Why We Look Our Best on Mondays

Ladies, did you spend a bit more time this morning getting ready for work? You’re not alone.

According to a new study, women spend more time applying makeup, doing their hair, and getting dressed on Monday mornings compared to the other weekdays. In fact, each passing day sees less effort made, with four in 10 women claiming that they basically give up on making on effort to look good at the office by Wednesday!

Apparently by the middle of the week our workloads are so heavy that we no longer have the time or energy to primp and pamper. For instance, the average woman spends 39 minutes getting ready on Mondays, then just 32 by Tuesday, 29 on Wednesday and Thursday, and back up to 33 on Friday as the weekend gets underway.

Of course, there are exceptions to be made. More than half of women said they would take more care with their appearance if they had a meeting with a client or boss, and nearly a quarter said a potential promotion would inspire them to look their best.

That tells me that we all know that looking well-groomed and nicely dressed is crucial to making a good impression and getting ahead. So why are we giving up mid-week? I think it’s important to take the time every single day to look your best, even if it means planning all of your outfits for the week on Sunday night. Don’t let those standards slip!

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National Cleavage Day and Why Plunging Tops Are An Office Don’t

Did you know that last Friday was National Cleavage Day, according to lingerie company Wonderbra? To celebrate the dubious holiday, the brand shared the results of its latest study, which shockingly revealed that two-thirds of British women use their cleavage to get ahead in life, with one in seven (14%) admitting to wearing plunging tops in the workplace to boost their chances of success.

“Showing your cleavage is the embodiment of empowerment,” a spokesperson said of the study, which also found that women rely on their breasts to get better service in bars, skip ahead in line, and get out of a speeding ticket.

I’ll let you argue over whether or not flashing cleavage is actually empowering, but as an image and etiquette consultant who works with successful business people on a daily basis, I can tell you that dressing provocatively at work is not appropriate. It makes people question your professional image and can make others feel uncomfortable. For example, I once heard of a business owner who had to send an employee home to change because she had shown up to work in a busty tank top that left little to the imagination.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to drown yourself in shapeless pants suits. In fact, in my wardrobe consultations I often advise female clients to invest in a good bra that fits perfectly, as it improves the silhouette and can help a woman feel more confident. But if you’re falling out of your top, have unbuttoned your blouse too low, or are wearing a sheer blouse, you’ve breached the limits of good workplace style.

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5 Accessories For a Fabulous Fall Update

Few of us can afford a big shopping spree each season. Still, a few key accessories can help you revamp your existing wardrobe to highlight some of the latest runway trends for fall and winter. The devil is in the details!

Faux fur collar: A detachable collar (available at stores like Ann Taylor Loft) can be added to your winter coat for an instant touch of retro glamour. Bonus: It’s oh so cozy and warm.

A ’70s-inspired fedora: The fall runways were hugely influenced by the 1970s, and sweeping jewel-toned fedoras ran rampant. Instead of your go-to knit cap (which, let’s face it, always seems to flatten your locks), try a bolder approach with a jaunty fedora. If you don’t want to dabble with a bright hue, try black or charcoal gray, and look for tasteful ribbon trim.

Metal jewelry: Dainty takes a backseat this season as the fashion pack opts instead for chunky metal cuffs and chokers with a futuristic touch. This look works especially well with a tailored little black dress and fitted blazer.

Statement shoes: I’m all for keeping it classic, but there’s something so irresistible about this season’s pack of boots in rich burgundy and midnight blue suede and bold animal prints. Look out for booties with gold-dipped or studded heels. It’s all about having fun!

Embellished gloves: Let your hands do the talking by showing a little personality via gloves with beading, studs, lace, fur, leather, or feathered trim.

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The September Issue

September is the January of fashion—the month when everyone looks ahead to the trends for the coming spring. For fashion magazines, the September issue is the biggest and more prestigious. If you’ve seen the documentary “The September Issue,” you know what I mean. The film follows the Vogue staff as they work to produce the high-profile issue. I thought the movie was fascinating, and saw it for the third time last week. Anna Wintour may have an intimidating reputation, but she’s a savvy businesswoman and clearly knows what she’s doing!

Right now New York is in the midst of Fashion Week, and I’ve been keeping a close eye on the collections (see them for yourself at FashionEtc.com). So far I’ve noticed a few standout trends for Spring 2012: bright colors (think candy pinks and the orangey Tangerine Tango, which has been deemed one of Pantone’s colors to watch); skirts and dresses that fall shorter in the front and hang long in the back (it’s been dubbed the “mullet hem”); softly pleated skirts; and oversized floral prints. I know we still have fall and winter to get through, but I can’t wait to try out these looks next spring!

