This “Tip” and dozens of others come from Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic Communication (available on www dot larry litwin dot com). [To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com.]
Although we are moving into fall, store this blog away for warmer weather — and keep its basics in mind.
When temperatures climb, workers wrestle with finding the middle ground between cool summer clothing and appropriate work attire.
Here is a summer fashion refresher for women:
• Show respect with how you dress at the office. Social skills are 75 percent of what determines a person’s success in business. Those skills include knowing how to dress.
• Business casual should be a mix of both. Pressed khakis and a crisp shirt are a better choice than a T-shirt and jeans.
• Beachwear such as flip-flops, tank tops, short skirts and shorts are not appropriate for the office.
• Women should choose sandals with straps over the flip-flops. Shoes should be closed-toed and beware of backless shoes that make an annoying clap-clap-clap sound when you walk.
• Do not wear sleeveless shirts, but if you have to wear one, pick a nice-looking sleeveless shell that can be worn under a jacket in case you need to look formal, fast.
• Other shirts that should be banned on most professionals: Shirts with spaghetti straps and anything that shows cleavage or bare
• Your skirt should not be more than a dollar bill’s width above
your knee.
Source: Leah Ingram – Author – The Everything Etiquette Book: A Modern Day Guide to
Good Manners and Gannett News Service
[To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com.]