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.

Three Tips to Revamp Your Image

Unless you've been living under a rock lately, I'm sure you've seen Rihanna or Queen Beyonce’s new pictures or videos heating up the place.   If you're like me, then after you’re done drooling over their fabulousness, you are thinking- “How can I bring my swag-factor up to 100% like them”?  Check out these top three tips to do just that!

Tip 1: Get clear on your objective

Consider why you want to change your image in the first place.  Although I used the examples of Rihanna and Beyonce above you should only be using someone else’s persona as inspiration, the goal shouldn’t be to be a carbon copy of anyone.  What makes any woman sexy and fabulous is the fact that she is comfortable in her own skin and enjoys being herself.  Take the time to really think about why you feel your image needs a boost, if it’s for confidence and a fresh perspective then you are on the right path.  Begin to visualize what your new image looks like.  Think about how you would feel if you embodied this new image.

Tip 2: Take Baby steps

It wouldn’t be in your best interest to make any drastic changes.  First, it could be overwhelming to you and those around you if one day you’re plain Jane from next door and the next day you show up as Jenny from the Block (cue Jennifer Lopez after Diddy and before Marc Anthony).  Start rebuilding your wardrobe piece by piece, recycle old clothes, and begin to experiment slowly with different make up and hairstyles.  Before you know it you’ll be looking in the mirror thinking… “Wow, is this ME?!”

Tip 3: Attitude is Everything 

So now that you think the part and look the part, you have to learn how to be the part.  It’s not enough to change your clothes and appearance. If you really want to upgrade your image you have to feel confident and be comfortable with who you are.  Recognize that you have insecurities and strive to work through them.  Write them down if you have to.  Embrace the fact that no one is perfect.  Once you’ve decided to embrace who you are, the only thing left is to act the part until it becomes real.  Start everyday acting as confident as you can.  Think about the person you know that seems to have it all together.  How do they act?  What do they do?  Do the same and you soon will find that it’s no longer an act but who you truly are.

What are some of your image boosting stories?

-Alecia D.

Top 10 Tips for Loving Yourself

There's always those days when we feel less than glamorous.. I'm sure you can relate. Check out this article featured on empressmag.com this week and start loving yourself today!

http://empressmag.com/articles/2008/11/23/top-ten-tips-for-loving-yourself/

Alecia D.

YBR Beauty Pick: On-line Shopper Alert!

I'm on my way home from the gym yesterday evening and I'm thinking about my upcoming trip to the Dominican Republic in a few days (8 days of some well deserved rest and relaxation). All I'm thinking about is when I'm going to find the time to get some shopping in before I leave. Between working at my full time job, working on YBR, and enjoying my personal life, when exactly will I have the time?



Sigh.



I decided I would just run in to the closest mall over the weekend and pick up a few things. Well- that all changed when I woke up this morning! In my inbox was an email from one of websites I subscribe to with information about a FREE, virtual, on-line shopper! The site searches for all of your favorite brands and find clothes online in your size that have recently gone on sale! Now tell me this isn't heaven sent! I signed up today and within 5 mins I received an email full of ideas and wonderful sale prices!



This is site is definitely a YBR Beauty Pick! Check it out and let me know your thoughts!



http://www.shopittome.com/



Alecia D.

The Beauty of Black Self-Love

How many times have you felt like you weren't up to par simply because you didn't get your eyebrows done over the weekend or were a week late on getting your edges touched up? How many times have you felt inadequate simply because your shoes weren't designer or your car wasn't considered "luxury". Most women can admit that feelings of insecurity do creep into their minds from time to time, but what's most important is how you choose to deal with your moments of weakness.



Self-image is such an important aspect in our lives. If we look good, we feel good. If we feel good, we do good. If we do good, good things come to us. It's a wonderful cycle as long as we are in high spirits, however, the moment we let our guard down and allow negative thoughts to cloud our minds is the moment when we can be thrown off course.



Since self-image and the way we view ourselves is so important to the way we present ourselves to the world and also how the world views us, it is mind boggling to me how much we equate our image- our worth, to our outward appearance. Am I better than you because my hair flows down my back? Are you better than me because you have higher cheekbones and a sleeker neckline? Is she better than us because her skin is the color of caramel?



I recently saw a picture of a black woman and it really struck a chord with me. I literally stopped doing what I was previously doing because her aura was so striking. She was average size, average height, and had average looks. I was only able to see her face, so her beauty had nothing to do with what she was wearing. There was just an internal glow about her that seemed to leap off the page and surround me. The moment I looked at the photo, I realized in a split section that what should truly be necessary to make someone feel beautiful and secure is not a killer shoe collection or the latest bag, but rather something a bit more intangible. Something that would actually mean something when your youth fades and your looks wither away. Something more along the lines of confidence.

Don't get me wrong, it is very important to care about how you look and to take pride in the physical image you are putting forth, however, it is even more important to build upon your inner strength. Material possessions are very fickle. One day you can have them and the next day you might not. It is for this reason that we should not get too consumed with pursuing these meaningless objects. Instead, we should make time for the people in life that make us happy, that situations and experiences that build our character, and the opportunities that help mold us into the strong women that we want to become.

Time to Show Yourself Some LOVE

Do you Love Yourself? Learn some tips to get on the path to self love and acceptance.

Check out this awesome article written by Courtney R. Franklin on Empressmag.com!

Alecia D.