If Work is Beyond 5 O’Clock: Part 1
Sometimes “work” crosses over into after five with events involving clients, employees or potential customers. So what should you wear when representing your company doing charity work as many corporations now do? Anytime that the event involves your company whether for charity work, a convention or conference, a special event or the employee party, your appearance is just as important. Not only are you driving home the company’s image but yours as well.
Many people feel that the company party or picnic is a time to reveal themselves. Not quite. Yes, it’s a time to relax and mingle with co-workers but it’s not a time to get plastered and tell a few things to your boss! So when it comes to dress it’s not the time to wear your own thing rather, wear what you wear to work but with some casual aspects if it’s a picnic or the office party. So if jeans are appropriate wear your good jeans and stay away from the designer versions that are holy, torn and bleached. For women, no cleavage, spandex tank dresses and thigh high skirts or slits. For both sexes avoid wearing all your jewelry (including body piercings) that you normally wear with your friends.
So when it comes to after five let’s first cover the definition of terms often found in invitations and the attired that they are requesting. Often under the formal category there are lots of different codes with different requirements. If you have to attend lots of black tie affairs consider investing in a black tux or a dark suit for men and a either an evening suit or cocktail dress for women. A great place for cocktail dresses at all price points is www.edressme.com.
· White Tie: Men a white dinner jacket, black pants, shirt and tie or tails; for women it’s a long evening gown in perhaps chiffon, organza, or taffeta.
· Black Tie: Men, black tux, shirt and tie and cummerbund. Women, long gowns or cocktail dresses.
o Creative Black Tie: Perhaps a black tux, black shirt and NO tie for men; long or short evening gowns or cocktail dresses for women.
o Formal: Men, it’s a tux with no tie; Women, long gown or short cocktail dress
o Business Formal: Black tux, no tie for men and tailored dressy evening suits for women
o Daytime Evening Formal: Usually this means a dark suit for men and a cocktail dress or dark suit or evening separates for women
o Semiformal: Usually an event after 6pm; for men, wear a dark suit or blazer and a cocktail dress, evening separates for women
- When the event is black tie, men will need to rent a tux or wear a dark (black or navy) suit and tie. Some creativity is permitted in the cummerbund and tie if your corporate culture is less restrictive. However, with the tux black hosiery and black shoes are a must.
- For black tie events, women might look to wearing a short, three quarter or long dress or gown in silk, chiffon, crepe, taffeta, or organza (keep the velvet for the cooler months of October through January). This is a truly dressed up event so look your best and accessorize with appropriate shoes such as strapped evening sandals in metallic and ultra sheer hosiery. Include dramatic jewelry and a clutch. Showing up in a lounge suit is not an option. Although tempting avoid showing off too much cleavage and too much thigh.
What to Wear if you’re Small or Large
No matter your size, accentuate the positive and minimize the negative. Strategically dress to truly impress!
Petite Figure
Do Wear:
· One-tone or one-color suit in cool colors
· Delicate high heeled shoes
· Slim-line skirts
· Vertical patterns in pinstripes
· Vertical seaming
· Slim-line slacks
· Three Button Suits
Don’t Wear:
· Bulky, complicated clothing
· Cluttered necklines
· Skirt too long or too short
· Ankle strap shoes
· Thick-soled or heavy shoes
· Plaids
· Tweeds
· Double-breasted jackets
Large Figure
Do Wear:
· Clothing that fits well
· Well-tailored dark suits
· Cloths that accent the face i.e. printed shirts, scarves around the neck
· Solid colors
· Smooth fabrics
· Pin or chalk-striped suits
· Tops and shirts outside the skirt or trousers
· Narrow belt pushed down a bit further than normal
· Blouson tops
· Light-colored shirts with belts lighter than the pants
Don’t wear:
· Skintight or very loose garments
· Bold patterns
· Front-pleated trousers
· Pleated or dirndl skirts
· Large plaids
· Bulky sweaters
· Unstructured jackets
· Colors that change at the waist
· Wide Belts
Be Internationally Savvy at Home and Abroad
The world has truly shrunk in size given email, air travel, and the influence of world economies on our homeland. Moreover, one in four Americans is either African-American, Asian-American, or Hispanic-American. We live in a multicultural environment and business is global these days so it’s important that we are sensitive and respectful to people from different cultures and backgrounds as well as countries.
