Problem
How do you travel prepared for the dust and dirty of travel, but also something smarter for a conference or special occasion? I was sitting judging a speech competition and heard a section of a speech on the familiar theme of Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover.
Dress To Impress has become a catchphrase we use in conversation, but I think you would have to be careful about using it for business it's actually a copyright phrase for an established business. The two popular sayings seem to contradict each other.
When a speaker at Toastmasters International is on stage at a contest, they have usually a 5-7 minute speaking slot. I sat looking at the clothes of the speakers.
The master of ceremonies (at the event I attended called contest chair) was wearing an elegant but subdued outfit, dark coloured, tailored, perfect.
Two or more contestants wore smart shirt with jeans. I was distracted from what they were saying as I mused on the contrast. It looked as if they had dressed in front of a half length mirror, not a full length mirror.
Others wore three different colours, such as a blue shirt, black jeans and borwn shoes. If you have black hair and pale skin, you might choose black shoes to match your black hair.
The French used to have a simple system. You have one colur for your season's clothes, such as navy or red, or white, your bag and belt and shoes are in another colour, black or brown or navy. (For ladies or dram the cotnrasting colour could be either subtle 'autumn' colours, light and bright spring colours, or vibrant summer colours.) You could match with your hair colour, eye colour or skin colour.
You might think that the same colour fits the same person always. However, if you change your skin colour, by getting a suntan, that changes which colours suit you. So does a change of hair colour. Bornw hair might suit purple. However, blondes might look better in bright red. Redheads might want pink or orange listick, depending on their skin tone and whether they have blue or green or brown eyes. I love red, red lipstick, red clothes, but red spectacle frames do not suit me, nor does red hair.
Shoes and Socks
The old rule used to be that socks should match shoes for the office. At one time you wore white socks with black shoes. That creates an odd, outlandish effect if nobody else wears the same style.
If you don't have shoes to match your outfit, maybe you should match your outfit to your shoes. If your black shoes are smart, or your brown shoes are comfortable, work upwards with socks and trousers and a shirt or blouse to match or co-ordinate.
Mix and Match Books
Their outfits reminded me of those mix and match books you are given as children, showing people in various costumes, with two halves, or three parts, divided horizontally at waist or knee height. You flip the top or lower half to create different characters, but often totally incongruous.
The moral of the story is, don't just wear a smart shirt. That might work in a restaurant when you are sitting down. However, if you are on stage at an event, do not wear a smart shirt with torn jeans. Wear a co-ordinated outfit.
I am horrified by the number of websites offering shirt and tie sets with two patterns, one on the shirt and another on the tie. They don't co-ordinate. They mesmerise your eyes. They shout confusion.
Tailors
When I find some suppliers of smart shirts and ties, with cotnrast collars, I shall note them. Some of the people who I asked said they had their shirts made to measure with matching ties. In Singapore and Hong Kong many companies offer outfits. They also visit London. I am wary of comitting to a tailor who wants the money for a complete outfit.
Dress Suit Outfits
A shop which sells wedding outfits will have suits and shirts and ties - compelte outfits. They often have seasonal sales, last year's lines or ex wedding hire outfits. Just one example is Impeccable, in Hatch End, NW London England.
All Black Or Not?
Some people, men and women, wear all black. Easy when buying, no trouble matching. However that can create a morque look. Do you look depressed or ghoulish?
All black works well if the clothes are smart and new and well pressed. However, if you have dark skin, and black hair, and dark eyes, such as Indian Or African American, you want to consider a white shirt or a lightening effect.
If you are on stage or on TV, find out the colour of the curtains. A well known optical illusion is to make somebody disappear by having them wear black clothes against a black curtain. To get attention to your face, you want to be sure your eye white and white teeth stand out with a frame or halo. Try out a white hat, white shirt, a cravat, white tie, or bandanna, or white background caftan. If that looks too dramatic or absurd, try cream colour, or a colour, even white and gold.
The important thing is that the effect is pleasing, gives you confidence, and makes others admire you.
Useful Websites
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Muddle-and-Match-Adventure-Monsters-Jungle-Imagine-4-Mix-Match-Board-Books/162983697951?hash=item25f295de1f:g:3TAAAOSwCERaxtgz
https://www.qoo10.sg/ad?keyword=Button%20Down%20Shirt%20Men&jaehuid=2000180829&__ar=Y
http://www.marksandspencer.com/3-pack-easy-to-iron-shirts-with-tie/p/p60126538?image=SD_03_T11_2206B_E4_X_EC_90&color=BLUEMIX&prevPage=srp&pdpredirect
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and phtographer, author and speaker.
