Q. I want to invest in a few great pieces for work but I’m not really sure where to start. I’d like to smarten up my image but I don’t want to end up wearing a boring power suit or limit myself to a palette of grey and black. Can you suggest ways to create a fashionable yet functional working wardrobe?
A. The downturn has meant a return to more conservative dress codes and, as the economy muddles along uncertainly, impressing the boss appears to be at the top of our priority list - especially when it comes to our working wardrobes.
Take a look at a gallery of our top office wear choices from the high street.
Back in the heady day of the Celtic Tiger, female work-wear was so relaxed that you could wear whatever tickled your fancy - the worst offenders include exposed bra straps, bare midriffs, thigh-skimming hemlines and street-walker stilettos. But with competition for jobs at an all time high, these days, it’s all about looking as groomed as a Sky newsreader (Charlotte Hawkins to be precise).
If you are short on time, try to plan your outfit the night before you go to work and remember that it's important to send the right message with your clothes. You want to look stylish without being ostentatious, fashionable not outlandish. The image you should be aiming for is “I'm a capable, professional woman” rather than “Look at my clothes, aren't I trendy/rich/thinner?” So ditch anything garish and bin any loud colours or attention seeking clothes that may look frivolous or inappropriate.
If you are not sure where to shop high street stores Wallis, Oasis, Zara, Next and M&S are your new best friends. They all employ clever designers whose job it is to design smart, fashionable clothes that are appropriate for the office. Or, if you can afford to spend a little more, the collections of Donna Karan, Armani, Calvin Klein, Paul Costelloe, Jaeger and Reiss are always packed with perfect work wear.
A good piece to invest in is a well cut jacket. Jackets confer instant professionalism, and pull together the most laid-back outfits into something fabulously self assured. Fortunately jackets are the height of cool right now. Pick a fitted style with a slight shoulder pad that will flatter your curves or, if you are carrying a few pounds, opt for a flowing unstructured cut worn with wide legged pants.
Wear these with a pair of low heels (exposing toe cleavage and toenails is fine, as long as your nails are polished), and a camisole or pretty blouse. For business meetings, choose a simple, tailored shirt teamed with a pencil skirt, to give you a feminine silhouette - and a professional edge. This look can be individualised by adding a bold necklace or a brooch, yes, you may be working in a corporate environment but you can still express your own individuality and your flair for fashion.
CAREER WEAR; THE DOS AND DONTS...
* Don’t wear risqué tops or expose too much cleavage
* Don’t bring an evening bag to a daytime meeting
* Think of your colour palette wear colours that bring out the best in your skin tone and hair colour
* Wear make-up, but don’t overdo it
* Don’t wear informal clothing such as T-shirts or flip-flops
* Avoid excessive bling jewellery
* Avoid particularly short skirts - a pencil skirt is the perfect choice
* Avoid strong perfume
* Invest in a smart coat to create the right first impression
* Make sure there are no ladders in your tights
* Ensure all clothing is pressed or ironed
* Don’t expose your midriff however toned it may be
* Make sure nails are always clean and polished
