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Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success
Need outfit that works as evening wear and daytime office attireQuestion: I have to attend a semi-formal function right after work and won't have time to change. Can I wear my "dress" clothes to the office?Kim Answer: Dear Kim,
Semi-formal includes a vast clothing territory. Exactly what kind of outfit are you planning to wear to this function? If you are considering anything with sequins, anything low cut in front or back, anything made of see-through fabrics - even sleeves, or anything in a party-ish fabric or style, the answer is "No, it is not appropriate to wear that to the office, even for one day." On the other hand, what some call semi-formal attire, such as a satin blouse worn with a long wool skirt (or a jersey knit dress) would be acceptable. However, satin pants or a satin skirt worn with a satin blouse would be inappropriate for a business environment. That's just too much satin for the office. Velvet fabrics are also tricky. For example, you could wear a velvet top under a wool jacket. Or you could wear a velvet jacket (if it's a fairly tailored style) paired with other wool garments to the office. But fine velvet pants or a velvet skirt (unless it's the not-so-dressy washable kind) crosses the unacceptable line. A velvet dress - if it's modestly cut - can be okay to wear to the office, if worn selectively for special occasions only. Executive women frequently face the problem of what to wear when required to go directly from the office to an evening event. I advise that serious businesswomen own at least one dinner type dress or pants outfit that is dressy enough to go to cocktail events and to the office. A change of jewelry and shoes may be required to give it enough pizzazz for more formal wear. A matching dress and jacket ensemble also works great for such occasions. Take dressier jewelry and shoes to the office with you. At the end of the day, slip into the bathroom to touch up your makeup and hair, change into your evening shoes and jewelry. Then, you'll look as if a magical wand has been waved over you. Before entering the evening event, you can even remove the matching jacket if you have good arms and a sleeveless look is appropriate for the occasion. Another alternative is to wear a basic dark suit to the office - pant or skirt variety; then change into a sparkly (or dressy night time) top for the evening event. Again, changing your jewelry and shoes are probably also necessary to create a semi-formal look.
Best of luck to you,
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