Work it Finding your corporate style How you dress for work can have an effect on your confidence, your success within your workplace and how you are perceived by clients. If it only takes a few seconds to make a first impression, you can bet those seconds will mostly be about how you look. Dressing for your shape (see page 6) is a fundamental first step. From here, inject your personality to make your corporate look your own. If you make an effort to stay current, it sends the message you are aware of what s going on in the world around you and your skills and knowledge are up-to-date and forward-thinking. Your office dress code will dictate how far you can push your personal style at work, but as a general rule, keep your workwear and accessories classic unless you re working in a corporate environment where creativity is expected. People like to interact with someone who looks confident and empowered and who gives the impression they are happy and like what they see in the mirror. If you spend some extra time getting ready in the morning or put an extra level of effort into planning your corporate wardrobe, you will be noticed, and your reputation at work will benefit. Above all else, keep it professional. Distracting your client and colleagues with a short hemline, a low neckline, strong perfume or an overflowing, disorganised handbag can impact negatively. find your inspiration stylist tips Dress tonally to look expensive. Create a look with shades of neutrals, or earth tones like olive, mushroom and gold - this adds sophistication to your look. Create a corporate style mood board at www.pinterest.com and save favourite looks. Next time you shop on your own or with a stylist you will have all the inspiration you need. Invest in good jewellery and shoes. It s better to have one great necklace to wear to work than ten bad ones (our current favourites are from Elizabeth Jean). And nothing cheapens an outfit like bad shoes. Add a jacket. Whether you wear it with a dress or shirt, it s one item that will lift your professional look instantly.
The smart casual dress standard is one of the trickiest to get right. But creating a mix and match casual wardrobe is they key to saving time and hassle, and it s not difficult to do. There are a few common reasons smart casual can be tricky. One, we often don t give ourselves permission to wear our good clothes in casual situations. If your week calls for mostly smart casual outfits, then that s not necessarily a dress code that fits into part of your style anymore, it is your style. Wear what you feel great in. Secondly, a lot of us reserve our casual clothes as a second set of pieces we don t delve into until the weekend. Unless you have a very corporate dress code however, your wardrobe should overlap and your casual clothes be part of your daily repertoire. Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style. - Decorator Billy Baldwin There are a few staples that, if you get them right, are on high rotation in your casual wardrobe. These are great jeans, a versatile dress that can be dressed up or down, good shoes (be it ballet flats, a wedge, ankle boot - whatever your style calls for), and some accessories. If these pieces ring true as being of value in your casual wardrobe, spend time looking for the right ones, and invest a little more in these pieces as Smarter casual How to look dressed up when dressing down Here are some more tips: the cost per wear will be worth it. The general rule is to buy the best quality you can afford - it will save you replacing them in a couple of months time when they re worn out. Once you have the staples right, you can add in seasonal pieces that are less expensive or trenddriven. If you buy according to your taste rather than by trends, you will ultimately achieve a mix and match wardrobe of casual options. Add heels when you wear jeans. They ll not only improve your posture and make you stand with more confidence, they make your look more stylish immediately. In the cooler months, wear a blazer with your jeans. Even if you re wearing a tee and flats, the jacket will dress up the look easily. Look for a stretch fabric or a grey marle. Always accessorise. You can still be comfortable but appear more put together with the addition of a soft scarf or jewellery. Accessories also help with longevity as you can wear the same outfit but with a different bag and shoes and it feels fresh. See p11 for accessories tips.
Body shapes The fundamentals of style While your size may change from time to time, your shape fundamentally won t. Learning how to dress for your shape and not your size can change how you look at clothes and be a lifelong recipe for style success. There are five key body shapes for women. Most women will fall into one of the following categories, however examples for variants have been provided. With each of the shapes we aim to bring proportions back to an hourglass figure, so if you have broad shoulders and narrow hips, we work to minimise the shoulders and broaden the lower half, and do the opposite if your proportions call for it. The philosophy behind each shape s rules is to draw attention to the areas we want to feature, and away from those we don t. The key to any great outfit, however, is confidence. Dressing for your shape will give you all of that confidence and more. Inverted triangle Inverted triangle features Broad shoulders Small bust, no waist Slim hips Long, slim legs your best style To balance an inverted triangle figure, choose a shirt or jacket with a low neckline and angular collar. On the bottom half, a fluted-hem skirt or wide legged trouser adds volume and balances your shape. Variations: Page 6 Goblet: Broad shoulders, big bust, no waist, narrow hips, long legs Lollypop: Big bust, slight waist, slim hips, long legs don ts Shapeless dresses Platform shoes 3/4 sleeves Shoulder pads
