March 2003 Newsletter

Autumn/Winter 2003 and Business Casual Part #1

One of the things that I love about being a woman, and believe me there are many, is the ability we have to change our minds. I was just reading over last month’s newsletter to see what I had said I would be writing about this month and noticed the topics of Business casual guidelines and Formal dress codes.
I am hoping you will pardon me from moving away from one those topics as I have come across some amazing insights into the fads and trends for the upcoming autumn/winter season. I have therefore decided to share those style tips with you and discuss the formal dress codes next month.

Fads and Trends for Autumn/Winter 2003

An associate of mine, Mary Goldfarb, from Studio MG in the Hawksburn Village has just returned from Paris and various areas of Italy and shared with us her first hand knowledge of what she saw happening over there so I am pleased to be able to share it with you this month. She regaled us with many of the exciting and questionable looks about to hit our shores. I am going to share with you the good, the bad and the ugly of the new season and it is up to you to decide which look you are going to adopt in the coming months. Remember, if none of the following appeals to you- then don’t be a slave to fashion. You can simply purchase accessories to create the look just as well.

Glamour Sport – We have already seen Hollywood adopt this look. Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and many others. It is the age-old terry towelling leisure suit. The colours are pastel and the look is relaxed. You can wear it to the markets and out to lunch on the weekends. Please do not attempt to pull your old ‘80s leisure suit out of its mothballs. It just won’t cut it.

Grit and Glamour- This look has been sneaking in over the summer in the ragged edge skirts. You already know the look. We have seen the skirts starting to appear with frayed and uneven hems. Well now the skirt hems are uneven and added to the finish is torn netting. Skirts can be in denim, suede or faux suede. They are worn mid calf and look fabulous with high boots. It is also a good look if you are heavier in the bottom and the thighs as it directs the eyes away from the hips. The tops are also a little bit tragic looking in the treatment of the fabric. The have bits and pieces hanging from them as well. These pieces can be worn together for a total look or you can team the skirt up with a plain top and the top up with a plain skirt or pants if it is all a bit too much.

Fur – Fur is coming in again this season. Both the real and the faux. In Europe they may be more accustomed to wearing real fur but I believe here in Australia our climate does not really require us to wear a real fur. We can look just as great and be very comfortable in all of the fabulous faux furs there are on the market. The fur is in jackets, both long and short as well as great scarves, which are starting to appear in the stores. So you have the option of either purchasing a coat with the fur trimming on it or going with a wool scarf, which is actual long stranded sheep wool.

Folk Lure – This is most probably more of a fad item. The peasant look has gone one step further and is becoming richer and heavier to make it warmer for winter. Consider an outfit created from all of the following fabrics and you will have the idea of this look. It is Oriental brocades trimmed with Spanish lace. There can be Scottish Tartans adorned with Mongolian Furs and Peruvian Pompoms. In all it is very rich, very eclectic and not for the faint hearted

Combat – Once again fashion is following the politics of the times and considering we may be on the brink of troubled times do we necessarily need to dress the part? The designers think so. So this season you will be seeing a lot of khaki. The fasteners are the new element to the style. It is GI Joe meets Madame Lash if you ask me. There are lots of straps, zips and clips. The clothing is loose yet well attached tightly. I have also noticed many other designers opting for the military style of the 1700’s in the finish on their jackets. The horizontal line across the jacket joining the buttons to the buttonholes.

Satin –You either love it or hate it. It looks fabulous when it is freshly pressed and is falling elegantly over your body. It is a very unforgiving fabric I find. Ever bump and imperfection will be all the more apparent in Slinky Satin dresses. Be wary of any small drip of liquid marking the fabric. These considerations aside it is definitely in and if you wish to take part, consider the look reminiscent of the Hollywood goddesses of the forties and revel in the glamour of it all.