I’m curious…who is your favorite designer/label, and what trend are you loving right now? Any tips for working a seasonal look into your work wardrobe? Please share in the comments below.

Image Boost: 5 Fall Fashion Trends to Try

Remember when Mom used to take you shopping for your “back to school” wardrobe? I’m a firm believer that you should never outgrow this tradition. As we head into fall, take a moment to freshen up your wardrobe and add a few new runway-inspired pieces to keep things current. You’ll look fabulous, and it will help you get excited about heading back to work (even if it’s just an excuse to show off your new clothes)! Here are a few of the top trends to try this season.

Snakeskin. Python prints may be too wild for the office, but you can give your outfit a bit of serpent-style flair by adding a snakeskin clutch, skinny belt, or heels. Opt for a neutral tone (such as beige) or dark hue to keep it from looking too flashy.

Polka Dots. A polka-dotted scarf—either around your collar or the handle of your handbag—is a fun update, or you can work a tiny-dotted blouse into your work wardrobe by pairing it with a sleek blazer and pencil skirt or trousers. A dark palette and small Swiss dots will give this youthful trend a touch of sophistication.

Bold Graphic Prints. Subtle solids are getting shoved to the side this season as colorful ethnic prints reign supreme. If your office environment is less conservative, treat yourself to a graphic-print wrap dress, or a silk blouse paired with black trousers and a cardigan or blazer. If suits are the norm, however, stick to an eye-catching silk scarf … or save it for when you’re off the clock.

Stars. Dolce & Gabbana’s star-studded designs have landed on pretty much every fashion magazine cover on the newsstand, so it’s time for us to follow suit. Try jazzing up a simple dress or blazer with a celestial-inspired brooch, or look for a black-and-white top with a miniature star print.

Black and White. If prints aren’t your thing, seek comfort in the timelessly chic pairing of black and white, which, along with primary colors, are headlining fall’s palette. Throw a black cashmere sweater over a silk ivory button-down, or wrap a cozy black pashmina around a stark-white sheath.

Dress Code Drama

The other day I stumbled upon an unbelievable story: A woman in New York City is suing JetBlue because they kicked her off a flight and questioned whether or not she was wearing underwear! Apparently the woman was wearing tiny shorts which were difficult to see underneath her baggy t-shirt. It sounds like airline workers definitely crossed a line—a male employee allegedly ran a walkie-talkie between her legs to check if she was wearing underwear!—but I think the lawsuit also highlights the importance of dressing appropriately. The woman’s outfit was better suited to working out at the gym or lounging around the house than boarding a plane with hundreds of people. A maxi dress or linen trousers with a drawstring waist would have been just as comfortable, and much more presentable.

I also just read about a woman who is complaining that she was kicked out of Walmart for wearing a bikini. Sorry, but there’s no sympathy from me on this one. It would never occur to me to go shopping in a swimsuit, even a one-piece, and expect to be served. Is it so hard to throw on a shirt or dress?

Finally, a high school in Vermont is banning students from wearing pajamas because so many were turning up to class in sleepwear. In an interview with a local paper, a vice-principal said the pajamas affected the students’ work ethic, and that the school wanted a return to civility. Sounds like my kind of school!

Summertime Dress Codes at Church

Is your Sunday best too skimpy? Lately I’ve been reading that some churches have put up notices reminding worshipers to dress appropriately for service during the summer months. Apparently some church-goers have been wearing strappy low-cut tops, revealing miniskirts, and skimpy shorts in an effort to beat the heat, and the church is having none of it.

Every church has its own culture. Suits and dresses may be the norm at one church, while another might have a relaxed dress code that includes jeans or polo shirts. Some see dressing up as a sign of respect, while others argue that God doesn’t care what you wear.

But no matter how formal or informal your place of worship is, there’s always a line. Provocative or revealing clothing is generally frowned upon, and can make others feel uncomfortable. It’s a church, not a nightclub!

When we were in Europe, we saw many cathedrals that handed out shawls to women who had bare shoulders. Granted, these churches were more traditional and formal than what you might find in the States, but I liked that sense of respect.

Men wouldn’t show up to work in a sleeveless t-shirt. Ladies would think twice about wearing a plunging, body-con dress to the office. So why wear it to church? If it’s really that hot outside, opt for lightweight fabrics that will keep you cool.