One of the reasons why the Japanese were so successful in business in the 70’s and 80’s was due to how they handled the people their met in the global community. Here some tips to help you be successful in today’s multicultural workplace or with international visitors.
· Get an understanding of the various different cultures that surround you. This will enhance your sensitivity and appreciation for the differences between cultures and better prepare you for the workplace and business.
· Have an open mind about people from different cultures and avoid stereotyping them one way or another. For example, all Asians are not the same: Thai people are very different from Vietnamese; and Chinese are very different from Japanese.
· If hosting international visitors whether they are staying at your home or at a hotel, make an impression by having a basket of fruit or flowers placed in their room. When choosing flowers, avoid white or yellow if your guests are Chinese or Middle Eastern. If dealing with Europeans, avoid chrysanthemums since they are linked with death.
· Consider helping your foreign guests when they are making arrangements to visit by recommending or handling restaurants, hotels, airports, and transportation accommodations.
· When someone visits you from another country, don’t assume that they will want to eat their country’s food during their stay. Rather, choose restaurants that have a continental menu that pleases most palates. Although we consider squid or sea urchin strange foods abroad, many foreigners consider corn on the cob, grits, and hot dogs strange. Other foods that considered strange include sweet potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pies, and marshmallows.
· If entertaining people who are Muslim or Jewish, depending on the extent that they follow the rules of their religion, operate from the standpoint that they are orthodox or conservative and follow their religious beliefs closely regarding food and other practices. For example, Muslims do not normally drink alcohol and they do not eat foods such as lobster, pigs, goats, and birds. Moreover, they don’t eat foods prepared with oils or other parts of these animals. Jews cannot have milk and meat in the same container. Further, meat and fowl must be kosher, which means it is prepared under religious guidelines.
· Also be aware that people from other parts of the world operate on a different meal plan compared to Americans. For most Americans the main meal is at night. For many countries abroad the main meal is around one with a light meal late in the evening such as 9 or 10 o’clock. Ask them how they want to schedule their meals.
· If dealing with business people from Latin America, Asia or the Middle East, include your family in selected activities outside business. Getting to know the family is part of building trust in the relationship and subsequently closing the deal. Compared to conducting business with other Americans, foreign business deals take more time and effort to allow the relationship to grow.
Increase your Overseas Travel IQ
As a person that has spent the past 11 months in Romania and has traveled extensively to other countries in the world I want to share with you some tips on increasing your overseas travel IQ. In addition to traveling extensively, my father was in the military and we had the opportunity to live in Brazil for a total of three and a half years. So let me share with you some tips that will present you and the country in a positive light:
- Remember you are a guest in that country no matter how long or short your stay is. As a guest you honor the people and embrace the culture.
- In embracing the culture, focus on the positive rather than all the things that your country has that the one you’re in doesn’t.
- Although McDonald’s is everywhere, even in Romania (and their fries are the best), choose to try the foods of that country to expand your horizons. Heck you may find that the food is better than you thought and want the recipe!
- Be gracious with gifts when meeting with foreign clients, company representatives in that country and friends. In Romania, it is customary to bring flowers to a house and give them to the lady of the house. In business, women are perceived differently outside the US so with gifts, so give something impersonal after the deal is closed. For men, give the gift after the deal is closed, because in both cases it may be perceived as a bribe.
- Forget about all the bad things people tell you about a country before you go. That will bias your view. Before coming to Romania everyone told me about the gypsies and being robbed. I haven’t been bothered by either but in any big city whether in the Los Angeles, Paris, Bucharest, Cairo, or Brussels, people steal for a living so watch your things.
- If you just have to use the internet, you can find such cafes everywhere. Romania is hooked up and is even into DSL and cable. Whether in western Australia, Istanbul, Bucharest or Washington, DC internet café’s are everywhere and so you don’t have to demand to use someone else’s computer.
