How to dress Business Casual - Tips and advice

 Since personal image can be touchy subject, your company will probably never tell you if they have a problem with your dress, instead they will simply pass you over for promotions and opportunities. We don't want you to make business attire mistakes that might undermine your credibility or your career.

1. Take a good look around you
What type of business or industry are you in? A corporate communicator or creative environment? What do clients expect? What do the movers and shakers dress like? Dress in the top 25% of your industry peers people at your job level.

2. Consistency
Business casual wear should only be one step down from your standard business wear. Not suits one day then jeans the next. Your Monday to Thursday look should not vary drastically on Friday.

 3. Caution for women: women have a tougher time with credibility when dressed in a casual manner. This is especially true if you are younger, shorter or slighter. Stick to the more elegant end of casual attire by wearing a jacket or vest with coordinating bottoms. That will give you more presence.

4. Casual not sloppy clothes should be well pressed, clean and wrinkle free. Repair or replace clothing that is showing signs of wear. This advice becomes more important the more casual your dress is.

5. Jeans
 If jeans are part of your business casual options, select dark over light, and ensure they are in good shape. (Jean wear is a major concern with employers. People make so many poor jean choices that many dress codes forbid them) No sand washing, holes or fraying.

6. Avoid anything too tight, too short, too bare 

7. Appropriateness
Anything intended for the gym, the beach or a night club can make you a casual wear casualty.

8. Footwear
No flipflops, or strappy sandals. For men wear darker shades for athletic shoes.

9. Meet customer expectations
Your schedule should help you determine how to dress on any given day. If your position involves public contact, dress to generate client trust and credibility. If you are apologizing to visitors and clients about your dress, you've gone too casual.

Make a statement with a CAPE!

I love capes, they add a touch of sofistication, style and uniquess to any look. The cape was common in medieval Europe, often worn with a hood, and by the 19th century it returned as a fashion item. Capes also have their roots in religion - a type of cape called a ferraiolo is worn by Roman Catholic clergy. Style-wise, the cape generally comes in a shorter jacket version, unlike the longer cape.

Why you need it now

There's something a bit exotic about a cape, which is always a hot ticket in winter, especially because New Zealand weather rarely calls for a long or total cover-up. A short, chic cape is a great choice for your coat of the season.

 

 

 Military Cape from Ezibuy $79  

  

Hooded Cape Ezibuy $43

 

 Casual Poncho from Max $119 

 

Elegant Wool Cape/Poncho from Witchery  $149

http://www.witchery.com.au/her/knitwear/boiled-wool-poncho-2?color=STONE

What to look for

In wintry wool or a cosy knit, capes are making their way to our stores as full circles cinched with wide belts or body-skimming straight styles. Short mantle coats with wide lapels and bell sleeves are also finding fresh interpretation and cape jackets featuring both arm sleeves and slits at the side
When it comes to shape and shade, short is best, as are dramatic shades like black, grey and rich red, while plaid or checks add character. Or if you prefer a more low-key, lightweight look, neutrals are very chic. All are most flattering at thigh length, providing warmth through the body and allowing a slimmer silhouette to stretch out underneath.

Style to suit you

Petite shapes are smart in a cape paired with opaque tights under a short skirt. With pretty patent flats or fierce boots, this is always a good look.
Athletic shapes can handle the cape with flair. Team with skinny jeans or a print dress or do the well-bred rural riding hood with a long skirt and flat boots.
Pear shapes seek a cape with some structure built in, such as a belt. Keep it short and wear it with slimline pants for a polished look.
Busty shapes look to the ultra-modern approach of the fitted cape jacket. Flowing capes can cause the fabric to fall straight from your chest, making you look way bulkier than you may be. Keep it slick with pencil skirts or slim trousers.
Larger frames can shrug on a mantle-style cape that swooshes through grey days. Take it to the thigh and wear it with wide-leg trousers for a super-chic look.

Five more ways to wear 

Weekender = CC with a soft T-shirt, comfy jeans and sneakers (classic and hard to beat).
Urban flair = CC with leather skirt, ribbed tights and hiking boots.Ladylike = CC with wool trousers, turtleneck knit and loafers.
Work-wear = CC with crisp shirt, straight skirt, short boots and chunky scarf.
Evening glam = CC with skinny pants, lace top and long boots.

