A thin
classic belt works for the office, for both men and women. These are likely to be 1-1.5 inches thick, usually leather, and have a subtle gold or silver buckle. For women, they can be metallic or match the color of the outfit.
The studded, thicker, jazzier belts work for weekends and parties. Also, don’t try too hard to add contrast with a belt. A black belt on a black dress works, but a bright yellow one is an overkill.
6. Too many prints together only look good on the catwalk.
There’s a reason why haute couture is usually seen only on catwalks and on the red carpet. Quirky, wacky fashion does not make for normal wear, and also, not all of us are reed-thin towering models, who can rock just about any piece of clothing.
Use a print like an accent. A printed jacket over a plain ensemble, a printed blouse underneath a pant or skirt suit, or just a single-print dress. For men, when it comes to work, acceptable prints include stripes, checks, and sometimes, polka dots. Everything else is for the weekend.
Here Diane Kruger’s outfit on the left may be high fashion but it looks jarring, especially with the boots. Her printed dress on the right is a more put-together look.
7. Add a bright accent to a monochromatic or pastel outfit.
Working in an office demands that you dress subtly. And
pastels and nudes are in vogue, but wearing too much of one color in one outfit can make you appear a bit dull. Accentuate with a bright color closer to your face. A bright scarf, a shirt, or a blouse, can make all the difference to a monochromatic outfit.
In the picture above, Kate Hudson’s all-nude pantsuit is pretty, but it’s Cate Blanchett’s jacket and red lips that look more vivid.
8. Dark lips or dark eyes. Never both.
Makeup is more of an art but with a very strong principle. You can do what you like at parties and such, but when it comes to work or just normal day makeup, you should
accentuate only one thing.
If you are going with bright or dark lipstick, keep the eyes and the cheeks light. If it’s the eyes you want to highlight, wear a pastel or nude shade on your lips. With makeup, remember, less is always more.
9. Drop the mismatched socks and kitschy neckties.
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