Doesn't Hurt to be Beautiful: appropriate attire

Showing posts with label appropriate attire. Show all posts

Thursday, November 12, 2009

YES to Mini Skirts in the Winter!

Mini skirts are more than still in, they are a fashion must-have. Don't think just because it's winter that it's time for you to retire the look.

Different Fabrics. The denim mini is always appropriate for a casual look, but there are so many other fun options. For a more sophisticated look, try a tweed mini skirt or a dark pattern mini skirt. For a more playful or funky look, try a bright mini. Leather mini skirts are also a very sexy winter look.

Leg wear. In the winter, you want to keep your legs covered. In the day time, pair your mini with opaque tights or leggings. If you are wearing a solid color skirt, you can go for a patterned look. If your mini has a pattern, stick with less busy leg wear.

Boots. The hands-down winner for a miniskirt is a pair of boots. Lengths range from ankle to mid calf to knee high. Tall boots (a few inches under the knee) are the easiest to carry off with short skirts because they keep your legs warm. Careful with the

ankle length boots if you have short legs, the tend to make them look shorter by cutting the leg at the ankle.

Pumps. You can wear your mini with pumps too. If you are going out at night, don't be affraid to pair them with a sheer pattered tight. A mini skirt also looks great when you wear black pumps and black tights- it gives the illusion that your legs are longer than they actually are.

Bare legs. If you really want to.. yes you can wear bare legs, just wear some nylons because you don't want those goose bumps showing because you are freezing your butt off!

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Are knee high boots appropriate for the office?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Knee high boots are fabulous and can be worn to work, no matter how "stuffy" or "buttoned up" your office is.

Here is how to wear your knee high boots in an office appropriate manner:

For the bottoms: You can pair your knee high boots with a knee length pencil skirt or A-line skirt. You can also pair them with capris. The capris should hit at about the middle of the boot so you can't see your legs, just the length of the boot itself.

On the top: Wear a blazer, turtleneck, pullover sweater, or button down top.

As long as you steer clear of mini skirts and cleavage bearing tops, knee high boots are a great option to keep your legs warm on the cold winter days.

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Sunday, October 18, 2009

Choosing a Dress for your Body Type

The key to looking great in a dress is to finding one that flatters your body type. Here are some tips and tricks to look your best:

Full hips and thighs
For pair-shaped women with full hips and thighs, the dress should shouldn't be shorter than an inch or two above the knee. Select a dress with an A-line skirt but not something too full. A short, fuller dress will look like a tu-tu.

To draw the attention away from your lower body, select a dress with a plunging V-neck, halter top or embellished neckline.

Thick waist
If you are apple-shaped with a thick middle, you need to elongate the look your torso and draw the attention away from your waist. Select a dress with an empire waist or drop waist to re-define your waist line.

Avoid thick belts cinched around your waist and instead choose a chain or sash belt slung low on your hips.

Heavy arms
Sleeveless and cap sleeve dresses aren't for you. Instead, select billowy, bell sleeves that are 3/4 or even full-length to hide flabby arms.

Small Upper Body
If you weren't endowed with ample upper body, avoid deep plunging necklines. Instead select dresses with a scoop or bandeau neck with sequins or other adornments to add a little dimension up top.

Layered necklaces are very popular right now and they can add some dimension to depth to your bust.

Larger Upper Body

Dresses with halter tops and deep V's are very attractive for women who want to accentuate their assets. Select fabrics that skim your body rather than add bulk, which can make your breasts look too big.

To draw some attention away from your bust and balance out a smaller lower body, choose a dress with an A-line skirt that falls one or two inches above your knees.

Plus size
Don't pack on layers of baggy clothes to try to cover-up your body. Contrary to what you may believe, baggy dresses will just make you look bigger. Select fabrics that don't cling to your body, but drape nicely.

A wrap dress is particularly flattering to full-figured women. Don't avoid color and prints. The colorful collection of plus-sized dresses at Avenue.com offers a variety of different types of dresses for full figured women, including bold prints and sexy styles.

Too thin
Sweater or knit dresses are terrific options for thin women. Add layers to your dress, such as a cardigan or fitted jacket to add some bulk. If you have extremely thin legs, avoid mini-skirts and choose longer, flowing dresses instead.

Thin women can add a thick belt to give their waist more definition. Bubble dresses are very trendy right now and can also give the appearance of a larger lower body.

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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

How to Look Good in Leggings

Leggings with Tunics: The key to this is to make sure the tunic covers your hips and butt. Because leggings fit so close to the body, you want your top to come down past your hips.

Leggings with Dresses: Dresses that fall at or above the knee can work with leggings. This is one case where a close-fitting dress would look good with leggings, such as a jersey knit dress with a wide belt at the waist. Leggings also work with bohemian fashions or billowy, casual dresses for women.

