Positioning yourself for a big job promotion? You’ll need to dress the part–even if you dress down at work.
“Whether we like it or not, we’re still judged on appearances, and if you want to be viewed as a professional, you must project a professional image at work,” says Laura Goldstein, editor of Working Woman magazine.
Goldstein believes today’s down-dressing professionals have lots of room to express their personal panache–but they shouldn’t get too comfortable with a loose dress code.
“I think women today are more comfortable than they’ve ever been in expressing their own personal style in the workplace,” she says, “but you still need to dress with a sensitivity to the culture of your company and your clients.”
To do this, Goldstein suggests steering clear of ex-tremes. “Avoid anything too casual,” like T-shirts, she says. “And anything that’s too flamboyant–like pink capri jeans with strappy silver sandals.”
This fall, you can be stylish without looking too trendy by tailoring some of the season’s trends for your new 9 to 5 strategy. Following the company line (as loose as it may be) begins with the bottom line.
“Although pants will still be important this season, skirts are becoming more popular,” says Scott Baskin, co-president of Mark Shale.
And, when it comes to skirts, where you draw the line makes a big difference between this year’s look and last year’s. “Skirt lengths are everywhere, but the freshest look is just below the knee,” he says. “It’s a very hip look. If you get the length just right, it really shows off the shape of your leg.”
What’s topping that skirt counts too.
“Jackets have returned,” Baskin says. “This season’s blazer is not structured; it’s softer, tweedy. And you’ll see it in chunkier types of fabrics.”
Textured fabrics are big this season, as are tweeds and plaids. Baskin says plaids are a fun look for fall, both on top and on bottom.
“You can mix a plaid jacket with a solid pant, or a tweed pant with a solid jacket,” Baskin says. “You’ll see lots of mixing with textures this season.”
This fall, thankfully, comfort is key when it comes to feel and fit.
“Clothes and fabrics have become so comfortable,” Baskin says. “And so much of the look is less structured-close to the body, but not clingy. But not oversized either.”
And leather makes a return, even finding it’s way into the workplace.
Pulling together a complete outfit is important to the success of the dress down look, our experts agree.
“Even if you dress down, you still want to look put together,” Baskin says. “One way to do that is to accessorize with this season’s hottest handbags. Colored reptile prints are really hip. The handbags don’t have to be expensive-they just have to scream, `I have something new.’ “
CREATING YOUR LOOK
Dressing down at work is more comfortable, less expensive and gives you the chance to flaunt your personal flair. But you still need to follow some rules as you climb the corporate ladder, even in khakis.
Laura Goldstein, editor of Working Woman magazine, shares her tips for dressing-down success:
– Be mindful of the environment in which you work. “Take a look around,” Goldstein says. “Are you the only one in spandex?”
– Don’t show too much skin. “That means no tank tops, peek-a-boo midriffs (with or without pierced navel) or camisoles. `Sex and the City’ notwithstanding, most women still shouldn’t wear microminis to the office-especially without hose in the dead of winter,” she says.
– Casual doesn’t mean sloppy. “Clothes still have to be clean, in one piece, and not look like they’ve been slept in,” Goldstein says.
– Put a self-check in place. “I tell employees starting out here that they should be able to attend a business lunch or press conference on a moment’s notice and not wish they’d had time to go home and change first,” she says.
– Above all, use your judgment. “Dress down is a great opportunity to bring your own personal sense of style into the workplace,” Goldstein says. “Just do it with some forethought and respect for the comfort level of those around you. Not to mention your own.”
