Fashion that Works

Written by Deborah Wong and Tracy Wong

Delusions aside, it's a fact that people do judge a book by its cover. First impressions do count - especially if you are eager to clinch that dream job. The way you dress at your first corporate interview or your first day at work can help to determine the way you present yourself and your employer's first impression towards you. You wouldn't want to dress over the top; neither do you want to look like a fashion disaster. HOOKED will teach you how to dress in style - fashionable yet appropriate for the corporate world.         Contrary to popular belief, corporate wear is not about looking dowdy or blending in with the crowd. Just like you wouldn't leave your house wearing that ratty old pair of jeans and tee, neither should you be wearing that horrid dowdy ‘corporate' outfit to work. An outfit is not simply meant to clothe, but is also an indication of your personality.         Two words really, basics and tailoring! You can NEVER go wrong in that impeccably cut outfit. Even the most expensive outfit would look terrible if it were ill-fitted. The notion that tailored outfits are expensive has perhaps been one of the longest lasting fallacies of fashion. Scratch the idea of bespoked Savile Row suits, tailoring is widely available throughout our little island for merely a fraction more than what the stores have to offer.         Do avoid the tailors in town though, they tend to mark up prices due to the overheads. Head instead for that little wizened charming old seamstress located in the backroom of a store for great quality and fit. To lower prices even further, you can always source for your own fabric!          Great pair of pants and pencil skirts in several different shades will do wonders for your wardrobe without incurring a huge dent in the finances. Pair them with different tops, wash and repeat!         To get the most mileage out of your basic tailored pieces, solid colours are preferred. As for the length of the skirt, we will leave it to your discretion, however, we provide this piece of advice - in opting for a micro mini, black slightly opaque stockings would be advisable, allowing you to look sensual but not slutty.         For the ladies, make sure you have some staples in your wardrobe like the formal shirt in solid colours - but don't make them the center of your attraction. Wearing them all the time screams a lack of imagination and reeks of inexperience ‘work' dressing. Boys fortunately, are spared - wearing a top is just about as formulaic as choosing the right pair of pants - find one with great fit, wear, wash and repeat.         Tops do get a bit trickier as they attract a fair bit more attention. However, we feel that tops are perhaps the most malleable item in the entire outfit. Dig around in your wardrobe and you're sure to find some pieces that are capable of transcending both work and play.         Take for example the simple camisole. Pair it with jeans and you're all ready for a night out. Wear it under a blazer and there's just that hint of colour and sexiness without compromising on your professionalism. Even a graphic printed tee can appear professional with that amazing pair of pants!         Dresses, we feel, are God's gift to womankind. Appropriate yet feminine, they make for great outfits for lazy days when we're simply too tired to match our outfits.           The most important arsenal in a man's wardrobe is a perfectly cut suit. A good suit is worth the investment as it will last for a long time. However, if a tailored suit is still way beyond your budget, shop extensively for your pieces.         When tailoring, always ensure that the length of your pants fall gently over the shoes. It is advisable to first buy the shoe that you will be wearing the suit with and then tailoring the pants with the shoes on. Jacket should be single-breasted with two or at most three buttons. Double-breasted suits are most suitable for the slightly older man. Jacket length should end just slightly below the wrist bone.         Remember too, that if one chooses to wear a suit, it should be in neutral, dark colours, preferably navy blue or charcoal grey. Other colours like black may appear unsuitable for an interview, or any other first-impressions meeting, for it appears rather commanding.         As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Shoes and bags DO matter. Attention to detail will also reflect well on your personality. They too are worth your investment as you will probably use them for at least a good year or more. For the men, a pair of classic loafers is an essential staple of your work wardrobe. And ladies, keep your 5 inch stilettos for the clubs.         Having said all that, these are merely guidelines for you to play around with. It is imperative to ensure that you wear the clothes and not the other way round. Whatever you wear should allow you to exude confidence when you meet your recruiters and to leave them with a lasting, positive impression of you. HOOKED Photos courtesy of: http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/ http://google.images.com/ http://men.style.com/ http://style.com/ Comments Write Comment Name: Guest Title: Comment:

 

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