WOMEN’S POWER DRESSING: THE ROMANTIC STYLE

PHOTO FROM: DOUGLASS HANNANT SPRING 2012 RTW

It doesn’t have to be love month for you to try out a whole new different style genre for your work place — romantic type. To differentiate it from the “girly” genre, the romantic style of clothing is like an old time feminine, as opposed to the girly which is updated and fun. The romantic style is a little conservative, mostly pastel in color, involves any soft fabric — probably lace and velvet and the print? Floral. Pearls and old world (Victorian types) accessories are also the perennial arsenals of the romantic type dresser.

So how can you merge this style with the usually perceived corporate garb of solid, dark colors with textures that are usually of in the crisp and hard levels?

Here are some tips and tricks to bring out your romantic side in your corporate style.

THE SOFT, PASTEL COLORED TOP AND BOTTOM

Whether or not you are wearing a blazer, one way of invoking the romantic theme in your corporate garb is to add a little soft factor in the inner fashion items that you use. Now, we are not talking about the handkerchief — although it adds a little Victorian-esque feel, no one really sees that. We are also not talking about very soft underwear. We are talking about a soft material with pastel colored top. This is a nice way to break the hard pencil skirt you can be pairing this with or slacks.

PHOTO FROM: FACTORY BY ERIK HART SPRING 2012 RTW

If the top can be soft and pastel in color, why not the bottom right?

Now it is good to note that bottoms are the ones that usually get most of the attention as it is what moves around the office a lot when you pass by. That is why it is good to advice that when you do decide to wear something soft and pastel for a bottom, make sure that you tame it with a grounded top/blazer so as you would still look corporate. This applies to both full skirt and slacks.

PHOTO FROM: FATIMA LOPES SPRING 2012 RTW

PHOTO FROM: ELIE TAHARI SPRING 2012 RTW

From this, just choose one route and then wear pearl accessories. Just a hint of pearl would do. You don’t need to wear matching sets! That is so passare! Wear it with a loose up do with braids and you are all set!

EMBRACE THE LACE, KISS THE FLORALS

Of course, it would not be romantic without a touch of lace. Now, we are not advising that you go out there wearing JUST LACE. Make sure that you wear a soft light basic underneath. If it is a dress or a top, make sure that it is still proper for the office. Wear outerwear if applicable.

PHOTO FROM: DAMIR DOMA SPRING 2012 RTW

As of lace bottoms, it can be worn but the downfall of that one is that lace gets ruined easily and you may find yourself with a fashion emergency at the end of the day.

When it comes to florals, the pop of red is always the expected when it comes to romantic dressing. Try on a nice floral dress reaching below the knee and cover up with a grounded top to look polished for work still.

PHOTO FROM: FISICO SPRING 2012 RTW

How about you? What do you think makes a corporate garb romantic? Hit the comment section and share your thoughts!

FASHION TIPS BY: www.stylywear.com

FASHION TIPS: WHAT TO WEAR FOR SPEED DATING

PHOTO FROM: INTERNSHIPSINIRELAND.BLOGSPOT.COM

Valentine’s is coming! The rush of speed dating services is in the air! So if you are single going to one for the fun of it or as a favor to another single friend, you have to wonder — what do you wear on such an occasion?

There are a lot of articles out there on what to wear on a first date, day date, night date etc. but not a lot of what to wear on a speed date. One thing is for sure: YOU DO NOT GO OUT WITH A GUY ‘FASHION BLIND’ (fashion disaster)!

So here are some tips and tricks that you may want to go back and forth in selecting what kind of clothes you should be wearing on some nerve-wrecking and possibly awkward situation.

KNOW THE TIME AND PLACE

Of course! If the speed dating event is happening in a swanky bar, why are you wearing your track suit? First thing is first — where is the venue? Make sure that what you are wearing is appropriate for the time and place. If the event is held at night and you live where it does have cold nights, I don’t think that wearing a very flimsy dress is the right thing to wear. If it is a garden place and the venue is at the main garden, your stilettos may sink and well, the elongation of the legs will become more of breaking of them.

THE ART OF BEING JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF “DRESSED”

We know that the statement above is confusing. We don’t want to be under dressed (what if the guy was cute?) and we don’t want to be over dressed either (like some desperate woman needing to have a partner immediately!) Remember, this is speed dating. This is lighter than a speed date and more fun than a blind one.

So how do you know if you are just the right amount of “dressed”?

First, you must only wear ONE PIECE of jewelry. So choose well! It should be a statement but not a bold one. Try one small cocktail ring or a pair of fresh water pearl earrings. Something light and fun for the accessory is a good choice.

Next, your clothes must leave things in the imagination. Guys LOVE to imagine women naked. As such, you have to play along with his senses. It’s enough that he sees your body shape. They love curves! However, if you are not blessed with curviness, then you may opt to dazzling them by looking clean and naturale.

Third, in connection with the previous one, we are not saying that you go out there looking like a mummy. We said, leave things to his imagination — not wonderment of what curtain you must have murdered to wrap around you. It’s okay to show some skin, but not all of it! No cleavage and micro mini’s please! (Not unless you are looking for a one night stand.)

Fourth, your hair must be clean, neat and looking healthy. Keep the hair spray away ladies! There is no need for you to go to a salon and have your hair done (not unless it is SOOOOO needed). This is not the prom!

Finally, the make-up must be kept natural. Nothing smells like desperation than an overly made-up with makeup woman in a speed dating event. So opt for minimal make up at this point. Dazzle them later when they ask you out on your real first night date.

CONSIDER THE ESCAPE PLAN

Let’s accept the fact that not ALL speed dating event goes well for the attendee. You may come out empty handed (or dodged a bullet) so let’s always consider the escape plan. If you are commuting going home, you have to make sure that what you are wearing is safe enough for you to get out on the streets and not get mugged (knock on wood). If you have your own car, well that is easy, as long as it is convenient enough for you to drive wearing whatever you are going to.

Fashion Tips brought to you by AGL.