Winning Taste Wins the Job
Fashion makes a first impression and decides whether you’re worthy of a conversation or if you’re just another fashion fool. Fashion is important, but in the workplace, it could make or break you.
It’s crucial to look good at work without looking like you just walked out of the Playboy Mansion, been at the YMCA doing crunches, or like you just walked out of a Lady Gaga music video. There are so many questions to ask yourself: What’s in and out for work attire? Well, I’ve got some answers to save you from an occupational fashion hazard.
Tiffany Bowman, Project Manager at the Pennsylvania Department of Industry and Labor, gave me the inside dirt on how to be a fashionista in the workplace. “I don’t wear a lot of prints. I stick to basic colors like black or beige,” she said.
Bowman believes every fashionista needs the perfect pair of patent leather pumps to make the outfit pop. Bowman’s shoe collection can only be compared to the endless racks of shoes at Saks -- heels, pumps and flats, oh my!
Leopard, reptile, purple, giraffe -- I’m sure she has it. Shoes make an outfit, but not everyone can pull of a pair of Manolo Blahniks.
Another workplace must: “You can’t go wrong with a white shirt and straight skirt,” according to
. In my opinion, every girl should own a black pencil skirt. Bowman said that black looks classic and style-savviness in the office is about keeping it simple.
Classic looks for fashion-on-the-job security: flat front black pants, cardigans, an oversized black handbag, brightly colored knit sweaters, crisp white shirts and, of course, a pencil skirt.
“When I’m not at Misericordia, I work at a bank and what you wear does matter,” said sophomore Megan Carey. She says she has witnessed women who work at the bank actually get given a warning if they are not dressed to standards of a financial fashionista. Carey gets her workplace attire straight from Express after they upgraded their line of professional gear.
Express’ Editor’s pants are a classic way to make the black pant stand out -- I own three pairs. Express vests are also to die for, because they match the Editor’s pants. Seriously, I would own the whole store if I could -- one of each please!
I agree with Bowman: That perfect professional touch at work would have to be shoes. She’s filled me in on all of her crazy shoe stories, she won’t tell but maybe I will -- next time.