- Be patient. In many countries, life moves at a slower pace and is not as organized as what perhaps you’re used to. For example, when teaching in the states I know my schedule of classes a year in advance, when and where. In other countries it is not the same. As I was told “cool it” and enjoy smelling the roses. Meetings may not start on time and people may not care but if you are going to the United States meeting times are times to be “on time and prepared.”
- Learn how business is conducted in the country that you are going to. For example in many countries outside the United States, the prospective client will want to get to know you and develop trust with you. So the time factor is longer to get the deal. You will probably meet their family and friends so take your time. You want to have a good trust level too. In the United States, business is business but you also may be invited to a sporting or cultural event such as the opera, or theater.
- Business dress is business dress. Traditional suits are common for men and suits for women are a must. Leave the sexy stuff at home. For casual parties forget the jeans and wear twill trousers that are pressed or a twill skirt with the appropriate accessories.
- Visit cultural places during your stay. Museums, art galleries, churches, Abbeys, Mosques, and Temples have a history all their own.
- If you know in advance that you are going, check out the country either by buying books on the country or going on the internet. For Romania, consider checking out http://www.romanianweek.ro which tells about things in the country such as art and editorials. Frankly, before I went to Romania I didn’t know anything about the country except what we got on the news. The news doesn’t even touch the iceberg regarding what Romania is about.
- The whole point of going to another country, whether for business or pleasure, is to try something new so try new foods, new habits and learn about the people.
- Also, try to learn the language. If you are going for a few days, Berliz has a cassette and handbook that can get you used to the language. If you attempt at speaking the language they will love you and probably respond in English. If you are going for a longer stay such as six months, take a course at the local University or from a private tutor. It will help you in the long run to figure things out as you embrace your adventure.
- Although many countries have American and European hotels that are posh, experience some of the local hang outs. But sometimes it’s nice to go to these hotels when you’re feeling a bit homesick but try the local hangouts and nightclubs. You will find that most people just want to enjoy themselves just like you. Since I’ve discovered the Marriott in Bucharest, I occasionally like to go because it reminds me of home and at this point in the summer its air conditioned whereas my apartment isn’t.
- If you are put up in an apartment, as I was, like any city apartment you don’t get much. But if you’re staying awhile, decorate it the way you want and then you can sell it when you leave. Appreciate that you have a place to stay that maybe you don’t have to flip the bill for.
- If you have time, visit the countryside and the people there. I have had the opportunity to go to tiny villages and the network of people in the village is not by computer but by caring for one another. The drinking water came out from the community pipe but once it hit the trough, it was the animals which come in from the field about 19.00 or 7 pm during the summer. What an eye opener. I loved it!!
- Finally, know about the religion before you go. If you are going to a conservative Muslim country, don’t drink alcohol. In other places such as Romania you will be introduced to some of the best wine ever (no sulfites) and drinks such as Palinka (firewater). At least try it if you drink but don’t get drunk. That will only make you vulnerable to thieves and does not present your best side.
Travel Light and Right: Part 1
Planning your travels for this summer? Got a business trip around the corner? Here are some packing tips from Preview Media, Inc. (1996) that will surely make your trip more enjoyable.
- Never bring more than you can carry yourself.
- Make sure that the last items you pack are the first things you will need when you arrive at your destination.
- Make a checklist.
- Bring one or two color combinations that you can mix or match for the best results.
- Place heavier items on the bottom and things you’ll need right away, like pajamas and toothbrush, on top.
- Pack a collapsible lightweight bag if you plan to bring home more than you take.
- A full but not overstuffed suitcase helps to keep clothes wrinkle-free.
- Any unfilled spaces should be stuffed with tissue paper so that the contents will not slide.
- Luggage tags should be placed on the inside of your suitcase as well as outside. For the outside tag, your business address should be used to avoid a robbery at your home while you’re away.
- A copy of your itinerary taped to the inside of your suitcase will enable airline to locate you in the event of misrouted luggage.
- Select clothes that are washable and drip-dry.
- Keep two packing lists-one for short trips and one for long stays- inside your luggage.
- Take the packing list with you so you know what you have.
- When packing items that can wrinkle, close all buttons, zippers, and snaps.
- Fold each item along its natural creases.
- Drape each garment across the suitcase so that the ends hang over the side.