Column your best style Shoulders same width as hips Slight but long waist Long legs Variations: Brick: Broad shoulders, no waist, average tummy, flat bum, chunky thighs and calves The column needs to add the impression of curves where there aren t any. Soft fabrics and flowing hemlines are perfect. Wide-legged trousers and a jacket with a peplum work together to create hourglass proportions and a long necklace will elongate your frame and draw attention to your waist. don ts Column features Hourglass your best style Hourglass features Big bust Small but short waist Big hips Generous thighs Variations: Cello: Big bust, short waist, big hips, bottom and thighs, slim lower legs Vase: Big bust, longer waist, hips and bust equal, slim legs Hourglass figures have the ideal womanly body shape so it s about emphasising your curves. The worst thing an hourglass can do is tent herself in fabric, so opt for a dress with a straight skirt, v-neck and that cinches at the waist. Pencil skirts are great for you, as are stiletto heels - think 50s bombshell. don ts Dress Codes Deciphered When an invitation arrives, a dress code should be specified. As a guest, getting the dress code right shows respect for your host and avoids any embarrassment of being under or overdressed. Here are the most common dress codes: Smart casual For her: Can be jeans but wear them with a heel and jewellery, or a nice day dress. For him: Jeans or chinos with a collared shirt and optional sports jacket. Cocktail For her: A knee-length dress with sparkling jewellery. For him: Semi-formal attire - a suit, shirt and tie. Add a pocket square for flare if you choose. Black tie For her: Must be a floor length gown. For him: Technically calls for a tuxedo, although many wear a black suit and white shirt with a black tie. Anything shapeless Straight dresses Dropped waists Crop tops Side-pocket pants Batwing sleeves Tunics Too many flounces
Apple your best style Apple features Average bust Bigger tummy than bust Flat bottom Average legs There are no variations on the apple shape Pear your best style Pear features Narrow shoulders Small bust Long torso with flat tummy Low hips or saddle bags Thick legs and ankles Variations: Skittle: Average bust, slim but short waist, big thighs and calves Bell: Small shoulders, bust and waist, short waist, big bottom Book The Style Report for your next event are specialists in providing customised conference partners program that entertain and inform corporate delegates partners with a stylist-led workshop and personal styling services at key shopping destinations in your city. The apple carries most of her weight around the waist, so should never wear anything tight there. Opt instead for high-waisted tops and dresses that nip in under your bust at your narrowest point. Flatfronted pants sit comfortably, while a long cardigan or coat gives a long and lean silhouette. don ts Tight t-shirts Big square-shaped tops High-waisted pants Pleated waists Pears are bottom heavy but all their best assets are up top. Draw attention to your small waist with a waist belt worn over a top that s out - never tuck in. A short necklace adds bulk to your upper half, and your shoulders are built for jackets - use them for structure. A flared skirt or soft pant skims your hips nicely. don ts Short skirts Ankle straps on shoes Stilettos Pencil skirts Tops tucked in Find a stylist in your city has a network of experienced stylists in your city available for personal shopping, wardrobe edits, special occasion styling and image consultancy. A personal stylist can save you time and money and take the hassle out of shopping for a wardrobe that works. We offer expert advice, tailored service and an unbiased approach to shopping that ensures you find the best pieces to work with your current wardrobe, lifestyle and budget. Contact to make a booking in your city.
Image: Ermenegildo Zegna Mens body shapes and style tips The clothes maketh the man The clothes maketh the man The clothes maketh the man While with women we talk about highlighting our best features, for men it s about solving problems. Men aim to appear tall, broad and substantial, but not overweight or, on the other hand, too slim. common concerns Problem area Belly Short legs Thick neck Thin Solution Wear loose tees and low-waisted jeans. Layer darker colours (a navy tee) under lighter ones (camel jacket). Don t wear tops too long or short. Wear shades of one colour headto-toe, including shoes a close colour to your pants. Choose vertical stripes and avoid white trainers with jeans or anything that will chop you at the ankle. Deep collars and v-neck tops work best for you. Avoid small collars and high necklines. Wear hipster pants and shirts with short sleeves, skinny jeans and suit jackets. Avoid chunky knits and fat ties. stylist tips Blue suits are more modern than black, except if the occasion calls for a black suit. For work, choose a dark navy in a classic cut. For smart casual, a brighter blue sports coat in a lightweight wool looks great with jeans or chinos and is something you ll always get wear out of. Suiting has moved to become quite slim. This look is great if it suits you, but if not can be uncomfortable and unflattering. The options for custom tailoring are increasing all the time. You can have a shirt, jacket or suit tailored for a reasonable cost in any capital city and know you re getting the best fit as well as your choice of style, colour and detail. Ask for recommendations on the best in your city. Personalise your look with fabric and print selection, details like a knit tie for smartcasual wear or a pocket square to complete your look. Fashion has welcomed the return of the gentleman and it s a lot more common now to see men dress up rather than be under dressed. Tie pins are a little outdated, but cufflinks and lapel pins have made a return. These extra details can make for a strong signature look.
