Really? Do we need to talk about how terrible flip flops are for an office environment? Common sense should tell us that flip flops are meant for the beach or maybe even a casual summer day…. not a professional office environment. “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. Well, for me, there are a few reasons why flips flops just don’t fit into a professional environment: Footwear is part of your overall professional image: you may have a great summer dress and think that a pair of “dressier” flip flops would look great with your outfit. Wrong! While dress codes are generally relaxed during summer months, you still need to put forward an appearance that is professional and put-together. Flip flops say that you’re ready for the beach, not that upcoming client meeting. This goes back to the question I ask all my clients: what do you want your style to say about you? Too much foot for the office: simply put, flip flops show off too much foot! An easy and reliable way to tell if your footwear is a good idea is to look at how much shoe and how much foot is showing… maybe we should call it the shoe to foot ratio (shoe:foot). For a professional office, I’d suggest you make sure you have more shoe than foot showing. The awful sound: I just hate the sound of a flip flop slapping the bottom of a foot. It can be very distracting in an office environment. I often hear from critics who say that heels also make a loud obnoxious sound. Do they on office carpet though? Nope. Flip flops do. That’s very petty of me to argue but honestly, that slapping sound is distracting. I found an interesting article that I’d like to share. The one line I want to draw your attention to is this: “Flip-flops say you’re not fully engaged in the business environment. You’ve got one foot in the office and one foot on the beach. It makes a very loud statement about casualness.” Next time you feel like wearing flip flops to the office… just don’t.
How short is too short?
From first-hand experience (as a management consultant in the corporate world) and from living and working in a downtown business core, I regularly observe women who make the WRONG decision when it comes to summer skirts/dresses for work. I know you’ve seen it too…. women on their way to work, off to an important meeting, or on a lunch meeting wearing skirts/dresses that are WAY too short. Why do some women do this? Don’t they feel uncomfortable? Aren’t they aware that their blazer has more material than that itty-bitty skirt/dress? Don’t be this lady! To ensure YOU’RE not the one making this major fashion faux pas in the office, following my top style suggestion: Even on hot summery days, you’re still a professional working in a professional environment! Feel free to wear whatever you’d like on casual evenings or weekends, however, when it comes to business, you simply can’t afford to have the hem of your skirt/dress rise too high. Why, you ask? Do I really need to say why? Well, I will…. It’s unprofessional. Whether you work for in an organization, non-profit, or for yourself, a really short skirt doesn’t really give the impression that you are a serious professional. Don’t let this happen to you! It says that “I don’t really care about getting that promotion.” When you show too much leg (or cleavage for that matter), you letting others know that they should look at what you’re wearing… or not wearing… rather than listen to the brilliant things you’re saying. Women who excel in their careers – whatever career that may be – generally do so by building and showing off their ‘substance’, not their legs. You should want to attract the ‘right’ type of attention, not the ‘wrong’ kind of attention. Unfortunately, we ladies are judged more than men are in the workplace… we’re judged by our hairstyles, by the colour of our lipstick, or by how high our heels are (or aren’t). It’s wise to not add to the uphill battle by wearing an ultra-short skirt/dress. These are just a few of MANY reasons but, I think you get the picture. To keep things appropriate, professional, and stylish, I’ve picked a few chic pieces for you. Enjoy! Diane Von Furstenberg- Esme Pencil Skirt 10 Crosby Derek Lam Striped Pencil Skirt Malene Birger- Dalise Print Shift Dress MANGO- Straight Cut Drape Skirt Alexander McQueen- Fine Knit Wool Dress Happy Wednesday!
Friday Find: Effortlessly Chic Summer Dresses
Picture the perfect hot summer day where you’re out for a stroll, doing a bit of shopping around town, or having a lovely lunch with a friend. What’s the easiest, most comfy thing to wear that day ladies? A summer dress. Who does love that staple summer dress? I sure do. Here are a few options… and you know they are going to be a great deal on the Friday Find! Jennifer Tank Dress Nina Mini Dress Ruby Cutout Dress Why I love these dresses: They are easy to wear and effortlessly chic They can be worn with heels, flat, or wedge sandals They’ll easily be your go-to dress for the summer They will look great with a pair of sunnies as your only accessory Enjoy the hot summer days ahead!