That may be exactly why Warren Davis, Director of Recruiting and Employment for RadioShack Corporation, believes "nonverbal behavior," including personal style of dress, speaks as loud as our actual work performance. "Your clothes," he says, "should be complementary to your shape and personality but still relative to your company's culture." This is confirmed in the Yahoo! HotJobs poll where 72% of recruiters reported that it's important that employees dress like their bosses. It's true -- your sense of style represents who you are, and in this day and age, when individuality matters, your clothes need to make a positive impact. The key is versatility: Find things you like to wear that reflect your sensibility and can take you from weekend to weekday. Fashion enables a person to "brand" themselves. Maria Reiling, Director of Fashion for eBay, says, "What you wear is how you want others to see you," regardless of industry.
That said, we surveyed the experts to help you understand what to wear this fall to look great in the office.
WOMANS FALL TRENDS
This fall there are more options than ever. "Style varies, obviously, depending on the industry," explains Deborah Lloyd, Executive Vice President of Design and Product Development for Banana Republic. So she recommends understanding the environment in which you work and then "dress the part."
Skirts are a big trend for the season. And for fall, there are two main styles -- the pencil, a slender, form-fitting column that hits just below the knee, and the bubble, a retro '60s silhouette that has a rounded, bubble shape.
To balance either style, wear something on top that has the opposite shape. For a pencil skirt, try a slightly oversized sweater or blouse like top. Pair a bubble skirt with something more fitted, like a jacket. This can be a chic alternative to the power suit. No matter which style works for you, go with opaque tights, not hose, for a look that is very now.
Another must-have is skinny pants. This style, which hugs the leg from waist to ankle, can be casual if worn with a pressed, crisp T-shirt or sweater. But worn with a blazer, skinny pants can be boardroom perfect. Jane Buckingham, President of The Intelligence Group, a trend-forecasting behemoth, suggests accessorizing skinny pants with a patent leather belt to "spice up the look" no matter where you work.
Speaking of accessories, from runway to runway, designers were featuring metallic handbags, belts, shoes, hair bands, and jewelry. Rosemary Feitelberg, Women's Wear Daily's market editor, offers this tip: "Dress up a laid-back work ensemble, say chinos and a button-down shirt, by adding metallic accessories. It adds an element of glamour."
While glamour in the past has always conjured up the image of high heels, the new style for shoes is refined, more subtle. According to the Yahoo! HotJobs poll, 37% of women put comfort first, making this season's trendy flat shoe perfect. Whether you wear them with a dress, men's style trousers, streamlined jeans, walking shorts with tights, or a suit, there is something very Jackie O. about the look. "Besides, they won't hurt your feet and the new styles are very cute and stylish, especially with layers of knit sweaters," says Buckingham.
Warning: Avoid anything sloppy -- or too sexy -- at all costs. According to Reiling, "Don'ts would be sweats, pajamas, slippers, ripped shirts, and anything too exposing. You don't want your clothes to be noticed more than your thoughts or results."
MEN'S FALL TRENDS
Men, contrary to popular belief, have more fashion choices than ever. And this fall's trends are timeless in their appeal.
It's important to incorporate your own personal style in your clothing while remaining professional. "Don't succumb to trends that will label you a fashion victim," warns Lloyd. Translation: Don't try too many trends at once. Stick to one that flatters your personality and build your look around it.
One thing every man should have in his wardrobe is a classic blazer. It goes with everything, from jeans to trousers. And it's timeless. "It's better to have one good jacket and wear it with different shirts or sweaters than five average jackets," says Dan Peres, Editor in Chief of Details magazine.
In a corporate environment, where ties are often required, a school striped tie is featured on runways this fall. It's elegant when paired with a streamlined navy suit. This trend adds a sense of fun and personality without making a bold, over--the-top statement.
When not wearing a tie, try layering a thin sweater -- crew or V-neck -- over a button-down shirt. It's very James Bond, especially when worn with a jacket. But this is best done on lean, tall frames, lest you look bulky.
"You can communicate personal style through accessories -- or a beautiful sweater -- and stand out," says Peres, who says that pocket squares, watches, cufflinks, and socks (read: never white ones!) are items men can use to express who they are. That, and perhaps a military-inspired jacket. This, however, should not be taken too literally. "It's not about Salvation Army," says Buckingham, but rather, "a subtle peacoat with great gold buttons, which can be very American-classic."
Going with quality offers a measure of polish, which says more than you'd think. Adds Peres, "Polish shows you care about your job -- and yourself." He feels that men should avoid, at all costs, ripped jeans, raggedy T-shirts, and things that don't fit well, no matter how creative or casual the work environment. And in a corporate atmosphere, anything unpolished should not even be considered.