Leggings with Skirts: One look that's popular is pairing leggings with mini-skirts, particularly denim skirts. Slip into a pair of flat shoes, add a coordinating top and this is an easy, casual outfit perfect for weekends.

Leggings with Jackets & Vests: I have seen a lot of this lately. Both are looks that are very flattering to almost everyone. With jackets choose a mens style blazer that falls below the waist. If you are going for a vest, choose a snug tunic and a short vest.

OTHER TIPS

Leggings for Petites: Make sure your top is proportioned for shorter women so that it doesn't fall past your mid-thighs – otherwise, it can look like you're wearing a dress with leggings underneath. That's OK if it's the look you are going for- but be conscious about what looks best on your body. Also, your ensemble should be as monochromatic as possible for an elongating look.

Leggings for Tall Women: Make sure you wear a shirt that comes down far enough so that your butt isn't exposed.

Choosing the right shoes: Leggings look best with flats, such as ballerina flats, or plain pumps, as well as with boots. However, you can pretty much wear any shoes with them except sneakers.

Don't wear a tight shirt: Because leggings are so fitted, it's best to steer clear of tight shirts for the best look. These items work better when your overall outfit is balanced, pairing roomy with fitted.

Don't wear leggings with sweatshirts: While this is fine for hanging around a college dormitory, it's not a chic look anywhere else.

Don't wear a short top with leggings: Your shirt, whether it's a tunic or other A-line top, should fall past your butt, not stop at the waist. This is especially important if your leggings fall on the thin side -- you don't want to look like you left the house in only a shirt and tights.

Don't wear leggings in place of pants: Leggings are an accessory, not a garment. They shouldn't be expected to take the place of a pair of slacks, but instead to add to the flair of a casual outfit.

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Sunday, September 13, 2009

Day to Night Professional Looks

A few ideas for fall...

Day to Night Professional Looks by http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=1019176
featuring Anthropologie

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Saturday, August 1, 2009

Appropriate Office Attire

to: ariana@doesnthurttobebeautiful.com

date: Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 12:34 PM

subject: Question for your blog about work clothes

Dear Ariana,

I am starting a new job soon that has a "business professional" dress code. What is appropriate for a twenty-something to wear in the office? I don't want to stand out too much, but at the same time I don't want to dress like and old lady either.

Please help!

--------------------------

I think this is a great question. For anyone who knows me well, I was definitely very guilty of professional business attire no no's. However I have refined myself in the past years. Typically it depends on your profession. In this case, "business professional" typically is what is required in most office / corporate jobs.

#1) All companies are different in their definition of what's appropriate. Stay on the conservative at first, then ease up after you figure out what is acceptable. Take a look at the highest woman executive in the company. Check out what she is wearing. Use her as a point of reference- DO NOT use your peers as your point of reference. You never want to dress for the job you have. You always want to dress for the job that YOU WANT.

#2) Invest in some basics that can be mixed and matched. Professional clothes are expensive when you get them to fit right, however it's worth the money. Stick with one color scheme and then everything will look good

together. Try and keep your work clothes wardrobe as minimal as possible. It saves you money and eliminates the "what to wear??" stress in the morning. I have a rotating 8 outfits.

Here is my rule of thumb for dressing for work in any corporate atmosphere:

Jewelry: Stick to studs or pearls. Never large hoops or anything dangling. A very small hoop or "cuff" earring is OK as well. One item of jewelry per each wrist. Never anything the clinks together and makes noise. It's distracting, and you can't type effectively with too many things on your wrist. Less is more here.

Shoes: Personally, I say always closed toe. An exception being in the summer "peep toe" shoes are OK. Anything that shows too much of your toes, I would stay away from. There is something very casual about showing your toes. Stick to a standard pump or a ballerina shoe.

Nylons: Yes when it's "business professional". However in the summer, it depends on how uptight your company is. Yea, I know it's annoying.

Skirts: A couple inches above the knee is OK. Try sitting down in your skirt, if it's showing enough of your leg to turn your coworker on... don't wear it. I personally wear a lot of pencil skirts. They are very flattering, and look professional. Work dresses are also awesome. A simply sleeveless black dress can be worn to work in the summer with a suit jacket or cardigan over it in the summer, and a turtleneck under it in the winter.

Shirts: Never show cleavage or anything close to it. If you are wearing a button down shirt, make sure there is no gapping in between the buttons in the chest area.

Underwear: Never let your bra straps show. Always wear nude color underneath light colored clothes because it won't be seen through them.

In summary, don't let your outfit overshadow your skills. Just because something might seem conservative to you, it might not be conservative to your boss, or your boss' boss. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Use your own judgement, and just because your peers are showing cleavage and wearing flip flops, doesn't mean you should too.

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