How to dress like an individual – when you are required to dress like everyone else.

You don’t have to wear a specific colour or pattern to show your individuality.

You don’t have to wear a specific colour or pattern to show your individuality. You can find other ways to express yourself. For example, you can accessorise with colours and designs meaningful to you; we call these conversation pieces in the fashion industry. As an alternative, you could adopt a signature hairstyle. Better still would be to incorporate elements of your personality into your wardrobe—do you love animals? Maybe you could update the look of a plain black suit with an animal-print bowtie or tie clip. Are you adventurous? What about some dress shoes in a bright colour like orange or blue? These methods will allow others to get a sense of whom you are without making things awkward.

Find ways to incorporate personal touches into your uniform.

Since you’re required to dress in a uniform for your job, it’s reasonable that you should dress in a uniform style. However, there will always be times when you want something different. For example, while every business may have a set of black slacks and a white button-down shirt, some may have little accessories—a pinstriped tie or bowtie, maybe even a nice watch—that can give off an individual feel.

These can work exceptionally well alongside black pants and white collared shirts – the classic and expected uniform outfit – adding personality to the overall look and creating an exciting contrast from other professionals nearby.

Take pride in wearing the uniform and embrace the part it can play in bonding you with your peers.

The uniform is more than just something you are required to wear. It symbolises the entire profession you are part of. Your peers will feel that attitude radiating from you if you view it with pride.

You may feel uneasy at first, but embracing this attitude can quickly become second nature. And, who knows? You’ll probably find that it helps everyone around you feel more confident and proud!

Seek opportunities to dress outside of your required uniform when you get the chance.

So now you have a handful of ideas for how to express yourself through your wardrobe, despite being restricted by the rules of a uniform. Though it’s not ideal to have to follow the dress code, you can still infuse your style into your outfits if you take advantage of any opportunities. However, keep in mind that this is just one tiny facet of our identity as individuals. It should not be given more attention than necessary.

Let’s all remember not to let life get too stressful over things as insignificant as what we wear every day. Following these tips will help you feel good about the way you look and give you some freedom to express yourself – but it’s essential to keep things in perspective and avoid letting stresses (uniform-related or otherwise) define who we are.

Individuality is about more than what you wear, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take pride in how you present yourself.

Whether you are a cheerleader, a doctor, or an airline pilot, your clothes often define you. Though there is much more to you than just what you wear, how you dress affects many things in your life. It can affect how people treat you when they see you; it can even affect how YOU see yourself and feel!

But even if your job requires you to dress in a certain way (and let’s face it: most of them do), that doesn’t mean that all choices are made for you. There are still ways in which YOU get to choose what and who YOU want to show the world.

It’s essential to take pride in presenting ourselves to the world each day. And remember: though this is only one piece of who we are, how we dress matters!

The secret dress code – what NOT to wear to a business meeting

People form an opinion about individual competencies from the first seconds they see a person. It is not the speech manner or the knowledge that first contributes to the forming of an image of a person, but the dress code.

Generally speaking, when we first meet someone, we have about 30 to 40 seconds to make an impression. This means that one should be very careful when choosing clothes to wear for a job interview, first day at work and a business meeting. To better understand the secrets of the dress code for a business meeting, imagine that you are having a meeting with a potential client or partner. Your competitor has also been invited. The project will either go to you or him after this meeting. You are wearing a short, flimsy dress and your competitor is wearing a black, business suit. Who do you think inspires more credibility?

While looking too sexy at a business meeting is never a good idea, the same stands true for wearing clothes that are too neutral or completely unappealing. Showing too much skin, wearing too much perfume or excessive jewelry are common mistakes women can make when it comes to what not to wear to a business meeting.

The secret dress code for women at business meetings is not about blending in the background; it is about looking feminine and empowered, all at the same time. You can wear feminine options such as dresses and skirts to business meetings, even paired with heels. However, it is crucial to choose wisely. Consider the image you want to present to your business partner and select the outfit accordingly.

What NOT to wear to a business meeting?

  • Anything sparkling, metallic colours, glitter. Even if your meeting is in the evening, all that shines is not appropriate.
  • Camisoles, cropped, printed, lacy tank tops and strapless tops and dresses are not a wise choice when it comes to business meetings. Even if you think you can elegantly wear them, the dress code is rigorous when it comes to this.
  • Sports shoes, flats, sneakers. It doesn’t matter if you meet in a coffee shop or a conference room, the recommendation is to wear heels or formal shoes to a business meeting.
  • Clothes with a certain degree of transparency. It doesn’t matter how good you think you look in that dress or shirt. If it is even remotely transparent, you shouldn’t wear it to the business meeting. You don’t want your partner to talk about the colour and cut of your bra…
  • Skirts and dresses that are too short. Under the knee length, as well as the midi length is the acceptable standard when it comes to business meetings.
  • Anything with a deep cleavage. People associate cleavage with sexy, not professional.
  • Clothes that are not ironed.
  • Unpolished or dusty shoes.

