Whether you believe it or not, the right kind of business attire can get you the promotion you have been angling for. How so? Well, the way a person dresses affects the people around them more than just visually. It also gives them a glimpse into what kind of person you are.
You must have observed that the man in the corner cubicle wearing dusty loafers and sporting sweat stains – remains there – not moving down and not rising in the ranks either. He may be hard working, but his business attire just simply evokes a form of mistrust. Therefore, he is least likely slated for a promotion.
So, if you want that job with a higher pay, a better office and a title to boost. Change the way you dress!
No. It doesn’t have be flashy. You do not need to be wearing an Armani three-piece suit or a Channel shift dress. No, as long as you look presentable, its going to be fine. Well, come to think of it – you have to go beyond presentable. You have to look powerful and have a slight air of intimidation about you. You can achieve this by picking business attire pieces that accentuate the way you look.
Keep in mind that you have to accentuate the right way. It is not that appropriate to show ‘extreme’ cleavage at 10am – a slight yet wholesome hint of décolletage will do. Men on the other hand should consider investing in some good leather shoes. When you go to the clothing and shoe store, think - David Beckham – now, there’s a man who knows how to dress well for business.
Say goodbye to Military Inspired business clothing and welcome the tan hues of Safari and Africana inspired suits and dresses. The recent fall/winter runways shows bore witness to designers creating outfits that rem
inded spectators of the Australian Bush and the African Wild. Trends in tans, camels and taupes walked down Bryant Park, London, Milan and Italy. Most pieces were casual and easily interpreted into business clothing. Even accessories had an undeniable hint of Africa.
Young and established fashion designers spewed out all sorts of pocketed and belted outfits. Some even created looks that were office ready. The best thing about it was that not everything was earth toned. Some designers were brave enough to let chartreuse walk down the runway. Even knitwear was not safe from the Africana trend. Men’s business wear also have their share of Africana inspired coats, pants and shirts.
Business clothing accessories also have a positive African vibe. Chunky bracelets and necklaces were everywhere. Leather was also big. Everything from belts to watches and shoes were made of tanned or darkened leather. Bags and clutches also had a generous smattering of African prints. Even shoes had subtle hints of tribal Africa.
The A
merican 2008 presidential race has not only placed focus on the men vying for the presidency, it has also brought attention to the women beside them. Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama are both poised to be the next American first lady. The two of them have shown that they have the potential to be great women. And that whoever of the two makes it to the White House will surely implement change.
But other than political comparison, the women are also compared because of their fashion sense and choice of business clothing.
McCain’s business attires tend to be more high end and classy. You would always see her in an impeccable dress suit designed by Chanel, Oscar de la Renta and so on. She was even photographed in a gold colored De la Renta business attire as she stood 
beside country’s current first lady – who also wore a business suit from the same designer.
Obama on the other hand has been seen in more approachable business attires. The potential first lady has been seen in blue shift dresses that not only showed off style, but also showed a serious side to her. Obama has also been photographed in casual jeans worn under hound’s-tooth print coats.
The Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor City, Ontario held its annual business clothing drive last week – 9/4/2
008. Now, WEST heads are saying that the drive was a success. It is estimated that drive donations increased by 50 percent this year compared to last year. WEST conducted the drive in an aim to assist women who are reentering the work force. Skills aren’t the only thing that’s necessary. You need the right business clothes, too.
The drive is part of WEST’s Ready for Work program that aims to help women enter the Canadian workforce. The organization also assists female immigrants who are new to the city’s work group. This is the third year that WEST conducted a Business Clothing drive and by far it’s the most successful.
WEST believes this is a great way for women to gain confidence to enter the workforce once more. A lot of women who dropped by the drive were those who haven’t worked in a few years. Some of them are stay-at-home moms who want get back to work but don’t have the means to buy new business clothing.
Organizers at WEST are encouraging women in and around Ontario, Canada to drop by their office and donate used business clothing. As of now, the organization is still in need of fall and winter business clothes.
The fashion world is a continually changing entity that affects everything around it. When fashion ‘Da Vincis’ declare that Navy is the new Black – you can bet that everything from mobile phones to TV sets will be sporting the dark blue shade. The same goes for the business world. Gone are the boxy shapes and the enormous shoulder pads. Today’s business clothing is sleek, stylish, with understated elegance, Panache and more importantly – Today’s Business Clothing screams: I AM POWERFUL.
The world once fell in love with pink and black power suits with barely there hemlines from Chanel. Today, however, women are wearing more body conscious business clothing. Black is still a staple, but pops of color can be seen everywhere. Bright yellows and verdant greens accentuate the basic black suit. Women’s business clothing today no longer just say: “Look at me, I look beautiful!” Today’s clothes declare: “I’m your boss, I still look feminine and I’m here to stay!”
Men’s business clothing has also evolved. Gone are the boxy shapes and the fat sleeves. Today, men are wearing fitted one button jackets over sleek, neatly pressed trousers. The skinny tie is back too, but the half and full Windsor knots are still tie standards. A lot of men have also said goodbye to the three piece suits. Today’s businessman is not afraid to wear his suit jacket over jeans and loafers for a business lunch or a night on the town.
