The Downtown Women's Club womensDISH blog

How to write a business plan for your wardrobe

When Carrie Bradshaw discovered on Sex on the City that she really was the Little Old Lady Who Lived with her Shoes, we all laughed.  But, that was a few years ago when the world was an entirely different place.  Today, many of us wouldn’t find that episode quite so amusing, as the economy has us all scaling back on our expenses.  So, how do you prevent Carrie’s fate?  By creating a business plan for your wardrobe – and sticking to it.  

1.  Write a mission statement.  “I want to dress like a c-level executive.”  “As an entrepreneur, I want to express more of my creative side,” or “I need a wardrobe where everything coordinates and travels well so I no longer have to think in the morning.”

2.  Find your signature look and stick with it.  Hillary Clinton found her pantsuits.  Michelle Obama has her sundresses.  It’s time to discover your own signature look.

• Which outfits do you feel comfortable in (both physically and mentally)?
• Which outfits have you been complimented on?
• Which ones do you know go together without any thought required?

3.  Promote from within.  Are there certain clothes that you always travel with because they don’t wrinkle, or do you have a luxurious item of clothing or accessory that makes you feel special every time you wear them?  It’s time to give them a promotion and move them to the front of the closet for everyday wear.  Costume jewelry can dress up a classic cardigan sweater and that white non-wrinkly t-shirt can work well under a suit.

4.  Downsize strategically.  Get rid of any clothes that:

• Do not fit either your mission statement or signature look.
• Has not been worn in 3 years.
• Do not fit well or needs tailoring that would cost more than to replace it.
• Do not make you feel better about yourself every time you put it on.

5.  Employ best practices.  French women do not have the largest of closets, yet they seem to have the most style and fashion sense.  How do they do this?  They buy a few quality, yet chic, investment pieces and wear them over and over.  Investment pieces are a great suit in a neutral color; items made of leather, suede, cashmere; and other classics as that are always in style. 

6.   Scale down expansion plans.  Now that you’ve pared down your closet, it’s easier to see what you need to complete your wardrobe. 

• Purchase only pieces that complete your signature look, travel well, and don’t require a lot of tailoring or drycleaning.
• Save trendiness for accessories and pick them up at low-cost stores (H&M, TJMaxx, Kohl’s)

7. Negotiate lower prices with vendors.  This is something you don’t have to do yourself.  Shopping at sites like www.RueLaLa.com  or www.shopittome.com or using rebate sites like www.eBates.com automatically ensure that you never pay full price.

Diane K. Danielson is the founder and chief social media strategist for the Downtown Women’s Club and the author of the eBook, The Downtown Women’s Club Beginners Guide to Facebook.  Her signature look is a combination of great boots and fitted pin-stripe suits and/or pencil skirts with fitted and funky yet practical blazers.

Are you hurting your career with your wardrobe choices?

Jason Alba over at www.jibberjobber.com has run two lists this week about "How to Dress for Failure," that would make Project Runway's Tim Gunn shudder in his designer loafers.

Are you hurting your career by your wardrobe choices?  Check out his funny, but accurate, lists:

Women - How to Dress for Failure

Men - How to Dress for Failure

Downtown Woman Style: French Riviera Fashion – Summer 2008

Why blog about French fashion?  Well, we've been testing out some fashion posts in both our Downtown Women's Club newsletters and blogs, and discovered that "Downtown Women" like to be fashionable (and not just at the office).  So starting today, we'll be introducing fashion tidbits for Downtown Women of style right here on the womensDISH.

In this first post, we're crossing the Atlantic to find out what those oh so fashionable French women are wearing.  I’m fortunate in that I get to spend a bit of every summer in France visiting my parents, and, of course, I always fall in love with the fashions.  The best news?  Almost everything I pick up over there is subsequently in style here in the US the following year. So just in case I'm right again this year, here's what was hot this summer in St. Tropez.

• The little black dress. Not for night, but for the beach.  Little sundresses were in black this year.  So sophisticated.  Think Audrey Hepburn breakfasting at Le Club 55 on the beaches of Pampelonne. 
• Being Top Gun. The must-have sunglasses? Ray-bans – Aviator style, like those being sported by Brangelina.  Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised to also see brown leather jackets (belted, not bomber). We're going back into "the Danger Zone" this fall.
• Short-shorts.  Usually I’m the easy to spot American because I'm wearing shorts while everyone else dons skirts or dresses. (I adore my above the knee skinny shorts.)  But, this summer, short shorts were the rage under flowy tops in St. Tropez harbor.  Daisy Dukes never looked so not-trashy.
• Extreme jeans.  What’s in - super skinny or wide-legged?  The answer:  both.  Under-30’s can wear the super-skinny ones; but if you’re over 30, opt for a wider leg (unless you're built like Kate Moss).  Wide-leg, or trouser jeans are super comfy and make your waist look small and will go well with the fall's belted looks. For those of us who have a skinny pair (or two) still in our closet, tuck them into slouchy boots, which are being pushed as one of the hot shoes this fall.

