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San Diego Business Fashion posted on Monday, 18 August 2008

You have the new job lined up or you have been working somewhere for a while. Have you stopped and thought about your business attire?

By Dave Thomas

You have the new job lined up or you have been working somewhere for a while. Have you stopped and thought about your business attire?

bizSanDiego.com recently spoke with two local fashion experts about what is in and what is out on the business fashion runway.

Rhondda Begley, owner of Mimi and Red in North Park, says for the women working in a creative, orientated field, you can carry off a more fashionable wardrobe.

"Here in San Diego we are very relaxed and casual; it’s unusual to be required to wear a suit unless you’re an accountant or lawyer," Begley said. "I would say most San Diegans go for comfort over style. As for the international fall runways, some trends include tailored curves. Soft accents of bell shapes in jackets and skirts are making a huge impact on business attire. Fabrics such as tweed and plaids are emerging as fall favorites. These fabrics most often found in your dad’s closest are now adding surprising elements of sophistication to a woman’s wardrobe. Another trend for fall is long layers. It’s ok to be a bit bashful this winter and cover up in floor length skirts with oversized sweaters and three-quarter length trenches. And try not to forget, that sometimes less is really more. Make a bold statement in simple, pared-down outfits."

With the economy being tight, Begley noted the sales of her higher-end lines have dramatically cut back. "Lines like Rebecca Beeson and Nu Collective are moving very slowly for us, while our lower-end lines like Element and BB Dakota have been doing very well. We are adapting to these changes by altering our orders appropriately," Begley said.

If you are new to an employer, Begley says to remember that bosses monitor what their employees wear.

"As an employee, it is important to know what your workplace standards are," Begley said. "Some good guidelines to ensure you are office appropriate are: no mini-skirts should cut right above knee at the most; camisoles under blouses and no sheer or low-cut tops. Invest in a great fitted jacket to wear over pretty blouses, that way you can take it off later for after work fun," Begley remarked.

Begley added that even though you are in a work environment, it is still important not to lose your own personal style. "Accessories are a great way to add some flare and still be professional. With the revitalization of tights as an essential assemble piece, choose a fun color or an intricate pattern," Begley said.

As for those accessories, Begley said they are super hot here in San Diego.

Scarves, clutches and lots of jewelry, especially dangling earrings, and bold charm necklaces are popular, according to Begley. "While accessories are a great way to spice things up, really try to make it your own piece," Begley said. "Go to vintage stores and find yourself a one-of-a-kind piece that all the office girls will be jealous of. Or make a quick stop at your local Michael’s and pick up a few rosebuds and bows to brighten up those dowdy old ballet slippers."

Tyrone Spencer, Area Manager, American Apparel

On the men's side, Tyrone Spencer, area manager for American Apparel's Pacific Beach and Hillcrest stores, says there is a time and place for everything, but business attire definitely depends on where you are working.

"What I love about men's fashion now, is that men are really taking pride in how they dress," Spencer said. "You see a lot more men dressing up and wanting to look good. You see a trend moving away from the just jeans and t-shirt look. Even though southern California is very laid back, there is something more than just the casual Friday. Men are more willing to step into the spotlight. They want to roll to Vegas, roll to L.A. As far as the silhouette goes, it is very long and lean. Not modish though - but men's clothes are tailored and slim."

With the economy tight, Spencer says guys are shopping smarter these days.

"They have their eye on what they want to spend their money on," Spencer remarked. "Men are purchasing more classic items, pieces they can get some mileage out of. They are spending their money on clothes with longevity, like a great pair of trousers or v-neck. These items are great because they can match and layer. It is all about going through the closest and dusting off an older classic suit and hipping it up with a great tie and shirt or stylish v-neck."

For that new male employee just going out into the workplace, Spencer said basic black is good. "I would start with three suits," Spencer said. "Then buy essential pieces you can inter-mingle among them, like a great button-up, t-shirt and v-neck. I would then buy some separates you could mix and match with the suit. This way you get the most for what you bought. The best thing anyone can do to look great is get a current up-to-date haircut; something shorter and on the conservative side. While it may not seem like a lot, it really helps you stand out in a crowd and look great."

And those new styles that are catching on locally?

Spencer said a trend he has really been noticing a lot of, and he has no idea where it came from is the ethnic print. "You're seeing it everywhere," Spencer said. "Embroidered, screen printed or whatever, you can't get away from the ethnic prints. Another trend is that Venice Beach look where the tops are loose fitting and then begin to narrow right at the hem. The neck is loose and the shoulders are relaxed. It's the anti-fit."

Whatever your fit is for work, make sure you put some time into it. It isn't just your performance on the job that people are taking notice of.

Along with making the latest fashion styles available, both Rhondda Begley and Tyrone Spencer are involved with The Style Awards, a scholarship program through Fashion Group International, San Diego that has been re-invented to create "Passport to Style."

The program gives emerging fashion designers an opportunity to showcase their work in local boutiques throughout central San Diego on Sept. 5-13.

The project connects local consumers by inviting them to pick up a passport, for a $5 donation, at any of the participating boutiques in three central locations: Downtown San Diego/Little Italy, North Park/Uptown, and La Jolla/Pacific Beach. Passport holders will not only be allowed to vote on each of the independent designers but will also receive incentives and shopping discounts throughout the week.

Passport to Style Boutiques:
Downtown/Little Italy: Station, Unsteady, Blends, 5 & A Dime, Diane O.
North Park/Uptown: Kate Ross, Mimi & Red, Maeve Riley, Junc Boutique, Neighborhood
Pacific Beach/La Jolla: The River, Lily Grace, Stephanie’s Shoes, Capricorn, Donna Marsh.

The Passport to Style finale event will take place at the NTC Promenade at the new Liberty Station on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. The Passport to Style event will draw close to 5,000 consumers throughout the week, making it one of the biggest fashion events in San Diego.

Consumers can go to www.StyleXplorers.com and get a sneak peak of the Passport to Style finalists, as well as learn more about participating boutiques.

Posted by bizSanDiego: San Diego Business News