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Style & Presentation for Businesswomen |
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 Monique Danielle
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Style & Presentation for Businesswomen
Quick: what mental image appears when I
say “Pacific Northwest fashion?” Did I just hear you snort with
laughter? Our region definitely isn’t known for its snappy
dressers, we’re more frequently associated with Birkenstocks and fleece
jackets. And while I wouldn’t wear anything but my favorite
hiking boots for a walk in the Gorge, business attire is a much
different matter. Business women should understand the power of
presentation, and that, for most of us, good grooming is a vital part
of conducting good business.
I take a three-tiered approach to business attire. There’s
everyday office style, networking function style, and formal meeting
style. Obviously, I always apply the basics of good grooming that
I learned in fifth grade health videos. And I’ll adjust my look
to the audience, so if I’m presenting to a handful of 20-something
employees of a software start up I’ll wear a different outfit than I
would when meeting the CEO of the number one Pacific Northwest
insurance company. But here’s my general guideline.
Everyday office: I admit it, I’m dressing for comfort. But
that doesn’t mean sloppy. My outfit might be comfortable pants
and blouse, but they’re clean, fit well, and wrinkle-free. I
might not be expecting a client, but you never know, and I don’t want
to feel self-conscious in a spontaneous situation.
Networking event: depends on the function. I prefer
after-hours functions, but I also attend an occasional breakfast
get-together. For evening events, I go for a more sophisticated
night look and often I’ll wear a blazer, skirt, and heels
(comfort-loving Pacific Northwest business women wear pants most of the
time so a skirt sets me apart.) At breakfast, I’ll still wear the
blazer, but am more likely to wear pants.
Meeting or presentation: I go ultra-professional. It’s that
old cliché about success breeding success. If I look
sophisticated and confident, I feel sophisticated and confident, and
the attitude makes a positive impact. I wear either a matching or
coordinated blazer and skirt combination. I also coordinate with
high-quality accessories.
I had a roommate in college whose father ran a successful business and
once told her, “If I want to know whether a woman has her act together,
I look at her nails and her shoes.” Guess what he thought about
women with ragged nails and scuffed shoes? Before you protest at
sexism, keep in mind he wasn’t talking a set of blood-red fake nails
and stilettos. Short, buffed nails and polished one-inch heels
were fine. He just felt that anyone who attended to the fine
details of their appearance was more likely to attend to the fine
details of his project.
Yikes! Glancing down at my own nails as I type, looks like I’ve got a date with nail clippers and a file tonight!
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