Top 10 Wardrobe Essentials for Businesswomen

I hope your week went better than mine. Last week our dishwasher started leaking and an hour later, I realized that the water had started seeping into the room downstairs, which had been converted into the closet of my dreams. What used to look like a small boutique now has no ceiling, the carpet is drenched in two inches of water, and all of my clothes are wet and ruined. Talk about a nightmare!

 

This, of course, brings new meaning to the phrase “I’ve got nothing to wear.” And with the economy looking the way it is, it will take quite some time to buy and restore an entire new wardrobe.

 

In the meantime, there are some clear-cut essentials that I—and most women—can’t live without. These Top 10 Wardrobe Musts will be my first priority as I assemble a new wardrobe. They’re timeless, tasteful, versatile, and absolutely vital to any professional woman. Read on and see if you’re missing anything from this list!

 

1. A Pencil or A-Line Skirt in Black or Charcoal Gray. This is a sophisticated basic that can be paired with a sharp button-down and blazer, or a pretty silk blouse. Just add pumps and pantyhose and you’re ready to go! While I like the sleek lines of a nicely fitted pencil skirt, an A-line style may better suit women with larger bottom halves.

 

2. A Sheath Dress. A simple, form-fitted sheath dress is a gorgeous option for work, and can be jazzed up with accessories if you’ve got an after-work rendezvous. I recommend having at least one sheath in a solid black or dark neutral to offer maximum versatility; you can pair it with a colorful bag or bangles if you like. Ann Taylor is a great place to look.

 

3. A Great Suit. No businesswoman worth her salt is without a fabulous suit. Navy, black, or charcoal gray are your best options, color-wise, and a lightweight wool will help see you through the various seasons. If money’s tight, select a suit that can easily be broken down and worn other ways—for instance, you can pair the suit pants with a nice blouse on its own, or throw the blazer over a sheath. You can’t go wrong with basic black! Single-breasted blazers are great, and it’s worth paying extra for alterations to guarantee a perfect fit. Double-breasted blazers don’t work for everyone, so keep looking if you’re not convinced. Hint: Check out Lord & Taylor or Banana Republic for nice, reasonably priced styles.

 

4. Black Trousers. Black trousers are basically the “jeans” of the working woman’s wardrobe. They go with everything, and when you’ve found the right fit, they look terrific. The key is to find something classic. It’s fine to get trendier styles later on (such as wide-legged, cigarette-style, etc.), but you must have at least one pair of versatile, straight-leg trousers. Have them dry-cleaned to avoid wear and tear and snags.

 

5. A Button-Down Blouse. It doesn’t have to be white (although the white button-down offers countless options—just ask Carolina Herrera), but it does have to be good-quality and properly cut. That means no gaps between the buttons, no wrinkles, and no tell-tale bra straps showing. Grab the iron or pay for dry-cleaning, wear a seamless bra so lines aren’t visible, and check out Rebecca & Drew if you’re busty and need a custom-fit blouse that isn’t too tight. Pale hues and/or stripes are classic and flexible, and can be paired with trousers, a pencil skirt, or under a suit.

 

6. An Elegant Bag. Your work may not require you to carry a briefcase, but you should still have one perfectly polished and tasteful handbag or case that you bring to the office. Black or brown high-quality leather is always a sophisticated choice, or you can experiment with crocodile, provided it’s subtle and impeccably done (think Hermes, not Crocodile Dundee). The bag should also be roomy enough to carry your work files and other essentials (Filofax, iPhone, etc.) comfortably. A sleek tote or satchel is your best bet. Look for charming details like bold gold hardware to add a dash of personality, but avoid anything too cutesy—funky monograms, Juicy Couture hearts and crowns, that sort of thing. And don’t worry about carrying anything too luxurious or “status”—if your company’s going through lay-offs, it might be bad taste to show off that new Chanel 2.55.

 

7. Classic Pumps. The workplace isn’t the right setting for your six-inch stilettos, ultra-trendy wedge heels, or anything you’d wear out to a nightclub. Nor is it the place for your scuffed-up sneakers or flip-flops. Invest in a nice pair of closed-toe black pumps with a modest heel (about two inches). The extra height will give you a little power boost, while still being comfortable enough to survive a day on your feet.

 

8. Tasteful Trench. Audrey Hepburn, eat your heart out. Nothing ruins a fantastic power suit like throwing a bulky parka or nylon windbreaker over it when you run out to grab lunch or meet new clients. In winter, consider a sophisticated wrap coat in a dark neutral. For spring and fall, a classic trench adds the perfect finish to your look. Go for tan (like the famous Burberry version), black, gray, or chocolate brown. You’ll instantly feel glamorous and polished. (See the photo of Julia Roberts in Duplicity for inspiration.)

 

9. A Cashmere Cardigan. Cashmere should be on every woman’s wish list, but it’s also particularly handy for the office. Not only is it timeless and luxurious, but it’s also great to have for in-between weather. We all know that the office thermometer can be fickle—and changed every 5 minutes according to your co-workers’ preferences—so it’s smart to have something stylish to slip on if you feel chilly. You can also pair your cardigan for a silk blouse or button-down in lieu of a blazer.

 

10. Stockings. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Pantyhose, unless you have the tanned, blemish-free legs of a supermodel, are a must in the workplace. Be sure to stock up!

The Etiquette of Bare Legs & Arms in the Workplace

When I speak to a group of women on appropriate dress for the workplace, the first question is invariably: How do you feel about pantyhose? I remember someone telling me that Katie Couric wore no pantyhose on “The Today Show,” so why should any of the rest of us wear it?

