Suit jackets for both men and women have been making a comeback the past few years. I love jackets because they add a finishing touch to an outfit. The men’s fashion industry has started making high-end separates. This means jackets and pants can be purchased separately. Being able to wear the jacket separately, but still use it as a suit with the matching pants, makes the purchase more economical. Suit jackets have a more structured design; casual blazers have a more relaxed fit.

Women’s wear has been introducing the jacket in many forms. They range from hip length to ¾ length (duster jackets). Sleeves now in most jackets are often ¾ lengths. Sleeves falling to the wrists are still a preference for a more professional presence. Jackets are easy to buy separately and versatile to wear with pants, skirts, or dresses. They can even be used as outerwear. Jackets can add polish. They are an important part of your wardrobe.

Gym shoes, tennis shoes, athletic shoes . . . they go by many names. The athletic shoe trend for women started years ago with women wearing them to work and then changing into work shoes (professional styles). At that time, white was the mainstream color and was considered to be the most practical. Shoes didn’t come in the variety of colors they do now. Now, 20 years later, athletic shoes come in a wide variety of colors and patterns—from neon green to white, which is currently very popular. We even see fancy athletic shoe designs for brides. What is the right style and color to wear? There are no hard and fast rules for sneakers. Keep in mind these guidelines: comfort, fit, and feel. Also consider the appropriateness of athletic shoes in the situation and the shoe’s appearance. Some people like slim, lightweight styles. Others like bigger, clunkier styles. If the shoe fits (the time and place), wear it.

The holidays are fast approaching. Christmas sweaters, blouses, ties, scarves, necklaces, and earrings are for sale everywhere. The ugly sweater is popular again this year. Holiday apparel is fun to wear after Thanksgiving. When choosing holiday items to wear, as with any apparel, be sure to take into consideration your presence, style, and overall appearance. Taking a “less is more” approach may be more appropriate depending on your work environment. Pairing a tasteful holiday item, such as a scarf, with a white, black, or jewel tone blouse can be both festive and professional. Observing management personnel in your workplace can also provide you with cues as to what is appropriate within the office culture.

Shoes should be the finishing touch to one’s appearance. They should complement the whole, pulled-together look. To the observer, shoes can indicate a person cares about details. When shoes are noticeable on a person, it can be distracting or call attention to the fact that the shoes are the wrong style or just a glaring mistake. Observers should notice a person’s face first—not his or her shoes. If the shoes are more memorable than the face of the wearer, it is time to tone down and reconsider the shoes or to pay more caretaking attention to the face.

Do’s:

·         Shoes should complement the outfit style—they add the final touch.

·         Wear colors that blend in with the total look.

·         Always wear well-maintained shoes that are clean and not scuffed – even when sporting athletic shoes.

Don’ts:

·         Avoid wearing shoes that are too casual or too formal for the outfit.

·         Be sure not to wear shoes that aren’t comfortable (everyone can tell by the way you walk).

·         Avoid wearing shoes that look battered and scruffy.

Shirt collars have gone back and forth—from collars with buttons to collars without buttons. There are several advantages to wearing a shirt with a button-down collar. Collars that button down are easier to wear and look tidier. They also are easier to maintain. Collars without buttons look more casual. They can also look sloppy when the collar flops down. Collars without buttons require more caretaking, such as ironing and spray starch, to remain crisp looking. When in doubt, choose a shirt with a button-down collar.

The challenge with working virtually is how it easy it is to slide into a very casual look! The rule of thumb, especially if you are alone in your office, is to make sure you are dressed appropriately if someone drops in unexpectedly.

The fashion and retail sectors have discovered business casual workout clothes. Uniqlo, Gap, and Crew, to name a few, have made clothing polished with a knit fabric with body shape. Soft jeans in multi-colors besides denim also create a professional look.

Fit on a garment is critical to visually adding or taking pounds off of your look. On shows or movies, the actors always appear slender. Some folks we know are naturally skinny. Others make sure they have just the right length on the shirt around the waist and sleeve.

How do we ensure our clothes fit right? If you have a tailor’s eye, use a full-length mirror to take a quick picture of yourself. Does your first impression put smile on your face? If not, take your items to a tailor for a professional opinion of the fit. This will provide a guideline on what works and what needs alterations. Begin with a few items a time.

One more tip is that the clothing must make you feel good, or as Marie Kondo suggests, ask:  Does it give you joy? if not, donate the items.

However, It is amazing when clothing fits properly!

The most common fit mistake in a garment is the sleeve length. It’s either too short or too long. It can be time consuming to find a tailor or you might need to wear the piece before you can get it altered.

Using self-adhesive tape for a sleeve or pant length can work as a temporary fix. The best option is to purchase clothing where tailoring is offered or find a tailor who will alter while you wait.

Another trend is that opposite patterns are being introduced in dresses, shirts, and blazers. This fad is an attention getter where the clothes become the statement. My number one motto is that the person wears the clothes, not the other way around. The clothes need to reflect you and complement the body, enhancing the positive impact you want to project.

The fashion industry is trying shake up and rouse interest in clothing by introducing a new way of using prints and patterns in clothing for men and women. Blouses, dresses, and menswear are being designed with several different prints on one item.

Ted Baker started this by introducing collars and cuffs with patterns and shirt bodies in another pattern. Fashion savvy men began to wear them. And now, even conservative men wear multi-colors, multi-prints for business casual. DVF dresses are now loaded with several prints and patterns on the same dress. Just remember, the clothing should enhance the person wearing it as opposed to the clothing wearing the person.