No One Cares if I Wear My Sweatshirt to the Office

Yes we see the mustard stain on your sleeve.

One of the biggest reason companies have gotten away from casual Fridays for their employees is people thinks it gives them the option to not get dressed for work. Casual Friday still mean you have to dress to interface with clients and co-workers. So put in a little effort dress up jeans & a tee shirt. Don’t forget your blazer and your emergency pumps you never know when a client might need to see you or a staff meeting is called. You never want to be the girl in the sweatshirt because everyone will notice.

Bad Bras Give You Back Fat

It’s true. Ok maybe it is a long way to go to get you to clean out your underwear drawer but it worked for me.

It is a new year and you may as well start it out as fashionable as possible. I like to think of Jan. as my clean up and clean out month. It is the time when I get rid of things I am not wearing, giveaway those impulse purchase that are really not me and make sure that my style is as sharp and defined as I think it is. So where do you start? The same way you get dressed, in the underwear drawer. 

This week’s task in my opinion is the most important fashion rule for all women… Clean out your underwear drawer. Bras last about a year to a year and a half, panties 6 to 9 months and pantyhose, tights, and trouser socks 3 to 5 months and that is with the best care. 

Let’s start with bras- Now is not the time to be frugal, go through your bras and get rid of the bras you know you are not going to wear, the ones that pinch and dig into your skin, and the ones that have no more support or the hooks are broken. These do not help you look your best or feel your best so they must go. From there you should have the okay bras and the best of what you have. The okay bras become bras you wear in casual settings, to run errands or hang out at the house. The best of what you have should be worn to work, events, or dates. 

Now that you have sorted through you need to head out and get a professional bra fitting. I know everyone thinks they know what they wear but 85% of us are wrong. It is something I recommend that you have done once a year, since You gain and lose weight and your bra size changes. This is a service that should be free to you from the stores. 

My favorite place to be fitted Nordstrom’s because they carry everyone’s size for the most part. Locally you can try Marga’s or Ma Cherie et Moi both located in Montgomery Village. In the Mall you have Victoria’s Secret or Lane Bryant.

Now on to Panties- You have to have a pair for all outfits and occasions so it is okay to buy several different kinds. The one rule with panties is once the elastic is shot it is time for them to go in the trash. There is nothing worse than not realizing until it is too late that your panties are going to be an all day problem.

Pantyhose, Tights & Trouser Socks – It is an old fashion rule but it works. If you get a run, wear them under pants. When they become unwearable, then throw them out or if you want an old modeling trick cut then in to strips and make ponytail holders. I wear them at home or to the gym not to the board meeting.

When you are trying to build a stylish Wardrobe you have to have the best undergarments possible otherwise the rest just looks like you not trying hard enough.

Style Rules

Sometime Style Rules are the hardest rules to break. We all have them things that we think are Fashion Absolutes and I am not always sure those are they best boxes to put yourself. Here is a list of basic Style Rules we should all follow~

1. Less is more

If you are not sure about how so layer keep it simple there is nothing worse then looking like the Stay puff marshmallow man because you have on a tank, a knit sweater, a blazer and an overcoat.

2. Accentuate the Positive

If your best feature is great legs let the world see then . If you have a great neck stop covering it with turtlenecks. Now don’t let this rule backfire on you if you have great cleavage good for you but you don’t want it staring at people durning board meetings.

3. When in doubt Wear Clothes

I am sure you are thing well DUH! Here is what I mean there is nothing worse then not being able to get dressed for working in the morning. So take a step back think about your day what you have to do, who you have to see and where you have to go. Them approach your clothes like you would any work day put on what you need to get to the end of your day.

4. Before you leave the house take a look in the mirror

I know this is an old Chanel rule but it is very true. Get dressed and just before you leave the house take a looking in the mirror and remove the item the is blaring at you. Sometimes there is no need to wear every accessory you own.