The Sunday Mail
Kerry Washington, popular for her role as Olivia Pope, in the drama series “Scandal” dresses well for winter
DRESSING your best in winter can be difficult. Finding clothes that fit after gaining some weight because of winter food cravings, maintaining a professional look while bundled in all manner of warm clothes, and trying to look like you are not freezing make it that much harder.
Many people just stop caring about looking good during winter. The nippy weather gives most people the passport to dress like they are headed for the North Pole.
Do female professionals still care about their presentation? Do young women aim to look more like a young professional ready to work for their country or is the goal to look simply pretty?
In the real world, unlike in high school, there are no inspections for appropriate dressing. There are some fashion mishaps that need to be addressed and stopped immediately.
Unlike the summer season, which brings brighter and trendier styles of Zimbabweans – winter on the other hand results in poor fashion decisions, as fashion seems to be duller and less exciting.
Dressing ranges from exaggerating how cold it is, to wearing clothes better suited for warmer temperatures. There are young professionals working in the offices in the city, who have no clue how to dress for success.
These are the people who should know better. The young working class are committing fashion offences that if there was a Fashion Police they would be in style prison.
Below are some fashion guidelines for young professionals:
Layering: Wear small cardigans, vests and blazers to layer on your clothing to remain warm without looking too bulky.
Fabrics: When buying garments for winter choose thicker fabrics and warm materials like wool, polyester and cotton to stay warm. Wearing summer dresses is just not acceptable, the summer dress will not bring summer back invest in some winter wear.
Shoes: Invest in some leather or suede closed shoes and boots. Boots that have buckles and fur are not for the office and should always be for casual wear. Also leave the sexy open shoe sandals for a date, work is for business one must have a social life to wear those shoes.
Hair and headgear: For the winter weather big hair weaves, wigs and braids are a good option. The office is not the place to try out half shaven Mohawks or spikey hair, always opt for elegance than trend. For those who wear headgear stay away from skiing woollen hats for the office.
Stockings and hosiery: Thicker stockings are always a good option for winter; always match the colour of stockings to the shoe choice. The office is not appropriate for fishnet stockings as they neither look neat nor had much warmth anyway.
Style is a necessity especially for professionals. From getting through an interview and career advancement, it helps when one looks the part into getting taken seriously.
When you look like a boss, people will start wondering how talented you are.
There has to be a balance between expressing femininity and power through fashion for all the seasons.
World famous actress Kerry Washington once remarked: “Dressing as a gladiator means not being afraid to have it all – to be glamorous, smart, powerful, and sexy.”
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