Trends are great.  But, it's much more fashionable to find your style and stick to it.  Besides, just like ripped sweatshirts and leg warmers, there will always be some trends that you just look back and go .... huh?  What the heck was I thinking? 

This is why the second part of this column is dedicated to some trends that the magazines swore were hot (both US and UK version - I love the latter for their edgier fashion and articles); yet, I didn’t like, nor did I see them flying off the clothes racks.

• Gladiator Sandals.  The only one wearing the mid-calf lace-up version in St. Tropez was Naomi Campbell and even her ankles looked fat.  However, jelly thongs with a gladiator twist were selling (not sure the difference between a thong and a flip-flop) but check out these Michael Kors ones.  I scored a cute pair with a little bling from BCBG in St. Tropez. Skip the gladiators, go for the jellies!
• Muumuus.  OK, technically, they’re not Muumuus, but the long, ground-sweeping hippie/boho dresses were all sitting on the sale racks and not being worn by the chic women of the Riviera.  Yes, Angelina was wearing them in Nice, but she was going into the hospital to give birth!
• Polka dots and cut-outs.  According to the magazines (even the UK ones) the hottest bathing suits were going to be polka dot bikinis and one pieces with lots of cut-outs.  I didn’t see either of these on the beaches in France.  First off, the closest anyone ever came to making polka dots look sophisticated was Julia Roberts’ dress at the polo match in Pretty Woman.  As for cut-outs, besides the odd tan lines (and even us fake tanner and no tanner gals can’t help but get some sun on La Cote d’Azur); they're just too confusing.  I’m always looking at them thinking is it a bikini or a one piece? Ironically, the two bathing suits that caught my eye this summer were, for the first time ever, actually one pieces.  What they had in common were corset-like tops.  Soooo glamorous.  I may have to pick up one next summer.

And, finally, the trend with the shocking staying power.

• Metallic accessories.  I didn't think these would last a year when I picked up a pewter-colored leather bag last summer, but metallics were still around on purses and sandals in bright golds and silvers.  I still say ... only in small, small doses, and muted tones.

That’s this summer’s fashion report straight from the Mediterranean.  Now if I could only finagle my way over there more than once a year …

Diane K. Danielson, CEO, www.DowntownWomensClub.com
On Twitter: @DowntownWoman

Does she or doesn't she?

I was so excited when a co-worker introduced me to the Hanes Outlet catalog.  I could now buy pantyhose in bulk and at a discount.  What could be better.  Well, the last time I bought pantyhose was in 1992.  I still have several pairs that I've never worn.

Usually I skim the latest news on my homepage, as I'm sipping coffee, reviewing my 'To Do' list for the day and composing some emails.  This latest news story almost caused me to spit out my coffee.  A 6/5/08 Wall St. Journal article, "Bare-Legged Ladies: Hosiery Reveals Office Divide," by Christina Binkley, highlights the latest in the pantyhose wars.

Binkley reports that:

• For women who entered the workplace before 1990, pantyhose was considered a critical part of one's business uniform.
• Many twenty somethings have never worn pantyhose and don't plan to start doing so.

As more companies are going to business casual, pantyhose has fallen by the wayside.  All in all, I consider this a good thing.  I'm sure the inventor of pantyhose must have been a man.  That being said, what's the alternative? Bare legs?  What sort of shoes do you wear then?  I don't think sandals or heaven-forbid, flip-flops are appropriate in an office?  Well, there goes wearing skirts then.

Nancy Loderick

Bodysnarking has to stop

Imagine my surprise when I'm reading the Wall Street Journal yesterday and come across an editorial about "The Rise of Bodysnarking" praising Jezebel, the Gawker Media-owned women's blog (and one of my favorite blogs) and their attempt stop young women and others from publicly picking apart others' weight/looks (a/k/a "bodysnarking")

The bigger surprise, other than the fact that the WSJ was running a forward-thinking story that's focusing on young women, was that it was written by one of my favorite colleagues, Hannah Seligson, author of  New Girl on the Job: Advice from the Trenches, and a regular Downtown Women's Club contributor.  Way to go Hannah!  Hannah most recently visited with me on my BlogTalkRadio show, Smash the Ladder with Anita & Diane to chat about Career Disasters: planning, proofing and recovering.

But, back to the Bodysnarking.  Here are a few random thoughts to go along with Hannah's article:

I fell in love with the Jezebel site when they exposed how much Redbook photoshopped their cover photo of Faith Hill.  C'mon guys, she's a stunningly beautiful mother over the age of 30, why try to make her look like a 19 year old?  And, let's not forget to give a golf clap to Jamie Lee Curtis for taking the initiative in More magazine in 2002 to show just how photoshopped celebs are.

