Casual look with a professional vibe
With the rising informal work settings inspired by the start-up culture, most professionals wear casuals these days, even on weekdays. But wearing casuals doesn’t mean being sloppy or over-dressed. Since there are so many styles to choose from, one only needs to figure out what will work in his job environment.
To wear or not to wear—seems to be the challenging question when dressing for work. For most, figuring out how to dress appropriate for a job can be confusing and frustrating, especially now that there are so many ways to interpret what business casual attire is.
While there is no definite formula in dressing up for work, Zalora stylist Joseph Liprado believes there are some ways an employee can better present himself and dress to impress his clients and bosses.
Confident dressing starts with knowing what attire works well for your industry. In the book The Image of Leadership, Executive Image Consulting founder Sylvie di Giusto laid out the ground rule: “The more you deal with a client’s money, the more traditional and conservative you should be dressed.”
If one’s working in law, banking and similar industries, best to stick to traditional business attire. People working in the creative industries enjoy a more flexible working attire.
Whether it is casual ensemble or boardroom fashion, stylist Liprado gives high point on the right fitting. It involves finding the perfect silhouette and choosing the right size, with comfortable fabrics.
“Fit is the key and this covers your overall look. Don’t let uncomfortable and ill-fitting clothes add up to your daily work challenges,” shared the stylist. He recommends wearing pieces that don’t restrict your movements.
A wrong fit makes you look less confident. A coat that is one size too big puts a slouch on your stance, while a pair of trousers that bunches up at the heels cuts your visual height and makes you look shorter. More than just the appearance, a wrong fit alters a person’s body language.
Don’t get swayed by fashion trends. “Trends always come and go. Invest in universal and timeless pieces that you could mix and match, items that you can play around when going to different effects and functions,” he advised.
Because dark, neutral colors emanate a sense of authority, power suit has been the “unofficial” uniform of every professional back in the days. But nowadays, office dressing need not be boring. Liprado suggested adding a splash of colors in your business fashion ensemble to change a gloomy day to a brighter one.
Be more adventurous with pastels and earthy tones but stay away from extremely bright colors. Those neon green tops or coats would be too distracting for other people.
Smart casuals, Liprado advised, should always look high end and on point. Imagine preppy Yale look — good layers of pullovers and button down, with nice fitting trousers.
Match the look for the right accessory. A nice watch can give the right finish to your look. Never ever show up in a meeting wearing flip-flops, chunky pieces of jewelry or loud statement and printed shirts.
“You don’t have to always suit up every time but keep a casual look with a professional vibe. Wear clothes that are well put together,” concluded Liprado.
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