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How to Build a Core Wardrobe

July 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ClosetRegardless of whether or not the economy is booming, many people continue to struggle getting a wardrobe together. It really is easy to create a great wardrobe without spending more money! In fact, with as few as 9 pieces in your wardrobe you can create 20 outfits.

It’s all about choosing the right core pieces and an added side benefit is that it is a great way to stretch your budget dollars.  You’ll find yourself confident in your clothing knowing you are appropriately dressed for all occasions.   The most versatile core wardrobe begins with the following items:

  1. Two suits in your best neutral shade (solid) (4 pieces)
  2. Matching blouses (these can be patterned or solid) (2 pieces)
  3. Jacket or cardigan in black or navy (1 piece)
  4. Skirt or slacks in black or navy (1 piece)
  5. Blouse in white or cream (your best color) (1 piece)

With these 9 pieces you can mix and match 20 outfits!  Build your core as your budget allows and keep in mind your goal.   You don’t have to have the core all at once!

The key to a confident core and making it work is to focus on solid colors and year round fabrics such as worsted wool, crepe, rayon & rayon blends, wool gabardine and cotton.  This minimizes your costs and adds greater versatility to your closet.  Once you have achieved success in your core, don’t forget to split them up so you can see the potential that is there!  You will find that all of your pieces will mix and match beautifully and you will always:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: Business Wardrobe, How To, Wardrobe Tagged With: ,

Preparing for the Harvest

June 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

squareftgardenToday, I am really glad it is Friday!  About 10 days ago, I started having intermittent problems with my technology.  I am now on the road to a new pc, but before it arrived the rabbits ate my snap peas.

If you have been following my blogs, you know that I have an organic square foot  garden.  I am  proud of the construction my son and I did together. (see photo).  Each morning I  go out to check on its progress, feeling pretty smug about the  new growth I see. 

This past Monday was no different.  I had been waiting to put a protective mesh cover on it  until I saw significant sprouts on my newly planted veggies.  The sugar snap peas had begun to pop their little heads above the ground. 

Now I knew that I was in a race against time…..the time when the rabbits might find them.  I was feeling a little like Mr. McGregor in the tale of Peter Rabbit.  Each morning I rose to find all was well, so I went about my day doing “things” knowing that I needed to get the covering taken care of but being glad that I had been granted one more day.

Monday morning came and as usual I went on my walk.  I returned to check on things only to find that my cavelier attitude had finally gotten the better of me.  As angry as I was I realized that I only had myself to blame for what had happened. 

I had been given time each day to get it done only to put it off for another day.  Each day I took advantage of the reprieve I was given to do something else seemingly more important.  Only Monday was different.  The rabbits DID find the veggies and they DID eat all the little buds.

I now have a covering to protect my vegetables, but it made me think about the harvest we should be preparing for when drought in the economy is over.  What are you doing to prepare for the harvest?  What do you need to do to  make sure the rabbits don’t eat your harvest? 

Fortunately for me, I still have time left in the growing season to start over.  Do you?  What does your image say about you?   Are you branding yourself for opportunity that might be around the next corner?  Do you dress each day as if there is an opportunity just waiting for you or do you get up and dress as if you were just coming in from a work out or working in the garden?

What rabbits are eating at your harvest?  Consider starting each day as if you were planting seeds for the next harvest, because you really are!

Remember always

“Look Good, Feel Great, and Have FUN Doing It!”

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape
Filed Under: Business Wardrobe Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Image and the College Graduate – Get Hired!

April 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again.  Graduation from College is a milestone that is both exhilarating and scary.  From the day that you walked through the doors of your first class until now, everything was leading to this point.  Now what??? 

If you have been coached by your advisers properly, you should have a resume that shows all of your best qualities.  You are absolutely the best candidate and feel confident that your resume speaks to your abilities to do the job.  You are getting ready to tackle that interview, but what do you wear?  You may ask yourself, “does it really matter”?  I answer with a resounding YES-simply YES.  It is the key to you being able to show what you’ve got. 