Jennifer Love Hewitt was my hero last December when she blasted the media for stating that she looked fat in her bikini.  Hewitt, who has modeled for Hanes, stated, "I've sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women's bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I'm not upset for me, but for all of the girls out there that are struggling with their body image."

As Hannah points out, bodysnarking is not limited to celebrities, and technology may be enhancing this cultural phenomenon.  First, Facebook and Flickr are putting more private photos out into the public domain.  Second, the Internet allows people to comment anonymously, which means that all rules of civility are thrown out the window.  Not a good thing.

Another colleague of mine, Courtney Macavinta has a great website for young women - www.respectRX.com to help combat body and other self-esteem issues.

And, while we're on the topic.  Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters by Courtney E. Martin gives some great insight into what's happening with young women and their friends "Ana" and "Bul".  Click here to read my review of the book.

Kudo's, too, to Tyra Banks & Co. for announcing a size 10 model as America's Next Top Model.  Click here to read Salon's wrap up.

Diane K. Danielson
CEO, www.DowntownWomensClub.com

Packing for a business trip - what's in your toiletry bag?

Someone on my last post about packing for business travel, mentioned toiletries.  This is always a problem for me.  Packing HBA (health and beauty aids) seems to take up half of my carry-on, and that's even with samples and travel sizes.  I've gotten better, but always feel like I'm stuffing too much in there.  In addition to the basics (makeup and moisturizers, saline solution and toothpaste), here are a few of my other "never leave home" withouts.

• Foundation/tinted moisturizer in a tube. Buh-bye Chanel and other makeup lines that want us to use glass bottles. After smashing one on a tile bathroom floor, I'd rather use a CoverGirl substitute if it comes in a tube.
• Clean & Clear blotting papers. Better than patting more powder on your face (and they take up less room than a compact).
• A deep-cleansing or moisturizing facemask sample. When else do I get to be alone in the evening, but on a business trip?
• Neutrogena sunblock stick. Love their small size.
• Dry shampoo. They're expensive, but it helps my hair go an extra day without having to wa----- or use it as a refresher after a long day of travel.
• Almay makeup remover pads. I got a small travel-sized container once, and I just keep refilling it. I like these as I can use them to touch up my eye makeup quickly and discreetly before getting off a redeye flight so I don't look like a raccoon.
• Cutex nail polish remover pads. Most manicures don't last through the security checkpoint let-alone the chore of trying to squish your carry-on into the overhead bins.
• Small sample tube of Aquaphor (otherwise known as the dermatologist's duct tape because it does anything in a pinch ... lip moisturizer, makeup remover, for dry skin ...)
• Flossers.
• Lots and lots of ponytail holders.

My makeup may vary depending on what samples I have lying around, but I can never understand those cosmetic companies who don't put brushes or applicators in their palettes.  It doesn't matter how great the palette is supposed to be, if it doesn't have its own brushes for when I travel, what's the point?

And, while samples are great, I really wish cosmetic companies would sell foundations and pressed powders in smaller sizes.  Not only would they be great for travel, but I could buy multiple shades to test (and it would help with the fact that I need different colors in the summer and winter). 

Do you have any great toiletry bag must-haves?  Or wish lists?

Cross-posted from my Networking Know-How blog at Yahoo!Shine.

Diane K. Danielson
ceo, www.DowntownWomensClub.com

Packing for a business trip - what's in your suitcase?

Just back from a 3-day business trip to NYC.  After years of never knowing what to pack, I congratulated myself on finally having it down to a science (and one small carry-on bag!)  Thought I might share what are now the staples of my travel wardrobe:

1. A black 3-piece pinstripe pantsuit. 
2. A jacket in another color that goes well with black and works for both business and casual. My new favorite is a gold metallic sheen, belted, safari style.
3. Black dress pants
4. Black pencil skirt
5. A white blouse (the type that has creases and wrinkles in it as part of the style so  I don't have to worry about ironing)
6. A white short-sleeve sweater
7. A yellow long-sleeve sweater
8. A black cardigan.
9. A workout/sleep outfit (two white t-shirts, black yoga pants)
10. Two pairs of black tights.
11. Patent leather knee high boots
12. One trenchcoat

I dressed for 3 conference days, and 3 nights out and managed to feel stylish enough for Manhattan the whole time, by just mixing, matching and layering everything. If I had been staying for another day or two (or even three), I would have only had to throw in:

• A pair of dark blue or black jeans 
• One knit dress (which I could wear alone, over jeans and even the yoga pants!)
• Maybe a scarf or something to liven things up
• Oh yeah, and a better pair of walking shoes (After 3 days in high-heeled boots, my feet were killing me -- but that might have been the 30 blocks we walked on Friday night!)

