Post on 26-Jan-2015
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Women’s Dress:
Business Professional and Casual
X420 Discussion Session #81
Business Casual for Business Casual for WomenWomen
Appropriate attire—know difference Appropriate attire—know difference between business casual and casual attirebetween business casual and casual attire
Fewer than 1/3 of all white-collar workers Fewer than 1/3 of all white-collar workers still required to dress formally still required to dress formally
4 out of 5 of those dress down one day a 4 out of 5 of those dress down one day a weekweek
Gain edge in business with appropriate Gain edge in business with appropriate attireattire
Be sensitive to your industry Be sensitive to your industry Dress the part for the role you playDress the part for the role you play
No Suits??No Suits??
No, suits still important No, suits still important Business casual - blazer Business casual - blazer
or cardigan sweater and or cardigan sweater and a coordinating skirta coordinating skirt
Business casual is NOT Business casual is NOT same as casual attiresame as casual attire
A woman’s attire must A woman’s attire must say that she means say that she means business with “authority”business with “authority”
Who Cares?Who Cares?
A woman must look the part A woman must look the part Appearance may make or break her Appearance may make or break her
careercareer First impression continues to make a First impression continues to make a
lasting impressionlasting impression Recognize the value of company’s Recognize the value of company’s
business casual guidelines business casual guidelines
Basics of Business CasualBasics of Business Casual
A classic suitA classic suit A navy or black blazer A navy or black blazer
and skirtand skirt A cardigan sweaterA cardigan sweater A plain white or cream A plain white or cream
blouse in silk or rayon blouse in silk or rayon or a tailored teeor a tailored tee
With a light colored With a light colored jacket or sweater wear jacket or sweater wear a darker colored a darker colored blouse.blouse.
Pants and PantsuitsPants and Pantsuits
Pantsuits are great Pantsuits are great investments on investments on business casual days.business casual days.
Trousers and a blazer Trousers and a blazer or a cardigan sweater or a cardigan sweater are also appropriate.are also appropriate.
Twill pants in black, Twill pants in black, navy, or khaki are navy, or khaki are appropriate.appropriate.
If you are unsure if If you are unsure if slacks are appropriate, slacks are appropriate, simply mirror the simply mirror the highest-ranking highest-ranking female in your female in your company. company.
Other ChoicesOther Choices
Basic skirts in black, Basic skirts in black, navy, khaki, or taupe navy, khaki, or taupe
Skirts should be Skirts should be same length as same length as business professional business professional skirt length or longerskirt length or longer
A long skirt makes a A long skirt makes a feminine statement feminine statement for business casualfor business casual
Belts, Shoes, and HosieryBelts, Shoes, and Hosiery
Coordinate with the other items wornCoordinate with the other items worn Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy, Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy,
taupe, or burgundy taupe, or burgundy Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter
than shoes and hemline than shoes and hemline With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned
hosiery is a musthosiery is a must Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag and Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag and
briefcase the smallest size possible to still be briefcase the smallest size possible to still be functionalfunctional
JewelryJewelry
Jewelry should be the Jewelry should be the same as business same as business professional--gold-professional--gold-tone or silver jewelry tone or silver jewelry is bestis best
Basic is best--follow Basic is best--follow the rule of 13 the rule of 13
A woman can’t get A woman can’t get into trouble being into trouble being dressed in a simple, dressed in a simple, elegant mannerelegant manner
Hairstyle, Make-up, and Hairstyle, Make-up, and FingernailsFingernails
Hair should be or give Hair should be or give appearance of shoulder appearance of shoulder length or shorter length or shorter
Makeup should Makeup should accentuate features accentuate features rather than jumping rather than jumping out--eyes and lips out--eyes and lips important important communication toolscommunication tools
Fingernails should be Fingernails should be well maintained with well maintained with subtle polish or the subtle polish or the natural looknatural look
Mistakes in Business Mistakes in Business Casual DressingCasual Dressing Dressing too casuallyDressing too casually 4 of the most commonly made 4 of the most commonly made
business casual faux pas:business casual faux pas: Not wearing hosieryNot wearing hosiery Wearing a skirt that is too shortWearing a skirt that is too short Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and
see-through blousessee-through blouses Wearing stretch pantsWearing stretch pants
How to decide what is appropriateHow to decide what is appropriate Look goodLook good Dress up a notch Dress up a notch Thinking an outfit inappropriate means Thinking an outfit inappropriate means
it probably isit probably is
Don’t wear business casual attire when…Don’t wear business casual attire when… Not yet invested in business casual attireNot yet invested in business casual attire When talking about salary or a performance When talking about salary or a performance
appraisalappraisal When unsure of outfitWhen unsure of outfit When outfit is not cleaned or pressedWhen outfit is not cleaned or pressed When unsure about an organization’s dress code When unsure about an organization’s dress code
on a visiton a visit When interacting with potential clients or When interacting with potential clients or
international clients international clients