Follow the simple rules of business etiquette and personal presence and you’ve taken the first step toward separating yourself from the crowd of others just like you getting that first job.  It is in the details and image does really matter-you’ve heard it said “a picture is worth a 1,000 words”.  Make your picture worth remembering.

  1. Hair should be clean and well groomed
  2. Clothes should be clean and pressed
  3. Minimal make-up
  4. Nice pen (nothing plastic)
  5. Clean, well-heeled, polished shoes (no scuff marks)
  6. Men no earrings, 1 watch and 1 ring if you wear a ring
  7. Women-minimal jewelry, no multiple piercings or bracelets
  8. Always think in terms of 3 pieces (jacket being your third piece)
  9. Skirts worn to knees and with hoisery
  10. No capri length pants
  11. Men socks should be to the knee (don’t want to see your legs)
  12. Men 2 piece matched suit is appropriate
  13. Sports coat and high quality wool slacks where appropriate
  14. Women 2-3 inch heels appropriate (if you can’t walk comfortably wear shorter heels)
  15. Belts and shoes should match
  16. Women if you have long hair (below shoulders) tie it back to the nape of your neck or pull it up
  17. Men be clean shaven-2 or 3 day stubble is not appropriate (people look to your facial expression and facial hair can hide this)
  18. No perfume or cologne
  19. Leave the cellphone in the car
  20. Small portfolio or briefcase (briefcase can act as your handbag)

It goes without saying that you must always prepare for the interview.  This means to research the company that you are interviewing with.  Some companies are more formal than others.  You would want to know this.  Finally, when you are dressed appropriately to manage your first impressions, you are more confident and it shows.  You will be more relaxed and the concerns are no longer about you but how you can help this company meet their objectives.

Good luck and may the best person “GET HIRED”!

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Business Wardrobe, Interview Skills Tagged With: , ,

Etiquette and Today’s Casual Dress Environment

December 31, 2007 By 2 Comments

Reflecting on the summer’s end and focusing on the fall season ahead, I am reminded again why understanding the impact your dress is so important. Do you remember hoopla over the “flip flop faux paux”? The Northwestern University championship woman’s lacrosse team met with President Bush at the White House. Many of them appeared in sundresses, and skirts with flip-flops adorning their feet. They weren’t alone. UCLA’s water polo team was similarly turned out.

My immediate reaction was one of great disappointment on the part of the coach. Didn’t the coach make any suggestions to these young girls what was appropriate to wear? Maybe the coach did. Why weren’t certain expectations of the team discussed prior to their visit? Maybe they were. I wonder how the coach(es) were dressed. Several days of editorial comments followed, and I began to realize that most of the comments were centered on the personal comfort of the players. What I wanted to say to these people was: “It’s NOT about YOU!” A basic breach of etiquette had occurred and they didn’t understand its impact. It is about respecting your host, the environment and the situation that you are in. One might think that meeting the President of the United States would call for more than poolside attire. Hadn’t they been taught? Didn’t someone tell them?

In this issue, I have devoted the entire Newsletter to the ‘Rules’ of Etiquette. More and more, I have seen what I refer to as ‘creative invitations’ surfacing. This gives rise to great anxiety; I will give suggestions to those as well.  With the ever- changing casual culture we have, it is no wonder people just throw up their hands and put on whatever is comfortable. Information that I have used can be readily found in both Emily Posts “Emily Post’s Etiquette”, and “Letitia Baldridge’s New Manners for New Times”, and “Etiquette for Dummies”. I guarantee if you follow these guidelines, you will always be appropriately dressed, and comfortable, whether you are at a neighborhood gathering, dinner with the company CEO, or at the home of the President of the United States.

