Hair for the Hard Working Professional

You can always tell what time I woke up by my hair:

-6:00am: curled Charlie’s Angels hair (done by hand with a curling iron)
-6:30am: straight flat ironed hair or a nice blow out
-7:00am:  some kind of wet updo
-7:30am: a salvaged-1-day-old updo

I always try to have great hair, because dressing for the role you want also includes your hair. So with that, here are a few ideas to help:

To get Business Trendy for the girls waking up between 7 and 8, I love a bun!  My favorite bun tool is the Spin Pin by Goody:

http://www.goody.com/#/grid/default/products/simple_styles_spin_pin

I  use 3 Spin Pins, over the recommended 2 and sometimes I use an extra bobby pin to tuck in a lose end, but overall they are great!  They take practice, but once you’ve got it down, you won’t leave home without them.  They really hold hair tight and create a chic bun.  Also, try sprucing up an up-do with a simple side swooping French braid.  You can braid it back into a bun.  This works great if you have some unruly hair at the part in the morning.

Now with that said, don’t go crazy, because fancy hair closely borders on Business Risqué.  Remember, if it looks like a Prom-Do you’ve gone too far.   Also, on the Business Risqué side is wet hair which is not tied back.   Letting your hair air dry in the office shows sloppiness, so try putting it up in a bun, and then letting it down when it’s 75% dry for a nice wave.

Any other hair tips for the working gal?

Fabulous Footwear – Where Trendy and Business Trendy Clash

As a heel lover, I find it very hard to separate my business kicks and my personal kicks. But as the trends become more and more extravagant, I have found myself asking, “Is this pair, Business Trendy or Business Risqué?”  So with much debate, here are a few thoughts to help ferret this out.   

1) First, heels size… anything over 4" = Business Risqué.  Sorry my short ladies, those 5” heels are just not work appropriate. 



Business Risqué



 2) Next, on to platforms.  I feel guilty weighing in on this trend as I’m biased... anything over .5” of platform = Business Risqué.



Business Risqué

3) Lastly, the question of “branding.”  Not too long ago, I bought my first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes with the beautiful red bottoms. And now, more and more I’m seeing them geared towards the work environment, e.g., Sandra Bullock in the proposal.

Considerations:

3.1) Are they client appropriate? E.g. do you work in the service industry, like consulting where you have to give off an image in front of your client? Verdict... Business Risqué.   

3.2) Does it make a difference if they are pumps vs. flats?  Answer – Yes.  The flats may fall under Business Trendy, but once you get into the 5” heel arena, they fall under Rule 1 – Height.

3.3) Does it matter who you are?  While I thought Sandra looked adorable in the shoes, realistically, in a corporate setting they can come off flashy, which can often border on Business Risqué.  Now with that said, if you work in high fashion in NYC, "Louboutin away" or if you are a C-Level executive, you can probably get away with flashy, but for us ascending the corporate ladder, high end shoes won’t see the office anytime soon.

4) Business Trendy.  With all the Business Risqué masquerading around the office, how can your shoes be Business Trendy?  My vote for this season is with color and pattern.  Nothing is cuter than a pump with a splash of color.  Since it is summer, a peep toe or round toe is a nice touch. Jessica Simpson’s line does a nice job of bringing some fun to the shoes.  

Business Trendy

Thoughts?



Sources:



Business Risqué:  Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

Business Trendy:  Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5

Business Trendy vs. Business Risqué

Having spent my last 7 years in the management and technology consulting industry, I’ve been paid and trained to fit into professional environments becoming a “corporate chameleon.”  During my time, I have not only observed corporate cultures, but the people who play in them.  I spent the first years of my career working hard to “not stand out,” but as I’ve climbed the corporate ladder I’ve realized a need to differentiate myself, and I started with my fashion.  This led to my love of all things business fashion or as I called it “Business Trendy.”  I developed my Business Trendy image so well that I’ve found it to be a differentiator outside of the work place as well (For example, when in Vegas at the craps table, my Business Trendy look brings me more luck than the trendy Vegas girl one).   And as I’ve matured in my organization I’ve found myself coaching younger consultants on not only how to protect your corporate identity with every first impression, but on how express yourself in a respectable career enhancing manor – thus being Business Trendy.   

So to start off my blog, I’d like to define two terms which have become near and dear to my heart.  These two terms will be the basis of this blog; the discussion of fashion and etiquette which can be considered Business Trendy or Business Risqué.  

Business Trendy – of or in accordance with the latest business etiquette trends – often referring to fashion.  Business trendy is having style in the workplace while adhering to the professional, respectable standards of that particular environment.  Business trendy can accompany not only looking great, but it can be a way of acting or being which keeps you at the forefront of office etiquette.

Business Risqué – Inappropriate behavior, dress or action for a particular professional workplace.  Business Risqué actions can hurt or impair a professional reputation.  As it refers to fashion, Business Risqué is dress which is unprofessional in the corporate environment.  This style can be trendy in the casual world, but does not translate into the business world.  Often Business Risqué borders on the verge of Business Trendy.