Women’s Dress: Business Professional and Casual X420 Discussion Session #81

1. Women’s Dress: Business Professional and Casual X420 Discussion Session #81

2. Business Casual for Women • Appropriate attire—know difference between business casual and casual attire • Fewer than 1/3 of all white-collar workers still required to dress formally • 4 out of 5 of those dress down one day a week • Gain edge in business with appropriate attire • Be sensitive to your industry • Dress the part for the role you play

3. No Suits?? • No, suits still important • Business casual - blazer or cardigan sweater and a coordinating skirt • Business casual is NOT same as casual attire • A woman’s attire must say that she means business with “authority”

4. Who Cares? • A woman must look the part • Appearance may make or break her career • First impression continues to make a lasting impression • Recognize the value of company’s business casual guidelines

5. Basics of Business Casual • A classic suit • A navy or black blazer and skirt • A cardigan sweater • A plain white or cream blouse in silk or rayon or a tailored tee • With a light colored jacket or sweater wear a darker colored blouse.

6. Pants and Pantsuits • Pantsuits are great investments on business casual days. • Trousers and a blazer or a cardigan sweater are also appropriate. • Twill pants in black, navy, or khaki are appropriate. • If you are unsure if slacks are appropriate, simply mirror the highest-ranking female in your company.

7. Other Choices • Basic skirts in black, navy, khaki, or taupe • Skirts should be same length as business professional skirt length or longer • A long skirt makes a feminine statement for business casual

8. Belts, Shoes, and Hosiery • Coordinate with the other items worn • Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy, taupe, or burgundy • Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter than shoes and hemline • With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned hosiery is a must • Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag and briefcase the smallest size possible to still be functional

9. Jewelry • Jewelry should be the same as business professional--gold-tone or silver jewelry is best • Basic is best--follow the rule of 13 • A woman can’t get into trouble being dressed in a simple, elegant manner

10. Hairstyle, Make-up, and Fingernails • Hair should be or give appearance of shoulder length or shorter • Makeup should accentuate features rather than jumping out--eyes and lips important communication tools • Fingernails should be well maintained with subtle polish or the natural look

11. Mistakes in Business Casual Dressing • Dressing too casually • 4 of the most commonly made business casual faux pas: • Not wearing hosiery • Wearing a skirt that is too short • Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and see-through blouses • Wearing stretch pants • How to decide what is appropriate • Look good • Dress up a notch • Thinking an outfit inappropriate means it probably is

12. Don’t wear business casual attire when… • Not yet invested in business casual attire • When talking about salary or a performance appraisal • When unsure of outfit • When outfit is not cleaned or pressed • When unsure about an organization’s dress code on a visit • When interacting with potential clients or international clients Are jeans appropriate? • When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to work • And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in good condition

13. What Does a Woman’s Personal Appearance Say About Her? • Respect for herself and others • How much attention to detail she has • Interest in professional future

14. Business Professional Dress Women must look right to get foot in the door Only suits? • Some companies have unwritten rule for suits only • In other companies, business professional dress can mean suit, dress, pantsuit, or blazer and skirt

15. Business Professional Basics • Suits in black, navy, gray, and taupe • Brighter colored jackets and skirts from business casual may be blended into business professional • Skirts that are calf-length are appropriate • A blazer and coordinating skirt is appropriate when policy is more relaxed • Long-sleeve classic style dress in a good color • Black, gray, navy, and tan are good color choices--project authority • Avoid floral designs and other prints

16. Best fabrics: • Wool, gabardine, cotton, and silk • Man-made fabrics that give the same look—scrunch test Blouses: • Solid colors • Cream, white, and other muted as well as bright colors • Cotton, silk, and blouses made of man-made fibers that have quality look • Blouses of good quality, styles, and colors

17. Belts, Shoes, and Hosiery Match or be compatible with outfit • Classic leather pumps with closed heel and toe • Black, navy, taupe, and burgundy. • Heels -- 1 ½ to 3 inches high • Hosiery same shade or lighter than shoes and hemline -- Dark hose with same color long-sleeved suit • Accessories—leather, classic, black, navy, taupe, or burgundy • Purse/ briefcase compact and functional--small as possible

18. Jewelry • 14 carat gold or sterling silver • Accentuate professional attire • Eliminate a piece when in doubt • Simplicity is key • Follow the rule of 13 • No dangling earrings • Classic-style watch with black, gold, or silver-tone band

19. Hairstyle, Make-up, and Fingernails Easy to maintain hairstyle • Hair length—appearance of shoulder length or shorter • Make-up--accentuate features • Eyes and lips are important communication tools • Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish colors or natural look Eyeglasses • Glasses denote serious/intelligent • Conservative frames

20. Appropriateness • Dress up a notch rather than down a notch • Give extra edge by looking good on her way up ladder • Quality clothes • Investment • Thinking an outfit inappropriate--probably is

21. What Does a Woman’s Appearance Say About Her? • Respect • Attention to detail • Credibility • Achieve professional goals

22. Business Dress Codes • Company manual • Distributed to potential and present employees • Followed • Enforced • Dress by and for example • Knowledgeable • Sensitive to own industry • Dress the part for the role you play

23. Sources: What Does Business Casual for Women Mean? What Does Business Professional Dress Mean for Women Today? Ann Marie Sabath, founder of At Ease, Inc.

24. EVALUATION QUESTIONS • 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:a. Strongly Agreeb. Agreec. Disagreed. Strongly Disagreee. Don’t Know