Casual Friday
Thank goodness it’s Friday. The weekend is almost here. Now
what should you wear? As more companies embrace a relaxed
attitude, “Casual Fridays” have made the simple act of dressing
for work a little more complicated. It sure is nice to be able
to slip into something comfortable at the end of the week, but
how do you balance a casual look with a professional attitude?
Finding a great Friday wardrobe isn't difficult. With a little
planning your wardrobe will work Monday through “Casual Friday”
and will provide a seamless transition to your well deserved
weekend.
Comfort and creativity don't preclude a pulled together
professional look. But you have to remember that in “business
casual” business still comes first. Keep this in mind when
selecting Friday clothes and look for items that are geared for
work but with a slightly more relaxed attitude. Like your career
clothing, a good casual look can be built upon a few good basic
items. While men's casual business wear tends to be the
universal khakis and polo shirt, women have more options and
therefore more room for committing fashion faux pas.
Stick with simple lines, a variety of textures, and two or
three basic colors to mix and match. Use the same principles
that apply to your work wardrobe. Fridays should never be boring
so add some interest to your outfits with colorful accessories
or a bright shirt or shoes that announce the beginning of the
weekend. Naturally, you'll want to fine tune your Friday
wardrobe to reflect the activities and meetings you have
scheduled.
"I always keep an unstructured black jacket hanging on the
back of my office door," says Penny, a Boston bank executive.
"If there's an unexpected meeting, I can slip it on and
instantly look presentable."
The trend toward casual office wear isn't going away. In
fact, since 1992, companies opting for a dressed-down approach
to the end of the week have gone up nearly 30%. CEO's are
looking for ways to keep employees happy, productive and
professional looking as they strive to walk the line between
Silicon Valley shorts and wing-tipped Wall Street.
The key to finding a casual style that works is knowing what
flatters you and what clothes make you feel confident every day
of the week. Once you're comfortable with your own personal
style, casual Fridays can be a pleasant reminder that the
weekend is just a day away.
Casual Crimes
·
Halter tops - Save them for the weekend,
Showing a lot of skin at the office no matter how warm the
weather is never cool.
·
Shorts - Unless they're well disguised as a
skirt shorts should live at the beach.
·
Miniskirts - Even if your legs are fabulous
resist the urge to flaunt them. You want to be noticed for your
ideas, not your thighs.
·
Logo T-shirts - No one at work should have
to know what kind of beer you drink or what folk festival you
attended last summer.
·
Sweat suits or athletic wear - Great for
the gym, terrible at the office.
·
Faded denim - Even the most expensive,
stone-washed, acid rinsed jeans never look clean. Leave the
jeans at home and opt for a pair of wool-blend slacks.
·
Sneakers or flip flops - The best casual
office wear is ruined by wearing a grubby pair of sneakers or
flip flops.
Casual Kudos
·
Unstructured jackets - Keep one in your
office for emergency meetings.
·
Classic slacks - Look for clean lines, a
great fit, and fabrics that are understated. Forget shiny
sateens, leather or wrinkle-prone linen.
·
Bright colors - Express yourself with
color. Buy a shirt you love in several colors that will remind
you that it's Friday.
·
Knee-length skirts - Simple lines and
neutral colors can stretch your casual wardrobe.
·
Sweater sets - Sweet, neat and versatile
enough to go from a Friday morning meeting to a Friday night
date.
·
Neatly pressed and clean clothing -
Everything looks sloppy when it's wrinkled or stained. Your
casual clothing deserves the same care as the rest of your
wardrobe.
·
Good casual shoes - Keep shoes polished and
in good repair.
·
Use casual accessories and handbags. Save
the diamond watch for evening wear.
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