If you are working in a fashion magazine,lucky you.This doesn't apply.
I am writing this because I have seen one of the following during my lifetime:
1.Girls not knowing that they are going to be judged BOTH on their appearance and on their C.V.They think they can waltz in wearing anything they like,its the C.V that counts.Wrong!
I have seen girls dressed with fuchsia tops,jeans,bright converse and bangles applying to super-formal institutions.
2.Girls looking 30 years older than they are.
3.Girls looking bland,boring and non-energetic:all expressed through clothes.
4.Girls wearing a sort of transparent vest at work,with 15cm heels.
See how good style is all important?
If you are,like me,around 18 years of age,please don't go wearing a suit,an ugly blouse that ages you,and unflattering cuts because you want to seem formal.
What you want to look like is energetic,fun,fresh,intelligent,eager and ready to work.All can be easily expressed through clothes.
First up:The safest way is to go is monochrome-that is white blouse,black trousers.I have always gone monochrome to whatever job I have applied for-but I add my freshness and my age in the design and cut of my blouse,trousers,accessories(all important!) and bag.I want people to understand I'm young,but to take me seriously.Monochrome gives you that.
These blouses are those which are perfectly alright to wear at work and during your interview.
If you want variation in the colour of your blouse,look at your skin tone,and opt for pale pastels.
For example,if you have olive skin,such as myself,don't wear a colour that will wash you out,like pale brown or beige-of course it all depends on the tone of the colour,but if you see that you look blah,don't wear it.
The blouse:One of the pillars of your look.Don't just keep the simple white blouse in your wardrobe.Find new styles.New types of collar.Some ruffles.
Your classic white blouse should be something like this:
My favourite blouse that screams chic is Pussy Bow.
Chic,professional,modern,elegant.
Same applies to this blouse with a peter pan collar.
This one has pleats at the front:
This one has ruffles:
Remember:Look for something that flatters your figure,but isn't skin-tight and constricting.And do your best so that your blouse is tucked into your trousers.Add a belt to complete the look.
The trousers:Please,no denim.Get a pair of nice black straight leg trousers that are fitted but not stuck to your skin.
See the picture above?The cut should resemble that a little.It's straight,no frills,sharp.
This is another option too-its in gray though.
About using colour: If you want to add more colour to your work attire,check with your superiors-not your colleagues.Why?Because most of them have been doing this job for 25 years and are not fussed on what they look like apart from the normal pants/shirt combination.Here are some examples of colour,but don't forget to check first.Also,you should ask if a collar is mandatory.
You can swap your trousers for a pencil skirt.
It's beautiful,it hits the knee,and adds a whole lot of shape and definition.Now for the accessories:
You should always accessorise-but subtly.You don't want to look like you're selling the stuff.
Add a couple of wooden/golden bangles on an arm.My favourites are the glass and gemstone encrusted ones I bought from http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Petite-Blogger/124640357571770?ref=ts.
Wear a ring-just avoid the fake,plasticky cheap-looking ones.Cocktail rings are really cool.
Don't overdo it though,one is enough.
As for earrings:Those are better left very simple-studs work best.You don't want a pair of long dangly earrings that will get caught in your hair or something else,right?
Hair:I have never ever understood why women,with fairly brownish skin,would ever want to dye their beautiful black hair platinum blonde.The worst is when there are streaks in it-and this applies to everyone.Please,if you dye your hair,NO STREAKS.Streaks went out of fashion when the '90s ended.Highlights.Always highlights.Otherwise it looks like a wig and reminds me of those Chupa-Chup lollipops-the swirly whirly colours on them.And the highlights-make SURE they suit your hair tone.That they don't look as if you cut a wig and pasted some of it to your hair.
Why would you want your hair to look like its unnatural?
When dying your hair ask your hairdresser which tone looks best.If he doesn't know,go on specific websites,not the general internet and ask an expert.A couple of tones up or down doesn't hurt,is the general guideline.
I guess if you want to dye your hair in streaks,there is an age for that.13-16,maybe.Then its sort of acceptable.But bear in mind that dying your hair will ruin it.I have known girls that dyed their hair so much in their early teens their hair looks as if it had the life sucked out of it now,not to mention they have loads of white hair.So they have to keep dying it.Its a vicious cycle.
If you have fairer skin though,and want to dye your hair blonde,it can work but please go and see your hairdresser first.But if you have super fair pale skin and you are blonde,dying your hair black sometimes makes you look like a completely drowned out goth.It works on some people-Katy Perry looks amazing with jet black hair-but fails on others.
The best guideline is the hair you were born with.I know creole women with blonde hair through mixed marriages in their parents past.It looks beautiful-here is a case where it works because it's completely natural.Set strict parameters and work with that.
Bag:Experiment!This is the best part.You can have a lovely super yellow bag that matches your outfit perfectly.
Shoes:Don't do the mistake of wearing very high heels because they look great.You could so easily fall in them.A medium heel is great.And here too you are completely free to experiment.If you don't want to stick out too much on your first day,wear something neutral coloured like beige.
Make sure that your nails are buffed and filed!You can wear nail varnish but make sure it isn't chipped.
As for men:Its easier for you.Shirt,tie,trousers,shoes.All should look formal.Your tie should be simple-now is not the time to go and wear ties with comics printed on them.And don't forget your cuff links!It completes your look yet so many of you forget to wear them.
All images,except the one with the white pussy bow blouse with no model wearing it,are from ASOS.com
Article on internet shopping coming soon.
