Curating Your Closet for

Corporate America

THE INS-N-OUTS, TO-DO’S, THE HOW-TO’S AND MORE…

Quick Check Up

Do you spend 2-3 minutes looking in your closet and then put on the same 3 interview pieces regardless?

Do you ever wonder what to wear to a professional conference?

Are you clear on your

look/outfit for an

externship?

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Do you know what your

“power outfit” looks

like?

Do you know what’s right for a casual work outing?

Are you 100% clear on what’s appropriate for a dinner/reception for

a pre-summer internship?

Do you know what to wear

for an interview for

an internship?

Can you get ready in less

than 10 minutes and still look like

“let’s get down to business”?

Ever wonder what to

wear for a Law Center

program where

alumni/ panelists

are present?

Is “business casual” for an internship the same as business casual for a job?

The Studies Show…

A stain on your shirt

says you’re messy (or

you don’t care)

We are

programmed to

note the exception,

not the rule

Women with

frazzled hair are

more likely to be

perceived as

disorganized

93% of how people judge

you is based on non-verbal

input

When your shirt pulls and creates

a gap (at the chest), people

look

On average, you have 7-17 seconds before

someone forms a “first impression”

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It takes almost 5x as long to “undo” a

first impression!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST

(there are no mulligans!)

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Remember This

The Art of Dressing Well

Black suits are

“junior”

Navy and grey

suits are

business

standards

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Camel always

reads “high

end”Two basic shoes

required: black

and

cognac/brown

A dress is the new

power suit!

Platforms and bluchers

mean unpolished

Little things

count a lot! Cardigan

or blazer

add

instant

finish

Nails: clear,

nude or red

It’s not the price, it’s

the fit that counts!

Baseline Casual

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Mainstream Casual

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Executive Casual

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Traditional Business

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Boardroom

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Professional Dress

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Understanding

the rules puts

everyone on

the same level

and frees you

up to focus on

the message

instead of the

messenger

Baseline Casual

• Not for the office• Ideal for weekend work outing

Mainstream Casual

• Casual Friday attire• Appropriate everyday attire for staff

Executive Casual

• Everyday, baseline dress for leaders• Appropriate for in-the-office days

Traditional Business

• Typical traditional business look• Denotes “ready for business”

Boardroom Attire

• Special occasion (board presentations)• Ideal for after-hours work function

We All Need Help

In a Vanity Fair article,

President Obama shares this,

“I’m trying to pare down

decisions. I don’t want to make

decisions about what I’m

eating or wearing. Because I

have too many other decisions

to make.’ He mentioned

research that shows the simple

act of making decisions

degrades one’s ability to make

further decisions.

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Men’s Wardrobe Mishaps #1

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Oversized Suit

Men’s Wardrobe Mishaps #2

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Cheap Printed

Tie

Men’s Wardrobe Mishaps #3

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Right Suit,

Wrong Belt

Men’s Wardrobe Mishaps #4

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Sagging Suit

Pants

Women’s Wardrobe Mishaps #1 & #2

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Skirt Too

Short, Too

Tight

Women’s Wardrobe Mishaps #3

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Blouse Too

Small

Nine Tips to Nail

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Your goal should be to nail the basics – after that, it’s up to you! There

are a few rules of the road that should inform your professional dress….

1. Anything sheer or see-through doesn’t work for work! (leave everything to the imagination…)

2. Fitted is great! Tight is bad

3. Highest hemline should be two inches above the knee

4. Wrinkles = just woke up or “don’t really care”

5. If your sleeve doesn’t cover your armpit when you raise your hand, save it for the weekend

6. Pantyhose – to be or not to be? That is the question!

7. If you love what you’re wearing enough to go “out” after work then you shouldn’t wear it to work

8. Act/dress like someone’s watching

9. When in doubt, dress UP not down

Workwear Wardrobe Basics

Women

1. Fabulous white button

down

2. Fitted “work” tees

3. Black pencil skirt

4. Black fitted blazer

5. Dark-colored

shift/sheath dress

6. Navy/charcoal grey suit

(skirt or pants)

7. Print tops (2-3)

8. Power pump

Men

1. Navy or charcoal grey suit

2. 7 dress shirts (minimum)

3. 5 ties (minimum)

4. 2 pairs of shoes (dark-colored lace up, double monk strap)

5. Overcoat

6. Simple, understated watch (leather band)

7. V-neck/shawl collar sweater

8. Casual dress slacks

9. Dark-colored leather belt

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Women cont’d

9. Everyday statement

earrings & necklace

10. Curated casual flat

(pointy toe)

11. Everyday comfy heel

12. Bottoms (4)

13. Structured tote

14. Satchel

15. Trench coat

Where to Get What

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ACCESSORIESRules…

1. Statement pieces always better than quantity

2. Structured (vs. not) handbags

3. Watches with a leather band are the answer

Where to go…

1. Zara (shoes , scarves)

2. Outnet.com

CLOTHINGRules…

1.Don’t try to get everything in one place

2.Know your measurements rather than your size

3.For color, focus on one or two color palettes per season

Where to go…

1.J.Crew (suit basics)

2.Brooks Brothers (suits)

3.Suit Supply (men’s suiting)

4.Nordstrom & Zara (blazers, tops)

SHOESRules…

1. Leather….nothing else

2. No stilettos….(wrong profession)

3. Pointy toe is always more versatile

Where to go…

1. Shopbop/East Dane.com

2. Yoox.com

3. Mr. Porter

If You Didn’t Know…

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More and more large companies are

using the “interview lunch/meal” to weed

out applicants. Those finishing skills

count!

