How to Mix Business with Fashion

Message from Diana
Feature Article: How to Mix Business with Fashion
Glossary: Spencer Jacket
Resources: Suiting

I went to a Board of Trustees meeting at Christiana Hospital this week and was treated to a fashion show by some of its members. No, not a runway-type show, but a dazzling display of beautiful clothes worn by some of the attendees. I seriously considered tackling a woman and running off with her exquisite cognac-colored alligator pumps, but then I came to my senses. I couldn't run fast enough in my own slingbacks to get away . . . ;-)

So what's on tap for today's article? A look at how to mix business and fashion.

What if you could drop some of those pesky pounds in the next few weeks WITHOUT starving yourself, counting calories, or going to meetings? What if, by rotating your eating patterns for a few days, you could speed up your metabolism to burn away a few of those dimples and rolls - yet still enjoy a glass of wine with dinner? Sound impossible? Well pick your favorite foods, let these folks plan your menu, and join the thousands who have discovered what a big difference "shifting calories" can mean to your waistline:

Is being fashionably dressed at work the same thing as being appropriately dressed for business? I used to think so when I was in my 20's. These days, I know better: in the grand scheme of things, being a fashion devotee can actually HURT your career, depending on your industry.

Now I know that seems counter-intuitive. I often preach that you need to keep an eye on fashion so you can stay current with your hair and clothing, and you should. It's like keeping your skills updated so you can always command the highest salary.

But putting fashion first at work is only appropriate for certain image-driven industries, like fashion and entertainment. Wear the latest trend to report on red carpet fashion and you're golden; wear the latest trend to the lab to mix chemicals or to court to defend your client and you'll be mocked.

With that in mind, let's take a look at how you can marry fashion and business to create a head-turning yet always-appropriate business wardrobe.

EVERY industry has a dress code, whether you're aware of it or not. There are four levels of business dress formality, as defined by Image Master Judith Rasband of the Conselle Institute (Conselle.com), and your industry, whatever it is, fits into one of them.

Once you know what's appropriate for your industry, you need to follow those dressing guideless - even if you think everyone around you is clueless. Work with a bunch of accountants who always dress like they're going to a barbecue instead of an audit? I have. They were the ones who complained the loudest when their better-dressed colleagues were promoted instead of them.

There's a reason why that old saying, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have" has endured for generations - because it works. When you groom yourself for the next step, it makes it ridiculously easy for others to help you climb it.

Follow the rules to advance quickly

Once you know what's appropriate for your industry and are following the rules, you can inject a little fashion if you like - so long as it's still industry-appropriate. Try new takes on old classics. Wear the latest hot color in a blouse, scarf, or handbag. Indulge your passion for shoes, but keep it all business from the ankles up.

New York & Co.
New twist on the classic white blouse

MetroStyle
Traditional suit,
unusual blouse color

CurvaceousChicWoman
Traditional dress,
fun shoes

Blending business and fashion is kind of like personalizing a recipe: once you've tried it a few times and are sure of the results, you can add your favorite seasonings or use one cheese instead of another. The main ingredients stay the same; the slight modifications make it "you."

What if you change industries or relocate to some faraway place? Reassess your situation. If your engineering past doesn't fit your teaching present, update your wardrobe. If you move from Hawaii to Moscow, the cottons and linens will have to go. Change begets change. See to it.

So what if you decide that you'd rather follow fashion than my advice? Then I'd recommend you pull a John Molloy and do some testing before you commit. John T. Molloy, the man behind the popular "Dress for Success" books of the 1970's and 80's, arrived at the definition of a successful wardrobe through a process of elimination. By testing and recording how people reacted to various clothing elements, like suit/ no suit, red tie/blue tie, black shoe/brown shoe, etc., in everyday situations like shopping, hailing a cab, and getting service at a restaurant, he discovered which garment pieces command the highest respect.

So should you. Wear something fashionable and see how your clients and colleagues respond to you. Then wear something industry-appropriate and make note of the same. Chances are, you'll discover that the business attire draws a better response.

Then when you're out and about running errands, going to restaurants, checking out at the grocery store, etc., observe how others are treated based on how they're dressed. It'll be an eye-opening experience.

New York & Co.
Great for work

New York & Co.
Better after hours

If you want to get ahead in business or positions of leadership, you need to dress the part. Fashion is fun, but it's not always appropriate, so learn to identify when to follow fashion and when to follow the business dress code. Your bank account will thank you for it.

Need more help determining which level of formality is appropriate for your line of work? Download a copy of Business Wear Magic to see how profitable dressing for business can be,

http://www.BusinessWearMagic.com

A Spencer is a short, close-fitting jacket with a collar and lapels that can end just above or just below the waist, depending on the style. Legend has it that the 2nd Earl Spencer (and forefather of Diana, Princess of Wales), accidently created the style in the 1790's when he singed the tails off his top coat by standing too close to a fire. Regency women soon adapted the short coat style, using it much like we use a shrug today.

Amazon.com
A Spencer jacket is like
a topcoat without the tails

In today's article, we talked about starting with your industry basics and injecting a little fashion into the mix. These resources can help you do it:

Remember when Banana Republic only had safari stuff? They still have some of those great classic pieces, but they also have lots of of-the-moment business attire. Take a look.

The venerable UK mail order house has TONS of updated classics. From scrumptious business jackets to mouth-watering casual wear, you'll find lots of beautiful clothes here.

Roaman's is a plus-size retailer, but their target market is chic women. From stylish suits in eye-catching colors to cool, fun separates, you can truly turn heads whatever your size.