These days many people are working from home. Because their only interaction with colleagues is in front of the computer, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of wearing the same clothing items. For those of us who have multiple virtual meetings daily, keeping fresh on camera is an important aspect of engaging our audience and ourselves. Starting at the beginning of the week, use a clothing rack and hang up the outfits for the week. Include all accessories, just as we would normally do if we were working outside of our four walls. The camera can be a bit ruthless in pointing out our flaws. Taking a picture of the week’s wardrobe will also help to keep a mix of colors and variety.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg served as a United States Supreme Court Justice from 1933 until her recent death. She was the second women to serve. Ginsburg was a small woman in stature. Her statement collar necklace became famous. It served in many ways as a tie for the men in the court. A necklace collar is one that surrounds and lays on the collarbone like a collar. It can be of cloth or metal and have stones or jewels on it. In a recent Brother to Brother episode (Drew and Jonathan Scott Show on HGTV), the judge wore a collared necklace of metal, bones, and a pendant. It was a statement piece. The necklace drew the attention to her face. A word of caution, the statement collars adds to one’s image. It is not the only image.

Recently published photos of female CEOs wearing sleeveless dresses have made a statement. Jan Field, president of McDonald’s USA 2012, and Madeline McIntosh, chief executive of Penguin Random House, were recently featured in the New York Times Sunday Business section. Both work in male-dominated industries. Both were wearing sleeveless dresses. Madeline McIntosh was also wearing a statement necklace. It was understated but had impact. Businesswomen, such as these, confirm they are women and leaders in their own right. How they dress makes a statement. A sleeveless dress, a bold move away from a suit, is a power dress.

Leggings are making their way into the world of professional dress. Legging-style pants provide a very slim pant that does not hug the calf and falls easy around the ankle. Business casual leggings do slightly hug the calf. Dress leggings don’t have a seam running the length of the leg. Tight leggings are strictly for casual wear and workouts. Athletic leggings have several seams in order to withstand high stress workouts. Being aware of the different styles of leggings, and legging style pants, is critical to properly dress for casual, business casual, and professional situations.

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.

The fashion industry, along with major designers, have the consumer on a merry go round. Styles change as we speak. They are dictated even before the clothes are in the stores. When the clothes make it onto the rack, another change begins. Before chasing after what is new, pause, and wait. Contemporary clothing items are not always timeless. They can quickly look dated. One example is the cut of a jacket. The trend for men has become much slimmer and tighter around the shoulder; it almost looks too small on a man. The classic style is much fuller; however, it can look dated. Move toward the middle – such as a relaxed fit, especially in shirt styles. It is important to choose a trendy item or accessory. For men it might be a shirt. For women, it might be the print on an item. Check social media, and especially the business magazines, for professional ideas.

Jackets can have very different looks and send different messages depending on the fit, fabric, and color. Some jackets send a message of authority; others send a message of approachability. Softer fabrics, more relaxed fits, and a companion piece often make you look more approachable. When choosing a new jacket, here are some tips to take into consideration:
Dos:
A jacket must fit at the shoulders. The length on the sleeve should fall to the top of the palm of the hand. The length of the jacket should cover the widest part of one’s hip.
Don’ts:
Avoid jackets with zipper closures as they tend not to be flattering around the hips. Jackets that are too tight across the chest might also be too tight around the hips.

The coming of another year often finds people making resolutions. Eating healthier. Exercising. Getting more sleep. Many of us have a hard time sticking to our resolutions. A few weeks into the new year, we’ve already broken a resolution or two. Here’s a resolution that’s simpler to keep though – revamping your wardrobe. And the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start. One way to begin is by getting some clothing racks (the Container Store often has them on sale). Bring all your wardrobe pieces together. (Marie Kondo suggests doing this part by piling all of your clothes on your bed) Next, organize your clothes first by style and then by color. Inspect each piece of clothing for wear and tear. Start making piles. One of the piles is for clothes to take to the cleaner. Another one of the piles is to donate. You may need to make difficult choices. Consider, as Marie Kondo would say, whether the item of clothing brings you joy. Ask yourself whether it sends the appropriate message for your work or lifestyle. Don’t forget to consider, even more importantly, whether the item fits. A goal of your wardrobe revamp is creating a first go around of pieces for a week’s wearing. Bring in a consultant or a close friend to help if needed.

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.