The Accessories When choosing accessories, there are very few rules. Be guided by what makes you happy to put on in the morning, and don t be afraid to be bold. Gone are the days when accessorising meant matching your bag and shoes. We now have the ability and access to as many options as we desire; it s about using them to complete a look that s individually you. In body shaping terms, there are a couple of tips that help you choose more flattering jewels: anyone with a bigger bust should wear long necklaces that are fairly fine, whereas a smaller bust benefits from chunkier collar-length necklaces. As to whether you wear a big necklace and earrings together, or how bold you choose to go, that s up to you. Curvy girls (hourglass and pear shapes) suit more rounded, curvier accessories, where more athletic types (column, inverted triangle) suit more angular jewellery. This is, however, a general guide only as accessories should be about expressing your individuality and style. A signature accessory is a great way to define your style. Don t be shy to wear the same jewellery each day, especially even if it s quite bold - you will stand out for all the right reasons. Images: (Above) Story Australia (Left) Proenza Schouler at Farfetch.com
Create a theme Many women find it difficult to accessorise and one of the most commonly asked questions of a stylist is how to put an outfit, and by extension, a wardrobe, together. Image: Sacha Drake Think of your outfit as telling a story. It can be likened to interior design in that you create a theme around a key piece - that might be a pastel which you want to add more pastel accents to, a tropical print that lends itself to straw, leather and wooden accessories, or a graphic print that s best kept stark and minimal with contrasting graphics. wear a scarf Summer or winter, a lightweight scarf is one of the most versatile accessories you can own. The most flattering and easiest way to wear a scarf is to loop it once around your neck, then tuck the ends under the loop (pictured, right). For top-heavy shapes, pull the loop even longer to create a v-neckline, minimising the bust and elongating the frame. If you re bigger on the bottom, pull the scarf across your shoulders and shorter in the ends - this will add breadth to your upper body and balance your frame. It s handy to have a small collection of necklaces you can mix and match with different outfits, particularly a neutral (silver, gold or both), something bright, something sparkling for evening, and something interesting that makes a statement about your style. If you have a wardrobe of neutrals you can wear any of your jewellery pieces with, each outfit will feel fresh as it s accessorised differently with each wear. Don t play it safe; accessorise with conviction and have fun with fashion.
Wardrobe planner each season, shop with purpose by creating a capsule wardrobe and checking off a list of essentials. Wardrobe essentials mean different things to different women. Your wardrobe may require a set of corporate suiting separates with some mix-and-match tops and accessories, then a separate set of options for the weekend. In a creative field or stay at home role you ll be more flexible with your options and able to cross over your wardrobe from everyday to more dressy occasions. Knowing what your needs are is the first step to making it happen. Keep your closet clear of clutter, note what you wear most of and invest in those items, then create a wish list of pieces to fill the gaps. wardrobe audit tips Wardrobe clean-outs should happen at the start of each season. Pack away the things you won t need for a while and either sell, donate to charity or throw out the rest. Consider altering items you can t stand to part with but aren t wearing. That dress that s four inches too long is an easy fix at the hands of your local tailor. Invest in some organisation and storage items. It s amazing how much more of your wardrobe you will wear if only you can see it all. Take photos of outfit combinations as you go so you remember your favourite looks. If you don t and won t wear items but believe they still have some value, sell on ebay or find a local designer market or clothing sale to join. Need help with a wardrobe cleanse? Hire a stylist for some expert advice and an unbiased opinion. buying jeans Jeans shopping isn t normally on any woman s list of top ten pass-times. Finding the right fit can be frustrating, but arming yourself with a few pointers can really help. Here are some stylist tips: Jeans should be as snug as you can get them without being uncomfortable when you buy them. Aim to have the back pockets sitting mid-cheek or higher to make your butt look perkier, and look for a higher rise waist if you re worried about your tummy. Levi s make a range called Curve ID (available at Just Jeans) which offers three waist to hip ratios depending on whether your hips are fairly straight, or you have a slightly smaller waist to hips, right up to very curvy figures whose hips are a lot broader than the waist. Getting the right waist and hip fit makes for a comfortable jean and avoids the gap at the back of the waist that can happen if your jeans don t fit properly. Jeans West Curve Embracer range is similar, with a small waist while allowing for room in the hips. Dark washes are the most flattering and best option if you re looking for a pair to dress up or down.
Colour can affect both how you feel in yourself and how others perceive you. Getting it right shows you know your personal style and present with confidence. As to how people perceive us, studies show people who wear clear colours (those that aren t murky or washed out) are perceived as showing vitality and clarity of vision, while dull colours can come across as weary and unimaginative. Colour guide Black, grey and navy denote authority, while playful pastels can diminish it. Additionally, low contrast ensembles (a royal blue top with navy blue pants) can add sophistication. stylist tips Identify your colour palette: cool tones will suit you if you have either fair hair and pinky undertones in your skin (summer), or dark hair and fair, pinkish skin (winter). Warmer tones work beautifully for people with fair hair and golden skin (spring) or dark hair and golden/olive skin (autumn). Use these colour rules as a guide, keeping in mind there are always tweaks that are possible. For example if beige looks terrible on you (as it does on a lot of people with fair hair, especially in the summer category), this washed-out effect can be counteracted by wearing a bright scarf or necklace to reflect some colour back into your complexion. Be creative with how you wear colour. Instead of falling in to pattern of wearing colour with black, consider other brights, pastels or neutrals that compliment one another. Image: Sacha Drake