Secrets to My Success

Contrary to what some might believe, you do NOT have to spend a fortune to dress classy and professional at work. However, you SHOULD look like you do.

What? Whatever happened to Workforce Diversity? It's OK to go casual to work, right?
No, actually, it's not. Not if you want to get ahead and go somewhere.

Many women seem to be under this notion at work that just because it's now OK to wear jeans to work, that they can show up in their faded blues and sweatshirts and still get a promotion. Some do, but most don't. Here's why: Yes, it may be old-fashioned to play dress-up for work, but it still speaks a lot about how you feel about yourself. If you present yourself well, it shows that you care about yourself. That sends an underlying message that you care about other things as well and will do a good job of taking care of them.

Many say "phooey" with these notions, but regardless of whether you agree with them or not, you should be aware that many out there still think this way. And THOSE people could be your next boss or manager.

But I don't have any dress casual clothes and I'm only working a clerical job. I can't afford those nice clothes. And I don't want people to think that I think I'm better than them.

While some may be put off by your new attire, you'll find other new heads turning your direction--in a very positive light. My grandma taught me to always dress for the position I want to be in, not the position I'm currently in. She must have taught me something right because in less than five years of state service, I promoted up several pay ranges and into some pretty prestigious titles for such a young person. (I went from Office Trainee to Lead Auditor and then eventually to Information Technology Specialist 3).

I'm not saying my brains and hard work ethic didn't also contribute, but sometimes it's hard to get noticed to get the chance to show people what you can do. The nicer you dress and show that you really want opportunities, the more those doors to opportunities will open for you.

Now, back to the budget crisis. You can imagine that as an Office Trainee I wasn't making very much money. Fortunately, I came from a strong retail background (my official title had been, "Wardrobe Consultant") so I knew how to coordinate simple pieces.

Let's start with the basics.
Slacks. You need at least one pair of good black dress slacks. Whether you watch the sales at Macy's (I found a nice pair for under $20 a few years ago), or are patient enough to sift through the racks at Ross or a second-hand store, this is your first priority.

I personally don't like pleated, but get what is comfortable for you. If you don't live in a flood zone, then don't wear high waters! Longer lengths are in now, so if it looks like it might need a hem then it's a good length to go for. We'll get to high heels in a minute.

If you can afford an extra pair of slacks, get gray or charcoal gray. These pants are going to be your uniform to wear into the office. You can wear them 2 to 3 days in a row as long as you iron in between. It drives my husband nuts that I do this, but I still get lots of compliments on how I dress on a weekly basis.

Blouses and Jackets. For most of us, even those of us who are dedicated gym goers, we get a little self-conscious about our mid-section. I wear very thin, light-weight and long jackets over blouses or camisoles. I have 3 main jackets that I alternate: a black one, a gray one and a violet one. These were all on sale at Macy's for $20/each about five years ago. That's right, I said five years ago. If you can take good care of your clothes, you too can wear the same outfits year after year. And, if you're like me, you'll be promoting up so fast you'll be working with different people so they won't be able to tell you're still wearing the same old thing.

As far as materials, I like cotton and cotton mixtures. My grandma was a seamstress so she taught me how to feel fabrics for quality. I find it's better to invest into one good pair of slacks or one nice jacket that might cost a little bit more, than to buy several items on sale that aren't going to last longer than a few months or a year. For me, it's all about building a solid foundation and then going from there.

It's important to note the proper care of clothing. Watch labels religiously. Do not buy anything that is "dry clean only" unless you can afford "dry clean only" and have time to drop things off for dry cleaning. I've found that I would wear a "dry clean only" item perhaps once or twice, and then shoved it into a bag for several months before I get around to either remembering it or being able to afford it.

I watch labels like a hawk, and I mistrust them slightly at the same time. I use "delicate" and "hand wash" cycles on my wash machine, and then hang up almost all my dress clothes to dry. Our dryers can be extremely harsh on clothing and shorten the lifespan.

I also invested into a lint shaver early on. This little device will make all your old clothes look new by shaving off those little fuzzies from your sweaters, dress vests, and jackets.

What about Skirts?
There are some really cute floral pencil skirts that some gals can get away with. If you want to wear a skirt, make sure it falls either right below or right above your knee cap. Anything shorter than that is going to attract you negative attention.

The image you want to portray to get ahead is one that is professional, mature and self-aware. If all people think of when they see you walking down the hallway is a great pair of legs, well, that image will certainly stay in their mind but you won't be remembered for your talent or skills. You want your attire to draw others' attention to your face, not your legs.

Colors, colors everywhere.
It's much cheaper to buy colorful camisoles and blouses to wear underneath your jacket, than it is to buy expensive sweaters and new jackets. You can wear the same outfit virtually everyday and get away with it as long as you change your top underneath your jacket.

