Tag Archives: clothes

Clean Up Your Fall Wardrobe

stk325045rknAs the summer heat fades away and the chill of fall fills the air, you’ve likely already started adjusting your wardrobe to match the weather. While it’s necessary to change up your clothing choices for different seasons, it’s important to first take stock of what you have, reorganize, and have a plan for cooler days.

If you’re a college student in your final year of school, fall is also a great time to start building a professional wardrobe before entering the professional job search.

Regardless of whether you’re just starting out or well into your working years, here are a few tips to help you clean up your fall wardrobe and make a strong impression in the workplace.

Store, donate, or toss.
With summer in the rear view mirror, it’s time to take stock of which warm-weather pieces can transition appropriately into fall. Store things like short-sleeved items and lighter jackets, and bring out heavier jackets, long-sleeved blouses or shirts, scarves, etc. For those still in school, this is a great time to shop after-season sales. Look for work-appropriate summer attire at discounted rates. Shopping a season “behind” can help you build your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Assess options.
Think about where you were last year during this season. Are your wardrobe staples still appropriate in your current position? Over the course of changing seasons, perhaps you, too, have transformed professionally. Fall is a great time to re-evaluate your wardrobe and make appropriate changes to better fit your current role or company culture.

Make a shopping list and budget.
Which pieces do you need for this new season? How much are you willing to spend? One of the best ways to build a solid collection of work clothes—regardless of season—is to save a set amount of money each month solely for wardrobe purchases. On your shopping list, make sure you include versatile basics that can go with multiple other pieces.

If you’re a college student, think strategically about what you want to buy. If you can only afford one or two items, start with key items like dress pants, pencil skirts, practical shoes, etc. Again, versatile pieces that can be paired with various other items can allow you to build a great foundation for your fall wardrobe.

What other tips do you have for cleaning up your fall wardrobe? Let us know in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Tidy Up Your Work Wardrobe

Pile of clothes_blog1When spring arrives, the urge to purge unwanted clutter hits, and homes everywhere get a thorough dose of spring cleaning. Though we may organize and clean out our closets, tossing a few pieces of clothing out along the way, we sometimes keep outdated, ill-fitting work clothes, or just add more to our wardrobes without assessing what looks sharp and professional.

Before purchasing new clothes or wearing outdated looks, try these simple tips to tidy up your work wardrobe without spending much money.

Minimize What You Have
Most people have too many items in their closets that they don’t wear, don’t feel comfortable in, or don’t even remember having.

Take an afternoon to go through every piece of clothing and purge what you haven’t worn in a year. Consider donating those pieces to charity, especially charities that help individuals who may need a little extra help when searching for jobs.

Keep only those pieces you feel good wearing and identify which cuts and colors of clothes compliment your skin tone and body type.

When you’re finished tidying up your work wardrobe, clean the clothes you have left, and iron them so they are sharp and ready to impress.

Add Color
Adding color to business suits and dresses can make old outfits seem brand new, and help you avoid wardrobe monotony.

Identify which colors work for you, and choose simple pieces like a nice button-down shirt, a tie, or an undershirt to pop with color. Women can use accessories like purses, shoes, and jewelry to brighten up the classic black suit or dress.

Hot colors for men and women in 2016, according to InStyle.com, are rose, buttercup, fiesta red, and blue.

Don’t Do Trendy
Trends in work fashion may be cute and exciting, but they do not last and you could end up spending too much money on clothing that will be out of style before the end of the year. Stick with classic cuts, traditional suits, and basic skirts for your wardrobe foundation.

Invest in Quality Pieces
Quality over quantity is the name of the game for a sharp work wardrobe. You can make your clothing budget go further by investing in quality clothing, especially staple pieces like dress pants, blazers, suits, or black skirts.

Invest in a pair of shoes that can last for years. Find a suit that goes with most things in your closet. Buy quality clothes that promise not only fashion, but long-term comfort as well.

By investing in a few key pieces, you’ll avoid having to replace them yearly and will not have to worry about the look going out of style.

When in Doubt, Accessorize
Don’t underestimate the power of a colorful scarf, statement jewelry, or different handbag to transform an ensemble with the smallest of effort. Oversized necklaces and bracelets add a pop of style to a work outfit, and most of these accessories can be found on sales racks or in clearance bins.

For guys looking to accessorize, try experimenting with colorful ties, fun socks, or a bright-colored shirt. Adding these little touches freshens up stale fashions by transforming an old look into a new one.

