|
|
|
|
|
|
Resources |
|
|
|
Dressing for Today's Corporate Standards
| Article
# : |
11309 |
|
|
Section : |
LIFE
|
| Issue
Date : |
5 / 1986 |
1,800 Words |
| Author
: |
Connie Chruch
Connie Church is a free-lance writer living in New York City.
Her latest book, Fashion Therapy, coauthored with designer
Tony Chase, will be published by St. Martins Press this fall. |
On a given day, any one of us can feel as if we are internally unraveling from head to toe. Suddenly we find our usual ambition, drive, and charisma waning, as it takes every ounce of energy we have to gather our papers, briefcase, and any creative, congruent thoughts we might have. In truth, at times like this a day in bed would benefit us the most, but because the business world doesn't make allowances for our human frailties we must forge ahead--appearing to be our usual confident, vital selves.
Regardless of any lagging, internal energies, with the right wardrobe we can maintain appearances and continue to convey our professional acumen. Our clothing can be a great communicator, its language a visual code that can project our talents, needs, personalities, and confidence. (In the business world consistent fine dress is a necessity--supporting a polished, efficient, "I can get the job done" image even on our worst days.) And just as it projects, so can our clothing protect, shielding our inadequacies from intruding eyes. Not only is dress a legitimate form of communication: It is a source of personal power. As Oscar E. Schoeffler, the longtime fashion editor of Esquire, said, "Never underestimate the power of what you wear…After all, there's just a small bit of you-yourself sticking out, at the cuff and at the neck. The rest of what the world sees is what you hang on the frame."
Alan Flusser, an author and 1983 Coty Award-winning designer of men's fashions, believes that the personal power that comes from the stylish, tasteful wardrobe originates in the fundamentals of fine dress and its attention to detail. Often dressing "fashionably" is confused with dressing well. Fashion is fleeting while a true cultivated style,
... (1999 of 10440 Characters)
Read Full Article
|
|
