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Local business style consultant gives tips on dressing to beat the heat and look professional in the business casual office
In Seattle, “business casual” is the mantra of most companies when it comes to dress, but what does that mean? If you’re like most professionals, the definition is unclear.
According to Bill Hoffer, a local image and fashion consultant who specializes in working with business professionals, ‘business casual’ can mean a variety of things. However, it’s usually safest to focus the wardrobe on pants and skirts made of lite-weight wool, linen, or cotton and open-collared sport or polo shirts,
“During the dot-com boom, work environments that encouraged casual dress became more prevalent. Sometimes this definition became extremely lax with jeans, shorts, and T-shirts becoming acceptable. Casual work dress is losing popularity though. It’s been proven that workers are more productive when they dress up,” said Hoffer.
The summer months create their own challenges. As the temperature heats up, office workers, especially those is ultra-casual Seattle, have a tendency to trade in dress shoes for sandals, pants for shorts. Hoffer thinks this is bad for business.
“The truth is when you dress well, you feel good. The people you deal with are more likely to sense your confidence and treat you better. Dressing at work like it’s a day at the beach will not earn respect or credibility,” said Hoffer.
When the mercury is high, here are five tips from Hoffer that will help you stay cool while maintaining a professional image in a business casual environment:
1. Dress in all-natural fibers.
Clothes made out of these materials are light and breathable, which will help keep you cool. Linen and microfiber pants are also good choices.
2. Keep it short and silky.
Short-sleeve tops in materials like silk and cotton are a must for every professional woman’s closet. Sleeveless is generally a no-no unless matched with a lightweight
jacket.
3. Men: leave the tie at home. “It’s amazing how much cooler one can feel by simply slipping off the tie and opening the collar,” said Hoffer.
4. Play with colors. When people think of business attire, dark colors often come to mind. Hoffer encourages his clients to delve into the palette and find what works best for them. In the summer, wearing lighter colors can also keep you cooler.
5. Cover up. Even in the summer, a jacket can be a professional’s best wardrobe friend. A light jacket can protect you from the sun and add an extra bit of polish to your image.
ABOUT BILL HOFFER
With close to two decades experience in the fashion industry, Bill Hoffer is an expert at creating tailored, fashionable, and sophisticated looks for his clients. His services include one-on-one style and fabric consultation, personalized designs, and professional alteration and sewing. His business, Wardrobe Design, works with clients throughout Western Washington.
More information on Hoffer and the work done through Wardrobe Design can be found at www.wardrobedesign.net.
Fashion expert Bill Hoffer offers tips to corporate professionals
on the messages they’re sending with the clothes they wear
What does your business attire say about you?
Bill Hoffer, a local image and fashion consultant, encourages business professionals to ask themselves this question every day.
“The clothes we wear make a statement. You are the message. Ask yourself: Is that message exuding professionalism and performance or mediocrity and lack of focus?” questioned Hoffer.
Hoffer owns and operates Wardrobe Design, a Seattle-based fashion-consulting agency that works with both men and women. While he has dressed clients for numerous occasions and with different style needs, his most common customer is a busy executive who doesn’t understand that it’s possible to look professional while still being comfortable and maintaining personal style.
When consulting with clients, Hoffer sees a lot of very smart people making the same mistakes when it comes to their image. These include wearing too many similar looks and buying clothes that don’t fit well. He stresses that while finding the right outfit seems like it should be easy, it’s not and people shouldn’t get frustrated win they hit fashion snags.
“It is really difficult to pull together a solid look. Don’t get discouraged. You can’t expect to be an expert on something—like shopping for clothes—that you only do two or three times a year. The most important thing is to keep trying to learn who you are,” suggested Hoffer.
To help you on your journey to understanding how fashion can work for you, Hoffer suggests:
Wear a variety of colors. Opening your wardrobe horizons to other color palettes, even subtly, gives you the ability to say more about yourself with your look.
“The colors you wear make a direct statement about who you are. Accent colors can convey a cheerful personality and attitude. If you always wear dark colors, like black or charcoal, people might think you’re overly serious. A more comfortable and relaxed attitude will come from someone wearing Earth tones. Of course it’s important to wear colors that work well with your personal skin tone,” said Hoffer.
Accessorize. According to Hoffer, accessories are the easiest way to personalize a look. The right accessories can help to make any outfit sophisticated and elegant. Hoffer suggests cuff links and pocket squares for men; scarves, jewelry, and careful shoe choices for women. He suggests trying out a lot of different accessories to see which ones work best for you.
Don’t be afraid to take risks. “I see this time and again: People not letting themselves wear a style or color they like because they think, for some reason, they can’t wear it. While there will always be certain clothes that look better on certain people, you will never know what best suits you until you stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone,” said Hoffer.
Seek professional help. That suit you bought off the rack at a department store might have looked good on the mannequin, but that doesn’t mean it will look good on you.
Hoffer says size is only the first part of the fit equation. Because everyone’s body is different, he stresses the importance of getting clothes professionally fitted and altered. Doing this will ensure that you will look and feel your best in what you wear whether it’s to the office, a corporate meeting, or a night on the town.
In addition, working with a professional fashion consultant before you buy clothes will help ensure the outfits you fill your closet with best represent the image you want to convey.
“My job is to open up the world of fashion to my clients by providing them fabric, color, and style options they may not have thought of or seen before. The goal is to get them thinking about their personal style and how this can correspond to the image they project in the corporate world,” said Hoffer
ABOUT BILL HOFFER
With close to two decades experience in the fashion industry, Bill Hoffer is an expert at creating tailored, fashionable, and sophisticated looks for his clients. His services include one-on-on style and fabric consultation, personalized designs, and professional alteration and sewing. His business, Wardrobe Designs, works with clients throughout Western Washington.
More information on Hoffer and the work done through Wardrobe Design can be found at www.wardrobedesign.net