Page 43 - The Lion King Magazine January - March 2013

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The Lion King | 43
LK Fashion
Banks require conservative suits, usually in neutral colors,
while individuality and creative flair are expected in fields
such as advertising or film. Be sure to pick up cues from
your office culture when selecting clothes to wear.
You should convey professionalism, and above all,
remember that what works in one office might not work
so well in another so don’t be afraid to modify your
clothing to fit the culture.
Wearing the Same Old Designers Again and Again
When shopping for your office outfit, most women head
straight for the same designer or store. While it’s easy to
stick with what has worked before, this is also the quickest
way to look dated. Instead of sticking with the same old
thing, vary your designers and shop at different stores to
create different fresh looks.
Don’t get sucked into the stiff corporate dress codes,
try including scarves and earrings to create dozens of
combinations to liven up a neutral suit.
Finally, don’t forget that a work wardrobe begins with
great basics. Most crucial: one great suit and shirts in
your most complimentary colors.
Not Paying Attention to Fit
Everyone knows that you should avoid clothes that are
too tight or too skimpy. If your clothing is overly revealing,
you may be getting the wrong type of attention in the
office. But baggy clothing that’s two sizes too big can be
just as detrimental. If your clothing is shapeless, you’ll end
up looking sloppy.
When choosing work outfits, stick to items with a
contemporary cut and avoid anything that is ill-fitting or
too large. In most cases, that means taking store-bought
clothes to a tailor to get the perfect fit.
Going Trendy Instead of Timeless
Unless you work in fashion, wearing the latest trends to
work is a big no-no, as wearing overly trendy clothing
can overshadow your work accomplishments.
However, while it’s important to avoid looking too trendy,
this does not mean one should be stuck wearing dowdy
clothes.
Dressing for the Weekend… During the Week
Dress codes have relaxed at many companies, and
business casual is now the norm in many workplaces
especially on Friday.
The problem with casual Friday is that many people have
no idea what this means. Don’t interpret business casual
as dressing for a Saturday afternoon. Limit business
casual outfits to Fridays and make sure they’re always
neatly pressed.
And always remember that you never know when a
meeting with a client will spring up or when you’ll have to
drop by an unscheduled work event with colleagues so
no matter how you are dressed or what day of the week
it is ensure that you are portraying not only the company
but yourself the best way you possibly can.
UBA