5 Things that happen when you start dressing well at work

If you want to live a better life, you can start by dressing better. This is just one of the sayings that connect dressing well with increased levels of success. Is it just a myth? Highly unlikely as multiple studies showed the changes that occur once you start dressing well at work.

People do judge you by the clothes you wear, and the first impression does make a difference. Your attire gives signals about your level of education, the mood, the level of self-confidence, and even your interest, maturity, authority, and life values. Many times, people around us “hear” more from the discourse of our clothing, then the things we say. The way we dress is a form of non-verbal communication if you think about it, so it is just as important as your actual words. Dressing well at work must take into consideration the culture, the age, and the event, among others.

Once you start dressing well for work, you’ll notice a few things happening, such as:

1. Increased self-confidence

Several studies performed over the years show that the way we look can change the way we feel. When you know you are dressed well, your confidence level is higher, and you feel better and prepared to tackle each and every challenge.

2. Willingness to embrace changes

Dressing differently is a significant change on its own. But it is also a change that will prove its benefits shortly along the way. This can lead to the willingness to embrace changes in other areas of the professional field too.

3. Dress smart, feel smarter

The way we dress influences our feelings about self. A recent study (Columbia University, 2015) showed that once dressed better, people felt more powerful and confident, and this, in turn, increased the chances to adopt a higher, more abstract thinking.

4. Visible personal style

A well defined personal style is proof of a strong personality. The clothes you wear represent you as a person. Choosing to wear neutral clothes that don’t say anything can make you look afraid to take risks or unwilling to draw attention to you. And this is not ideal for someone who wants to be successful at work.

5. You look more trustworthy and competent

Your work attire can be a sign of self-confidence and professionalism, or, just the opposite of slacking and lack of interest. Dressing well at work can make you look more trustworthy and competent in the eyes of your colleagues, clients, and business partners. To impress the audience, you should bet on a mix of competence and the message you send with your presence.

Packing for a conference

Packing for a business conference can be tricky for most of us. Often, there is a need to travel light, but at the same time, we need to stay on top of our game and have clothes and shoes for all potential events that can show up. The necessity to pack clothes that don’t wrinkle much can be in contradiction with the need of having feminine, chic, and professional-looking attire. Minimal planning of the outfits and creating a capsule collection wardrobe can be beneficial when it comes to packing for a conference. Simplify the chromatic palette and make sure all the clothes that you take with you to go together well with each other. The fewer colours you’ll have in your luggage, the more flexibility you’ll enjoy. This doesn’t mean you should only pack blacks and navy items. An ideal combination would be choosing a dark colour for the items that you will wear in more outfits (the skirt or pants) and adding two more colours for the tops (lighter colours). Make sure only to pack items that are representatives for business, business casual and smart casual styles and avoid sporty outfits or overly casual clothes. You can have one or two outfits for relaxing or going out when there is no work activity planned, but this shouldn’t take more than 25% of the space in your luggage. To make things even more straightforward when you are away, create and plan an outfit for each day and the activities scheduled. Always pack clothes that you have worn before, and you feel comfortable in them (the same goes for shoes).

After you are done choosing the clothes, complete the outfit with matching shoes and accessories, also lingerie. The shoes can take a lot of room in the luggage, so don’t pack more than two pairs. If you know you will be visiting the site, make sure to have suitable clothing and shoes with closed toes and no heels. Wear the most comfortable shoes while traveling; this should help you avoid getting swollen feet during the conference.

Another tip from frequent travellers is never to forget to pack some pills too to avoid attending the conference with a headache or a stomach ache.

Safety boots – which one is right for you

Several work environments require the use of safety equipment. This type of work equipment is necessary to avoid work accidents. The hard hat, high visibility clothing, safety gloves, and boots are just some of the accessories that can help us do a great job in safe conditions.

Safety boots are essential for working in certain conditions and choosing the right type of safety boot is dependent on the kind of work you do. Safety boots are the most efficient type of shoes. The level of safety is increased when wearing the boots while on the construction site and even for home renovations. To decide what type of safety boot is right for you, you need to consider where you will use it. Here are a few aspects to take into account when looking for the perfect safety boots:

1. Comfort

Just like it is the case with literally any type of shoes, comfort is an essential factor. The lack of comfort can make the work more difficult, not to mention that it could lead to injuries at the level of the feet. Make sure to try on several pairs until you find the most comfortable one for your feet.

2. Durability

When checking how resistant are the safety boots, it is worth to have a look at the warranty of the product. The boots should be more durable if the warranty is extended. Another aspect that is associated with durability is the material used for safety boots. Depending on the type of work environment, the safety boots will be subjected to a certain level of stress.