- Alternate putting the top of each garment on the right and left sides so that the thickness remains uniform. Next fold each items around the other, alternating the over hang from right and left sides. Your garments cushion each other, thus preventing wrinkles.
- Include a few plastic bags for dirty or damp clothes.
- Bring sentimental items to put on the night table next to the bed.
- When packing a hard-sided suitcase begin buy putting all heavy items like shoes and toiletry kits on the bottom near the hinges. Then roll the clothes that won’t wrinkle (i.e. sweaters, socks, T-shirts) and place them around heavier items. This prevent heavy items from sliding and wrinkling clothes when carrying the suitcase.
- Always have an additional small pouch packed with commonly needed items such as aspirin, bandages, or small sewing kit.
- Shoes should be placed in plastic bags to prevent them from soiling other clothes.
- Small, soft items such as socks and stocking may be used to stuff clothes that easily lose shape, like a man’s shirt collar.
The More You Know the Words the More you can Fashion: Part 3
Skimmers: A flat shoe with little or no heel in leather, suede or cloth that slips on. They are also referred to as ballerina slippers.
Split Skirt: During the Victorian Era (mid- to late-nineteenth century) long split skirts were developed for horseback riding so that women could sit astride a man’s saddle rather than riding side-saddle. Culottes or split skirts were developed as an alternative to pants to provide women more freedom to do activities such as gardening, cleaning, bike riding, etc. and still look like one is wearing a skirt
Spread Collar: Spread collars measure from around 3½ to 6 inches between the collar points, and the wider collars are often referred to as cutaway or Windsor collars after the Duke of Windsor. This style of collar is considered formal. Wikipedia.org
Sport Coat or Sports Jacket: is a tailored jacket for men. Though it is of a similar cut and length to a suit jacket there are many differences. First, it is less formal. Also it is designed to be worn on its own and does not come as part of a suit. Styles, fabrics, colors and patterns are also more varied; sturdier and thicker fabrics are most often used, such as herringbone and tweed.
Sportswear: Originally referred to clothing worn for sport or physical exercise and included footwear. Sport-specific clothing is worn for most sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons. Sportswear now refers to casual clothing worn for work or play.
Straight Leg: Describes the shape of a pant leg. The leg is larger than those found in skinny jeans with a larger opening at the calf and ankle.
Suit Separates: Suit pieces such as jackets, pants, and skirts that can be purchased separately to add to ones wardrobe.
Tab collar: are point collars with two strips of fabric extending from the middle of the collar and joined behind the tie. These lift the tie, giving an arc effect similar to a pinned collar. The tabs can be closed with a metal snap, button or stud.
Tailor notched collar: a wing-shaped collar with a triangular notch in it. Often seen in blazers and blouses with business suits.
Tailored separates: Includes trousers, jackets and tops for women that can be coordinated and worn in place of a suit.
Tartan Plaid: is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns.
Tencel: is the brand name for Lyocell, a regenerated cellulose fiber made from dissolving pulp (bleached wood pulp). Lyocell when on sale to the public as rayon in 1991. Wikipedia.org
Terry Velour: is a plush, knitted fabric or textile. It is usually made from cotton but can also be made from synthetic materials such as polyester. Velour is used in a wide variety of applications, including clothing.
Tropical Weight Wool: is a two-ply, plain weave, worsted wool that is sturdy but lightweight, airy, and breathable. Tropical wool (sometimes called `summer weight wool) is used in the production of warm-weather suits and other clothing items.
Twill: is a type of textile weave that has a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs created by passing the weft thread over one or more warp threads and then under two or more warp threads and so on, with a “step” or offset between rows to create the characteristic diagonal pattern. This results in a fabric that drapes well and is sturdy. Examples of twill fabric include chino, drill, denim, gabardine, tweed and serge. Wikipedia. org
V- neckline: this is formed by two diagonal lines from the shoulders that meet on the chest creating a V shape.
Welt pocket: is a small, flat pocket that is commonly used on the exterior and interior breast on a man’s suit jacket or trouser. In women’s wear welt pockets are used on blazers and suit jackets as well as pants. Depending on the design of the pants, the welt pocket may have a button closure.