How do you travel prepared for the dust and dirty of travel, but also something smarter for a conference or special occasion? I was sitting judging a speech competition and heard a section of a speech on the familiar theme of Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover.
Dress To Impress has become a catchphrase we use in conversation, but I think you would have to be careful about using it for business it's actually a copyright phrase for an established business. The two popular sayings seem to contradict each other.
When a speaker at Toastmasters International is on stage at a contest, they have usually a 5-7 minute speaking slot. I sat looking at the clothes of the speakers.
The master of ceremonies (at the event I attended called contest chair) was wearing an elegant but subdued outfit, dark coloured, tailored, perfect.
Two or more contestants wore smart shirt with jeans. I was distracted from what they were saying as I mused on the contrast. It looked as if they had dressed in front of a half length mirror, not a full length mirror.
Others wore three different colours, such as a blue shirt, black jeans and borwn shoes. If you have black hair and pale skin, you might choose black shoes to match your black hair.
The French used to have a simple system. You have one colur for your season's clothes, such as navy or red, or white, your bag and belt and shoes are in another colour, black or brown or navy. (For ladies or dram the cotnrasting colour could be either subtle 'autumn' colours, light and bright spring colours, or vibrant summer colours.) You could match with your hair colour, eye colour or skin colour.
You might think that the same colour fits the same person always. However, if you change your skin colour, by getting a suntan, that changes which colours suit you. So does a change of hair colour. Bornw hair might suit purple. However, blondes might look better in bright red. Redheads might want pink or orange listick, depending on their skin tone and whether they have blue or green or brown eyes. I love red, red lipstick, red clothes, but red spectacle frames do not suit me, nor does red hair.
Shoes and Socks
The old rule used to be that socks should match shoes for the office. At one time you wore white socks with black shoes. That creates an odd, outlandish effect if nobody else wears the same style.
If you don't have shoes to match your outfit, maybe you should match your outfit to your shoes. If your black shoes are smart, or your brown shoes are comfortable, work upwards with socks and trousers and a shirt or blouse to match or co-ordinate.
Mix and Match Books
Their outfits reminded me of those mix and match books you are given as children, showing people in various costumes, with two halves, or three parts, divided horizontally at waist or knee height. You flip the top or lower half to create different characters, but often totally incongruous.
The moral of the story is, don't just wear a smart shirt. That might work in a restaurant when you are sitting down. However, if you are on stage at an event, do not wear a smart shirt with torn jeans. Wear a co-ordinated outfit.
I am horrified by the number of websites offering shirt and tie sets with two patterns, one on the shirt and another on the tie. They don't co-ordinate. They mesmerise your eyes. They shout confusion.
Tailors
When I find some suppliers of smart shirts and ties, with cotnrast collars, I shall note them. Some of the people who I asked said they had their shirts made to measure with matching ties. In Singapore and Hong Kong many companies offer outfits. They also visit London. I am wary of comitting to a tailor who wants the money for a complete outfit.
Dress Suit Outfits
A shop which sells wedding outfits will have suits and shirts and ties - compelte outfits. They often have seasonal sales, last year's lines or ex wedding hire outfits. Just one example is Impeccable, in Hatch End, NW London England.
All Black Or Not?
Some people, men and women, wear all black. Easy when buying, no trouble matching. However that can create a morque look. Do you look depressed or ghoulish?
All black works well if the clothes are smart and new and well pressed. However, if you have dark skin, and black hair, and dark eyes, such as Indian Or African American, you want to consider a white shirt or a lightening effect.
If you are on stage or on TV, find out the colour of the curtains. A well known optical illusion is to make somebody disappear by having them wear black clothes against a black curtain. To get attention to your face, you want to be sure your eye white and white teeth stand out with a frame or halo. Try out a white hat, white shirt, a cravat, white tie, or bandanna, or white background caftan. If that looks too dramatic or absurd, try cream colour, or a colour, even white and gold.
The important thing is that the effect is pleasing, gives you confidence, and makes others admire you.
Useful Websites
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Muddle-and-Match-Adventure-Monsters-Jungle-Imagine-4-Mix-Match-Board-Books/162983697951?hash=item25f295de1f:g:3TAAAOSwCERaxtgz
https://www.qoo10.sg/ad?keyword=Button%20Down%20Shirt%20Men&jaehuid=2000180829&__ar=Y
http://www.marksandspencer.com/3-pack-easy-to-iron-shirts-with-tie/p/p60126538?image=SD_03_T11_2206B_E4_X_EC_90&color=BLUEMIX&prevPage=srp&pdpredirect
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and phtographer, author and speaker.
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