The second most hotly debated topic in regard to professional dress surrounds open-toed shoes in the spring and summer. (Check out the biggest debate.) For the most professional appearance, wear closed toed shoes. I can hear everyone groaning already, but there are a few reasons closed-toed shoes are more professional than open-toes or sandals. First, skin is distracting, and wearing sandals exposes a lot of skin. To further that, toes are distracting. I know that sounds a little odd, but it’s true. Your feet are a long way from your face. Forgoing open-toed shoes will help keep attention at your face and to what you’re saying. Another reason to avoid sandals in a professional setting is that they can convey leisure. If you’re doing business, it’s important to show you’re ready to do business. All of that said, I know how irresistible it may be to lighten up your look for summer. Here are a few tips:

• Always check your company dress code before you make any changes to your attire.
• If you always wear pumps, a sling back, closed-toe pump can be a nice change.
• The most professional open-toe shoe is a peep toe pump. The next contender would

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To wear or skip pantyhose is the most hotly debated topic I cover in professional dress. It’s human nature to want to be ultimately comfortable and to also follow what others are doing; however, this is an area where you should really stop to think about your environment, superiors/peers and your goals. Something you may not know is that study after study shows that women who wear hosiery are viewed as more capable than their bare legged peers. They also typically earn more money. Why, you may ask? A couple of reasons…Hosiery gives a more finished look to professional clothes; they give you a barrier so that you’re showing less skin (another pro dress guideline,) and they send out a non-verbal (subconscious) message that you take care of the details. Those are pretty darn good arguments for pantyhose! The cons? Of course, they uncomfortable and especially hot in warm weather. (I probably didn’t need to point this out, right?) The other con to wearing pantyhose is that a lot of people view them as frumpy and old fashioned—No one has ever told me they’d like to be perceived as either of those! I think this may have a lot to do with the (Read more...)