I'm a big fan of a jacket for women - and not just as part of a suit. Let's face it - few of us wear suits these days. Most workplaces are business casual. That's ok. The problem is when business casual turns into "a-day-at-the-beach" casual or "I-am-so-hot-that-I-have-to-wear-this-really-low-cut-top" casual or "I-only-fit-into-these-cropped-elastic-waist-tan-pants" casual. Look, I'm sympathetic but if you want people to know you've got it goin' on, please consider this: the salvation of business casual is the jacket or blazer.
Check out this cute short-sleeved-cropped jacket that I found at Bluefly.com. A pair of black pants with peep-toe heels or cute flats; a short-sleeved T or tank top; and the jacket. Voila! You look put together. A jacket with a detailed collar; or a nipped in waist; or 3/4 sleeves: these details add interest and either camouflage or enhance parts. Also, wearing a jacket always conveys more authority than just a t-shirt or blouse. And I'm a big one for women conveying authority. Fear not the power!
Jackets don't have to be boring; jackets don't make you look heavier; jackets don't have to be expensive. But keep this in mind: one really good jacket can be worn over and over again with different combinations. I have a jacket that at different times of the year, I wear twice/week. Maybe one day with a dress and one day with a skirt or pants. Smarty pants image consultants call building several outfits around one jacket a "module." Now you know the lingo.
So, look your wardrobe over - what if you bought a really sharp jacket - maybe even invested some moola - that would work with multiple outfits (outfit - such a chick word, yes?). Let's say the jacket cost $200. You wore it just once/week for 1 year. Because I was an English major (and I had my son go get me a calculator), I can tell you that that breaks down to $3.84 per wear. If you wear it once/week for 2 years, $1.92 per wear. Many of us spend four bucks on coffee EACH DAY.
Food for thought.
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