The Professional Woman’s Lookbook
To quote Tom Ford, ‘dressing well is a form of good manners’. This may be deja vu because I’ve used the quote before in a previous post but it was true then and it remains true now.
Dressing well to work not only shows you value yourself and your work but it also boosts your self-esteem. I know this for a fact. When I am not looking my best, I don’t feel as confident as I do when I put some effort into my appearance.
Not to say life is all about looks but it sure does help. It has been proven that people respond more positively to someone who puts the effort into their physical appearance than someone who doesn’t.
Some people think you have to have lots of money to dress well or that you need a room full of clothes but that just isn’t true. You just need imagination.
I started my blog a few years ago to show women that where you shop does not determine how well put together you look. Don’t get me wrong, quality is important. You don’t want to wear clothing items that are faded or tattered but if all you can afford is Mr Price, Primark or Chinatown then that’s all you can afford but that doesn’t mean you can’t look good.
People who use lack of funds or a limited wardrobe as an excuse for not dressing well are just doing that, making an excuse.
To show you that it’s not about how much money you have or the number of clothes you have in your wardrobe, I’ve put together 6 looks for 6 different professions wearing the SAME skirt.
Look 1 – Doctor
Every profession has spoken and unspoken rules. No one wants their professionalism discredited. Any self-respecting female understands this and dresses accordingly. Female doctors are no exception. They tend to dress to attract but not to distract. Being a doctor can mean long hours on your feet or running from one operating room to the other – depending on your area of speciality of course – which is why flats or trainers is preferred.
Flared Jacket, Spree
Puma Sneakers, Zando
Skirt, Mr Price
Look 2 – Accountant
I’ve yet to meet an accountant whose workwear is not smart. When I think of a female accountant, I think shirt, pencil skirt and glasses – very profesh.
Shirt, Mango
Skirt, MrP
Look 3 – Lawyer
Not unlike the accountant, the lawyer is always formal, especially if you work in a firm. I styled the lawyer look a little differently from the accountant look – with a blazer.
Blazer, Zara
Skirt, MrP
Look 4 – Teacher/lecturer/professor
Teachers aren’t typically formal, they tend to be more smart-casual in appearance. This is my interpretation of a teacher’s look. Spot how I’ve styled my hair? I’m terrible when it comes to styling my hair so this was my attempt at a French braid which I imagine completes the look. I would have done a high bun if my wig was a frontal or 360. 🙂
Heels, Legit
Skirt, MrP
Look 5 – Marketing/PR/Advertising aka the creatives
Working in the creative space, your workwear can have a little bit more character/personality than what I’ve put together here especially if you work in an agency. If you work for a corporate entity like McDonald’s or Unilever, then you have to be more formal so the black on black look is perfect.
Turtleneck, MrP
Skirt, MrP
Look 6 – Magazine Editor
Last but not the least is the magazine editor. This was my preferred look in my head. Leigh Robertson of Elle Decoration formerly editor of House and Garden was my muse for this look. That lady stays looking fabulous. Anyone that works in décor and fashion is just almost always gorgeously turned out. So when I thought this look, before I shot it, I thought of it as being the most fabulous of all.
Top, Mango
Skirt, MrP
But you be the judge. Which professional look is your fave?
I hope you this post has inspired you to create as many looks as you dare with an item of clothing. You don’t need a Kardashian wardrobe to look your best, you only need a good sense of style and creativity.
Thanks for reading. x