If you don’t have a spare minute to be planning for some sub-tropical destination this summer, but are rather spending an inordinate amount of time in the office for that new promotion coming up; we hear you. It’s all well and good to be browsing infinitely on airline websites for that great deal, but it’s not likely to be your choice of time off that swings you the new position. It’s not all doom and gloom, however; this season can see you concentrating on dressing for the job you want, not the job you have, exploring classic wardrobe staples and combinations that will mean that while you’re doing your best, you’re looking it too. So how do we go about this? This brief collection of explanations should give you an idea: Understanding the Mean: The mean dress code of your office or place of work is likely to be something you will learn to pick up on after some time in that environment. What you might think about aiming for in your attitude to your own dress is capturing just that bit of chic, smartness, or sharpness that lets you stand out from the crowd, but with a subtlety that shows you’re no mere peacock. Some would say unfortunately, your clothes bespeak your acumen; turn this truth on its head and dress in keeping with the intent you’d bring to the new position. The Accessories Debate: There are some people who would say accessories are a secret code in office politics. Some would say they don’t matter at all, and are simply used to make up lost ground in the dressing department. Neither of these outlooks is strictly true, from the corporate ladder way of looking at it. Accessories should be two things; scant, and of high-quality. Invest in a good watch, not a flashy one. A fine belt can really put the finishing touch to an outfit, but an old and tired one will always let an otherwise superb outfit down. Don’t let the rule of caution see you too afraid to wear jewellery to the office; be diligent, and choose something modest but flattering. Interchanging for Success: If you had all the money in the world to dress for work, chances are you wouldn’t need to. For most of us, the problem comes down to one of a lack of wardrobe budget – just how many times can we wear the same one-off outfit? The key to maintaining a versatile wardrobe, and therefore ensuring you arrive with a fresh look to each new day is buying interchangeable items. One or two block-colour jackets in a dun shade will mean you can have much more freedom over creating outfits with a different blouse, a scarf, while essentially building the look over plain trousers or pencil skirt. Read the full post