One of my first clients was a woman in her mid-20s working as a designer for
ICI. Being a creative type she went to work wearing dangly earrings, long
skirts, and Indian blouses. She was good at her work and couldn’t understand
why she wasn’t getting the promotions she believed she deserved. Part of my
job was to help her understand the impact her clothing choices were making
on her career. Working in a male dominated industrial environment her
clothes and accessories were out of place. Recognising how her flawed judge-
ment was holding her back, she agreed to leave the clothes that she believed
reflected who she was at home and wear more simple and tailored clothes to
work. Although she fought this change in principle, she discovered that she
had several different styles of dress that she felt comfortable wearing and
that reflected her at her best.Men’s accessories ..............................................................................
The environment that you work and play in determines what’s appropriate to
wear. Gold chains hanging around your neck are fine if you’re a DJ, bartender,
rock star, or a gangster. If, on the other hand, you’re working in industry, or in
the professional or corporate world, leave the jewellery at home.Accessories need to be clean and in good repair. A frayed belt, scuffed shoes,
and a banged up briefcase look unkempt, as if you can’t be bothered to look
after them. You’re sending out the message that you don’t care about them
enough to maintain them well. This may be interpreted as someone who’s
lazy and can’t be bothered!190 Part III: The Trunk: Limbs and Roots
Dressing the First Lady
Much has been made of Hilary Rodham Clinton’s
dressing habits. Seen speaking in Congress
wearing a pink blazer over a black top that rode
low on her chest with a subtle V-shape pointing
downwards to her bosom, the punters took note.
Not that Ms Clinton was pouring out of her top
like a bar-room chanteuse – she was simply nod-
ding her head to her femininity and sexuality. Not
one known to acknowledge comfortably her
style and image, it was a slight surprise to see
her bear this part of her body. During her hus-
band Bill’s first term in office in the early 1990s
she was photographed wearing a black Donna
Karan shoulder-revealing gown, named by Karan
as the ‘cold shoulder dress’ who noted thatregardless of a woman’s age, her shoulders
remain sensuous and appealing. Throughout the
Clinton years, the first lady wore clothes that
were feminine and stately, never sexy. Her
second inaugural gown was an Oscar de la
Renta, originally designed with cap sleeves and
a wide neckline. After Clinton’s alterations the
dress had long sleeves and a high, Victorian-like
collar. In December 1998, at the peak of the
Monica Lewinsky scandal (where Bill was
revealed to have had an affair with Monica),
Hilary appeared on the cover of Voguewearing
another de la Renta gown, with long sleeves and
a boat neck, looking bold, glamorous, and regal.