At the end of the summer, I had an interview at ELLE Canada. In fashion magazine land, you’re expected to know A from Z (that’s Arthur Mendonça from Zac Posen). We all cringed through Anne Hathaway’s chilly Meryl moment in The Devil Wears Prada. Would I too fall victim to passé cerulean blue? I needed an outfit that was fashion forward yet uptown appropriate, luxurious but not showy, sharp not sterile. I’d like to thank Coco Chanel, the inventor of black. I also thank my mom for designing the perfect silk shirtdress.
I got the internship, and a compliment from the editor as she bid adieu. My look belied that I was clueless when it came to how to fact check, order review copies of tomes, or track down a pair of Hermès bangles lickity split. Despite the statuesque learning curve, at least it looked like I knew my layouts from my paginations. Never undervalue smart style, dear readers. It assures employers of your capabilities. While skills can be acquired, style must always appear innate.
Regardless of your chosen vocation, the value of a first impression is crucial. But once you’ve secured the job, don’t let style slack. As youngsters, finding the balance between age and office appropriate can lead to dizziness, nausea, and closet disarray. However, a well-edited wardrobe is easy to achieve. I recommend the Beg, Borrow, and Steal method. Beg your parents to buy you the best bag, belt, and shoes. (See The Art of Persuasion: How to Influence People and Get What You Want by Juliet Erickson.) Borrow their treasures (mom’s for belts and shoes, dad’s for jackets and ties.). Steal once you have acquired said items. If your parents are style illiterate, dash to a consignment shop. Trade your closet castoffs for office appropriates, be it Bay Street or Brampton.
Try to look unique, yet reliable. A consistent personal uniform will speed the morning ritual and instill confidence. Your individual silhouette should feel immediate as soon as you slip, zip, or wiggle it on. I personally adore precise fits that emphasize my waistline, as belted shift dresses, little boy blazers, simple tanks, and snug skirts always make me feel chicly pulled together. I abhor pants, and must be coaxed into jeans. On the contrary, I have a girlfriend who wears them everyday. It is totally her look, but seems as silly to me as a guy who only sports kilts. Girls were given gams for a reason.
Speaking of pants, they are a particular point of contention. Few guys get it right. While fuller pants are reminiscent of Michael Jordan, anything that grips the thigh is just gross. Pants look best when they are trim, not tight. Make sure your jackets, shirts and trousers look like they came from the same family, in ascending tones and fabrics. “At the office, style is the name of the game. That means well fitted, well made, traditional pieces that get noticed without being noticeable,” contends *Randy Beltran, a fashion-loving U of T B.A., now pursuing medicine at Saint George’s University in Grenada.
Reliable basics never seem dated. For females, refresh a roster of simple dresses with dynamic accessories. Resist all potato sacks, regardless of comfort, but also make sure hemlines safely hover below nether regions. “Nothing too short. I want to look professional and mature, but I don’t want to loose my personal style,” says Carly Swartz, marketing coordinator for women’s wear brand Linda Lundström. As a retro style maven, her look harkens to the 1950s, with a love of distinctive skirts. “High waists always look professional,” she adds. Add a singular bold accessory, instead of loads of jingle jangle. Accessories are meant to punctuate, not overstate. “I like to wear something that is a conversation piece,” says Swartz. Try the pizzazz of a cuff bracelet, or a buckled belt. It’s a brilliant way to be a memorable candidate for that dream job. “Wearing something striking can be an icebreaker. It’s something to ask about, and gives insight into your personality,” Swartz elaborates. People like pretty things. Grandma’s brooch and earrings can be repurposed into a sweet hair barrette, while vintage silk scarves add ladylike charm. “I rely on them to be of the moment and stylish,” says the seasonless-scarf obsessed Catharine Pilon, Assistant Contestant Coordinator for CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Whether attached to a handbag, a headband, or a waist cincher, scarves always add élan.
Guys too shouldn’t be wary of a little fl air. All men look deliciously dandified in button up vests. Bow ties may be bold, but boy (or girl!), do they dapper any look. Beltran in particular
loves to tie one on. “They’re classy and sophisticated, reminding me of mid 20th-century socialites— just the right amount of quirky.” Want another thoughtful tip from a garçon with great style? “Wear brown shoes and a brown belt. Sounds simple but it’s surprising how few businessmen do it,” recommends the jet-set Cameron Tudhope direct from Paris for the semester. A native Torontonian, Tudhope is currently an undergrad at Hamilton College in New York. He interned in Monaco last summer at the Kredietbank Luxembourg. Despite his posh corporate experience, he remains a staunch believer in separates. “Stay out of suits as long as possible. An advantage of youth is that you can get away with wearing a blue blazer and grey flannels.” But just because you don’t suit up, doesn’t mean you need to slouch. “It’s cheaper too, as you can mix and match different blazers and pants easily,” Tudhope advises.
In my opinion, the most important element of snappy office style is the shoes. I take footwear seriously, as do my fellow style advisers. I may not remember your name but I won’t forget your shoes. Furthermore, I double dare you to spend the most on footwear. A timeless carryall is another worthy investment, as fleeting It Bags are only for opportunists. Regardless of the brand, wonderful footwear will keep your style en pointe and last much longer than any office romance. Tudhope cunningly sums up the desired effect. “Throw looks together with your new brown Rosetti loafers to make execs jealous, and their secretaries melt.” Now get to work, boys and girls.
*Name changed at student’s request.