3. Steel cap

If you work in an environment where there is the risk of dropping objects, the steel cap is necessary to protect the feet. Safety boots with a steel cap can be the norm in specific work fields, so make sure to check this criterion too.

4. Steel midsoles

The safety boots with steel midsoles can be necessary on a construction site and also if your work environment can have sharp debris on the ground you walk on.

5. Waterproof

If you spend more time outside or if there is water in your work environment, the water-resistant safety boots are mandatory.

The safety boots are essential whatever the work environment might be. Either you need to protect your feet from falling objects, cuts or perforations, the safety boots can help you get the work done without incidents. At the same time, the safety boots also help protect against electric shocks and are great on slippery grounds.

The importance of dressing well

There is an art to dressing well to work or business meetings. Each person should have a personal style, even in the work field, as long as it is suitable for the line of work and job responsibilities. The way we dress sends clear signals to the other people regarding our competencies, rigorousness, and personal values. This is the reason why the image we have can play an essential role in getting a job, a new project, or more responsibilities at work.

The external image influences how others perceive a person. However, this image also speaks volumes about the organizational culture of the company where the person works. Some companies have strict dress codes when it comes to people in certain positions, and also for workers. When dressing for success is important to incorporate the company’s policies and reflect them.

Some people would argue the importance of dressing well by saying that their abilities and knowledge are their business card and the clothes they were are irrelevant. However, multiple studies beg to differ. The research shows that clothes do have the power to communicate. The studies performed by researchers so far show that women who dress well and have a more masculine attitude have higher chances of being selected for managerial positions. However, one of the studies indicates that there is an inflection point. A too masculine attire can damage the professional perspective of women. The feminine work attire represents an exciting field of study as there is no generally accepted consensus regarding what dressing well means for women in leading positions. The type of position and the field can make a big difference when it comes to dressing well. For example, for women in management positions in a financial field is more important to follow a strict dress code than for a director in an advertising agency.

In the past, most companies had strict dress codes that left little to the manifestation of the individuality of each person. Now, the rules are more democratic when it comes to work fashion. However, it is still important to dress well. Dressing well is not necessarily about the number of outfits and their price tags, but mostly about the quality, the cut, and the overall image the clothes and accessories create.

Dressing well can ensure your success in the work field. To dress with confidence, you should choose outfits that compliment your height, weight, and skin tone that are also comfortable to wear. Keep in mind that the level of comfort should be decided accordingly to the event that you have been invited too.

When did women start wearing pants?

Wearing pants is very common for women nowadays. A century ago to see a woman wearing pants was inconceivable. Until the beginning of the 20th century, pants were a symbol of masculinity in the Western world. The first women who showed up in public wearing trousers were accused of breaking the dress code. And this was a punishable offense by law. In Paris, in the 1800s, a decree was issued stating that women are not allowed to wear trousers without special authorization. The first to wear pants when they were illegal were the feminists such as the George Sand (writer) and Sarah Bernhardt (actress). They were committed to breaking the rules and defying prejudices. However, at this time, the trousers were still a symbol of male power and gender segregation. 

The social prejudices against women wearing trousers have diminished only after the First World War, due to practical reasons.

In 1920, it was Coco Chanel who started the wide leg pants trend for women. She was inspired by the outfit worn by the Venetian gondoliers in Italy. But it wasn’t until after the Second World War that the trousers were accepted as a reasonable dress code for women. During the war, the factories were lacking the workforce as the men left to fight. Hence women had to replace men, and they adopted the men’s work equipment (the work overalls).

Starting with the 1950s, the trousers designed for women take a more feminine outlook. Audrey Hepburn is the setting up the trend for cropped trousers. The next step in the evolution of pants for women was made when Yves Saint Laurent designed a formal suit for women, in 1966. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the society was genuinely prepared to allow women to dress as they please. This is the time of the hippie movement. The same style of pants is worn by both men and women, as a symbol of gender equity.

Wearing pants was, in the past, in turn, a symbol of defiance. Then a symbol for fighting a male-dominated system and a victory of ascending on the social scale. Nowadays, it is just standard attire, often chosen by women in the workplace.

Denim jeans and women’s fashion

Fashion trends can change from one day to the other, and each season always brings something new. This is fashion, and we all know the rules. But fashion would have been very different if for a few people who have entirely revolutionized the trends of their time. A few inventions such as the mini skirt or the little black dress are considered benchmarks. And there are denim jeans, and we can all agree that they have forever changed the world of women’s fashion and they are here to stay.

