Dress Attire “Raising the Bar”
Casual
Casual ď Ž
Considered to be anything comfortable such as: -Jeans -T-shirts -Capri -Khakis -Shorts
Business Casual
Must have heel (No more than 2-3 inches high) Color should complement the suit or slacks No open toes Can be leather No treads on soles
Business Casual
Casual pants or skirts are fine. Khakis may be viewed as too casual for women so do some research before wearing them. Your skirt should be knee length-don’t wear anything shorter than what you would wear to an interview. No sundresses. Long-sleeved shirts or blouses are considered more formal than short sleeves. Knit sweaters or sweater sets are also considered business casual. Make sure shirts are not too tight and don’t expose too much skin.
Business Casual (Continued)
Wear leather shoes with a low or flat heel. Tennis shoes and sandals are too casual. A nice open-toed shoe may be appropriate in the summer. Pantyhose aren’t always necessary for business casual, but should definitely be worn with shorter skirts. Jewelry should be conservative. A nice watch, wedding rings and earrings are fine. Additional piercing on your ears and face should be removed. Makeup should be natural. Nails should be trimmed and if you wear polish choose a conservative color. Avoid perfume or use it very lightly.
Business Casual (Continued) ď Ž
If you need to, carry a small purse that matches your outfit (no backpacks or purses that are worn as backpacks). A briefcase should not be necessary at a business casual event.
Business
Must have heel (No more than 2-3 inches high) Color should complement the suit No open toes
Business
A tailored suit in a conservative color such as black, navy blue, brown, beige, or grey. Avoid loud colors or pastels. Pant suits are becoming more acceptable in some environments, particularly in an industrial or manufacturing facility. If you aren’t sure what’s acceptable in the organization, a traditional skirted suit is a safe bet. Dresses aren’t always viewed as “professional.” Your skirt length should be conservative-nothing above the knee and no high slits. Your blouse should be cotton or silk, and a light color that compliments your suit. Wear low-heeled, conservative pumps. No spiked heels, no sandals, and no flashy beading or stitching. And make sure they are comfortable-you don’t want to be limping around during your interview process. Jewelry should be sparse. A simple watch, wedding rings, small earrings, and a necklace are okay. If you have additional visible piercing on your ears and face, they should be removed.
Business (Continued)
Pantyhose should be neutral or skin-tone. It’s a good idea to carry a spare pair in your purse in case your hose “runs” during the day. Accessories- you can carry a slim purse, portfolio, or a small briefcase, but not all three because you will look too cluttered. No book bags! Make up should be natural and subtle. Be sure to visit a mirror to check for lipstick on your teeth. Skip the perfume or keep it very light.
Formal/Semi-Formal
After 5 Attire
Formal/Semi-Formal (After 5, After 8pm)
Formal wear is usually categorized as evening wear or attire worn to proms, weddings, or balls. Good dress (not cocktail), pantsuits, pants with nice blouse, sweater set, etc. Not necessarily black, but whatever is a good color for you and suits the occasion. It’s not just the color but the style.
Formal/Semi-Formal(After 5, After 8 pm) ď Ž
ď Ž
White tie- also known as evening dress or full evening dress is the most formal dress code that exists today. A woman must wear a formal ball gown with her best accessories and jewelry when the dress there is described as white tie. There exists a less formal counterpart known as black tie. Black tie is today worn at a wide variety of functions, and the corresponding female attire can range from a short cocktail dress to a long gown, depending on fashion, local custom and the hour at which the function takes place.
Sorority Wear: Do’s & Don’ts
Accessories
Appropriate Accessories ***The best accessory, however, is self-confidence*** Bold and beautiful necklaces, bangles, and earrings should be coordinated with matching nail varnish and lipstick. These accessories can often be relatively cheap but if coordinated correctly will be the things that people will remember most about the outfit.
Appropriate Accessories (Continued)
Accessories such as belts and broaches should be avoided as often they draw the eye to the areas that are less flattering. In particular, be very careful when considering a belt with your outfit- a belt looks best on women who have a small waist and wish to show off this area as an asset; the converse will be true if your waist is a problem area. A belt effectively acts as a horizontal dividing line, and will take away from the overall impression of height. Don’t underestimate the importance of a flattering pair of shoes to match your outfit. A well-coordinated pair of high heels will gain overall impression of length and hence detract away from width.
