Work Wear

THE dilemma when it comes to dressing for work is how to keep your fashion credentials and still dress appropriately.
If you’re a goth in your spare time, you’ll clearly have to leave yourdarker side at home. So what do you wear instead? It all depends on your office’s etiquette. The dress-code expected of a PA at a law firm will clearly differ from that required of an employee at a call centre that could frankly do the job in bedraggled bedwear. Women around a boardroom table might choose to dress in clothes akin to their male colleagues in a bid to assert who’s really wearing the trousers.But such a severe look isn’t necessary. Style Council holds fast to the truth that it is possible to revel in the joys of looking feminine and still be taken seriously.
So some useful pointers to note: if your workspace isn’t all about tailored suits and allows room for play, invest in a selection of separates - trousers, skirts tops and sweaters, means you can just reach for one of each and compose outfits daily without panic.
You can’t go wrong with crisp blouses or shirts. White is a good staple. But if that leaves you feeling flat, then play with stripes, different sleeve lengths, bold colours and prints.
On the point of skin and whether to bear or not, less is more. A suggestion of decolletage, or knee is preferable to a plunging neckline or balcony-bra’ed cleavage.
And if all else fails, on days you’re devoid of inspiraton, there’s always the fashion police’s choice du jour of black.
But remember to accessorise. Jewellery, a belt, scarf or jazzy handbag adds character and will stop you from looking like mime-artist Marcel Marceau.
And whatever you wear, a great manicure will render you impeccable.