Looking like you mean business

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata / Philippines News Agency

Have you ever asked yourself if you are underdressed or overdressed for corporate events and business meetings?

We all know that we have to look good to feel good. But we must not forget to mean business, too, especially if we’re going to a corporate gathering.

Here are some things to remember in this regard:

1) It’s important to invest in corporate wear; so’s in a nice pair of shoes. Keep your shoes clean and shiny. People wouldn’t care, even if it’s an LV, if it’s dirty.

2) Keep your hair tidy. No matter how fashionable you are, untidy hair seems unacceptable.

3) While black is the “universal color”—you can never really go wrong with this color; black suits and dresses often make the wearer look elegant—you can still experiment with other colors. Gone are the days when we don’t see real men wear pink.

4) For women: Dressing smart doesn’t mean you have to spend so much. You can enhance your wardrobe a lot by adding some fine accessories. Spend some time looking for the right ones. Don’t overaccessorize, though.

5) For men: Wearing neckties featuring Mickey Mouse, SpongeBob Squarepants or other cartoon characters is a no-no. Also, you need to choose colors that would go well with your wardrobe. If you are wearing a dark-colored shirt, wear a light-colored tie, and vice versa.

The easiest way is to wear a white undershirt, since any color and pattern of a tie would match well with it.

Tips for wearing a necktie:

a) The necktie’s length should be dictated your height. If you are tall, choose a long necktie.

b) The triangular edge of your tie should reach your buckle when properly tied. Try to tie it in such a way that it will extend half an inch past your belt line.

c) If your shirt or wardrobe has stripes or is checkered, then the color of your tie should match the dominant color of your striped or checkered attire.

d) Your tie should be made of quality fabric. Silk and satin are good kinds of fabric for neckties.

6) Choose a nice scent. That’s part of the package; you have to make sure that you smell good, too. Choose a perfume that is neither citrusy nor too heavy.

7) For women: Go easy on the makeup. Opt for a cleaner and a more polished look. This will highlight your natural beauty.

During the day, use no more than two eyeshadow colors on your lids. If you prefer an on-the-go daytime to evening look, you can try the “smoky eyes” look by adding a deeper shade in the pleat of the eyelid. Meanwhile, for evening parties, you can add some shimmer powder to your cheeks and on your shoulders. Wear a darker shade of lipstick and add lip gloss at nighttime.

8) Exude confidence and a positive aura.