Dressing For Any Occasion
Do you have a wardrobe full of clothing for “in case” scenarios, but never actually wear? Sometimes feel a little overdressed or underdressed?
Is there a part of your wardrobe you used to wear, but not anymore?
Not sure how to plan your wardrobe to suit your lifestyle?
Struggling to understand the different dress codes?
You may want to start by discovering your true lifestyle, to start revealing answers to the above questions. Your true lifestyle is the one you actually lead and not the one you would like to lead.
Factors such as are you married or single, working in a corporate environment or working from home, do you have children, what do you do to relax, all play a part and necessitate different styles of clothing.
As a practical exercise, write down all the different activities you regularly perform (i.e. during two weeks) and the kind of clothing that you would wear. Now, be honest and also write down next to each activity the clothing that you think you should perhaps be wearing.
Chata Romano has identified five different LIFESTYLES and dress codes to suit each of these lifestyles, taking the indecision out of dressing for any occasion:
Formal: 100% Glamorous, evening wear that you will never wear during the day
Smart: 100% Smart, professional, well-groomed and stylish, no casual element to the outfit
Career / lifestyle: Banker, laywer, accountant, personal assistant, professional speaker, training officer, etc.
Correct attire: Tailored jackets, long-sleeved jackets, shirts with collars, soft blouses, cardigans, classic prints, tailored pants, pencil skirts, shift dresses, smart belts, smart boots, hosiery, court shoes, classic bags
Note: A skirt is always more smart than tailored pants
Smart Casual: 70% Smart, 30% Casual, the overall image is relaxed smart (also described as semi-formal or casual chic)
Career / lifestyle: Sales representative, doctor, travel agent, auctioneer, bookkeeper, architect, psychologist, computer consultant, etc.
Correct attire: Tailored or semi-tailored jackets, long or short sleeved jackets, classic prints, shirts with our without a collar, twin-sets, soft blouses, tops, smart sweaters, soft skirts, pencil skirts, tailored pants, pumps, smart bag and belt, smart boots.
Note: When combining a 3-piece outfit, two of the items should be smart (e.g. pants and jacket) and one item casual (e.g. a stretch t-shirt)
Casual Smart: 70% Casual, 30% Smart – casual but stylish, well-groomed at the same time
Career / lifestyle: Graphic artist, teacher, journalist, nutritionist, pharmacist, clothing designer, bookkeeper, etc.
Correct Attire: Suede or leather jackets, any sleeve length, shirts with or without collars, any prints, cardigans, sweaters, t- shirts, camisoles, soft skirts, denim skirts, casual pants, jeans, flat shoes, sandals, boots, casual belts and bags
Note: The fabric choice or accessory can introduce the element of smartness to the outfit
Casual: 100% Casual, there is no smart element to your outfit
Career / lifestyle: Student, home executive, hairdresser, musician, gym instructor, artist, farmer, preschool teacher, babysitter, baker, landscape gardener, etc.
Correct attire: Denim jackets, windbreakers, shirts with or without collars, any sleeve length, any prints, t-shits, camisoles, denim skirts, casual pants, jeans, shorts, sundresses, flat shoes, sandals, boots, running shoes, casual belts and bags
Herewith an example:
Sharon is a 36 year old woman, she runs a small promotional branding company from home and often visit her clients and suppliers at their offices. She is married to an attorney, who she accompanies once a week to entertain clients. Her children are still at school, during the week she fetch and drive then to their activities and weekends are spent around the sports field, taking the kids out, having dinner or a braai with friends and going to the beach.
Her lifestyle can be classified as Casual Smart – 70% casual (working from home, taking out the kids, attending their sporting activities, braai) and 30% smart (meeting clients at their office, entertaining with her husband, having dinner with friends)
When she opens her wardrobe, her lifestyle should be represented in the content:
70% of her tops, shirts, bottoms and dresses should be casual, the remaining 30% should be smart clothing items.
The bottom line is that you should be able to recognize and identify with the person in your wardrobe and your wardrobe should reflect your lifestyle percentages in order to work for you. Get this right and you will never again say “I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO WEAR TODAY!”.
The above information was compiled by Willene Swart, Chata Romano Ambassador and Image Consultant. Contact her for a copy of Change your Image, Change your Life, a hardcover 224-page makeover guide with over 70 colour photographs covering only the various lifestyle dress code examples – imagine the rest of the content! R350 each.
Willene can be contacted on 082 4511 959 or willene@inspiringwomen.co.za or www.chataromano.com