Wingtips: are characterized by a pointed toe cap with extensions (wings) that run along both sides of the toe, terminating near the ball of the foot. Viewed from the top, this toe cap style is “W” shaped and looks similar to a bird with extended wings, explaining the style name “wingtips” that is commonly used in the United States. The toe cap of a full brogue is both perforated and serrated along its edges and includes additional decorative perforations in the center of the toe cap.
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep, goats, alpacas, rabbits camels and other animals. The textile has several qualities that distinguish it from hair or fur: it is crimped, it is elastic, and it grows in staples (clusters).
Worsted Wool: This is wool that has been manufactured in Worstead, England since the eighteenth century. Wool fibers are spun into compact, smoothly twisted yarn before weaving or knitting. The wool then goes through a second combing process which removes unwanted short fibers. Because the remaining long-staple fibers lay flat and parallel, worsted wool is a popular choice for suiting and dress trousers and is also wrinkle and crease resistant.
The More you Know the More you can Fashion!: Part 2
Little Black Dress (LBD) is an evening or cocktail dress, cut simply and often quite short. It is considered a staple in a woman’s evening wardrobe.
Loafers: also referred to as slip-ons, are typically low, lace-less shoes. The style most commonly seen has a moccasin construction with or without flaps or tassels.
Lycra Spandex: is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is strong, but less durable than natural Latex. It is a copolymer invented in 1959 by chemists C. L. Sandquist and Joseph Shivers at DuPont’s Laboratory in Virginia. LYCRA is the brand name for spandex made by INVISTA formerly part of DuPont.
Madras: is lightweight cotton fabric with patterned texture and plaid design, used primarily for summer clothing—pants, shorts, dresses and jackets. The fabric takes its name from the former English name of the city of Chennai, India. As a fabric, it is notable because the front and back of the fabric are indistinguishable.
Man Bags: As an alternative to backpacks and common in Europe, a vehicle to carry one’s wallet and keys for men, also known as a male purse or man-purse.
Mock Turtleneck: resembles the turtleneck with the soft fold at its top and the way it stands up around the neck, but both ends of the tube forming the collar are sewn to the neckline.
Novelty Fabrics: fabrics that are novel striking, original or unusual.
Oxford cloth: a woven fabric of a basket weave structure that is popular in men’s dress shirts. Varieties in the cloth are the plain Oxford, the pinpoint Oxford and the more formal, royal Oxford.
Oxford shoe: is a style of laced shoe characterized by shoelace eyelet tabs that are stitched underneath the vamp, a construction method that is also sometimes referred to as “closed lacing”. Oxfords originally came from the United Kingdom, where they were called Balmorals after the Queen’s castle in Scotland, Balmoral
Patch pocket: bag, purse or pouch from fabric that is attached to the garment.
Pencil Skirts: a slim-fitting skirt with a straight, narrow cut. Generally the hem falls to, or just below, the knee and is tailored for a close fit. It is named for its shape: long and slim like a pencil.
Pocket Square: A handkerchief that is used as a purely decorative accessory in a suit pocket.
Polo shirt: also known as a golf shirt and tennis shirt, is a T-shaped shirt with a collar, typically a two- or three-button placket, and an optional pocket. Polo shirts are usually made of knitted cloth such as pique or jersey in cotton.
Polyester: is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term “polyester” as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Princess Seams: In dresses this design does its shaping without darts, by joining edges of different curvature. The resulting “princess seams” typically run vertically from the shoulder (or under the arm) over the bust point and down to the lower hem. This creates a long, slimming look, often seen in dresses with an “A-line” silhouette.
Raglan sleeve: a sleeve that extends to the neckline. As opposed to the set in sleeve the raglan allows for easier sizing variations.
Ratio: the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things.
Raw silk: Also known as Silk Noil. A textured fabric with nubs and random flecks that can be dyed easily.
Regimental Stripe: Of British origin, this pattern is found commonly in ties with two or more colors alternating in a diagonal strip across the tie.
Ruffle shirt: a design with fabric that can be either asymmetrical or not usually down the front placket of a shirt or around the collar. The ruffle introduces curved shapes into a somewhat tailored design.