How do you tidy up your work wardrobe? Share your best tips with us in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

How to Say Yes to a Summer Work Wardrobe

summerwardrobe_webBuilding your work wardrobe is never easy. Between the hassles of finding reasonable prices and making sure your new clothes fit the dress code policies of your office, sometimes staying up-to-date with the current season and fashion trends can fall by the wayside. However, looking your best is something we sometimes take for granted. As it’s frequently said, first impressions mean the most, and what you are wearing is commonly the initial thing that others notice about you. That’s why Movin’ On Up has compiled a list of ways to say yes to a summer work wardrobe; to help you stay fashionable while keeping your professional appearance intact.

Say Yes to Modesty

Summer is hot. We all dream of lounging at the pool in our bathing suits or taking a stroll in shorts and flip flops. However, when you’re at the office, it’s crucial to keep covered. A great way to accomplish this while still staying cool is to add some lighter materials to your ensemble. Pack up the heavy, thick pieces you used to keep warm in the winter and bring in some breathable clothes, like cotton dresses and dressy tank tops for women (as long as your dress policy allows for them) and cotton button-down shirts for men.

Say Yes to Color

Summer is fun! There’s no need to keep all your colors neutral and boring. Take advantage of the fact that it’s bright outside and bring some of that into the office. For women, simple colored blouses or fun patterns can add a little cheer to your workday, along with white trousers and jackets, and neutral nails. On the men’s side, staying classic is best, and adding small pops of color is encouraged.

Say Yes to Accessories

Summer is exciting. That’s why you shouldn’t leave your wardrobe looking dull and lifeless. Make sure to jazz it up with some simple finishing touches that really bring everything together. The skinny gold bangle is a surefire win for women this summer, as are perforated leather totes and statement necklaces. Men don’t have as many accessory options as women, but a nice summer watch can do wonders for adding some charm to your outfit.

Say Yes to Professionalism

Summer is still a time to work. As with everything, the set guidelines for dress in your office are the ultimate say-so. Even if you find the perfect sandal wedges or dangly earrings for the season, if your clothing policy says no, don’t break or even bend the rules. Save the shorts, capris, and sheer tanks for the weekend. Even if it’s listed in this article, it doesn’t necessarily mean your boss will agree. Always strive to look your best and represent your workplace the way it intends to be represented. There are always ways to look good, no matter what the policies dictate!

Choosing your wardrobe for the summer is a time to express yourself and look your best. Since trends tend to change year-by-year, the more timeless you can keep your outfit, the more money it will save you in the long run. Stay modest, stay colorful, stay accessorized, and stay professional.

Do you have any tips for a summer work wardrobe? Are there more summer trends that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Best Colors to Wear for an Interview

Best_Colors_Interview_Jan2014_webWhen it comes to dressing for an interview, conservative is always the best way to go. With today’s ever-changing trends, it’s important to wear proper attire and appropriate colors to allow your interviewer to see you in a good light. Making a positive first impression is vital to getting the job you’ve been waiting for, so keep your attire simple.

What do the colors you wear say about you? Harris Interactive, one of the world’s leading market research firms, recently performed a national study with 2,099 hiring managers and human resource professionals from various industries and company sizes. These professionals were asked to advise job seekers on the best colors to wear to an interview and here are their recommendations provide valuable insight for job seekers.

Dress for Interview Success
Responses show the most recommended colors to wear to an interview are black or blue because these colors show leadership and professionalism. You don’t have to stick to a plain color of blouse and it’s okay to wear small prints, but keep in mind you don’t want the interviewer to be distracted by your wardrobe.

What Not to Wear
Bright orange topped the charts for being the worst color to wear to an interview, because it is the color that is mostly associated with unprofessionalism.

On the other hand, gray portrays a logical and analytical attitude. White shows organization, brown shows dependability, red shows power, and green, yellow, and purple show a creative side.

CareerBuilder offers these tips on dressing for success when preparing your interview wardrobe:

Don’t ever go to an interview too casual, be sure to dress for the environment, and always look polished. Before your interview, do your research on businesses that are interviewing you so you’ll know what their environments are like. For instance, you wouldn’t want to wear shorts and flip flops to a strictly professional business and you wouldn’t want to interview in slacks and a dress coat at a business that is laid back and less professional or you may not come across as the right fit for the job.

Have you been job searching and recently been asked to come in for an interview? Keep these interview wardrobe tips in mind as you’re preparing for your next job interview.

