Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success
Business Casual
Question: My company has just adopted a business casual wear policy. What
are some of the guidelines to smart casual wear for a lady executive.
Gina
Answer:
For starters, avoid becoming too focused on the word "casual." The word "business" precedes it and that completely changes the concept of how we normally view casual attire. This is particularly important since you have an executive level position.
I recommend that you read my book, Casual Power, as the subject of smart business casual is precisely what it addresses. There are pages and pages of empowering guidelines, including the don'ts, and it is highly illustrated with specific outfit ideas. With that said, here are the fundamental guidelines that will keep you on the executive track.
An executive -- female or male -- should always have a tailored jacket handy (if she/he is not actually wearing one). There is no other garment that adds power and authority the way a high quality, tailored jacket does.
Coordinated outfits are a must. This can be challenging and time consuming when putting together separates, but it is essential to projecting personal power and credibility. Pantsuits (daytime businesslike ones) are appropriate for female executives. Popping on a smart pantsuit makes the process of getting dressed far easier than coordinating a complete outfit of separates, particularly one that commands respect. You could wear a pantsuit at least two to three days a week.
Long sleeves (or ¾ length) are essential to commanding respect. We don't see successful businessmen wearing sleeveless shirts, even when they exercise regularly and have great arms. Executive women who stay at the top do not either.
Legwear (hosiery or socks) is another key component of a smart business-casual outfit. With bare legs or feet, you risk appearing as if you have dressed for a social occasion, not for business.
Shoes make important statements about you and your goals. Closed toe/closed heel shoes are the most businesslike. That doesn't mean that they have to be boring frumpy pumps; they can have a lot of style. Slingbacks are also acceptable. Sneakers and sandals are not appropriate as business casual wear; they're too casual and they demote you.
Accessorize your business-casual outfits in an attractive manner, just as you would for a traditional business dress policy.
Maintain stylish hair and wear tastefully applied makeup. Women who wear tastefully applied makeup (not over done) earn 20 to 30% higher incomes. That statistic does not come from the cosmetic industry.
Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success
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