Satin: is a weave that typically has a glossy surface and a dull back. It is a warp-dominated weaving technique that forms a minimum number of interlacings in a fabric. The fabric is formed with a satin weave using filament fibers such as silk, nylon, or polyester.
Scotch Plaid: Another name for a Tartan Plaid, a criss cross design originally from Scotland.
Set-in sleeve: Is a sleeve sewn into an armhole commonly found in suit jackets.
Silhouette: Represents the outline of a shape and in fashion is used to describe the shape created by wearing clothing of a particular style.
Shift or Chemise: refers to a short, sleeveless dress that hangs straight from the shoulders and fits loosely at the waist. Wikipedia
Sheath: is a type of dress designed to tightly fit the body. It is often made of a very light and thin material like cotton or silk and typically falls around the knees or lower thighs, and can be either strapped or strapless. Wikipedia.org
Single Knit Jersey: Refers to a single needle bed knitting the fabric. Fabric knitted on only one needle bed is jersey fabric. Jersey is considered to be an excellent fabric for draped garments, such as dresses, and women’s tops. An example of a single jersey knit is a Tshirt.
Know your Fashion and Get What you Want: Part 1
In the fashion field there are a lot of terms that are used extensively in the industry to communicate certain facts about a design, fabric or look. The more you know about these terms and what they mean the better able you will be to communicate what you want and the look you are aspiring for. In the next few blogs we’ll untangle the world of fashion terms and put you on the same page with designers so you can buy with confidence and look terrific for work or play!
Acetate: is a cellulose based textile that is dry spun and blended with other fibers to produce sheen in fabrics.
A-line skirt: is a skirt that is fitted at the hips and gradually widens towards the hem, giving the impression of the shape of a capital letter A. This also applies to dresses and coats that have similar shapes.
Ascot: There are two types of ascots 1) the ascot scarf, which is a square of silk loosely gathered around the neck and, 2) the ascot tie, common in menswear has a pleated neckband and is worn either under or over the collar.
Bell-shaped silhouette: A silhouette made popular by Christian Dior in the 1950’s that includes a full skirt and sleeves making the waist appear tiny.
Bermuda shorts: also known as walking shorts or dress shorts, are a particular type of short pants, widely worn as semi-casual attire by men and women. They got their name from their popularity in the country of Bermuda. The hem can be cuffed or un-cuffed, and land about one inch above the knee.
Blazer: A blazer resembling a suit coat cut more casually sometimes with flap-less patch pockets and metal buttons. Historically a blazer’s cloth was usually durable (14oz.), because it was an outdoor sports jacket. Blazers are often part of a uniform for airline pilots or someone on a rowing team.
Boat-neck: also called a bateau neck, refers to a wide neckline that runs horizontally, front and back, almost to the shoulder points, across the collarbone. It is traditionally used in nautically inspired sweaters and knitwear and was originally derived from sailors’ blouses or sweaters, often with wide navy and white horizontal stripes. The wide, plain neck was said to facilitate quick removal if a sailor were to fall overboard. Wikipedia.org
Bomber jacket: is a garment originally created for pilots, which eventually became part of popular culture and apparel. It is long sleeved, lands at the waist and commonly has a zip closure. Wikipedia.org
Boot cut leg: Pant legs that are tapered to the knee and loosens around the ankle to accommodate a boot. Wikipedia.com
Brocade: a class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in colored silks and with or without gold and silver threads. Brocade is typically woven on a draw loom. It is a supplementary weft technique, that is, the ornamental brocading is produced by a supplementary, non-structural, weft in addition to the standard weft that holds the warp threads together. The purpose of this is to give the appearance that the weave actually was embroidered on. Wikipedia.org
Button-down collar: Button-down collars have points fastened down by buttons on the front of the shirt and were originally introduced by retailer Brooks Brothers in 1896.
Chalk-striped: A series of threads, not just one thread, used to create a stripe that resembles a stripe that is drawn with tailors chalk or rope. The width of the stripe varies while it is always wider than the pin stripe.
Chanel jacket: A style of jacket originally designed by Coco Chanel. The jacket has a box silhouette with three quarter length sleeves and is weighted on the bottom by a chain that is sewn is the hem. The jacket is collarless, lands at the high hip, with simple closures at the center.