 

Love capes, adding a fur scarf for style! 

 I've got this cape a few seasons ago in Europe. 

Timeless piece!

Finding the best shoes for your Wedding

Looking for the perfect wedding shoes to complete your wedding outfit?  Here are some tips that could help you find your perfect pair.

http://www.confidencestyle.co.nz/services/bridal

Traditional or Modern?
If you’re the classic type, white or ivory wedding shoes is the best for you.  Nowadays, there are also many redesigned white or ivory wedding shoe designs creating a modern twist such as having ribbons, gold or diamonds in their designs.

Modern brides prefer the colored ones.  Although choices are not as broad as the ivory and white bridal shoes, colored ones are already gaining popularity.  You can choose green, blue or red among others according to your wedding theme.

What type do you prefer?
Try looking at bridal magazines, wedding websites online shoe stores on what is in store for you.  Aside from its color, you also need to choose whether you prefer shoes that have open toes, low or high heels, sling backs or with ribbons.  Make sure that whichever caught your fancy, they are also comfortable for you.  Remember, comfort is your topmost priority since your Big Day will also be the day you’re standing up the most so make sure that your wedding shoes won’t be in the way in enjoying your wedding day.

Don’t settle for any shoes.  Most brides think shoes won’t matter much – but they really do from completing your total bridal look up to comfort.  It is also up to you if you want to buy your pair for purely wedding purposes or you have the intention of using them for other events.  So choose well and enjoy your wedding!

Need Help? Book into a Bridal Consultation. Contact us today.

Every Woman is Beautiful!!

Gifts of confidence and style  Check out the latest E-news! Mother's Day Special!

Every Woman Is Beautiful!

I had the privilege presenting in different groups in the last few weeks on how to dress for success and how our image speaks without us realizing. From community groups to high-corporate, they were fascinated by the information on what colors are really saying and how the right makeup colors can take years off your face.

March and April were super busy with the 'Confidence and Style Makeovers", from choosing the participant, finding sponsors, to scheduling in every participant to go through the process of transformation. It was a great success! My biggest highlight was to see these ladies on stage, sharing their stories, to see their confidence grow,  learning to dream and to feel beautiful. click here for the before and after photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Style Tips & Advice

Great style tips, inspirations, advice on color, body shape, men style,
makeup. Have you got any question?
Feel free to write to me.
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Autumn 2013 Trends & Colors

I love it when the seasons change. It gives me the opportunity to explore new nuances to my style and re-invent ways to wear my summer gear in layers.

1. Prim and proper: Think pencil skirts, high necklines and long sleeves. It’s all about classic style.  
2. Leather: and not just in jackets. Think a-line skirts too, bringing a contrast of feminine and tough. Colour leathers are there for those wanting to lead the pack. 
3. Embellishment: sequins and adornment- elegant and feminine from Max
   
4. Suits: Just when we’ve got used to deconstructing the suit, it’s back and worn matchy-matchy together - like this looks from Jacquie E
5. Asian-inspired prints: there’s a richness in these that is both statement and classic.
6. Uniforms: a bit of military, a bit of country and a bit of urban thrown together for chic.
7. The full skirt: a work and play alternative to the pencil skirt. If hips are your widest point, then look for a drop-waist style. I certainly will be. llike this look from Witchery  
8. Rich florals: incorporate these fabrics in tailored shapes and let your garment do the talking. Less will be more in the accessories department. floral dress from jacquie E
9. Body conscious: think slim-fitting garments designed to show off your shape through clever seam work and graphic lines. With skilled patterning and good fabrics, this can work for all sizes. nice color blocking from Max
10. Sporty: A bit athletic, a bit sci-fi, a bit modernist. These are statement pieces to be worked back with classics  
11. Add your own style with different textures, scarves and amazing belts and jewellery. Block colour is slimming, chic and easy. Just remember, black is not a colour. 

Needing help finding your Style Personality? Pensy Low-Schumpestylist and image consultant Pensy Low-Schuemperli will help you Discover your Personal Style, colors and create a capsule wardobe.

Posted by Confidence and Style inside and out at 2:30 PM