How To Look Your Professional Best -- Females

Our physical appearance, our words, and our actions express to others the person we are within. The strongest personality indicator is clothing because our clothing reveals how we think we look. Clothing can be easily changed to stress our strong points and camouflage our weak points.

Clothing permits us to state who we are and helps us reach our goals. When our clothing is changed, our mannerisms also change and a new set of reactions, both internal and external, affect our behavior. If we feel unattractive, we tend to withdraw and thus evoke a negative reaction from other people. If our clothing is attractive, however, we gain confidence in our appearance and demonstrate confidence in our behavior.

It is more difficult for a woman to project a clear clothing message than it is for a man. For the woman who is bridging several worlds, functioning in a professional role, as well as being a wife and mother, there is a problem of style confusion. Women must choose clothing that will carry them through several roles, sometimes in a very short time span.

Approximately 2/3 of all working-age women work in a paid job outside the home. In fact, women comprise over 40 percent of the country's total work force. A large percentage of these women are not just working; they are planning a career, and the correct clothing should be an important part of the plan.

A look that promotes a feeling of polished and professional competency ranks highest among those who do the hiring. A professional look includes clothes, hair, makeup, and accessories that work together to create a professional image. There are certain kinds of clothes appropriate for working women. Fashion taste and good judgment are essential for an adequate and professional wardrobe. Analyze and describe the appropriate career dress for your chosen career, and then plan your wardrobe around this description.

Plan Your Career Wardrobe

It is common to hear someone say, "I haven't anything to wear." If this describes you, then you need to survey your wardrobe and make a plan. It is possible to spend a great deal of money on clothes and not really be well dressed. If you plan ahead, this need not happen to you.

Plan an adequate wardrobe. Have enough suitable work clothes to carry out your job and feel good about the way you look.

Find out what you already have that is useful and that looks good on you. Get rid of the garments you have negative feelings about. Clean and straighten your closet in the process.

When you find the items that are still usable and comfortable, plan what you need to add to your career wardrobe. It is usually not possible to spend a large amount of money on clothes all at once; so plan to update your wardrobe by adding to it gradually.

A plan for an adequate and appropriate wardrobe is never completely finished. It changes not only as you change but also as your clothing goals and ideas change.

A Basic Career Wardrobe

Carefully select and coordinate a few basic garments. Choose solid colors that you can mix and match with solid or multi-colored accessories.

• Two three-piece suits (jacket, skirt, pants). For summer, a light colored one; a darker one for winter.
• One solid-color blazer.
• One sweater (cardigan).
• Two basic skirts (straight, flared, or dirndl) to compliment figure.
• One classic pair of pants.
• Two solid-color blouses (one with a tie or bow).
• One pinstripe blouse.
• Two shirts.
• One shirtdress (to wear with the blazer).
• One classic dress (with several accessories to change the look).
• One all-weather coat.
• Shoes and accessories (scarves, jewelry, belts, etc.).

Studies have shown that certain clothes lend an air of authority to the person wearing them. If you would like to enhance your authority on the job, consider these suggestions:

• Wear quality.
• Wear a jacket to work -- the higher the quality, the more authority.
• Wear subtle, sophisticated colors. If bright colors are becoming to you, wear them occasionally.
• Wear small, sophisticated prints or geometrics rather than large shapes or designs.
• Carry a fine leather handbag -- not trendy but classic.
• Always add finishing touches to your outfit -- a belt, a small pair of earrings, a gold chain.
• Wear good quality jewelry if your can afford it; if you can't, wear a fine costume copy.
• Always keep the same high standard to your look. Be consistent.

Look and act in a professional way.

Lines for You

Your physical build is the first clue to help you decide what styles or lines look best on you. Look in a full-length mirror and "size yourself" to see if you are tall and thin, tall and heavy, short and slim, short and heavy, or average.

The lines in your clothes can play an important part in your appearance, but lines can be deceiving. Look at the five lines shown here. Which seems longest? Shortest?

The lines are really all the same length, but "3" appears to be longest while "5" seems to be shortest. The tricks played on our eyes by the lines are called optical illusions.

A single vertical line makes you look taller and thinner and is good for almost everyone except the tall, thin woman.

A horizontal line going across the garment makes you seem wider at that point. Many horizontal lines add more width to the figure.

Wardrobe Planner

Dressing Don'ts

• Don't wear plunging necklines.
• Don't wear clinging skirts.
• Don't wear loud, shocking colors.
• Don't wear short skirts.
• Don't wear tight sweaters or skirts.
• Don't wear see-through fabrics.
• Don't wear pants without a jacket.
• Don't wear faddish clothes.
• Don't wear sundresses.
• Don't wear large jangly jewelry.
• Don't wear childish clothes.
• Don't wear scuffed shoes.
• Don't wear runs in hose.
• Don't wear wrinkled or soiled clothes.
• Don't wear clothes in need of repair.
• Don't wear skirts with slits higher than the knees.