Chiffon: a fabric made from cotton, silk or synthetic fibers. Chiffon can be dyed to almost any shade desired, but if it is made out of polyester it can be difficult to dye. Under a magnifying glass it resembles a fine net or mesh which gives chiffon some see-through properties and is primarily found in evening wear. Wikipedia.org
City shorts: Women’s pants that are usually cuffed and land at the knee or no more than three inches above it and worn for the office when jackets are optional is an accepted mode of attire.
Clothes Valet: is an item of furniture where clothes may be hung and aired out. Typical features of valets include trouser hangers, jacket hangers, shoe bars, and a tray organizer for miscellaneous, day-to-day objects like wallets and keys.
Cotton Twill: Also referred to as Chino, is a twill fabric, originally made of 100% cotton. Today it is also found in cotton-synthetic blends and common among such brands as Dockers.
Convertible collar: a collar that is the part of a shirt, dress, coat, or blouse that fastens around or frames the neck. Among clothing construction professionals, a collar is differentiated from other necklines such as lapels, by being made from a separate piece of fabric, rather than a folded or cut part of the same piece of fabric used for the main body of the garment. Wikipedia.org
Cordovan: A shade of burgundy and rose. The term was first coined in Spain
Cowl neck: a high loose-fitting turnover collar used especially for sweaters and women’s blouses.
Crew Neck: a type of shirt or sweater that has a round neckline and no collar. Often worn with other layers the crew was originally developed in 1932 as an undergarment for football players.
Cropped Jacket: Worn primarily by women as a short version of a jacket that lands above the waist but below the breast. Cropped jacket styles vary from dressed up and form fitting to very casual depending on the fabrication and style detail.
Cropped pants: Usually worn by women and are pants that land below the knee about midcalf.
Cummerbund: a broad waistband usually worn in place of a vest with men’s dress clothes and adapted in various styles of women’s clothes.
Day dress: is a garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice (or a matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment) worn during the day such as sun dress or shirtwaist dress.
Double Wrap Belt: A belt that is designed to go around the waist twice.
Drop Waist Style: A horizontal waistline that falls near the level of the upper hips. This balances the upper and lower body (for those that are short waisted) and adds the impression of height by lengthening the torso.
Gabardine: is a tough, tightly woven fabric used to make suits, overcoats, trousers uniforms, windbreakers, and other garments. The fiber used to make the fabric is traditionally worsted wool, but may also be cotton, polyester, or a blend. Gabardine is woven as a warp-faced steep or regular twill, with a prominent diagonal rib on the face and smooth surface on the back. Wikipedia.org
Gathered skirts: Full skirts, also known as dirndl skirts. The term dirndl originated in Austria and Bavaria and described an everyday dress with apron.
Gladiator sandals: a flat sandal that laces up the calf ending mid calf or right below the knee
Glen Plaid: is a woolen fabric with a woven twill design of small and large checks also known as a Bankers Plaid because of the frequency of bankers wearing the pattern. The pattern has been introduced to cotton shirting and other non-woolen fabrics as well.
Herringbone pattern: describes a distinctive V-shaped weaving pattern usually found in twill fabric. The pattern is called herringbone because it resembles the skeleton of a herring fish.Herringbone-patterned fabric is usually wool and is one of the most popular cloths used for suits and outerwear. Tweed is often woven with a herringbone pattern.
Houndstooth: The houndstooth check is made with alternating bands of four dark and four light threads in both warp and filling or weft woven in a simple 2:2 twill, two over – two under the warp, advancing one thread each pass.The pattern can be large or small depending on the needs of the manufacturer.
Jegging are leggings that are made of denim and Lycra spandex to look like tight denim jeans.
Jewel neck: This neckline is round and sits at the base of the throat. It is also called the T-shirt neckline.
Linen: is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather. Wikipedia.org
It Always Helps to be Polite!
Remember Weir and the bashing he got on the Internet regarding his performance and that he didn’t get gold. Help me here but we should congratulate him regardless, it takes a lot to be in the Olympics and I for sure will never get close to it. In another case, I opened the door for someone and they just passed through without saying thank you. Hey there, I did you a favor!
