Named “LA’s go-to stylist” by the Los Angeles Times in 2012 and “LA’s best personal stylist” by CBS in 2013, certified image consultant and speaker, Laurie Brucker of LaurieBstyle LLC, is all about everyday people dressing with heart. Laurie brings 12 years of experience in the fashion industry to your closet, home and heart, by presenting styling techniques as a catalyst for personal growth and achievement. Join her at www.LaurieBstyle.com and follow along her style adventures on Instagram @lauriebstyle.
Five
Style “Musts” for Office Professionals
Style,
like people, inevitably evolves. With changing fashion trends, colors,
styles, and even the definition of “Business Casual” varying, keeping up with a
professional look, amidst all that noise, can lead to making some bad style
mistakes. While at the same time, not evolving with the times can also
lead to some bad style decisions as well. There is a fine line between
fashion and self-expression versus professionalism at the office. As a
Certified Image Consultant and personal stylist for professionals, I believe
that self-expression in your look is important; while at the same time there is
a base level of style acknowledgement that should be maintained.
Professionally speaking, it’s most important to stay classic, tailored and put
together. Style isn’t about the fashion (not in my world anyway). Style is
about how you carry yourself and how you exude that energy. Don’t feel
great in your clothes? That shows! But it’s important to get down
to the basics when it comes to style. Master the basics first and that is when
you can start adding in the self-expression and multiple pops of personality
into your look. Style has changed significantly over the past 20 years
and today, more so than ever, it’s important to show your knowledge of
contemporary style, while not sacrificing your professionalism, your status quo
and your office guidelines.
Professional
style is all about fit, details, hints of luxury and a pops of personality.
Here
we go:
Get Fit. This is probably the biggest revolution in style for
men and women. Fit. It’s the number one thing professionals should
acknowledge when it comes to their current wardrobe. For so many
professionals you only purchase a suit, so often so if you haven’t updated your
suits in the past 3-5 years (or even longer! … 20 years? Yes. I
have had guilty clients!), I would take a good look at them right now.
Here are some key factors that will outdate your suits indicating that it’s
time to update them to a more modern fit. Pleated front pants. Shoulder pads
that hover past your shoulder points and shirt sleeves that have more than
an inch of fabric that you can pinch in the under arm. (I call this the flying
squirrel sleeve and I will let you use your imagination why.) Modern fit
is slim, not tight, but slim. The slimmer and more trim your wardrobe
fit, the slimmer you will look. It will also give you the appearance of
looking taller.
Update your classics. Remember classic pieces are your best friends.
But as the style revolution continues on, it’s not just about little black
shift dress for women, the khakis and blue shirt for men, or the black or grey
suit for either. There are new updated classics that will look more
contemporary in your professional look as well as give it style. For
women: Update your black pump to a nude (flesh tone) pump. This will
elongate your legs. For men update the black dress shoe to a medium-dark
brown pair. This goes much better with navy suits, grey suits and yes,
even black. (Go for a brown belt as well!) Also for women, the
tailored blazer is a must but avoid being too boring with black or grey.
Try a deep red, or eggplant for a fresh feel. Men, let’s try some new
shirt colors other than blue. Try a gray and white gingham or olive and
white stripe. A simple switch out of the “obvious” choice can be the difference
from old to fresh and new in an instant.
It’s all in the timing. Wear a watch. It’s that simple. Nothing
says prestige and professional like a beautiful watch. This goes again
for both men and women. Watches, in general, are considered luxury items
so it will instantly elevate your look just by sporting one, especially because
most people have stopped wearing watches in this digital phone age. For
men look for something with a larger face! Go big or go home, that’s what
I always say. For women, consider it a special jewelry piece and
invest in something that matches your typical bangle and bracelet
regimen.
Crisp and clean. A crisp white
shirt goes a long way. It can be styled in every way possible, paired
with every color, and worn on most occasions. Both men and women should
have at least two to pull from inside their wardrobe. And going back to point
one: Fit, fit, fit. Having the proper fit will be the difference between
looking tired and weathered and looking professional updated. For women, your
white button down should have darts and fitted tailoring already built
in. Wear it tucked into a pencil skirt toped with a belt or with your favorite
suit, topped with a printed scarf. For men think outside of the
suit. The white crisp shirt is just perfect for any suit color, but it
also looks great in a business casual setting with a pair of grey or navy
slacks and a pull over sweater. Pair with dark denim as well for an updated
casual perfect for “casual friday”. Remember “casual” still means
Professional!
Mind your shoe. Your shoe choice is just as important as your
updated suit fit. This goes for both men and women. If you are
wearing dated, tired, worn, torn, or scuffed shoes, they will instantly lessen
the value of your overall look which in turns can send the message that you are
not as “put together” as a professional. We all know first impressions are
everything and therefore if your shoes are not well taken care of, it will
reflect poorly on you. An instant quick fix is to take old shoes to a
cobbler and have them shined, re-soled and given lots of love. Or… you
can just invest in some new shoes for your look. A fresh new shoe not
only will look great, but that newness is just enough to make you feel great as
well. And when you feel great, you look great and that kind of style is
priceless.