The trick is that everything from the blouse to the suit are either "purposely wrinkled" or polyester and never wrinkle, so while I was exhausted on the way home, my clothes still looked good! 

Does anyone have any items that they never leave home without on a business trip?

Diane K. Danielson
ceo, www.DowntownWomensClub.com

Fashion faux pas for business women

I was in complete agreement with the business fashion tips offered by Christina Binkley in her 1/17/08 Wall St. Journal article, "Tassels, Pantsuits and Other Interview Don'ts":

• Shoes.  Wear well-made shoes, spending more than you think you can afford.  Women should wear closed toe and heel shoes.
• Suits.  Avoid pastels or crimson colors.  Women should avoid appearing overly soft or trying too hard.  If red makes you feel powerful, wear a red blouse, not a red suit.
• Cosmetics.  Avoid french manicures, wet-looking lip gloss or fake tans.
• Styles.  Avoid low-riding pants or other signals that you haven't graduated from college.
• General.  Remember what your mother said, "spit out your gum, sit up straight and make eye contact."

It wasn't until I read the rest of her article that I just sighed and thought "here we go again."  Sometimes it feels like women will never win.  Binkley goes on to report on a male New York area senior financial service executive who claims that he would never hire a woman who wore pants because he thinks it shows a woman doesn't care as much about her appearance as a woman who dresses up in skirts and pantyhose.  This executive was in his 30's too, not an older man.  What?  My initial reaction is to dismiss this guy as a sexist you know what.  But, I'm afraid his attitude may be more prevalent than we think.

Granted, the financial service industry, particularly in the Northeast, is one of the most conservative,  so I'm trying to look at this with some perspective.  My conclusion from all this is that first impressions do count and you should dress to fit in with whatever corporate culture you work in.  If you are unsure of what is appropriate, ask! I would also say that I would never want to work for someone who doesn't like women in pants.

Nancy Loderick

Wardrobe basics for back to work

A Downtown Women's Club member just sent in this question last month:  I'm headed back to work, what 5 items do you think I should have in my wardrobe?

This is a great question, and after some thought I came up with the following:

1.  1 (or 2) rayon blend suits - grey, black or chocolate brown can be worn year round.  Suits are where you should spend your money to get a couple of good ones.  The Ann Taylor one pictured right will never go out of style.  Tip: If they wrinkle on the hanger in the store, they'll wrinkle on you.  Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, even H&M might have some in the $100-300 range.  Have them tailored to fit if you need to.

2.  Good, comfortable shoes (but with heels) -  I know, it sounds like an oxymoron, but the right pair will make you feel powerful and it will finish off the suit.

3.  One pencil skirt  - These never go out of style and are especially hot right now.  Black is always good, but the kahki one pictured below (from Banana Republic) is a great color for spring.

4.  A good briefcase/laptop case - You don't have to have a namebrand to be stylish, in fact some of my cheapies garner the most compliments but they have to look polished.  See www.careerbags.com for some fun selections.  (Pictured below from their site is my beloved Moonsus laptop backpack).

5.  With whatever is left hit the sale racks at H&M, Target or Kohl's and pick up tops and accessories to liven up the suits.  Rich jewel tones seem to be in.  Stick to blouses or tops with sleeves because you won't be able to take off your jacket if you have a camisole on.  If you are a smaller size, hit the junior departments, I get some of my best stuff there for under $25.

Hope that helps!

Size 00, or the invisible woman

Now that my face is fixed, or rather my face looks as good as can without major plastic surgery; it’s time to take care of the rest of me in preparation for my upcoming photo shoot. I defer once again to Melissa Forman,  of Forman Photography, who recommends wearing what’s comfortable for my pictures. My thoughts turn to my favorite yoga outfit. Since I’m not aspiring to be a yoga instructor, probably not my best choice for my public image or professional online presence.

This gives me a great excuse to go clothes shopping, as if I ever need an excuse. I’m on a mission to find a nice, simple, classic button down shirt. I thought these shirts were called classic for a reason, but after looking in a half dozen stores to find a shirt whose 2nd button wasn’t halfway down my chest, I guess not.

Last chance is Ann Taylor, a stylish, yet classy store. I find a pretty green shirt, but I’m confused on the sizes. What’s a size 00? What comes after that, size 01? Where are the real sizes? When I hold up this shirt, it looks like a little doll’s shirt. I quickly look around, thinking I accidentally wandered into an American Girl Doll store carrying Ann Taylor fashions. Being only 5’ 3”, I am by no means a large person, but I feel like a giant in this store. Now, I’m completely confused and also remember why I don’t shop much at these fancy mall stores.

Finally, I find a shirt that fits me. I have to put my ego aside, since the size is one I’ve never worn before.

Now, I’m ready for the photo session!

Nancy Loderick