INVITATIONS

  • As a HOST, always give guidelines of attire when sending invitations. It is a matter of courtesy to your guests to let them know what to wear. 
  • As a GUEST, try to follow the suggested attire when you are at an event. At times when there is no attire suggested, you have two options. You may either contact the host or although not recommended, wear what you deem appropriate. 

There are two categories of dress: more recently creative imaginative dress and the original traditional dress. Below are some of the guidelines for dressing that are more commonly seen.

CASUAL

  • Certain rules apply to ‘casual’ dressing.  The important point to remember about casual dressing is that attire and grooming go hand in hand.
  • What casual doesn’t mean:  Shirttail out, wrinkles, stains on clothing, frayed garments, women in curlers, jeans with holes in them, dirty sneakers, t-shirts that are really undershirts, belly buttons showing

DRESSY CASUAL*

  • Men: Slacks, seasonal sports coats or blazers w/ open-collar shirt 
  • Women: Dresses or skirts w/ nice tops OR dressy pants outfits

*Nights, especially weekend nights tend to be a bit more formal than afternoons. Country club parties are a bit dressier than someone’s house.

BUSINESS ATTIRE

  • Jackets or sports coats and ties for men
  • Pantsuits, skirts or dresses for women

SUNDAY DRESS

  • Coat and tie for men
  • Dresses and pantsuits for women

HOLIDAY HIP

The ‘hip’ indicates a bit of fun. A good pair of jeans is fine. But the key to this party is more in the accessorizing for the festivities than anything else. Have fun with this, but no holes in the jeans please.

GARDEN PARTY

  • Can be elegant-especially in the South.  Wear nice clothing suited to outdoor environments. Cotton or linen skirt, slacks with matching top for women.
  • Men should wear slacks with a collared shirt. Short sleeve dressy silk, linen or rayon might be appropriate.

POOLSIDE

If it is the afternoon and you are NOT at the White House, swimsuits, shorts, and flip-flops are fine. If you wear a cover-up or shorts, make sure they coordinate.

KHAKIS, NO JEANS

This is pretty clear, but you don’t ‘have’ to wear khakis. They just want you to wear something that is part of your nice casual wardrobe.

TRADITIONAL CATEGORIES

  • White Tie:  Ultra Formal-Women wear formal gowns; men wear tailcoats w/matching trousers, white vests, bowties, and white or gray gloves-this is not seen often today.
  • Black Tie:  Black tuxedos for men or an elegant black suit white shirt and black necktie as long as it is formal. Women should wear formal evening or cocktail dresses
  • Black Tie Optional:  Men wear tuxedo or a dark conservative suit. Women wear cocktail or formal dresses.
  • Semi-formal: Men wear dressy business attire. Women wear either dressy business or cocktail attire.
  • Creative Black Tie: Formal wear should fit your personality! Add a plaid vest or kilt for example. Women can substitute festive accessories for their formal attire. 
  • Cocktail:  Short party dresses for women.  Men should wear dark business suits.  
  • Informal:  Does NOT mean casual.  Men can leave their tie at home and just wear their jacket and slacks. Women should wear nice pants or skirt with tops that match or coordinate.
  • Smart:  (Informal unless you know the host’s tastes.) Men should wear shirts (wear a colorful one). Women should stick to skirts or pantsuits.

OTHER ETIQUETTE TIPS

R.S.V.P.

This does NOT mean “regrets only”. It means the host wants to hear from you-SOON! This is also a good time to understand what the attire is. It is very RUDE not to respond.

HOSTESS GIFT

Bring something simple, generic, and inexpensive-cocktail napkins or candles to a dinner party. Wine is fine if the host enjoys it.

THANK YOU

Send a brief note after the party to let the hosts know you enjoyed it-even if you didn’t! 

Remember, it is always best to be overdressed than under-dressed. You want to be comfortable and look as though you thought about what you chose to wear.  If there is ever any doubt in your mind regarding your next event, please feel free to contact me!

Filed Under: Business Wardrobe, Wardrobe Tagged With: , , , , , ,