manners MATTER
The
Visual
Side of
Manners
Karen La Corte is an
etiquette and manners
expert trained and certi-
fied by the Emily Post
Institute in Vermont. She
has been teaching eti-
quette and manners to
children and adults for
over thirty years. She is
also a certified image
and fashion consultant.
Karen is happy to answer
any personal etiquette or
image questions you may
have by emailing her at
karen@marxtowing.com
90
BY KAREN LA CORTE
B
usiness fashion consultants say that one good way to dress for success is to dress for
the “next” job. How we dress reflects our personality, defines our brand, and can be
something fun instead of a challenge. Our appearance reflects who we are. It can give
us confidence and self-respect. Learning what is appropriate and what is not, will set you apart
from others. Your grooming habits and your judgement in fashion determines your success in
today’s competitive world. Knowing when to wear jeans versus a suit is as important as know-
ing when to wear makeup or a lesser made up look that I call a “make down.”
Knowing what to wear for the office, an
event, or a family picnic is the visual side
of manners. How we dress can be a deal
breaker when interviewing for a new job,
can wow a room when attending a party,
or can simply let folks in on your signature
style. “Individuality and personal expres-
sion have their place, but the principles of
respect and consideration for others, plus
a healthy dose of common sense, should
underline all dressing and grooming deci-
sions,” advises Peggy Post, a descendent of
the famous etiquette guru, Emily Post.
Dressing with consideration is also
rooted in respect for cultural, religious, and
regional customs. A teenager who wears
well-pressed jeans to church may look pre-
sentable, but some worshippers might feel
that jeans are inappropriate in that setting.
This attitude may seem unfair to some, but
it’s reality. The message that clothes can
send often matters more than the clothes
themselves.
At work, your appearance reflects your
company. You are the company’s face to
the outside world. Success starts from the
top, beginning with your hair, to the bottom
with your shoes. Smart wardrobe planning
starts with seeing what you already have,
weeding out the unwearable, and making
a list of items you can add to extend the
wearable life of your present wardrobe.
Sometimes a new scarf or tie, a piece of
jewelry or new buttons will make an old,
but a good quality outfit look like new.
I did a presentation for a school office
in Morgan Hill. They wanted advice on a
basic wardrobe for all seasons. We talked
about budget and quality. I told them that
good taste has nothing to do with money.
I also told them that the office is not the
place to make a fashion statement.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MAY/JUNE 2017
So here is my quick look at a basic
wardrobe for both women and men.
Women’s Basic Wardrobe
• Dress
(black, navy, brown, beige or gray)
• Suit (solid color, conservative)
• Jacket/Blazer (color of choice)
• Skirt
• Two pairs of dress pants
(black, brown, navy or gray)
• Jeans (casual and dress jeans)
• Two Blouses
• Nice tee, shell and/or sweater
• Undergarments
• Shoes (black or brown)
• Purse
• Accessories and Jewelry
• Basic Coat
• Bathing suit and cover-up
A note on jewelry: silver, gold, or pearls
are appropriate for business as well as
going out to dinner.
Men’s Basic Wardrobe
• Suit (dark gray, navy or black)
• Jacket/Blazer (color of choice)
• Two pairs of dress pants
(black, brown, navy or gray)
• Jeans (casual and dress jeans)
• Two pairs of casual pants (khakis)
• Belts, ties, pocket squares
• Two Shirts (collared)
• Nice tee, polo, and/or button-down-
the-front shirt
• Undergarments and socks
• Shoes (black or brown)
• Basic Coat
• Bathing Suit
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