Nowadays, most women wear jeans, some even for work, others just for casual wear. But not all know the history of jeans. While the evidence shows that pants similar to jeans existed in Europe 500 years ago (in Genova, Italy), the Americans are the ones that made history as the inventors of the most popular trousers of all times.

Created from a thick and resistant fabric that made them a durable choice for workers, the first line of jeans dedicated exclusively to women was produced in 1935 by Levi’s. Women’s jeans had a particular cut, meant to emphasize their shape. Later on, around 1950, the jeans become a regular choice not only for workers but also for people opposing conformism and wanting to stand out from the crowds. The hippie movement turned the jeans into a versatile part of any outfit.  The jeans became the norm for the teenagers of the 60s. Celebrities such as Elvis Presley and James Dean were the initiators of the jeans trend on the big screen. The jeans became overly popular in America and then all over the world as a symbol of the protests of the pop culture.

When it comes to denim jeans and women’s fashion, an iconic image is one of Marilyn Monroe in the movie “The Misfits” (1961). The famous actress was probably the first to reveal the spectacular appeal of jeans on women. The tomboyish look she exhibited in the movie is different from the sequins and glitter of her usual appearance and a statement that women can do both casual and classy, in a heartbeat.

The 1980s brought us designer jeans, and since then the denim started to be a regular presence on the catwalks from all over the world, year after year. Nowadays, jeans are a part of our wardrobe and speak volumes about our personal style and the choices we make.

High visibility clothing

High visibility clothing is necessary when operating heavy machinery. It is also mandatory when working at night time or in exceptional weather conditions. Groundwork in airports and working in traffic zones also need high visibility clothing. And this is to name just a few work conditions that require wearing this type of clothing. High visibility clothing is mandatory for the safety of the person wearing it, and it has the role of signalling the worker’s presence in the area. While wearing high visibility clothing, workers can be more easily noticed, and accidents can be avoided.

For the human eye, it is the moving forms that are in contrast with the surrounding environment that are easy to see. This is the reason why strong, contrasting colours such as neon yellow, orange, or red are more popular and used for the design and creation of high visibility clothing. Reflective tapes that can be positioned strategically on the body and around the extremities can signal even better the position and the movement of the worker. These tapes have the role of reflecting the light to the source of light, and the contrast with the background fabric can significantly increase visibility. The background material is often fluorescent and a type of pf polyester. In other words, the fabric is meant to absorb ultraviolet light and reflect it in a spectrum visible to the human eye. This is the reason why the fluorescent material gets increased visibility in the presence of natural light. The fluorescent fabric combined with reflective tapes can ensure increased efficiency of the high visibility clothing.

 There are several safety levels of the high visibility clothing, depending on the quantity of reflective and fluorescent material used. The lowest level of visibility (pants with reflective tapes on them, for example) can be used when the risks of injury are minimal or in combination with other reflective safety equipment. A medium level of safety for high visibility clothing is associated with reflective vests. These vests need to have two reflective tapes of 50 mm around the waist or one horizontal tape and two vertical tapes at the level of the shoulders. The highest level of safety for the high visibility clothing is represented by clothes that have reflective tapes on the arms, sleeves, but also at the level of the shoulders.

History of the hard hat

In 2019 we have celebrated a century of using the hard hats for workers in different fields. From working in mines to working at wuthering heights, head protection has become over the years a mandatory accessory for sustaining the safety standards in the workplace. Together with the safety boots, the hard hat has completely changed the way we do industrial work. The hard hat is also the safety equipment that is the most straight forward to recognize. You’ll find the hard hat in all environments that come with the risk of head injury nowadays.

Since their early days and until the modern time, the hard hat has evolved significantly. The materials used for them, the design, and also their versatility has been considerably improved. The safety in the workplace has started to become a priority only around the first decades of the 20th century. In those times, the workers would wear hats that were dipped in tar and left in the sun to dry and harden. A legend says that it all started from the workers in the harbours. They came up with these hard hats to protect from the things the seagulls throw down.

The first hard hats for the mining industry were produced in 1898 by Edward Dickinson Bullard, and they were made out of leather. His son came with the idea was to revolutionize safety equipment by following the model of the military hat used in the First World War. As the metal was too heavy to wear, in 1919, Bullard invented the hard hat made out of a fabric formed in the press with steam and glue. The initial hard hat was easy to produce, resistant, and relatively comfortable to wear. Ten years after they have been introduced to the market, the Bullard hard hats have become mandatory for construction workers.

In the 30s, the hard hats were made out of aluminium, and then in the 40s, the material used was fibreglass. It was only later on that producers started to use resistant plastic materials for the hard hat design.

Nowadays, the hard had is a mandatory part of the safety equipment, and the number of work accidents is continually decreasing. The hard hat has saved many lives in its hundred years history. Its versatility and easy use have guaranteed an irreplaceable status for safety in the workplace for numerous industries.