Anyone who has lived in Colorado for very long knows that the weather changes nearly every day in March. As optimistic as we want to be, we also know that it will likely snow at least a few more times—in between our 60 degree days. All of these changes make it very difficult to plan our spring wardrobes and to know exactly when to shop for spring. As a wardrobe consultant and personal stylist, I work with professional women who need both professional clothing and business casual clothing. For both of these categories, I highly recommend shopping early in the spring season, March though April. You’ll notice that many of this season’s trends seem to be casual or business casual. If you have a business casual dress code at your office, now is the time to find some great upgrades to your wardrobe. Business professional updates require a little more creativity and caution this season. Update with color, dresses and accessories. In the market for a new spring suit? I encourage you to get it now. As early as it is in the spring season, I’m noticing the great suits are flying out the doors. Once they’re gone and we get closer to (Read more...)

October 27, 2009 4-6 p.m. What can employers ask you to wear and what should you wear?  Interviewing for a job and dressing for success is stressful.   When you pick one outfit or another, you are sending a message.  And, whether you like it or not, employers are receiving that message.  This seminar will provide helpful tips and tricks for assembling professional attire that will help you convey the image you are looking for. We’ll also provide a quick summary of the employer’s point of view.  Employers speak to the world through their employees, and they want to set the tone for those conversations…starting with your appearance!  What can employers require, within the confines of the law, by way of dress code and appearance policy? This seminar will help employees learn how to give employers what they want, and will provide employers with a guide to what they can regulate, so that both employees and employers find what they seek…success! This presentation will be in cooperation with Laura Hazen. Laura is a Director with the law firm of Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe, PC. She serves as the head of the Child Care / Early Education Practice (Read more...)

Thursday, October 15th 8:15 – 9:45 am Do you avoid shopping, finding it painful?  Do you come home from your shopping trips overwhelmed and exhausted? Join me for this BBH (Business Before Hours) to learn how to turn what you might consider a dreadful task into a tolerable, possibly even enjoyable one.  If you already enjoy shopping, you’ll find these tips can help save money, be more efficient, and you’ll come home from your shopping trips happier then ever. In this session you will: * Learn how to shop for good values, not just bargains, * Discover the secrets for successful shopping trips, * Find out how to plan a wardrobe that works for your personal style, lifestyle, and budget, * Understand how to create the wardrobe of your dreams… and look like a million bucks! 355 South Teller Street, Suite 200 Lakewood, CO 80226 (Two traffic lights east of Wadsworth, off Alameda) Free parking behind the building SPACE IS LIMITED! RSVP by Tuesday, October 13th 303-235-0989 Info@CorporateOfficeImages.com

I just read an article on Forbes.com titled The Perfect Interview Outfit. There was a lot of great information, including a few quotes by my fellow AICI colleagues. However, I have to say I disagree with some of the information the author gave about dressing within your budget.

The author, Leah Bourne, states, "Finding that perfect interview outfit that is put together and sophisticated doesn't have to break the bank." I agree. She goes on to mention, "The best strategy is to shop at several low-priced retailers to find chic basics that mix and match with more expensive signature pieces." Here I disagree. She recommends stores such as Charlotte Russe and Forever 21 for finding great basics at a very low price.

The article shows photos from these low priced, low quality retailers. You can make anything look fantastic in a photograph. I dissuade anyone from interviewing in cheap clothing like this, even if it is basic. You're a package, and wearing cheap clothing from what I consider teen/trendy shops doesn't package you well. 

A better strategy is to take some time, and strategize your shopping. How? Check out stores like

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Yesterday morning I was having coffee with a good friend/business colleague. I was wearing my  new scoop neck, animal print top, (see picture.) It’s not necessarily low cut, but it’s not terribly modest, either. At one point, I was writing something down and leaning over the table a bit. I just happened to glance at my friend and noticed her eyes looking down, which promptly made me look at my top. Yep, I could see right down into it. Now I know my friend, a female, wasn’t trying to look down my shirt, but the truth is that skin and cleavage are simply distracting. Once I noticed, we had a chuckle over it, but be assured I sat up straight the rest of the day, and I won’t wear the top for business again. The moral of the story? When you’re in the fitting room, pay attention to: -the way your tops and blouses move with you -how low they’re cut -and how they fit, not just how cute they are.

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