Keeping fashion office appropriate

Samantha Shorey / The USD Vista

Whether you’re a slave to fashion or just a slave to your boss, here is a head to heels guide on how to dress for success in the workplace.

What does an affair with your secretary and your shoulders have in common? They are two things best left hidden! Forget spaghetti straps and tube tops, seriously. In the scorching California fall heat, there are plenty of other options.

A wide strapped tank top can be paired with a lightweight shrug or cardigan. Wear it in contrasting color to avoid looking like a twin set, circa 1999, or you could try a plain fitted t-shirt tucked into tailored pants. Sharon Stone wore a Gap t-shirt to the Academy Awards, so there is no reason you can’t wear it to the work place. Yet, your co-workers don’t want to see a t-shirt advertising your trip to Cancun anymore than they want to see your vacation photos, so leave printed t-shirts at home.

The key to looking pretty as a picture, even when pushing papers, is the perfect pair of pants. But you don’t have to break the bank in order to look like you did; buy a less expensive pair and get them tailored. This is one thing you can fake, unlike financial figures, i.e. Enron. And if you work in a business casual environment that allows denim, don’t be afraid to wear it.

Although I wouldn’t suggest denim for men, take advantage of the reverse gender discrimination in the workplace. Think skinny leg jeans, cut to the ankle, maybe even in black. But these jeans should be high-rise and high end, if you want to wear ripped low-rise get a job at the mall, not an engineering firm.

Just because you’re at work, doesn’t mean you can’t work it! A gorgeous look is best when you’re on the grind and is sure to make you the talk of the office around the water cooler.