 

I’ll tell you why. Hosiery is like makeup. If you are very young, you can get away with not wearing it. Your skin is fresh, clear, and smooth, and you probably look just as good when you’re “all natural.”

 

Hosiery is similar. If you are young, you can get away without wearing pantyhose because you probably do not have varicose veins or age spots, and you probably have time to shave your legs daily and keep up with a fresh pedicure. However, as we get older, we get busier with children, work, and all the other things in life. Our bodies change, and over time our once-smooth and sexy legs become riddled with spidery veins, scars, age spots, wrinkles, sun damage, and more. Who wants to show all that to the world?

 

If your legs and feet are not perfectly groomed and attractive-looking, forgo the bare legs and strappy sandals, and wear pants or skirts with pantyhose. Tasteful closed-toe shoes are also imperative if you’ve gone too long without a pedicure.

 

For example, I was in the elevator one day and noticed a woman who was well-coiffed, well-dressed, and elegantly put together. Then I looked at her feet. She was wearing no hose, and had on opened-toe sandals, but she obviously had not had a pedicure in months. It was very distracting and a little gross. Just remember, the devil is in the details!

 

Recently, another question I often receive after a workshop to women is: How do you feel about bare arms at the office? Again, if you are young, or work out and have firm arms, you can get away with it as long as the garment you are wearing covers your shoulders. Some companies—including many schools—prohibit sleeveless garments, so you should always check corporate dress policy.

 

Invariably, I get someone in the back who says, “Well, our First Lady, Michelle Obama, is often seen wearing sleeveless dresses.” To which I say, if you have Mrs. Obama’s well-toned arms, go ahead and go sleeveless. If you make $15 million a year, as Katie Couric does, go ahead and go bare-legged.  You probably have enough money to have someone wax your legs, paint your toenails, and take care of your varicose veins!

 

If that’s not the case, play it safe and cover up.

The Downside of Dressing Down

Spring has sprung in Atlanta, and so have the tattoos, body piercing, flabby arms, cellulite, and too much skin showing…

Last weekend was the first warm weekend we’ve had this year and as all Atlantans know, as soon as it’s above 65 degrees, people start wearing flip flops and shorts. That’s fine if you look decent and appropriate – meaning your clothes are clean, pressed, tucked-in where needed, etc. But if you look like you just threw on whatever clothes were sitting on the top of the laundry pile – think wrinkled t-shirts, scuffed-up sneakers, shorts that hang off you – you’re definitely sending off the wrong signals!

When I took my weekly trip to the grocery store I could not believe my eyes. Don’t people have full-length mirrors? And if they do, do they look at themselves before they go out the door? I certainly don’t get dressed up to go to the grocery store, but there are some limits. What if you were to run into your boss, your ex-wife, your ex-boyfriend or a prospective client????  You would not be impressing anyone in your ragged sweats, holey shirt, tasteless joke t-shirt, or too-tight tube top.

People who stand out of the crowd are those that are consistent in everything they do. Studies show that if someone sees another person several times in different settings and that person is consistently well dressed and well groomed, he/she will be perceived as having a higher education; exhibiting high values in life; as being successful in their business, and so on. So if you dress appropriately for work but look like a bum on weekends, you are sending mixed messages and people won’t know who you really are. If you are a professional, such as an attorney, CPA or banker, do you want people to question your credibility? It only takes 10 to 15 seconds for someone to judge you when they first meet you. Don’t you want that first impression to be a good one?

So, before you walk out the door, make sure you look like who you are.  You never know who you are going to run into.

Power Dressing Stages a Comeback

So long, Casual Fridays! Hello, power attire!

As this article from the Wall Street Journal notes, the recent economic downturn is making an impact on our work wardrobes. While before, it was acceptable – if not 100% professional – to opt for business-casual looks like khakis and even jeans in the workplace, it’s now imperative to truly dress for success.

Writer Christina Brinkley includes this telling quote from Gretchen Neels, a Boston-based communications consultant: “In our economic times, you really want to have your game on. You can’t be too formal.”

With lay-offs looming at every turn, employees now have a stronger motivation to dress in their finest power suits at work – it could just mean the difference between keeping your job or joining the unemployment line. A sharp suit and tasteful, nicely groomed appearance shows that you take your job seriously, and shows ambition and success. By contrast, wearing jeans or a dress that looks like it was designed for a party, not the office, signals that you may be lax, or a little too comfortable and complacent.

My advice? Look to your company’s higher-ups for style inspiration, and invest in pieces that exude professional confidence. The article also suggests that men wear dark, conservative suits with ties, while women sport a stylish, commanding accessory like a luxe briefcase.

Don’t forget: You should always dress for the job you want, not the one you have!

How to Handle Being Laid-Off – with Dignity

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get through a week in which you didn’t hear about another friend or acquaintance being laid-off? Unfortunately, this horrible streak of lay-offs doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. It’s an issue that really tests our standards of etiquette, as well. How do you handle a lay-off? How do you act when you hear that someone near and dear—or even a fellow co-worker—has lost their job?

 

To help with the former, TIME has assembled this thoughtful guide that advises how to handle a lay-off with dignity and grace—not to mention any employee rights you may have! I think it’s a valuable read—and hopefully you won’t have to heed the advice!

 

If someone you know has been laid-off, be considerate and avoid making any statement that could be seen as condescending, such as “I know how you feel.” And avoid complaining about work—things could definitely be worse! Instead, remain positive, and offer to help them out with any contacts that may aid their job search.