Cartoons never change clothes. This bothered me so much as a child! Daphne, always in that purple dress with clashing scarf, and the same shoes. Velma in that godawful sweater. Aquaman's costume was part of his body, wasn't it? Clark Kent only owned one suit, and Superman--don't get me started on Superman and how his cape would have bunched up in Kent's trousers like a full diaper, unless he had a special pouch tailored into his dress shirts, which would have required Jay McCarroll levels of skill to design into such a streamlined package. And how did he get boots on under his shoes?
Seriously, people. My level of disbelief can only be suspended so far. Faster than a speeding bullet, I'll give you. Full boots under dress socks and shoes? No way.
I cannot tell you how Jem and the Holograms relieved my fashion-bugged mind. Not only did Jem have a secondary persona, they both changed clothes, hairstyles and colors, and makeup.
Hologram technology. Kal-El couldn't come up with that one? Jem and the Holograms for the win!
Many managers have to wear uniforms, or adhere to a dress code so strict they may as well consider it a uniform. A survivor of Catholic girls school, I know a thing or two about making a uniform individual. I also know a thing or two about getting detention for over-personalizing, so I am the perfect person to talk about how to look like a million bucks when you're wearing the same thing day in and day out.
Shirts
If you wear a uniform, or if you wear the same or similar shirts daily, the dry cleaner is your best friend. I highly recommend using a dry cleaner to launder uniforms. If this is beyond your budget, then learn to use spray starch and an ironing board. Even if your uniform shirt is a polo type, ask the dry cleaner for light starch. Nothing makes a shirt look sharper than that touch of right off the shelf stiffness. As fabrics age, they stretch and begin to look sloppy. Adding starch will keep them looking crisp and new longer, and will keep you looking like the guy or gal in charge.
Trousers
Keep a crease. Again, I suggest dry cleaning, but if you wear the same pair of trousers more than once, you need a can of spray starch and an iron. Daily, you should repress your crease and starch it. Watch the hem. As soon as the hem starts to fray, it is time to visit your tailor for repairs, or buy new trousers. Also watch for wear and tear around the highly trafficked areas of the button holes and fly. A good tailor can make repairs for you, but if you're just wearing the same pair of pants to death, it might be time for new.
Shoes
No matter what type of shoes you wear they should be clean and polished. Sneakers included. Keep any laces in good shape, and don't wear frayed knots.
Colors
Colors do fade and dry cleaning will keep the life of your clothing longer. Be aware of discoloring in the armpits, around the collar, and the waistline of clothing. If your clothing is stained, get rid of it. You may be a crafty type who can RIT dye a piece back into commission, but if not, just let it go.
Read your employee handbook and be familiar with what your organization considers acceptable hairstyles, facial hairstyles, and accessory items. Follow these dress codes religiously. Remember that your team is taking their cues from you. Whatever you wear, you are giving them permission to wear. However bedraggled you are, you are giving them permission to look even worse. After all, you're the boss. They don't have to live up to that title.
If you are required to wear a uniform, then wear the heck out of that uniform. Make your Best Buy duds look as sharp as a Marine on the parade ground with your posture, attitude and grooming. Your attitude will project a hologram like importance that will dress up the dullest Nerd Herder into a superstar. Jerrica Benton may have had Cynergy to turn her into Jem, but you have your own synergy. Call up your inner rock star and put those khakis work for you.
Lane Buckman has been in love with fashion since she realized that her first Easter dress came with matching gloves, shoes, and purse. Growing up in the entertainment industry this former beauty queen, model and actress turned corporate career woman understands that dressing for success is just another form of costuming. And, since she has run the size gamut from 2 to 18, Lane understands dressing a variety of shapes. She has written dress codes and conducted Business Style and How to Dress seminars for Fortune 500 and finance companies, boutique agencies, and an international non-profit organization. She gives her stylish Southern mother credit for teaching her everything she knows.
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