What do you think? Have you noticed this issue at your place of worship?

Packing for a Business Trip

After reading my last post on international etiquette, a client of mine brought up another interesting travel-related issue: what to wear! As a successful businesswoman she is often required to travel for various conferences, training seminars, and the like. These events may include a range of activities, such as breakfast meetings, classes, luncheons, cocktail receptions, and formal dinners. In other words, there’s a lot to pack and plan ahead for!

My client has noticed that many people on these trips view it as a vacation and dress accordingly—shorts, sneakers, flip-flops, and skimpy tops that aren’t acceptable in a professional arena. I loved her quote: “I am surprised at the number of people who do not comprehend the fact that seminars and conferences are not vacations; they are business/networking opportunities and, as such, one should dress as they would to have lunch with a colleague with whom they are seeking to do business. In some instances, cruise wear is acceptable but one should not wear shorts, strappy sundresses, or other vacation wear to a conference or seminar; the dress code is never less than business casual.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself! Of course, many of us (men and women) struggle to fit outfits suitable for these myriad events in our overnight luggage. Here are a few tips that I have relied on over the years.

 -Focus on versatile basics. Pack pieces that can easily be transformed for day to night, or informal to formal. A black sheath can be reworked with jewelry or a scarf, while a black pencil skirt or trousers can be dressed up or down with a variety of blouses.

-Opt for lightweight fabrics. Linen, jersey, and silk will take up less room in your suitcase, and make you feel more comfortable to boot. If you’re worried about wrinkles, call ahead to confirm that your hotel has on-site dry cleaning services, or, at the very least, an iron.

-Map your trip out. Before you go, look at the itinerary and calendar of events. Figure out what level of dress you’ll need for each event, and determine whether certain items can be “recycled.” For instance, I may bring a fitted blazer to wear over a silk dress for a reception, a pencil skirt and button-down blouse for a meeting, or a more casual solid tee and dark boot-cut trousers for class.

 -Think “casual chic.” Yes, you want to be comfortable. But how would you feel if you ran into a corporate bigwig in the lobby while you’re wearing yoga pants and a ratty tee? Instead, find more tasteful ways to be casual. Swap your flip-flops for ballet flats, or glam up a fitted solid tee (no logos!) with a statement necklace or scarf.

For more tips on this situation, read my book Executive Image Power, which features a chapter called “The Perfect Pack” by my colleague Julie Kaufman.

Are You Too Old for Your Wardrobe?

Are you too old for your wardrobe? The other day I stumbled upon a new study in which 2,000 British women determined the ages at which it was no longer appropriate to wear certain items. Read it and weep, ladies!

Tube tops: 33

Leather pants: 34

Miniskirts: 35

Sheer chiffon blouses: 40

Sneakers and tight tank tops: 44

Leggings and Uggs: 45

Bikinis and knee-high boots: 47

Stilettos and ponytails: 51

Long hair: 53

Swimsuits: 61

Now, I do agree that many of these fashions (tube tops, leather pants) are hard to pull off at any age. But I don’t think there should be hard and fast rules about when a woman has to retire certain items from her wardrobe. Look at Helen Mirren—she’s well into her 60s and still looks amazing in a swimsuit. And I could name several actresses in their late 30s and early 40s who can still make a miniskirt work.

As long as you look tasteful and reasonably age-appropriate, I think you can take these rules with a grain of salt. Style is about knowing yourself, your figure, and what works. For instance, Meryl Streep is in her 60s and still sports long hair and the occasional ponytail, but makes it work by avoiding fashions that are too youthful. It’s all about balance!

Samantha Cameron’s Royal Wedding Faux Pas

Did everyone watch the royal wedding on Friday? I thought Kate Middleton—now the Duchess of Cambridge—looked gorgeous, elegant, and timeless. I couldn’t help but think of Grace Kelly.  I also loved seeing the parade of bold hats on the wedding guests, though one high-profile attendee made a fashion faux pas on the big day.

Samantha Cameron, the wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, ruffled feathers by opting against wearing a hat, as is customary. Instead, she wore sparkling hair jewels pinned to her hair. Her dress was nice, but she didn’t look as formal as the event required. And it seems strange to me that the First Lady of Britain would completely ignore the dress code.

The lesson? Even if you’re the First Lady, you should always heed the dress code. Otherwise you will stick out like a sore thumb!