“….in today's world, image is everything and people will judge you and might take you less seriously if you don't look the part..”

You are the message you send out 1. What First Impression do you make? Activity 1. 2. Today, we focus on Dressing and Grooming. Your clothes communicate who you are or want to be. We’ll concentrate on a professional/corporate look. You can be your individual self, but bear these guidelines in mind.

Business Attire for Men 1. Shirts. Colour: White, cream, blue, yellow, pink. Shade. Sleeves. How long? Collar.:Type (button-down, mandarin, spreads) + Fit. Plain, striped or patterned?

Business Attire for Men 2. Trousers/Suits Colour: Black, grey, blue, brown, green? Shade: Dark or light? Charcoal Grey is a good first choice. Length: Break on the third shoelace, creates small fold. Back brush shoe heel. Depends on design. Cuffs: Up to you. But not for tuxedoes or shorties. Fit.

Business Attire for Men 3. Ties Colour: Burgundy. Red. Tones: One, two, multiple. Material: Silk is good. Microfibre not bad. Length. Just above belt buckle. Bow ties. Design: Foulard. Pin dots. Stripes. Floral. Highly Patterned. Width.

Business Attire for Men 4. Shoes Colour: Black, dark burgundy, dark brown. Lace-ups or slip-ons? Design: Simple or fancy? Buckles? Soles: Rubber/leather?

Business Attire for Men 5. Belts Colour: Black, dark burgundy, dark brown. Buckle: Simple. Gold or silver. Not too thick or thin. Material: Leather is best. Match with shoes.

Business Attire for Men 6. Socks. Colour: Black, dark grey, brown, blue. Match with trousers and shoes. More with trousers if you want to high-light your shoes and appear taller. More with shoes if you want to be more understated. Length. Longer the better. At least calf length. So skin can’t be seen.

Business Attire for Men 7. Watches Black/brown leather strap more formal than metal. Chunky plastic watches? Too informal. Restrained gold/silver bezel. Design. Classic. Analogue more formal than digital.

Business Attire for Men 8. Briefcase Colour: Usually black, brown, burgundy. Shade. Usually dark. Short handle with no strap is best. Leather or leather-looking is good.

Grooming for Men Natural hair colour usually better. Neatly styled hair. Neither too long nor too short. Hair piece? Clear skin. Make-up? Scent. Jewellery? Tattoos?

Business Attire for Women 1. Jackets Colour: Black, grey, cream, yellow, pink, lime. Length. Hip-length. Possibly cropped. Longer OK, if you are tall. Shaped Jackets if you have a shape. Otherwise straight-cut . V-neck with blouse is good. Slash not patch pockets.

Business Attire for Women

Business Attire for Women 2. Blouses Colour: Dark grey, navy, burgundy, white, cream. Shade: Dark can be powerful. Sleeves: Long. If short,none,use jacket. Match with jacket. In same or contrasting colour. Length: Not too short (show skin) If long, tuck in. Design: Simple, not fussy.

Business Attire for Women 3. Skirts. Colour: Black, navy, grey, brown, white , lime etc. Shade: Darker the better. Length: Knee length is good. Straight or A-line more formal than flared.

Business Attire for Women 4. Dresses. Colour: Be careful. Black-not too much. Grey is good. Brown is approachable. Red can be attention seeking. Fun colours not professional. Length. Thigh too short. Ankle-length too long. Jacket dress more formal than shift dress.

Business Attire for Women 5. Jewellery. Moderate amount of gold/silver. Pearls more formal. Keep your jewellery small, short and simple.

Business Attire for Women 6. Watches. Black/brown 1to 2cm thick leather strap is good. Chunky colorful plastic watches? Too informal. Restrained gold/silver bezel. Design. Classic. Analogue more formal than digital.

Business Attire for Women 7. Bags. Colour: Black, burgundy, brown more formal. Handle or strap. If strap, be careful of length. Angular or contoured to match with your own features. Leather is good.

Business Attire for Women 8. Shoes. Colour: Black, Brown, Navy, Burgundy. Other colours less ideal. Court shoes with 1.5 to 2 inch heels are good. Leather soles. Avoid flats, uncovered strappy shoes, rubber soles.

Business Attire for Women 9. Stockings. Yes. Sheer and skin-toned. 10. Make-up Clean skin more important. But some make-up is essential. Moderate neutral make-up.

Grooming for Women Hair. Neat, not messy. Long hair has to be bunned up. No visible hair bands or clips. No shaggy manes. No pony tails or braids.

Business Attire Do remember black matches better with more colours. Both warm and cool. But especially cool ones, like blue, green, violet, silver. Brown matches with warm earthy hues like red, orange, yellow, gold. Less so with cool colours. This is a general guide. So if you have a limited budget, go for black first!