| Professional businesswomen aspiring to step up their | | | | our male colleagues don't is the flexibility to wear |
| images and make their personal brands shine under | | | | easy options like a great dress. This season the "It |
| the leadership spotlight need to understand which | | | | dress" styles are sheath dresses with either a split |
| fashion trends are appropriate for the business | | | | neck or a knot tie at the shoulder; dresses with any |
| environment - and how to incorporate them into | | | | type of neckline details; solid dark neutral knit |
| ensembles that convey professional expertise. Do | | | | dresses; wrap style jersey knit dresses in an array of |
| that and your image will help you become a | | | | colorful prints; trench shirt dresses; Pointe knits with |
| recognized celebrity within your particular profession | | | | princess seams; belted sheath dresses, or simple |
| or industry. | | | | styles with peplum details. All of the modern styles |
| I never advise my top-level clients to invest in fads | | | | will be ladylike and nipped in at the waist, giving just |
| for their working wardrobes, but instead I | | | | the hint of a waistline. Shop for luxurious fabrics and |
| recommend classic-modern styles that are | | | | unexpected prints - because when you only wear |
| simultaneously contemporary and timeless. But as a | | | | one item it needs to combine fine quality, texture, |
| senior level retail executive and your professional | | | | and detail to make it a stand-alone look you can |
| image and brand strategist, I've done all the research | | | | wear to work. |
| for you! Using my latest trend report you can easily | | | | The New Trousers |
| navigate your way through the department store to | | | | Pants this season will be sleek, long, and lean - with a |
| select your fall wardrobe while saving both time and | | | | menswear-inspired look in straight or pencil leg styles. |
| money. I'll show you how to invest in what works | | | | That kind of design lets everything else on your |
| for your personal brand to keep you looking unique, | | | | upper torso do the talking and instantly helps to |
| innovative, and contemporary. This season is all about | | | | balance out your proportions. Once again you can't |
| timeless pieces, structured sophisticated silhouettes, | | | | go wrong with colors like camel or grey to round out |
| and exquisite fabrics and shape accessories that give | | | | your wardrobe. There isn't a woman's body type on |
| your nine-to-five look a memorable signature that | | | | this earth that doesn't look fabulous in straight cut |
| spells success and charisma. | | | | pants! I always advise my clients that if they ever |
| I reveal a dozen top new trends that communicate | | | | find a pair of pants that fits their body type they |
| professionalism for every woman leader and high | | | | should purchase them in numerous neutral colors to |
| achiever. No matter what type of work environment | | | | easily look polished in every business casual |
| you find yourself in - from formal to business casual | | | | environment. With the new menswear styles be sure |
| or even ultra casual - you can capture the essence | | | | to wear a high heel because that will contribute a |
| of these trends and incorporate that style into your | | | | more feminine feel to those otherwise rather |
| business wardrobe to look outstanding as you | | | | masculine fabrics and cuts. |
| enhance your personal brand and professional | | | | Fuller Skirt Silhouettes |
| reputation. | | | | Look for skirts this season in luxurious fabrics and |
| Fashion Trends to Celebrate Your Personal Brand | | | | modern silhouettes. It's the return of old world |
| It's important to realize that a contemporary | | | | glamour - similar to the secretary styles you see on |
| wardrobe is like a uniform or an actor's costume. | | | | the hit TV show Mad Men. Those fuller skirts from |
| What you wear and how you wear it is definitely an | | | | the 1950s are new again. The pencil skirt has an |
| extension of your professional brand and every day | | | | updated style too, and the flared hemline will make |
| your wardrobe broadcasts messages to others over | | | | every leg shapelier and add some sway to your walk. |
| the business airwaves. Your clothes speak to your | | | | Now I call that making a silently classy but |
| level of inner confidence, express your unique style, | | | | memorable entrance! |
| and symbolize your expertise and character. One of | | | | Wrap Yourself in Sophistication |
| the most common complaints I hear from clients | | | | Give a warm welcome to the new statement |
| before they work with me is that they look like | | | | outerwear. Coats for fall come in animal prints, |
| everyone else in the same suit or cookie cutter | | | | brocade designs, suede, faux fur, and classic wool |
| outfit. But I know that they simply lack the | | | | styles. The silhouettes will be stronger, with bolder |
| knowledge of how to leverage fashion trends - not | | | | shoulders and slimmer silhouettes to give you a |
| fads - to make them unique and memorable so they | | | | refined sense of sophistication and elegance. If you |
| will stand out from competitors in a dynamic and | | | | work in a more business casual environment, you |
| positive way. Your head to toe look tells the story of | | | | may want to try out one of the new cape coats |
| your brand through a visual narrative. So it's | | | | that offer stylish fluidity when you wear them with a |
| important that the story you are telling is one that | | | | great straight cut trouser pant. It's the counterpoint |
| others will read as an engaging and convincing | | | | to a streamlined silhouette, so remember that you |
| "Celebrity with Credibility" news flash. | | | | need to wear that wide cape over a slimmer lower |
| Fall into Neutral Colors with Grey and Camel | | | | torso in order to keep your proportions balanced. |
| This season no professional can go wrong wearing | | | | Animal Feline Style |
| shades of rich heather grey or camel in their business | | | | Animal prints have become a classic print, and they |
| suits, jackets, skirts, pants, dress coats, and | | | | are one way to jazz up your classic wardrobe items. |