Standard Place Setting

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Formal Place Setting

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Dining Etiquette Rules

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BEFORE THE MEAL1. Shake hands with everyone at the table

2. Remember your host/hostess’ name

3. Remain standing until the host sits

4. Napkin on your lap after you are seated

5. Don’t ask for an explanation of menu items

6. Let the host take the lead in ordering

7. Avoid sloppy foods

8. Don’t order the most expensive items

9. Don’t order alcohol

Dining Etiquette Rules

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DURING THE MEAL1. Start outside and work your way in

2. Solids on your left, liquids on your right

3. Cut your meat one piece at a time

4. For holding utensils, choose American or Continental

5. For dinner rolls, break and butter one piece at a time (no sandwiches)

6. Keep your elbows off the table

7. Don’t speak with your mouth full

8. Take your time eating – talk and socialize

9. Don’t lick your utensils or fingers

10. Don’t forego the meal – bad messaging

11. When eating soup, don’t slurp and ladle away from you

Dining Etiquette Rules

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AFTER THE MEAL

1. If you’re finished eating, please the fork prongs down and side by side with the handles at 4 o’clock

2. Place napkin on your plate (it goes on the table if you’re stepping away)

3. Don’t discuss the check or tip; the host will handle everything

4. Don’t use toothpicks

5. Make sure you say “thank you” to the host/hostess, and shake hands

Styling Offer

• 1.0 hour Closet Review

• Personalized List of Top 3 Professional Wardrobe Must-Haves {with direct links to purchase}

• 2 months of unlimited virtual support

• The catch: available for the first 25 and must be secured by Wednesday, Feb, 3rd

$500 $350

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http://bit.ly/GLSstyle

So You Walk Away With…

• $500 worth of services for $350

• 10% discount on future services (for the next 6 months)

• An expert “gap analysis” of what’s missing in your professional wardrobe

• Hassle-free item acquisition (using the direct links provided)

• At-your-fingertips access to a professional wardrobe stylist who can provide answer one-off style conundrums

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http://bit.ly/GLSstyle

Scenario #1

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Time: Midday

Invite: via Email

Specifics: it’s a reception in the Law Center for those interested in summer internships with a boutique New York law firm

Goal: Summer internship

What do you wear?

{An email invite, midday points to an informal reception along with no “true” program. Boutique law firm indicates slightly more formal}

Answer: dressed up business casual

Navy blue sport coat, sport shirt, dress slacks, dressed up loafers || Dress slacks/pencil skirt, cardigan, silk shell, pointy toe flats

Scenario #2

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Time: Friday afternoon

Invite: personalized email

Specifics: an established law firm requests a sit down to discuss possible opportunities after graduation

Goal: Offer or a solid “we’re watching you”

What do you wear?

{A personalized invite means you’re special! Friday afternoon indicates a slightly less formal environment but the firm is “old school”}

Answer: traditional business

Navy blue or grey suit, dress shirt + tie, lace ups || Navy blue or grey dress suit, silk shell, skin-tone hosiery, pointy toe heel – briefcase, portfolio

Scenario #3

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Time: Wednesday - Friday

Invite: you registered!

Specifics: a three-day professional conference with breakouts, panel discussions, sit down lunches, sponsored dinners, etc.

Goal: Make a positive impression + the ‘short list’

What do you wear?

{Review the conference material but plan for dressed up dinners and talking shop with current industry stars and future colleagues}

Answer: dressed up/executive business casual

Navy suit, sport shirts, tie, lace ups, dress slacks, sport coat || Navy suit, silk shells or print blouses, pointy toe flats, dress, heels – portfolio

Scenario #4

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Time: throughout the day

Invite: general email

Specifics: an on-campus interview program where you’ll be making contact with several perspective employers

Goal: Make a positive impression + ensure you can “blend in” with their work environment

What do you wear?

{You have to balance the need for formality and business with adding personality & standing out}

Answer: dressed up/executive business casual

Navy sport coat, dress shirt, lace ups || Pencil skirt, dress blazer, print blouses, heels – portfolio (no briefcase)

Scenario #5

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Time: Midday

Invite: personalized email

Specifics: this is a group lunch followed by round robin interviews at the offices of a large law firm

Goal: Ensure your “etiquette” is on point at lunch

What do you wear?

{You want to make the best first impression possible that is aligned with the rest of the office culture and says you’re ready to go!}

Answer: traditional business

Dark colored suit, dress shirt, red/purple/blue tie, lace ups || dark colored dress suit, blouse, hosiery, heels – briefcase

Survey

Big Favor…Please?!!

http://bit.ly/GLSsurvey

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