Not just a cover-up, it gives a stylish twist to workwear.
(adapted from ‘Workwear: Coloured jackets’, female Magazine Malaysia August 2008 by Deborah Lee)
Simple
“Jackets that are nipped at the waist elongate your upper body.”
Stick to basic tones without any print on the jacket if you want to play safe. Give and take: let your jacket set the tone of the overall outfit. A bit of detail like lace and eyelet softens the hard lines of a jacket. A neutral-coloured tote and monochrome (black and white) shoes complete the look.
Relaxed
“What is key here is the trench’s ruffled detail, which adds a luxe factor to your look.”
Pastels add a splash of colour to sombre work suits. For a twist, try trench coats in pastel pink or beige. Add a splash of colour with a darker shade of pink worn inside to draw attention. However, keep details like ruffles and pleats contained only to areas like the neckline so your look stays streamlined.
Sexy
“Go for a puff-shouldered, boxy jacket to enhance your shoulders.”
Rule number one: put aside your jacket and study the rest of your outfit. Boxy jackets in dark, muted tones play off well with a top or bottom in an equivalent or similar shade. Always ensure the details on your top do not ‘override’ your jacket. For a slimming effect, pair with a pencil skirt and keep accessories to a minimum.
Flirty
“A soft, moulded jacket can accentuate your curves.”
Want to appear work-friendly yet not too dressy? Throw a loose blazer over your shoulders, and voila, you get the look. Just ensure it matches and is a shade lighter to complement the dress’s dark tones. Also, the jacket’s cut must emphasise the right areas without causing ‘bulkiness’.
Glamour puss
“A cropped jacket in vibrant red lends cheekiness to your outfit.”
Go for a strong, block colour jacket that stops at the waist. Pair it with a lighter shade top for contrast. Hem it in with a belt and airy pants long enough to cause a slight break or dent in the front seam. Accessorise with a matching bag and shoes.
Polished
“The classic fitted blazer is your best bet when attending official meetings.”
Revert to the faithful ‘blazer-shirt-pants’ combo for corporate meetings. Keep the colour on the jacket toned down and without any print. Likewise, for the bottom. The classic pinstriped shirt is your best bet to pair with the blazer. Let your accessories stop traffic for you.
What works for me?
Right Clean sorbet colors and rich, saturated brights evoke confidence and capture optimism. So go for coloured jackets!
Wrong Silver jewellery is out of the question if your jacket has gold buttons. Also, if you’re a plus-size, avoid bright, boxy jackets that add pounds to your figure.
When to wear. Where to wear. Part Two.
Comfort
With the amount of running about we do daily, comfort ranks high. One size too small could be a big player to how well the day turns out. Deciding on sizes also co-relates to the material it is made of. Some relaxes with use, whereas some shrinks a little when put to wash.
Do: Try on the item prior to purchase. While picking bottoms, do sit/squat, move about to test comfort level.
Don’t: Buy a size smaller in hopes to carrot yourself unto a diet plan.
Character
We are unique, and made in His image. Each of us have different interests and characteristics unique only to ourselves. So celebrate it! We don’t have to dress just like our BFFs!
Do: Get to know your unique self – the person God has lovingly made you to be.
Don’t: Wear something just cos it’s trendy.
Cost
Burning a hole in the pocket is not cool. Especially if it is that new pair of jeans that you have just splurged on! Looking good never means throwing budget, affordability and caution to the wind.
Do: Plan your purchase. You don’t need 10 pairs of jeans of the same colour.
Don’t: Let fashion get the best of you.
Correctness factor
Fashion faux pas can haunt. Remember celebs with fashion gurus still sometimes get it wrong. Getting stuck in something (totally) inappropriate is no fun accessory at any party. Tip: Spend that necessary time to evaluate if you’re 100% A-Okay with your ensemble before stepping out in it.
Do: When in doubt, seek an opinion. Two heads are always better than one 
Don’t: Neglect to check on dress code / cultural and religious practices at function.
Looking presentable, yet fashionable is not all that elusive. Not with practice and just a tad more insight.
Now, look out world!
What to wear. What to wear. Always the question isn’t it? A guy could be rummaging through his fuss-free, classic collection, not finding anything swanky enough to throw on whilst for the girl, staring at a chock-a-block full wardrobe does not necessarily mean success either.
Why such kerfuffle? Maybe because somewhere deep inside us, there is a need to present ourselves well. To look good. To feel good. Sometimes looking good on the outside, could even help us feel better about ourselves on the inside. (But that’s another story on its own.)
And contrary to some beliefs: Looking fashionably savvy is neither wrong nor sinful! Sometimes as Christians, we may have felt that by dressing up well, we could be nurturing traces of vanity, materialism, etc. Fear not. Let’s slip on some wisdom paired with that fashion sense. But if you do (at all) go over the top, am sure your closest buds will provide that needed nudge and you’ll be right back on track in no time.
Let’s try cracking this dress-up thing-o. Here are a few basic pointers that could work:
Colour
Every one of us is either a cool or warm skin tone. Colours closest to your skin tone usually never look quite as good on us.
Do: Experiment with colours.
Don’t: Mistake your favourite colour as your skin tone’s favourite colour *wink*
Cut
At the rate fashion evolves around us, there are boundless designs. However, the tricky bit is knowing which fits you.
Do: Know your body shape, and what helps with your body image confidence.
Don’t: Wear something that accentuates / reveals certain body parts. Let’s leave that info for your soul mate!
Cloth
Technology has come a long way. Pick materials that best suit your lifestyle. Looking uber chic in fur here in the tropics gets you drenching, slashing the cool factor instantaneously. Also, our weather tends to add that weird whiff to leather here.
Do: Read fabric care instructions before purchase.
Don’t: Leave your laundry out in the sun. With the ozone thinning, the rays wreak havoc on the colours.
*watch this space for part #2. sashaying up soon*