Tips
Instead of conventional body type groupings such as “pear-shaped” or “hourglass”, we prefer the more modern categories. They are: Angelfish (narrow shoulders, wide waist, narrow hips) Buttercup (shoulders in proportion to hips, small waist) Dewdrop (narrow shoulders, small bust, full hips) Emerald (square shoulders, even waist and hips)
The Right Size
Rule one of looking slimmer is to not fool yourself about your dress size! This applies if you tend to buy sizes that are too big as well as sizes that are far too small. Women’s clothing needs to be well-tailored and well fitting in order to appear slimming. Tight clothes will not appear slimming- quite the opposite. The same applies to wearing loose baggy clothing that seems an easy option. Baggy clothing can also make you seem bigger than you are, as well as appearing untidy, and often “too casual.”
Patterns ď Ž
Steer away from horizontal stripes, this will emphasize any problem areas by guiding the eyes across the body instead of from top to bottom, which will create that thinner look. As a general rule, the fewer patterns that are on the outfit, the better the result in terms of creating a slim look. If you really want a pattern choose something smaller and keep away from bold patterns, as these will give rise to a broader appearance. Alternatively just stick to patterns around the areas of your body that are your best assets. If you simply can’t live without your stripes, then try vertical stripes instead of horizontal. The thinner the stripe the slimmer you will appear. Vertical stripes will draw attention from the top to the bottom of the body, which is your overall aim.
Patterns (Continued)
Never wear head-to-toe denim. (Silly, maybe, but true nonetheless. You’ll look like a convicted cowboy.) Never wear sneakers with hose. Never tuck your shirt into belted jeans. Never wear pleated jeans. Never wear black velvet in the summertime. Never overdose on a single fabric (don’t wear nylon bottoms with a nylon top.) Never let your panty lines show.
Pointers To Downplay Certain Features ď Ž
Large Hips: Draw attention away from childbearing’ hips by wearing solid, deep colors on the bottom with light or bright colors on top. Instead of tapered leg jeans or pants, try relaxed fit bottoms with a boot cut leg. Stay away from garments that have excessive pockets or details at the hipline. Say no to straight skirts, opting instead for an A-line silhouette. Oh, and at lest we forget, avoid pleats like the plague.
Pointers (Continued) ď Ž
Small Bust: To appear a bit fuller on top, wear shirts that have details or pockets at the bust line. Layering is another strategy that works: Try a cute tank top under a cardigan or button-down shirt. Loose-fitting blouses are also an excellent choice, but be sure to avoid plunging necklines.
Pointers (Continued) ď Ž
Large Bust: A little too well-endowed? Try open necklines like V-necks and U-necks. Super-clingy fabrics should be avoided, as should large patterns and prints. As far as sleeves go, opt for those that are long or elbow-length. Avoid short capped sleeves.
Pointers (Continued)
Broad shoulders: If you have wide, strong shoulders, stay away from shoulder pads, boat necks, horizontal stripes and boxy sleeves. Try V-necks, which pull the eye down and away from the problem area. Large Stomach/Waist: Avoid snug waistbands and the “tucked in” look if you’re thick around the middle. Also stay away from straight skirts and fabrics that cling over the stomach. Dresses with empire waistlines are a good choice, as are graceful A-line skirts.
Pointers (Continued)
Too Short: Petite girls who wish to appear more elongated should try short skirts, clam diggers and capri pants. Avoid busy prints and cuffed pants, and try not to chop up the body with contrasting bold colors. Stay away from garments that are bulky or oversized, such as puffy bubble jackets. Too Tall: Don’t hunch over! Tall women who want to deemphasize their height can do so by wearing horizontal patterns, textured fabrics, and longer or flared skirts. Short skirts can work as well, especially when paired with knee-high boots.
Pointers (Continued)
Overall Heaviness: The hype is completely true: black is a very slenderizing color. Dark, solid colors tend to be quite slimming in general, but this certainly doesn’t mean that larger girls should stay away from bright or light shades. Loud prints should be avoided at all costs, however, as should oversize “tent-like” clothes, which make it obvious that you’re trying to hide something. Opt instead for well-fitting, tailored looks that cling in all the right places-but just not too tightly. While we’re on the subject of bodies, the Internet is also a great resource for those with special size issues that can make shopping a nightmare.