Fashion journalism module 8 assignment 8 for issuu

Do Our Jobs Influence Our Style of Dress?

By Musa Prickisie Gerdzen In today’s rapidly changing global economy many business establishments are struggling to keep their heads above water. Many of these firms are abandoning traditional business practices and resorting to modern and more competitive ways of staying ahead of the pack. As a result of this change the employee is more valuable than ever because they are seen as an ambassador for the company, not only in what they do but also through how they dress. This inclined me to think that it could in fact be our jobs that influence and eventually, determine what we call our own personal style.

Image is everything and what is pleasing to the eye automatically creates a positive perception of what lies beneath. This means potential clients can make up their minds on whether to make a deal with a certain firm or not, just by the first impression that the person they are dealing with affords them. A well dressed, groomed and usually well spoken representative will exude confidence, which will make the client feel secure and receptive to ideas and suggestions. .Colours and style of clothing chosen should be compatible with the line of work one does and should not be too aggressive or too subtle in their functionality. This not only applies to corporate spaces but extends to jobs where uniforms have to be worn as well. I interviewed 3 different women of different occupations and backgrounds as follows: •

What is your profession?

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How long have you been at this job post for?

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Does your company have a dress code?

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Do you follow the dress code or do you wear what you want?

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What do you wear to work generally?

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Do you dress to blend in or do you want to stand out?

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Have you ever worn anything that caused you to get attention in any sort of way than you are used to?

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What is your take on having to wear uniform to work?

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Have you noticed a difference in treatment when you dress extremely smart or extremely casual, but within the limits?

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Do you find yourself frequently resorting to wearing “work clothes” even in your spare time after hours?

Face to Face with English Language Teacher:

1 )English Language teacher at a Language School.

2) 3 months, since December 2009.

3) Yes, it does.Smart/ smart casual.

4) I try to follow the dress code as much as possible.

5) Jeans, smart trousers and smart tops.

6) I dress to blend in and to fit the role I have to play.

7) No, I like to play it safe, nothing out of the ordinary.

8) I would not like a job where I have to wear uniform. I hate it.

9) Indeed ,people look up to me more when I dress up.

10) Yes, but I made a personal choice to maintain the reputable image inside as well as outside of the class.

Conclusion: Regardless of the sector that a person works in,most establishments: public,private, state and even non-profit have a dress code. This may be written, spoken or other. As much as many employees will dispute that they have a completely separate work attire collection, this might prove a daunting ideal to maintain. Just as “Sunday Best” is worn on other ocassions, so too is the “Business Best”.Looking smart and sharp at all times trickles on.

Via Email with Events Coordinator: 1) Events Coordinator for a Finance Company.

2) 6 years.

3) Yes,formal. Smart Casual Fridays.

4) I try to follow the dress code as much as I can.

5) Formal shirts, skirts, dresses, pants but jeans on Fridays.

6) I do try to blend in but I often end up standing out!

7) Yes I have. I received “oohs” and “aahs”! People do notice.

8) Definetly not!

9) In this Financial industry, you are treated better dressed up and you are taken more seriously.

10) No, I separate work from pleasure,so after hours you will find me in only in t-shirts, jeans and sandals.

Conclusion: On the inside and the wearer must feel and act like an achiever,so in turn society treats them as such.It goes without saying that many people would prefer to feel like this most if not all the time.Many Heads of Companies confide that employees that reflect that they make an effort to maintain a neat and sharp appearance are more likely to be considered for promotion. This is because they look the part of an organized person with objectives and perception.

Telephonically with Business Consultant: 1)Business Intelligence Developer in Investment 2)1 ½ years 3) No, we follow the client’s dress code for whom you consult.

4) I follow the dress code so I can please the client.

5)Formal skirts,pants, dresses and tops.Jeans on casual Fridays.

6) I prefer to blend in at all times.

7) No, I have never worn anything risky to work.

8) No uniform! I had enough of it at school!

9) Yes,I had to wear high heels for 8 hours straight ! I hated it but the client was impressed.

10) After hours I dress in a casual manner, but sometimes using the clothes I wear to work.

Conclusion: Try to look the part that you are capable to get the job done.If the employee looks good, the company looks good. The employees’ code of dress therefore gives a good indicator of the calibre of people as well as what one can expect in terms of doing business. Real hardworking and determined employees will often use the “work look” even at social gatherings where business opportunities may present themselves.So in closing,I stand by my theory and hope whoever reads this will benefit a thing or two that they will apply in their daily choice of work clothes.

Interviewing:

A

designer who has just brought out a line of clothes “to keep you sexy in the warm weather”.

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For the sake of clarity, could you please state your target market for this new line?

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Is it for a specific gender or are the clothes unisex?

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What sizes does the collection come in?

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What is your definition of “sexy”?

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Can we look forward to the “sexy” concept recurring in the next fashion season?

A

super-model who is going hang-gliding to raise

money for charity.

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Have you ever hang-glided before or is this the first time?

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Why out of all the sports did you pick hang-gliding?

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Just how much do you hope to raise through this feat?

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What effect do you think this will have on your career?

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What is the most unusual response you received so far as a result of having mentioned your intention?

Burberry Group Chairman announces job cuts.

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Which department/s will be affected the most?

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Are the cuts going to be in specific countries or is it going to be worldwide?

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Was there no other alternative solution?

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How do you think this will affect the company globally?

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What do you think your biggest rivals will make of this?

A designer who suggested in a magazine interview how the Prime Minister’s wife should dress- and was surprised when she took her advice.

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What was your suggestion about how the Prime Minister’s wife should dress?

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Did you at any point think she could be watching the interview?

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Does this mean that your opinion is highly regarded in high places?

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If she approached you to become her stylist, how will you respond?

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Do you intend to make your opinion heard on more style matters (regarding influential people)

or was it just a once- off necessity?

The parents of a teenage model who died after a drug overdose at a party.

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(I would first offer my condolences). How are you both coping with the loss?

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Has the official cause of death confirmed as an overdose or is it mere speculation?

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Up till this tragic point, had you noticed any unusual changes in your daughter?

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Do you plan on pressing charges or you accept it as being an accident and try to move on with your lives?

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Are there plans to get involved any form of drug awareness campaigns from now on?