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What Your Business Accessories Say About You
Diana Pemberton-Sikes | FashionForRealWomen.com
June 29, 2009
Originally published on FashionForRealWomen.com
What do your business accessories say about you?
For most women (or men), they don’t say much. Accessories are often an afterthought, thrown together without a plan. So when you do meet someone who’s got her act together, it often leaves an impression … a very favorable one at that.
Most image experts agree that you should allocate 40% of your clothing budget to accessories. If that seems high, remember that these well-chosen appointments can last for years with routine care. You’ll also probably be wearing them more often than your wardrobe items, and some — like handbags and shoes — may see use everyday. If you choose wisely and use clothing capsules, you’ll only need a few pieces to coordinate with your entire wardrobe.
One of the most telling descriptions I’ve read about accessories comes from John T. Molloy’s New Dress For Success. Here’s what he wrote in his observations about accessories for men:
“There are very successful men in this country who wear expensive suits, expensive shirts, expensive ties, and who drive expensive cars. Some of these men are $200,000-a-year pimps, some are $200,000-a-year executives. Without seeing them, but merely having their major articles of clothing described as expensive, we would find it difficult to distinguish between these two groups. By describing their accessories, we would know the difference immediately.”
So what’s my point? That the business accessories you choose are very revealing — whether you realize it or not. Depending on where you work and the impression you want to make, “appropriate accessories” can mean different things.
Read on for some guidelines.
bethanierose
4 months ago
680 comments
Accessories are definitely the finishing touch to an outfit. It says alot when you arrive. It shows that you have taken care with your appearance and didn't just throw some clothes on and run out the door. Even if you can't afford lots of accessories, the right shoes and purse are a must. They don't have to be expensive, but they shouldn't appear shoddy. Nothing ruins your appearance statement faster than beat up shoes and the wrong purse!
EbonyRose
4 months ago
22 comments
Like this advice...good points made regarding the worth of accessories. I would encourage looking at ways to make your accessories stand out if you dress conservatively for your industry. An interesting or slightly oversized watch, for instance, can make you memorable and more human; a brighter colored briefcase or business tote will do the same, but not cause your credibility to be questioned the way borderline clothing might.
ApresSki
4 months ago
16 comments
Clothing goes in and out of fashion at the drop of a hat. Stick to the classics and you'll never have to worry about wardrobe. However, with accessories, they're more expen$$$$$ive than the wardrobe but they never go out of style. They get to be put in serious rotation for years and years and years.
So I suggest spending that extra grocery money on the 14K bracelet, ring, watch or whatever the item is because that's usually the one everyone will remember you for!!!