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The
Clothing Chronicles ================================================
In This Issue: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Last week's article, "How to Thwart a Creep," http://www.theclothingchronicles.com/archives/175-04152005.htm drew such a response that I'm still sorting through all the emails. Wow! While many readers were glad that someone finally addressed this issue in print, several others wrote to chastise me for laying the responsibility of deterring these guys on women. "Why should the woman be forced to conform because these animals can't control themselves?" one reader asked. It's a good question. After thinking about it for several days, it occurred to me that dressing modestly in the workplace is a lot like safeguarding your home: a little prevention goes a long way. Just as no security measures will stop a truly determined thief and no amount of clothing will stop a truly determined predator, you'll be able to deter quite a few with locked doors, outside lights, or in this case, a modest neckline. Remember: most troublemakers are looking for easy prey; if you make it even a little difficult, they'll look elsewhere. For those who are not so easily dissuaded, you have to get a little tougher. In the workplace, that may mean going to a supervisor, human resources, or even the police. No, it isn't fair that we sometimes have to adapt our clothing and behavior to "keep the wolves at bay" at work. But given that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," it makes sense to control what you can, like what you wear, and avoid what you can't, like the unsavory behavior of other people... So what's on tap for today's article? Something a bit less serious than the last two weeks: a casual clothing guide. Enjoy!
Diana ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Casual Clothing Primer What, exactly, is casual clothing? While some would say that it means jeans and t-shirts and others would say that it's anything other than a suit, the reality is somewhere in between. Casual clothes, by definition, are those lacking in formality. So basically, they're clothes that you DON'T wear to formal functions. Now while a look around any mall, ballpark, work place, or place of worship may have you believing that nothing is formal anymore because the whole world has gone casual, it really isn't true. Casual attire DOES have its appropriate places, including:
So now that we've established when and where casual clothing is appropriate, what constitutes a well-rounded casual wardrobe? Here's a sample list:
SKIRTS
( If you don't wear skirts, add more pants)
DRESSES
SWEATERS
JEANS
PANTS
(If you don't wear pants, add more skirts)
BAG
SHOES
OTHER As you look over this list, you may be thinking that you don't need that many shorts or boots or coats or whatever because of where you live and what you do. That's fine. Remember, this is just a guideline to help you identify some of the holes that might be in your casual wardrobe. If you have a well-rounded inventory, you're less likely to buy impulsively when you suddenly discover that you need something you don't have. So what quality of casual clothes should you have? That depends on your income and lifestyle. Generally, the higher your income, the better the quality of clothes should be. While no one cares what you wear to clean house, paint, or move furniture, the same cannot be said of business and social casual situations. In fact, some business functions like golf games, barbecue at the boss's house, or invitations to sporting events are sometimes used to test a prospect's level of social savvy in manners and dress. So keep that in mind, particularly if your activities take you across different educational, cultural, and income levels. Building a good casual wardrobe takes time, yes, but when built properly and in conjunction with your business wear and eveningwear wardrobes, can create the foundation of a solid, economical, ready-for-anything closet. All it takes is a little planning. And when you look good and are dressed appropriately, you'll always engender respect - even in the most casual of situations.
************** Until next time,
Diana Pemberton-Sikes
http://www.FashionForRealWomen.com ------------------------ Published by:
Top Drawer
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