Chocolate- A few years ago it was called the new black. Every year we seem to have a new black. I believe that chocolate has come into its own and is no longer a fad or a trend but has reached classic status. It looks great on all women especially and is here to stay. So you can safely wear you chocolates from last season and up date the look with tops in cream, pink, light blue or black. For a low contrast look you could even tem it up with some of the new khaki colours that are in the stores.

Winter White – Don’t you just love it. This is a white that everyone can wear. It is not just the jackets but layer it on for maximum impact. Consider this. The woollen pants, with a winter white skivvy and a fabulous winter white over coat. Gorgeous ankle boots either in the white or you may choose a camel or even black with a matching handbag. You will look the height of fashion.

I hope you have enjoyed my slant on what we can expect to see in the stores. Obviously there are many more looks and stories that will be appearing. I consider these to be some of the looks that have a greater shelf life than some of the shorter-lived fads we shall see.
I can tell you I am very excited about the winter white and will be seen in my favourite chocolate again.

Business Casual Dressing Part #1

Business Casual Classic

Business casual can confuse many employers and employees. I have developed the following charts to take the confusion out of this style of dressing. By following the guidelines you will correctly attired at all times. There is one simple rule to follow to present yourself in a casual classic way and that is to wear a jacket. It is the cornerstone piece to this style of dressing.

Women’s Dressing
Suits- Jackets with skirts, dresses or trousers either matching or unmatched.
Jackets - Constructed or unconstructed
Skirts - Short (no more than 2.5 cm above the knee) or long.
Dresses - Plain fabrics and best worn with an unconstructed or unmatching jacket.
Pants -Wool, linen, silk blend, light to medium weight, wool blends or microfibers.
Tops- Blouses, twin sets in silk or cotton.
Jumpers - Turtleneck, crew neck, V-neck. Cashmere, cotton or wool as long as it has a fine weave
Shoes - Thin to medium, low or stacked heel with a square or round toe. In leather or suede and can be smooth or embossed.
Hosiery - Semi sheer or opaque in colours to match either hemline or shoes. Trouser socks must be in solid colours to match hemline or shoes.
Scarves - Bolder and brighter, woven, knit, silk or wool.
Watches-Gold or silver face and matching band; gold or silver face with fine dark leather band.
Brooches/Necklaces-Medium size, gold, silver or pearl, gem stones, ivory, onyx or jade.
Earrings –Gold, silver or pearl.

Men’s Dressing
*JACKET Blazer or Sports Coat

Shirts-solid colour, patterned, long sleeves only or polo tops.
Pants-wool, linen, silk blend, light to medium weight, cuffed or uncuffed
Jumpers- turtleneck, crew neck, V-neck. Cashmere, cotton or wool and must be worn with a shirt and jacket.
Shoes - thin to medium sole. Lace up or loafers in leather.
Socks -dark, plain or discreet pattern.
Ties - bolder and brighter, woven, knit, silk or wool.
Belts-embossed or smooth leather; calfskin or reptile skin.
Watches-gold or silver face and matching band; gold or silver face with fine dark leather band.

Making it work
Always wear a jacket.
Keep clothing and the accessories at the same level.
Wear tailored clothing in smooth fabrics that co-ordinate colour, fabric& pattern.
Keep the print and patterns small to medium.

Overall Impression
Professional, authoritative, dependable, organised, reliable, conscientious, consistent and detail oriented.

When it works best
First meetings with a client.
When you want to present a more formal and powerful impression.
Recommended for when you are making presentations, leading a meeting, as a presenter at a trade show and if you are also in a sales role at a trade show.

I hope you have enjoyed this issue of the Corporate Confidence newsletter. Next month I will focus on the next style of Business Casual dressing and I will discuss what the formal dress codes are.

Once again please don’t keep me a secret and share this newsletter with your friends.

Clare can be heard on radio 3AK 1116 AM every second Wednesday around 1:45 in the afternoon. During March she will be on air on the 5th and the 19th. You may call in and speak to Clare directly about any Image related concerns or questions you may have.

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