| accessories. Look to incorporate these two tones | | | | Add a touch of an animal print in a handbag, shoe, silk |
| with a suede pump, a quilted Chanel bag, or in | | | | blouse, scarf, or trench coat. These can be small |
| monochromatic tones to communicate you're a | | | | statement pieces that add some interest but you will |
| classic-elegant woman. I love the streamlined | | | | want to keep these to a minimum. Otherwise you |
| silhouette look that is accomplished by dressing in | | | | can call too much attention to yourself with a clothing |
| monochromatic tones of either grey or camel from | | | | statement that has so much of the animal element in |
| head to toe. Wear the same basic tones in a wool | | | | it that it becomes a little difficult to tame. |
| coat, sweater, trousers, belt, and shoes or boots for | | | | Ladylike Handbags |
| those business casual days. But be sure to add some | | | | This year the handbag is back. It has a more |
| rich texture to this look - otherwise it can appear | | | | structured look with architectural details and |
| boring. A suede belt or shoes would easily do the | | | | silhouettes and there is a perfect style for every |
| trick. You can also look to mix and match these two | | | | lady. The bags of the season are: the drawstring bag |
| tones of camel and grey together. With a charcoal | | | | - which is a throwback to the 1970s that resembles |
| grey suit, for instance, opt for a camel and grey print | | | | the long-handled bucket bag; the clutch style with |
| silk blouse that adds some feminine interest to your | | | | sharp edges - to take you from day to night without |
| power suit. | | | | missing a beat; and the smartly structured handbag - |
| Who Wears the Pants Now? | | | | like, for example, the classic square bag with a large |
| This season, it's all about the pant suit and you will | | | | signature clasp (worn with a strap over the shoulder |
| see many styles resembling the menswear | | | | messenger style). That was a favorite of Jackie |
| silhouettes from yesteryear. But it takes a real lady | | | | Onassis. In tote bags you'll see an array of |
| to enhance the look with a few strategically powerful | | | | multi-handled carry-alls in alluring snakeskin. They |
| feminine details. Do that and you will dramatically | | | | come in tones that range from tomato red to warm |
| modernize your look from head to head - and you'll | | | | cognac. Or you can opt for the color of the season |
| be ready to compete successfully while going | | | | by purchasing a grey suede tote bag that keeps you |
| toe-to-toe with male counterparts in any business | | | | looking professional and also does double duty as the |
| setting. A great feminine blouse or shoes is one | | | | ideal travel bag. |
| simple but effective way to add ladylike style and | | | | Don't Just Talk the Talk but Walk the Walk Walk the |
| grace to the design profile of the traditional men's | | | | classic route that speaks volumes about your style |
| uniform - the power suit. | | | | by wearing the new pointy-toe heels or bold and |
| The Statement Jacket - Your Quintessential Go-To | | | | colorful peep-toe pumps. Then downshift into my |
| Item | | | | favorite - the kitten heel. This fall shoes will be in |
| Every professional woman knows that when she | | | | colorful tones, and that offers you a great way to |
| wants to gracefully glide up the corporate ladder or | | | | quickly add a pop of color to your basic suit. If you |
| attract more elite clientele, a few statement jackets | | | | are wearing a pantsuit and work in a more casual |
| will empower her work wardrobe. This season the | | | | environment, then consider a suede shoe bootie to |
| statement jacket is about sophisticated, structured | | | | add some heel height, texture, and interest to your |
| silhouettes made out of exquisite fabrics with a hint | | | | long, lean look. This season it will be a breeze to add |
| of texture like brocade, tweed, boiled wool, tropical | | | | variety to all your casual looks with the wide |
| wool, or cotton. Anchor your wardrobe with modern | | | | selection of boot styles that are coming to stores |
| styles like collarless, asymmetrical zip, peplum, | | | | for fall. |
| 2-button, ruffle trim, or shawl collar styles. Every | | | | Accessory Magic |
| woman leader needs to exude trustworthiness, | | | | One of the wisest investments this season is pearls - |
| strength, and confidence - and statement jackets | | | | either layered or worn alone. You'll continue to see |
| that you can coordinate with various professional | | | | statement necklaces in multiple strands this season |
| skirts and pants to multiply your ensemble possibilities | | | | but be cautious. You don't want your necklace to |
| are the answer this fall. | | | | upstage your presence, so try to keep it simple and |
| Beautiful Feminine Details | | | | elegant. A textured cuff is also a great way to add |
| You will see beautifully refined dressy blouses and | | | | some jewelry and intrigue to your solid work dress. |
| shirts in fabrics like crepe, satin, sateen, silk | | | | Follow these trend tips and fall fashion guidelines and |
| georgette, metallic, and silk charmeuse this fall. So | | | | you can save time and money shopping this season |
| you can have the best of both worlds by powerfully | | | | while also adding some noticeable innovation and |
| showing your softer side. The fashion focus is on | | | | unique style to your core wardrobe. Knowing what to |
| showing off the fine details of this season's blouses, | | | | buy - and how to incorporate it into your overall |
| high up on the neckline. Those include professional | | | | image and branding strategy - is not just fun but it |
| wear styles that have, for instance, a draped cowl | | | | can also pay huge dividends on your clothing |
| neckline, a subtle neck chain detail, ruffles on collars | | | | investment, both personally and professionally. You'll |
| and down through the torso, pin tucking details, small | | | | feel better, look wonderful, and will always stand out |
| neck ties, and pleated round necklines. | | | | above your peers and competitors in a way that |
| The "It Dress" Refined for Fall | | | | invites greater success. |
| One great advantage that women leaders have that | | | | |