Hints for Each Body Build

Tall and Thin

• Wear horizontal lines in two-piece suits/dresses.
• Avoid vertical stripes.
• Wear contrasting jackets with slacks/skirts.
• Sleeveless styles are unflattering.
• Wear flared or gathered skirts.
• Avoid long, tight sleeves and other tight-fitting garments.
• Wear wide belts, full sleeves, and cuffs.
• Take advantage of fabrics with texture.

Short and Slim

• Wear outfits of one color/pattern.
• Avoid large plaids or designs.
• Wear single-breasted coat or suit styles.
• Wear slim or slightly flared skirts.
• Avoid too much fullness, large pockets, large accessories.
• Wear simple shoes.
• Keep accessories simple and delicate.

Tall and Heavy

• Wear dark or subdued colors.
• Hems should be medium length.
• Wear outfits of all one color/pattern.
• Avoid bulky sweaters, coats, and suits.
• Avoid garments that are too tight, too full, or too short.
• Avoid large details -- bows, huge sleeves, big collars, etc.

Short and Heavy

• Wear suits or coats with minimum shoulder padding.
• Avoid bulky textures and big patterns.
• Avoid sleeveless styles if arms are heavy.
• Wear outfits of one color or pattern.
• Avoid very light- or very bright-colored outfits.
• Wear gored or slim (not tight) skirts.
• Avoid wide belts and full sleeves.

Career in Colors

Colors can enhance your appearance. The colors you should choose to wear are determined by your feelings about a color, by your personality, and by your own personal coloring.

Look at your coloring, which is created by complexion, hair, and eyes. You can hold different colors up to your face to see the effect. Although all colors will not look equally good on you, you can still wear them away from your face or as an accessory. Find your best colors and stick to them.

What color looks best on you?

What is your second most becoming color?

Be wise and plan your wardrobe around one or two basic colors that are becoming to you. Using only one or two basic colors makes mixing and matching clothes and accessories easier. This way you can increase the number of outfits you wear without actually increasing the number of garments you own.

Your personality is a factor to consider in your color decisions. Bright, stimulating colors seem appropriate if you are vivacious. If you are more reserved, choose soft, subdued colors, but accent them with livelier ones. The colors you wear should do something for you emotionally as well as physically. Here are some things to consider about color:

• Light colors make you appear larger.
• Bright colors make you appear larger.
• Dark colors make you appear smaller.
• Dull colors make you appear smaller.
• Bright colors in rough textures make skin blemishes more obvious.
• Bright colors in large amounts become tiresome quickly.

The Finishing Touches

Hair, makeup, and accessories are important finishing touches you should not neglect. Remember: Understatement is always better than overdoing.

Hair. Keep hair simple, clean, and well-cut. Your hair style should flatter your facial structure and be professional looking. Avoid childish hair styles; they undermine your authority. Above all, you want an easy-to-keep hair style that does not require much time.

Makeup. Research among top executives shows that a medium amount of makeup, or natural look, is most desirable in professional women. The "painted lady," or too much makeup, looks harsh and gaudy. No makeup at all makes you look tired or lazy with an "I-don't-care" attitude.

Strike a balance with your makeup. Use it to maximize your good features and minimize your bad features. Perfume should be kept to a minimum.

Accessories. Accessories can make or break an outfit. Use accessories to set the tone of your look by pulling it together and setting it off with just a touch of flare.

One of the tricks of the trade is the Rule of 14. When you think you are ready to walk out the door, do some quick addition. Give yourself one point for each of the following:

If your total is over 14 points, you are probably overdressed. Remove or change something to bring down your total. The result will be a more pleasing, unified appearance.

Evaluate for Quality

Learn to judge quality in the clothes you buy to get the most for your money. Being able to recognize quality is a great asset. Become a wise shopper and you can understand why seemingly similar garments may vary greatly in price.

The quality you look for will depend on the use of a garment. If you occasionally decide to indulge in a fad item, do not buy the best quality. Coats, suits, and other basic items you will wear often and for a long time should be the best quality you can afford. Remember, high prices in clothes sometimes mean high quality, but not always. Use the checklist below to evaluate your clothing purchases for quality before you buy.

Evaluate Your Clothing Purchases

Shopping Tips

• Shop early for the best selection and to find the size, color, and style you want.
• Find two to three clothing manufacturers that have your type of clothing and look for these brands.
• Find two or three shops/stores that work for you and stay with them.
• When shopping in a department store, look for special "career" shops and see what the models and mannequins are wearing.
• Don't be an impulsive shopper or an indecisive one.
• Be a cautious shopper. Buy for a need, not a want.
• Before you buy, be satisfied with the price, fit, style, and color.

References

Clothes Sense by Barbara Weiland and Leslie Wood.

Dress With Style by JoAnne Wallace.

Dressing for the Job by Clemson University Extension Service, Clemson, SC.

Looking, Working, Living Terrific 24 Hours a Day by Emily Cho.

Glamour's Success Book by Barbara Coffey and Editors of Glamour.

Your New Image Through Color and Line by Gerrie Pinckney and Marge Swenson.

Revised by Everlyn S. Johnson, Ph.D., Extension apparel and textiles specialist.

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Publication 1476
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director