or flesh-tone stockings are the best choices. Never wear dark hose with light-colored clothing or shoes. Keep an extra pair of stockings in your desk drawer unless the hosiery store is next door or just down the street from the office.
Faces, not feet, should be the focal point in business so chose conservative shoes. A low heel is more professional than flats or high heels. In spite of current fashion and the sandal rage, open-toed or backless shoes are not office attire. Not only are sandals a safety hazard, they suggest a certain official agenda.
When it comes to accessories and jewelry, less is once again more. Keep it simple: one ring per hand, one earring per ear. Accessories should reflect your personality, not diminish your credibility.
Business attire is different from weekend and evening wear. Investing in a good business wardrobe is an investment in your professional future. For those who think it's not what you wear but who you are that creates success, give that some more thought. Business skills and experience count, but so does personal appearance and that all-important first impression.
© 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
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