Your appearance plays a big factor in the workplace. It can weigh heavily in whether you’re promoted, demoted, or fired. It’s a silent window showing others how you see, treat, respect or disrespect yourself personally and professionally. With all that on the line how can you stay on top of trends and maintain a respectable reputation at the office?
You must ALWAYS look like an authority at what you do, but must still keep on top of what’s new and trending. That philosophy holds true in fashion and any business interested in growing and staying on top.
As a woman who teeters in and out of the corporate world as a trend expert, I have to maintain a professional appearance while keeping true to my style ID. Trend inspired contemporary looks (even in the most traditional work environments) can send a message to your employers, colleagues, and staff that you are a Forward Thinker. It’s vital to show respect for your industry or craft (you don’t want to see your dentist with an extremely low cut blouse or your child’s teacher with a high slit skirt that draws unfavorable and inappropriate attention, correct?). It’s about finding the balance between today’s styles and what is historically acceptable in your industry. This delicate balance will portray you as a Modern Day Professional with your finger on the pulse of tomorrow. How do you do that, you ask? It’s quite simple.
Keeping your style statement respectable to your industry, age, physique, and silhouette is first and key. Then incorporating new trends in color, style and patterns for the season will make you the person to watch every morning at the office. You’ll soon find others following your lead by wearing a little more color or wearing a pencil skirt one day, instead of that same tired black pantsuit your fellow colleagues may wear like a uniform. You want to be a catalyst for positive change in your workplace, starting with your look, then your performance at work. Working hard to maintain a position of authority beyond just your work expertise, but in your style statement too, is viewed well by higher ups and executives. Soon they’ll want you to come play with them in the sandbox, trust me. Your knack for blazing trails and influencing your peers to follow you (looking and performing better) will add to your list of great attributes and help open up opportunities for you in the future.
Here’s 2 Easy Spring Trends that an Executive Fashionista can use right now:
Classic Trench Coat/ Sleeveless Duster: Try throwing it over your shoulders for a more dramatic effect or try a sleeveless duster which is a perfect indoor and outdoor executive look. Both styles work well with an everyday office suiting/dress, a casual Friday look of a crisp top with a blazer, or you can wear the duster as your blazer with a thin belt at your waist, dark denim jeans, and heels.
The Kimono Belt: A perfect example of how to take a trend and simplify it for the workplace. The pajama top, soft pajama pant, and kimono robe are popular trends; none of which are appropriate for most corporate environments. However, bringing in this one style element over a dress or with pants is a simple way to bring this trend to work with executive level sophistication and style.
Pamela Watson is an experienced stylist who currently works as the trend expert for Builders of Style, where she prepares A-list clients for red carpet events, music videos, concerts and award shows. Have a question for Pamela? Either ask below or email administrator@womenworking.com.