For more advice on interview wardrobes check out these blogs:

Men’s Work Attire That Never Goes Out of Style
Women’s Work Attire That Never Goes Out of Style
Dress For Success: What to Wear for an Interview
Putting Together a Work Wardrobe

Don’t Get Carried Away Working on Conveyor Belts

belts and loose clothingConveyor belts don’t seem like much. Compared to crushers and screening machines, belts seem rather harmless and easy. But in some industries, belt speeds range from 200 to 500 feet per minute, which can go more than eight feet per second. For the average person, the time needed to react is about one second.

Getting pulled up to eight feet is enough time to draw your hand, arm, or loose clothing into a pinch point before you can react. To avoid serious injury, here are some ways you can work safely on a conveyor belt.

Know the Rules
Before you touch heavy equipment like conveyor belts, make sure you are fully trained and educated on the proper safety procedures. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with deadlines and stressful work environments, which can lead to cutting corners on safety policies and processes. Also, before using a conveyor belt, be sure to know where the emergency shut-off is.

If you feel undertrained or unqualified to work near certain types of conveyor belts, notify your manager and request proper training. If you’re concerned with retaliation, consider weighing the importance of your health and safety with your job.

If the belt breaks down and you need to make a repair, be sure the belt is locked out. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the belt should also have a sign reading “Do Not Operate” while the belt is under repair.

Protection is Pivotal
When operating or repairing a conveyor belt, loose clothing shouldn’t be worn. And remember never to lean over or across a conveyor to retrieve an item, because it increases the chance to be injured. Be sure to know your employer’s requirements for safety clothing before operating the conveyor belt.

Also, especially when repairing a conveyor belt, OSHA recommends that you should consider wearing safety equipment like hard hats and closed-toed shoes. Hard hats can protect a blow to the head when working below a conveyor belt. Safety glasses should also be worn to prevent pieces of debris from hitting your eyes.

Your employer is responsible for having all conveyor equipment carefully checked to ensure that guarding is provided for all exposed power transmission equipment and that guarding is maintained.

Don’t Make it a Hairy Situation
Loose clothing shouldn’t be the only thing kept away when working on conveyor belts. If you have long hair, make sure to keep it tied up and securely tightened on your head or in a safety hat. It’s best to keep it from hanging because it’s possible for hair to get caught in the belt, which can lead to head injuries. Accessories like jewelry or any item of clothing that could potentially be caught in the machinery shouldn’t be worn while working.

Being safe doesn’t have to interfere with your productivity and can actually improve it in the long run. Conveyor belts don’t have to be dangerous situations if you’re smart, follow safety procedures, and avoid wearing lose clothing and accessories.

Free Time? Propel Your Career Forward Today

Clock Whether you’re looking for a new job or planning to move up in your current position, now is the perfect time to focus on your career. Between use-it-or-lose-it vacation policies, inclement weather, and time off during the holidays, many people find themselves with additional free time during the winter.

Here are five ways to make the most of your time off and keep your professional life going forward.

Take a break: It may seem counterproductive, but give yourself permission to relax. A few days off can change your perspective, especially if you spend the time doing something you enjoy. You’ll come back to work or the job hunt with a refreshed viewpoint.

Update your résumé: Make changes to your résumé that reflect expanded job duties, additional volunteer work, or continued education. Double check that everything is current and take extra time to check for typos. Check out these tips to get your résumé into shape.

Write a new cover letter: Cover letters are a way to summarize your goals and strengths. Writing one can be a succinct way to prioritize your goals, even if you’re not planning to make a career move soon. Having a polished cover letter available also comes in handy if a dream position or promotion should become available. Not sure where to start? Check out these 30 power words that can help your letter get noticed.

Check out social media: If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, create one to connect with other professionals in your industry or the industry you’d like to work in. LinkedIn is a great place to find out about local networking events, and showcase your job skills. Also use this time to check your Facebook privacy settings and remove  any questionable content a potential employer might see on your profile.

Sort through your wardrobe: Clean your closet and give those items that no longer fit your professional goals to charity. Dress for Success and Career Gear, national organizations that help disadvantaged women and men reach their goals of self-sufficiency by providing them interview clothes, provides receipts for tax-deductible donations. Take the time to try on your clothes to determine what you like, don’t like, need to have tailored, or sent to the dry cleaner. Replace essential items and organize your closet or dresser for speedier prep time on busy mornings.

These are just a few examples of how you can still be productive, but relaxed, during free time. A few minutes spent on tasks like these can reduce anxiety when you’re faced with a job interview or pivotal moment in your career. You’ll feel more confident and prepared, a terrific start to propelling your career.