How to Pack for a Business Trip
What to Wear to A Holiday Party
Welcome to the Winter Holiday Season!
Your party invitation is in the mail. But, don’t panic because your party dress-up manual is right here.
First, check the date, time, venue and type of event.
Your party invitation is in the mail. But, don’t panic because your party dress-up manual is right here.First, check the date, time, venue and type of event.
- Black tie?
- Dressy casual?
- After work?
Your answers dictate your dress-up decisions.
Second, check the weather forecast, we here in Southern California have the guilty pleasure of watching the Weather Channel and enjoying the ‘slight chance of earthquakes’ instead of ’24″ of Snow’ expected. Seriously though, you don’t want to be in a chiffon dress at an outdoor party without a wrap in 40 degrees.
Here are some instructions on the four most common dress-up styles.
Black Tie – Very dressy. Men need to wear a tux and women should wear a full-length or elegant cocktail dress. A pair of dressy evening pants and a sparkle top works as another option for women.
Formal/Black Tie optional – Still VERY formal. Men wear a dark suit, crisp white shirt and dark simple silk tie. Women can skip the gown, but the dress should still be along the cocktail lines or a dressy pant outfit.
Semi-formal (AKA Informal)/Cocktail - There is a before 6 PM and after 6 PM divide in cocktail attire. For afternoon events, men’s shirts can be colored or striped and suits do not have to be dark, and women should wear a short dressy dress, suit or pant outfit. (For women, this does not mean a work-appropriate suit.) After 6PM, men should wear a dark suit and white shirt and silk tie, women this is your chance to wear a cocktail dress and sparkles.
Festive/Dressy casual - Have fun with this one. The hosts want you to be creative, sparkly and lovely. This is NOT is not a license for t-shirts and jeans. THINK… smart and casual. Show some style and personality. A great casual shirt with slacks for the men, and a pretty dress or fun modern top ( AND I do not mean a sweater with ‘dancing cats around a Christmas tree’) with nice slacks/skirt for the women.
But most of all, bring your most joyful, grateful, ready-to-have-fun self and DO IT!
How to Mix and Match Textures
I love mixing patterns and textures. Fall is a splendid time to really get creative with this type of dressing.
Similiar fabric weights mix well together. Tweeds and wools look great with wool and wool blend pants.
Make sure your textures are a good color blend. Colors that are too “off ” do not make a smashing outfit
If you’re going to mix and match a texture with a solid (say textured jacket with solid pants, buy them together otherwise you’ll never get the match quite right. Trust me on that)
Silk and cotton blouses go with light weight wools and synthetics along with tweeds and boucle’s.
Linen pants do not mix with wool jackets. A synthetic would be better or cotton.
Cotton shirts and pants are not a good match with heavy wools but look terrific with wool gabardine blazers along with cashmere sweaters
Two bold prints can blend together just make sure the patterns are not the same size and there is at least one common color.
If you are color and texture challenged, however, seek professional help because this is very important style option where you can really stretch your wardrobe dollars.
Tips for Dressing Your Professional Best
Imagine being on the corporate ladder to success. One of the most important aspects for getting ahead in the competitive business world is dressing your professional best. If you are going to compete, a strong confident image is necessary. Here are some dressing tips to help you
To Help Control your Costs:
- Think classics over trend
- Wear colors that are flattering to your skin tone
- Don’t buy cheap-you will regret it immediately because fabric, texture and fit can make or break you
- Hire a professional to help you who understands your industry and your goals. You’ll save $$ in the long-run by avoiding mistakes as you prosper
Ask Yourself: Can I wear these?
- Ditch the out dated clothes and colors
- Toss stained clothes
- Donate anything too big, too tight
- Save the ‘too revealing’ for your after hours
- No big,garish prints (unless you’re climbing the circus ladder)
- Get a full-length mirror and look at your backside, and fix or retire things that are baggy and saggy
My Top Ten Shopping Rules
Fall clothes are hitting the stores! Before you head out to take advantage of the first picks of the season read my shopping rules. 
1) Create a “to buy” list (go slow so you don’t get overwhelmed) and try not to veer off into the makeup department no matter how much that new Dior lipstick is calling your name.
2) Wear proper undergarments and shoes for a good view of your outfit.
3) Shop mornings – it’s less crowded, the merchandise is tidy, and the sales associates are fresh.
4) Look for the most important item on your list first, while you are bright and alert AND before lunch. (lingerie BEFORE lunch).
5) Follow your intuition – if you have to talk yourself into it, it’s not right, so pass.
