Friday 21 September 2012

Professional Yet Personal


This is the season any fashionista dreads; that notorious ‘in between’ period, when it’s still sunny enough to keep out summer shades, but breezy enough to consider pulling out some of those sweaters stashed for Fall.
Coming up with a theme for this month was tricky. One thing I love about September, is that ‘back to school’ sensation-new people to keep, changes to come etc,. So that was my inspiration-not that I’ll be backing a satchel anytime, but I am currently job hunting-in short, this month’s mantra-‘Hire me!’
I truly believe in first impressions, and so for this particular entry I’m concentrating on putting together an ‘Interview’ wardrobe, focusing on work attire that will hopefully land me some offers. There’s a problem I see today in the office attire. There’s a thin line between following the ‘dress for success’ status quo, but without loosing your own individuality. Loads of women today are missing out on so much in their trouser suits and boring button up blouses! There is a massive window of opportunity here to make a signature style piece, ladies!

And what better muse than Joan Holloway? Bringing sexy back with poise, intellect and a pencil skirt, Joan may be stereotyped as the slutty secretary at first glance, but dang, does she play her cards well. She knows she’s got it, so why not use it? And even as she flaunts her assets, she always maintains a cool air of impeccable professionalism. What I love about that time period, from Mad Men to Rona Jaffe’s novel ‘The Best of Everything’ is that Metropolitan glamor-when women were fending for themselves, leaving home and setting their own terms.
My plan is to take a conservative approach-a pencil skirt, a pair of flattering dress trousers etc., as a foundation than add elements that’ll just add a little character to the look. Christina Hendricks’s costumes, for example, emphasis her savvy in control attitude with their jewel tones-sapphire blues, ruby reds and such-even her signature gold pen! Over the past few weeks I’ve been drawn to emerald and topaz greens- such shades would leave an impression for sure when matched with subtle black leggings etc. Just something that shows I’m right for the job, but without sacrificing my own style.