Are jeans appropriate?Are jeans appropriate? When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears
them to workthem to work And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in
good conditiongood condition
What Does a Woman’s Personal What Does a Woman’s Personal Appearance Say About Her?Appearance Say About Her? Respect for herself and others Respect for herself and others How much attention to detail she hasHow much attention to detail she has Interest in professional future Interest in professional future
Business Professional Business Professional DressDress
Women must look right to Women must look right to get foot in the doorget foot in the door
Only suits?Only suits? Some companies have Some companies have
unwritten rule for suits unwritten rule for suits onlyonly
In other companies, In other companies, business professional business professional dress can mean suit, dress can mean suit, dress, pantsuit, or blazer dress, pantsuit, or blazer and skirtand skirt
Business Professional BasicsBusiness Professional Basics Suits in black, navy, gray, and taupe Suits in black, navy, gray, and taupe Brighter colored jackets and skirts from Brighter colored jackets and skirts from
business casual may be blended into business casual may be blended into business professional business professional
Skirts that are calf-length are Skirts that are calf-length are appropriateappropriate
A blazer and coordinating skirt is A blazer and coordinating skirt is appropriate when policy is more relaxedappropriate when policy is more relaxed
Long-sleeve classic style dress in a Long-sleeve classic style dress in a good color good color
Black, gray, navy, and tan are good Black, gray, navy, and tan are good color choices--project authoritycolor choices--project authority
Avoid floral designs and other prints Avoid floral designs and other prints
Blouses: Blouses: Solid colors Solid colors Cream, white, and other Cream, white, and other
muted as well as bright muted as well as bright colors colors
Cotton, silk, and blouses Cotton, silk, and blouses made of man-made fibers made of man-made fibers that have quality look that have quality look
Blouses of good quality, Blouses of good quality, styles, and colors styles, and colors
Best fabrics: Best fabrics: • Wool, gabardine, cotton, Wool, gabardine, cotton,
and silkand silk• Man-made fabrics that give Man-made fabrics that give
the same look—scrunch the same look—scrunch testtest
Belts, Shoes, and HosieryBelts, Shoes, and Hosiery
Match or be compatible with outfitMatch or be compatible with outfit Classic leather pumps with closed heel and toeClassic leather pumps with closed heel and toe
Black, navy, taupe, and burgundy.Black, navy, taupe, and burgundy. Heels -- 1 ½ to 3 inches highHeels -- 1 ½ to 3 inches high
Hosiery same shade or lighter than shoes and Hosiery same shade or lighter than shoes and hemline -- Dark hose with same color long-sleeved hemline -- Dark hose with same color long-sleeved suitsuit
Accessories—leather, classic, black, navy, taupe, Accessories—leather, classic, black, navy, taupe, or burgundyor burgundy Purse/ briefcase compact and functional--small as possiblePurse/ briefcase compact and functional--small as possible
14 carat gold or sterling silver14 carat gold or sterling silver Accentuate professional attire Accentuate professional attire Eliminate a piece when in doubtEliminate a piece when in doubt Simplicity is keySimplicity is key Follow the rule of 13Follow the rule of 13 No dangling earringsNo dangling earrings Classic-style watch with black, gold, Classic-style watch with black, gold,
or silver-tone bandor silver-tone band
JewelryJewelry
Easy to maintain hairstyleEasy to maintain hairstyle Hair length—appearance of shoulder length Hair length—appearance of shoulder length
or shorteror shorter Make-up--accentuate featuresMake-up--accentuate features Eyes and lips are important communication Eyes and lips are important communication
toolstools Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish
colors or natural lookcolors or natural look
Eyeglasses Eyeglasses Glasses denote serious/intelligent Glasses denote serious/intelligent Conservative framesConservative frames
Hairstyle, Make-up, and Hairstyle, Make-up, and FingernailsFingernails
AppropriatenessAppropriateness
Dress up a notch Dress up a notch rather than down a rather than down a notchnotch
Give extra edge by Give extra edge by looking good on her looking good on her way up ladder way up ladder
Quality clothes Quality clothes InvestmentInvestment Thinking an outfit Thinking an outfit
inappropriate--inappropriate--probably isprobably is
What Does a Woman’s What Does a Woman’s Appearance Say About Her?Appearance Say About Her? Respect Respect Attention to detailAttention to detail Credibility Credibility Achieve professional goalsAchieve professional goals
Business Dress CodesBusiness Dress Codes
Company manualCompany manual Distributed to potential and present Distributed to potential and present
employeesemployees Followed Followed EnforcedEnforced
Dress by and for example Dress by and for example Knowledgeable Knowledgeable Sensitive to own industry Sensitive to own industry Dress the part for the role you playDress the part for the role you play
Sources:Sources:
What Does Business Casual for Women What Does Business Casual for Women Mean? What Does Business Mean? What Does Business Professional Dress Mean for Women Professional Dress Mean for Women Today?Today? Ann Marie Sabath, founder of Ann Marie Sabath, founder of At Ease, Inc.At Ease, Inc.
EVALUATION EVALUATION QUESTIONSQUESTIONS
1. I found the presentation material easy to understand.
2. This discussion session increased my knowledge on the subject presented.
3. I will be able to use some of the information from this discussion session in the future.
4. The presenter was well prepared for this session.
5. This presentation should be repeated in future semesters.
USE:USE:a. Strongly Agreea. Strongly Agreeb. Agreeb. Agreec. Disagreec. Disagreed. Strongly Disagreed. Strongly Disagreee. Don’t Knowe. Don’t Know