6) Always check for quality workmanship no matter whose name is on the label. Even some of the top designers have poor workmanship. This I know for a fact.
7) Buy classics – for special occasions so you’re not caught short – last minute shopping begets bad color and fit.
8) Check stores return policy- and use it, rather than settle.
9) Never, ever shop when you are hungry and tired. Bad decisions are made on an empty stomach and when you are fatigued!
10) Only buy clothes that flatter your figure and are comfortable, no matter how cute they are or how much they are marked down. Ill-fitting clothes are no bargain, EVER!
Please…Pajama’s Stay at Home
BIG tirade today…
Why must I constantly see this look when I am out doing errands? I do not get it. Do you think no one notices that you are wearing your flannel print jammie bottoms, tank tops and Ugg slippers? This look continues to spread like wildfire and it is not acceptable out in public. Who knows if you might run into your boss or even one of your colleagues. Now, that is an image they will not forget! I certainly did not forget one Saturday morning while I was shopping and ran into my assistant wearing an outfit almost exactly like the one pictured below. I was not thrilled since I wanted to introduce her to colleague who was in the store.
I get comfort, but this is just sloppy and lazy. At least put on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt if you can not manage a complete outfit. And definately put a brush through you hair.
Done for the day… 
Tips for College Graduates Entering the Workplace
Hey,college graduate, I’m talking to you! 
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming. ~John Wooden
College was fun. Now it’s time to get to work, right? It’s time to take what you know about technology, communication, globalization, music, social networking, the environment, politics, and art and THRIVE at work. In spite of all you know, it’s what you don’t know that might be undermining you in the workplace.
Etiquette, yeesh! That’s not fun!
Remember the movie “Titanic?” Remember how stifled Rose felt by all the etiquette and expectations that came from being a woman of “proper” birth. Rose rebelled against those ideas then by having fun with Jack, and we resist those stuffy expectations even now (after all, an entire century has passed since then). If you can suspend any resistance, even for a moment, you may find that combining what you already know with what you don’t know yet can bring you successes beyond what you might expect.
Board Room:
You might not notice the subtle language of the boardroom, but it’s there: Where to sit, when to sit, when to speak, when to wait – - communication begins the moment you enter the room, and when you already know the language, you are confident enough to focus on the meeting and outcomes. Want to learn to speak this “language of the boardroom?” Your competitor does. They may have already mastered the art of boardroom-speak. I teach my clients how to combine the positive effects of your smile with the skills to back it up, and you will excel in the language of boardroom, withOUT being boring!
TIP- Don’t text or email under the table thinking no one will notice. Focus on the meet and your colleagues in the room.
Body Language:
Talk, talk, talk? Not yet! Smile first and then know this: You are already speaking volumes before you open your mouth. Your clothing, hairstyle, accessories, and presentation are all speaking for you. Oh, yes, mannerisms often speak loudest of all. What is it you want to say? Say it right, say it well, and have fun doing it!
TIP- When you cross your arms, you are telling the other person that you are not open to them or to what they are saying. More importantly, if she/he covers her/his mouth when talking, they don’t believe what THEY are saying. Wouldn’t you want to know these things when negotiating your next deal?
Brunch Table:
Food and work, work and food. Sometimes they just have to mix. If you meet at Chili’s, fine, no worries. But if you end up in the Business Club on the 30th floor, you might want to know a salad fork from an appetizer tong. You can shrug and say, oh well, I’m young, while your colleagues move right past you and into the boss’s good graces. When you know what to do, you have time to listen and the assurance to smile and enjoy a productive meal. My clients learn what cues to watch for, from the moment you pause while your boss is being seated at the beginning of the meal, to the moment you stand just after she rises from her chair when your meal and business conversation is complete.
TIP- Place napkin on your chair seat if you need to excuse yourself from the table. Leave napkin slightly folded on left side of plate as you get up to leave the restaurant.
Beachwear!:
Got your attention, huh? What we meant to say was: Business wear. Where you wear what you wear matters. Read this last statement again. Think about it. College had no dress code. As you have probably discovered by now, the job market is very competitive. Look around. The dress code may not be clearly defined, or may differ among departmental levels. Where are you in the mix? Too stuffy and you can’t relax enough to be yourself;too lax and no one will take you seriously. You need to discover what is right for you in a variety of settings and how you might add your own signature look without damaging your image.
TIP: If colleagues notice your necklace and shoes before they notice your neckline and hemline, you’ve probably made a good choice.
Stay young, smart, and aware of how to respect and harness the power of proper etiquette.
Have fun! Seek professional guidance just thinking about it makes your palms sweat.
