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Professional career dressing made easy with a few tips
Special to the Marin IJ
By Paula Wrenn
Marin Independent Journal | March 2005

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It happened again this morning. You thought you were prepared for that big meeting until you looked in the closet. To yourself: “Oh no, my blue jacket is at the cleaners and the tan suit slacks need hemming. I can’t find . . . where’s the? . . . I’ve got nothing to wear. And I can’t do a thing with my hair!”
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Get current, get organized, be credible

Are dressing dilemmas a common scenario for you be cause clothes are ill-fitting, at the cleaners or won’t work together? If you regularly find yourself trying to pull off a “look” for work at the last minute, you probably have what Diane Parente calls a dysfunctional wardrobe. Parente has more than twenty years experience as an image and wardrobe consultant. She describes the role of her company, Image Development & Management, Inc., as helping business owners, executives and entrepreneurs look current, sharp and credible. A key to a functional ca- reer wardrobe, she says, is a two-week spread of clothes that work well together. You don’t need a lot of clothes, because they must be versatile. Shoes, for example, should go with multiple outfits. For recent graduates just embarking on their careers, Parente’s top tip for saving money and avoiding career dressing mistakes: “Resist impulse shopping. Understand you are purchasing each item as a coordinate.”

Parente advises clients (business owners, authors, lec- turers and others in the public eye) on the best colors and styles, fabrics and shapes to complement the individual’s appearance.

For someone returning to a career after an absence, she checks their wardrobe first. Some clients have good basics, but require adjustments to hems or sleeve lengths. Often, adding updated patterns, color ac- cents or accessories makes them current. Once outfitted with two weeks’ worth of coordinating components, including travel and dry cleaning rotation, she encourages clients to experiment. One client who works long days found the perfect accent for her slacks suit in a pair of colorful and comfortable Hushpuppies shoes. Be cre- ative about sourcing what you need and make time to do the shopping once you’ve learned the basics. “Clothing, especially career wear, is an investment,” Par- ente says. “I keep records of the clothing my clients pur- chase. That list helped one client when she lost her clothes to fire and needed to provide documentation to the insurance company.” In addition to clothing, Parente advises cli- ents about hair and make-up. Hair should not be “too coiffed”. Natural movement, a good cut and highlights are hallmarks of an updated “do”.

A kinder cut
Kim Todd, owner/general manager of diPietro Todd Salons, says the most important component of a good hairstyle is the cut. A style should be in keeping with individual lifestyle and something the individual can maintain between salon visits. Especially when planning a significant change, she suggests scheduling a consultation with a stylist for ideas and to develop rapport. The stylist should ask questions, listen to your ideas and offer pointers for your hair type, age, lifestyle and face shape. Color and highlights brighten and update your look, and make hair shine. diPietro Todd Salons are known for a service called “balayage”, a technique which reproduces the healthy, vibrant color and natural look of youthful hair. “A new career is a good reason for a hair change,” Todd says. “I recommend that anyone who is pregnant, in a life crisis, or under stress hold off on a make-over until things are more calm.”

Fresh Face
Consultation is a great way to consider the options when it comes to updating the look for your face, as well. Hands-on professionals will advise on the right products and teach you to apply them. According to Gimo Jones, Bay Area sales and train ing executive for Lancôme, skin condition is where the best look for men and women starts. As skin ages, the care routine and products used should regularly be evaluated. Moisturizers should condition and support with make-up so that it is long-lasting. As for looking great all day, she suggests women use a powder or bronzer and lip gloss for periodic touch-ups. Color trends and make-up techniques come and go, but Jones advises keeping color sub tle for the office. “We are more about a good foundation to even out skin tones than about lots of color. Soft color usually works best for the office,” she says. Great eyelashes are always in, and Jones says the proper ties of Lancôme’s mascara products have made the company the industry mascara sales leader. “And don’t forget good body cleansers, moisturizers and fra grances,” Jones says. “Check in seasonally on those, too.

Top 5 Tips for outfitting at the office space | From Diane Parente

1. Buy quality, it will last twice as long
and be a better investment.
2. Stay away from snapping up
trendy clothing. Buy timeless
classics you can mix and match
and accessorize to change the look
to give it that extra panache.
3. Have a supply of two weeks’ worth
of clothing that includes dry
cleaning and vacation rotation.
4. Be a bit conservative for the office,
don’t wear clothes that are too
tight or revealing.
5. Once you have your two weeks’ worth of office wear, you
can experiment with a few special pieces or accessories.and...

About Diane Parente
Diane Parente is president of Image Development & Management, Inc. specializing in image and wardrobe services for professionals, executives and business owners.She provides seminars, individual consultations, and personal shopping for clients who want to advance in their career, attain greater levels of success and who want to simplify and manage their wardrobe more effectively.

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