Page 51 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2015

for women being accepted in the workplace. “You can
wear a professional sleeveless dress and in the heat of the Mississippi Gulf Coast it makes for a much cooler day,” she added. “Keep a jacket close by if meeting with clients.”
However, she says the casual dress policy has to be closely monitored. “What some may deem
appropriate might not be suitable
for the workplace. Keep nightlife
case in workplaces such as banking or financial climates,” Meinzinger said. “It’s easily addressed by asking employees to cover tattoos, not to wear piercings or extreme hair color at work. It’s not about trying to change the employee’s personal style; it’s about the customer’s
clothes for the weekend. Flip flops, torn jeans and low cut blouses are not acceptable in a professional work environment,” she said. “I believe each company, no matter how small, should let employees know what is expected of them when it comes to desired work attire.”
Wilson notes that some companies encourage out-of-the-box thinking and allow a casual dress code. “However, if you’re in a position
in which you meet the public,
attend business meetings, make presentations, and call on clients, you owe it to yourself and your company to look your best every day,” she said. “Appropriate dress for those days should be clearly spelled out so that no employee nor the business is embarrassed.”
The workplace is evolving and such things as tattoos, piercings and odd hair colors depend on the product
or service and clients a business is seeking. “Changes in the overall workplace as well as the increasing “Google style” work environments can make these attributes perfectly acceptable. This may not be the
A person should always dress for where they want to
be in their career, not their current step on the ladder of success.
Pam Meinzinger, Premium Outlets General Manager
perception. The customer is the component that keeps you in business so their perception of your employees is an important factor.”
According to John Molloy, author of New Women’s Dress for Success, many women unfortunately dress for failure and no one will step up and tell them, Wilson points out. She suggests some basic statements that can be helpful.
1. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable
about any aspect of your grooming, seek a professional who will work with you to achieve the image that will complement you.
2. Build a classic wardrobe that allows mixing and matching for a variety of looks.
3. Jackets have proven to be the hallmark of the professional woman’s wardrobe. In addition to regular two-piece suits, have several jackets that will add class to dresses, skirts or pants.
4. Wear colors near your face that complement your skin tones and enhance your natural beauty.
5. Wear styles that flatter your figure. In other words, accentuate the positive.
6. Use accessories and jewelry to give basic wardrobe pieces a new and interesting look.
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September 2015 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 51