Another tip to add flare so that you're not feeling "dull and boring" in the same old drab black and gray is to accessorize. From scarves to belts, don't go wild, but have a little creativity. Read the latest fashion magazines and check out the models in the shopping mall to see what you can get away with. Good stores to watch: Macy's, Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, and Newport.

Pump it Up.
If you have feet problems, then you'll need to find a comfortable pair of black flats. If you don't have feet problems, add height and help your posture by wearing high heals. I've found that a lot of the popular brands right now cause my foot to slide out, and even insoles weren't helping, so I've recently switched to the kind that have straps around the ankles. This has made it less awkward to walk in.

You'll need a basic black pair of heels. If you can't afford a nicer pair and know the pair you're getting are going to get worn out, then buy some insoles ahead of time, along with some black polish. Get into the habit of polishing up any scuff marks and taking care of your feet by using inserts.

Nylons and Undergarments
Oh boy, some gals really need help here. The grocery store nylons (Leggs) is just fine. Be sure that you match the color close to your skin tone and not too tan. Otherwise, you look funny walking through the halls if you're wearing a skirt. It doesn't matter as much if you're wearing slacks, you can wear Nude, Tan, Black, etc.
Nylons can get expensive if you don't know how to take care of them. There are various types of cleansers in most stores in which you use to rinse out your nylons. These cleansers not only clean out the dirt on the feet part of the nylons, but they actually strengthen your nylons and lengthen the lifespan.

Always pack an extra pair with you if you are wearing a skirt, as well as a bottle of clear nail polish to stop any runs. It's also important to put foot powder inside your dress shoes to stop them from stinking throughout the day. It is natural for your feet to sweat and an odor to develop, but that doesn't mean your colleagues want to smell it.
Regarding undergarments, it's important to realize that white on white stands out. If you are going to wear white slacks or a white top, you must wear nude or skin-colored undergarments. Otherwise, everyone and their mother can see your panty lines and bra lines. That's not the type of attention you want.

On another side topic, please get yourself fitted for the proper bra size. There is nothing more distracting in a meeting than a woman's breasts popping out of her shirt. Equally important to note is that you should wear a camisole underneath your blouse for a similar reason. I don't know why so many women think it's attrative to show off their cleavage. Not only is it repulsive to many others in the office, it also can send a message about you that might not be true. I know for some women this is a difficult and sensitive issue because they are so endowed that is difficult even with a camisole to cover themselves. It's important that you try your best to keep your gals from popping out and bringing any uneccessary attention to you.

I have to say that this is the same regarding pants fitting too snuggly and belly fat popping out. The infamous "muffin top" look is not as cute as some commercials may make it out to be. If you like to wear slacks that fall below your waistline, make sure your blouses and jackets are long enough to cover it, even when you're seated or bending over.

G-strings, V-strings and the like should not be worn in a manner that others can tell what you are wearing. While this was a trend for many young people, it is not a style that speaks "professional" to very many in the workforce.

Colored bras showing through should also be prohibited. They are extremely trashy and should only be worn if they are covered appropriately.

Ok, you have the outfit, now what? Now we're ready to move onto your skincare, waxing, makeup and hair!

Skin--"She must use Oil of Olay"
Beauty is more than skindeep, so let's start with the pores under your facial skin surface. You can wear the most expensive makeup in the world and yet, if you don't take good care of your skin, it will totally ruin your efforts. Your skin is one of your most valuable assets and can really work to your advantage if you keep it looking young and vibrant.

Skincare is something that I made up my mind that regardless of how poor I was, I would spend more of my money on that than anything else. My grandma has a beautiful complexion and looks twenty years younger than she is. Part of it is her genetics, but the other part of it was her strong beliefs in always using cold cream and keeping her face moisturized. If all you can afford is a facial moisturizer, then start with that.

I did a cost comparison in college on two skincare brands I'd used. One was Clinique which most middle-class women and teens deem affordable and yet "better" than over-the-counter cleansers. The other was a much more expensive and high-end Clarins Paris. I looked at the initial setup costs and then how long they lasted. While Clinique was cheaper up front, Clarins outlasted Clinique by several months and gave me a much greater complexion. One jar of their gentle cleansing cream lasted me a year. Skincare products are like haircare products--the more expensive and better quality you get, the less you have to use.

I've since switched to another French product, Yon Ka, which has done even greater wonders for my face and is also very long-lasting. My family members use Arbonne International, which is very similar to Clarins and Yon Ka, as well as Origins.

I prefer skincare that is tested on humans instead of animals. I also prefer skincare that doesn't strip your face of it's natural oils, but rather cleanses by moisturizing. All of the products I just mentioned do just that. Typically, if you see something in a high end spa, and then do a background check for consumer feedback on the internet, you can find some great products. Remember, if you are able to pay the up front costs, it is not only better for your skin in the long run but can be cheaper as well.