What has happened to simple politeness and respect for one another? Gosh if someone opened the door for me I would be grateful and let them know it. However, apparently I am in the minority. Some people feel that being polite is an act. Sorry, but I think you are confused with being polite and brown nosing (otherwise known as sucking up to the boss). Being polite is sincere and it is the very foundation of respect for yourself and others. I didn’t realize that I would have to get to basics and remind people that politeness is part of the delivery process, delivery of your image.
In my experience, I have found that people have to be right ALL OF THE TIME, or have the last word. Sometimes you can be DEAD RIGHT and having the last word is not necessarily in anyone’s interest since it probably goes through one ear and out the other. Rather than flipping someone off or making crude remarks, try as the cliché says, “kill with kindness.” That will throw off more people than you can imagine and it’s easier said than done.
When someone cuts you off on the freeway, wave and smile. Some people just want to get a reaction out of you, but by not reacting and being pleasant you have destroyed their strategy. You probably know some of these people where you work. My suggestion is to continue to be polite and eventually when they know they can’t upset you they will quit. Read the “Dance of Anger,” for some background on that.
Being polite will never be out of fashion. When someone opens the door for you, say thank you. If someone holds the elevator, say thank you. When you ask for something, say please. And if someone tells you that you look nice today, say thank you rather than telling them “no this ole’ thing,” or “I got it at Marshalls for $10.99.” Here are some more reminders:
- Bring a gift when invited to a party. Call the next day or write an email about how great it was and thank them for the invitation.
- Make sure to RSVP when you’re invited to an event. This gives them the head count for food served.
- If you can’t make an appointment whether in an office or a restaurant, call the person yourself to reschedule.
- If your company has a function and alcohol is served, limit yourself. If meeting with a client over lunch or dinner, avoid alcohol.
- When you get a sale, thank your new client with a note. It’s a great start to a new relationship.
- At work, if a man chooses to open the door for you, a woman, take the opportunity and thank him. Remember you can open the door for men as well.
Skincare is Mandatory; Make-up is Optional!
As we begin to thaw and bring in a warmer season, skincare becomes foremost on our minds. Frankly, skincare for men and women is essential all year long. Living in Florida, Arizona and now California, has taught me the importance of skin care; however, starting early will contribute greatly to a youthful appearance later on.
Of importance is the rise of skin cancer in America and elsewhere. As a teenager and college student, you may have spent hours in the sun for the most gorgeous tan on campus. I did and now I am seeing the age spots appear more and more each day on my face, arms, and hands. So with this in mind consider using SUNBLOCK and a hat daily. Also consider a good pair of sunglasses. These actions will make your skin care regime easier and keep the aging process at bay.
Skin care is essential, makeup is optional; however, in business a little color may be necessary. But remember make up is meant to enhance not cover up. Here are some skincare tips that will help you put your best face forward.
- Get in the habit of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your skin. Men have the routine in place when they start shaving but they need moisturizers too.
- Avoid soap on your face. Soap is primarily made from animal fat. Not a pleasing thought when it comes to washing your face with it. Consider cleansers that are appropriate for your skin type. If you have oily skin that is prone to acne consider a cleanser with salicylic acid.
- Toners are used to rid the skin of any additional dirt, close the pores and balance the PH in the skin. Witch hazel is a good one to use as well as others out on the market. Avoid using straight alcohol since it is very drying.
- Select a moisturizer for your skin type. Also select an eye cream that works with your skin. Regular moisturizers are too heavy for the delicate eye area so a separate cream is needed.
- If you are unaware of your skin type you may consider the expertise of a dermatologist or esthetician . If you have large pores, find that you break out often and have a constant shine on your face, you might be on the oily side. If you face hurts after you wash it, it is probably dry.
- Consider revamping your skin care regime as you age because change happens. As we age, we lose moisture in our skin. Those who began with normal to dry complexions may find, as they mature, that the skin becomes taut and overly dry. Facial lines are much more apparent when the skin is dry.
- If you wear make-up be sure to take it off before you sleep. To protect the eyes and allow the skin to breathe cleanse and moisturize the skin before taking your beauty rest. You’ll be glad you did!
