How to Dress for Business- YBR Style!

In the work I do with lifestyle/career consulting, I often get asked similar questions about the workplace and corporate America in general. Questions ranging from what constitutes business casual attire to how to dress for an informal business luncheon have been thrown my way on more than one occasion. This fact, coupled with my own observations at career fairs and networking events around the NYC area, leads me to believe that there are a lot of women out there who are unclear about the different parameters of professional dress.

Check out the Young, Black, Rich guide to business attire below!

Business
Suit- i.e. two pieced, matching top and bottom – can be skirt or pant. If wearing a skirt, the entire thigh should be covered when seated and shirt should be knee length or below when standing. Colors should be solid and basic- in other words, a fire engine red suit is not appropriate. Make up and jewelry should be conservative for a polished look, but definitely not over the top. Shoes should be closed toe and comfortable. They should neither be too dressy nor too casual. Sneakers, UGGs, flip flops, construction boots, etc are never appropriate. Any tailored blouse or sweater can be worn underneath the suit jacket. Pantyhose are required (sheer not opaque).

Business Casual
Either pants or skirts are appropriate. Neither should be too tight nor baggy. Also keep in mind that skirt length should be at the knee when standing. Safe colors to work with are navy, black, gray, brown, and khaki. Make up and jewelry should be conservative for a polished look, but definitely not over the top. Shoes should be comfortable and neither too dressy or too casual (most companies prefer closed toe). Sneakers, UGGs, flip flops, construction boots, etc are never appropriate. Any tailored blouse, shirt, sweater set, or cardigan works well also. Pantyhose are suggested, but not required.


Casual
A clean, well fitting pair of jeans paired with a polo style shirt, blouse, or sweater can be appropriate. Jeans should never be too tight or too baggy. A casual shoe and/or conservative sneaker is appropriate as well. Leather trousers, ripped or torn clothing, mini skirts, midriffs, stretch pants, leggings, etc are never appropriate. Make up and jewelry should be conservative for a polished look, but definitely not over the top.

While it may seem that there are many restrictions in business attire, it is still very possible to express your unique style and creativity while presenting a polished and professional look. While you are not expected to break the bank to wear the same brands a CEO might, you should be sure to invest in a quality garment that fits well with your budget. Believe it or not, we are constantly being judged by the way we look at work. Why not use this fact to your advantage? As a simple rule of thumb- if you can wear it to the club, you shouldn’t wear it to work!

What are some of your business attire suggestions?

-Alecia D.

Frugal Fridays: Tip of the week- Sign Up!

Welcome back to Frugal Fridays! Check out this week's tip below!

Sign Up:
Most chain restaurants have a membership savings program. Sign up at the restaurant and fast food websites that you like and enjoy all of the perks! Alot of these companies offer free appetizers, gift cards and weekly specials to valued customers. For example, one restaurant that I LOVE, gave me a free entrée worth up to $40 for my birthday. There are similar deals at a wide variety of your favorite restaurants too, on a weekly basis. So take the time and sign up on each of these sites for their promotions. If you're going to be eating their anyway – you might as well save some money!

Click here for last week's tip!

-Ms. Frugal

Ms Frugal (aka Jamila M. from Empressmag.com) is a 27 year old sista who is definitely financially savvy. She is an entrepreneur, corporate employee, and fashionista.. all on a budget! Ms. Frugal even managed to buy her first home in NYC at the age of 23! (Anyone who lives in the NYC area knows that this is no small feat)

Frugal Fridays: Tip of the week

Thanks for checking out the second week of Frugal Fridays with Ms. Frugal! As always, Ms. Frugal aims to help us with ideas on keeping our finances fit for 2010!

Check out this week’s tip below!


Get to the Club Before 12:
If you're like me, you enjoy a good party! But did you know that most promoters offer free or reduced entrance for ladies before 12 am or some other specified time? So why get there at 12:30 am and pay full price when you could have gotten in for free?? That makes no sense to Ms. Frugal. And if you’re worried about looking cheap or corny for being there so early-- don’t. Anyone else who is in the club that early with you is doing the exact same thing!

Check out last week's tip.

Ms Frugal (aka Jamila M. from Empressmag.com) is a 27 year old sista who is definitely financially savvy. She is an entrepreneur, corporate employee, and fashionista.. all on a budget! Ms. Frugal even managed to buy her first home in NYC at the age of 23! (Anyone who lives in the NYC area knows that this is no small feat)

Frugal Fridays: Tip of the week

Great news to share! Introducing a new feature on YBR- Frugal Fridays! This feature will be a weekly tip from Ms. Frugal that aims to help us with ideas on keeping our finances fit for 2010! Ms Frugal (aka Jamila M. from Empressmag.com) is a 27 year old sista who is definitely financially savvy. She is an entrepreneur, corporate employee, and fashionista.. all on a budget! Ms. Frugal even managed to buy her first home in NYC at the age of 23! (Anyone who lives in the NYC area knows that this is no small feat)

Check out this week’s tip below!

Bring Your Own Breakfast and/or Lunch to work- If you have a cafeteria in your office, or have a restaurant within close proximity to where you work, you know that buying breakfast or lunch everyday can be very costly. For example, in my cafeteria one english muffin costs $1.00. When I realized that I could get a pack of eight english muffins from my supermarket for $1.00, I decided to take my muffin to work and use their toaster and butter for free!

What ways do you save money on food at work?

-Ms. Frugal

Do you have a question you want Ms. Frugal to answer? Send it to aleciadee@gmail.com with Frugal Fridays in the subject line to get it answered on the YBR blog!

Pics from YBR Networking EVENT!

Thanks to all of the fabulous ladies (and gents) that turned out to support the FIRST EVER YBR networking event! We had an awesome evening of drinks and conversation and of course, NETWORKING!

Special thanks goes to Ally Marie of allymarie.com for a dynamic keynote address! Check out the pics!






If you missed this event.. don't worry, details for the next event should be circulating soon!




-Alecia D