Wax?!!
If you've never tweezed your eyebrows before or never had them waxed, I'd suggest getting them done professionally at least a couple times so you can get an idea of what nicely shaped brows look like. Once you get used to that shape, you can use Sally Hanson's home wax that you put in the microwave and do them yourself. If you're clumsy with wax, however, I'd suggest sticking with the salon specialist.

Speaking as one who used to have mini bonzai bushes on my face, having your brows done can completely alter your face--for the better. It opens up your eyes and gives you a more put together look. You don't have to get too thin of eyebrows, you can still keep them natural looking, but just be sure to keep them nicely tamed. This alone can do wonders for you. We'll get to eyebrow makup in a moment. Read on...

Time for a Makeup Makeover
If you haven't started to get the hint yet, you need to realize that YOU are your greatest asset--and an asset to your current and future employers. You need to show them that. That means you need to really invest into yourself. That includes your makeup application.

One of the best things I ever did, that coincidentally happened right before a major career boost, was get a makeover. I had been doing my makeup the same way for several years but felt that my youth was still working against me. My baby face was this constant big purple elephant in the back of the room that no one would talk about, yet everyone knew was there.

Frustrated, I went to my local Gene Juarez spa with the same attitude I would to the casinos. I was about to drop a lot of money, money I would probably never see again, but I was going to have fun and enjoy myself. More than that, I was treating myself as my biggest asset--and it was time to truly invest into that asset.

I walked out of that makeup artist's studio a new woman. I bought brushes, foundation that was mixed to match my face, the works. I bought it all.

Two years and two promotions later, I write this to you now, still using the same brushes and the same colors. That's right, my eye shadow colors and my lipstick have still lasted me. I clean my brushes and take good care of them, and now when my colors are starting to run out, I know how to better use my old backup colors with a greater artistic touch.

It is amazing how changing the way you apply your makeup can change your entire look--and the way others look at you. I told the artist that I wanted to look sophisticated, stylish and professional. She hit the nail on the head in how she taught me.

I also bought an eyebrow artistry lesson, where I was taught how to cover waxing mistakes or gaps in my eyebrows with an eybrow pencil. It's amazing how much extra shape or correction you can do to your face with just a pencil. Make sure the color matches and again, if it's your first time, have a professional show you how.

Next step: Hair!
I miss my long naturally curly hair, so much that I am finally at a point of growing my hair back out. But I am also in the middle of another career change (hopefully)...one that will eventually lead me away from all this success I've found and into a more quiet, simple life in which I no longer need to go into an office environment.

As stated earlier, I was finding my youthful appearance a constant barrier between myself and reaching my dreams. My colleagues were nice to me but had a poor habit of always mentioned "how young" I was. I needed to do something to demand a little more respect. I found that respect in chopping my long brunette locks off.

Several inches had been dead, yellow-ish split ends. Several other inches hid my face. Several swift cuts and layers later, I had completely altered my appearance. Short, straight, layered, sassy and still sophisticated, by George, my stylist had done it. He had performed a miracle. I left that place looking like a million bucks, and even better, I felt it.

Some older women can sport long hair, but most can't. It makes several woman look older than they actually are for some reason.

If you do not want to part with your hair, or, like me on most mornings when I'm rushing and don't have time to style it, you can pull it back into a tight bun or ponytail clip. I hate this look personally. I feel like an old school marm when I go into the office like this. However, it still gives off a professional look--much more so than my frizzy poofy hair would if left looking like it was when I first looked in the mirror.

The goal is to not scare people when you are walking down the halls. You want to exude a professional look--one that speaks that you are serious, you work hard, and you care about yourself. A styled hair simply tells people that you also like to have a little bit of fun and aren't quite so serious. I prefer looking more styled because I think it makes me look a little bit more approachable. At the same time, if I'm busy and don't want people talking to me all the time, then I might as well look a little bit more serious and intimidating.

Your hair also requires good care like your face. Higher end shampoo and conditioning products are going to strengthen your hair and make it shine more than the cheaper over-the-counter kinds. I go through seasons where I care and seasons where I don't. The seasons were I don't are the times when I'm in and out of chlorine water that I need to use stronger shampoos that work better than salon brands.

There are a lot of tips your stylist can give you regarding proper hair cair. From rinsing with cold water and using a cooler temperature on your blow dryer to set your style, to ways to comb and style, they are a fountain of good information if you go to the right one.

Well, my friends, I have just shared with you some simple secrets to my success. Truly, hardwork, sincerity, bright ideas and an even brighter smile can help you go far in your career. But sometimes you need to polish the edges in order to let others see you shine. I hope that what I have shared with you will help you to go even farther and reach your dreams. Let no one hold you back. Let no job allow you to think less of yourself or your potential. You are an asset and it's high time you made your greatest investment into yourself.

Now, go get 'em!