Students learned how to dress for success from head to toe on Thursday at the Cox School of Business’s third annual fashion show, getting advice on proper outfits and accessories for various business occasions.
Student models strutted down the runway in pairs, demonstrating traditional business and business casual attire. Rebecca Lyne, the manager of the Ann Taylor in Highland Park Village and one of the moderators for the show, commented on the women’s outfits as they walked down the runway, giving pointers to the audience as the show progressed.
The women’s clothes came from Ann Taylor and showcased both conservative and playful looks. In looking for a woman’s suit, Lyne recommends purchasing a skirt instead of pants. “Skirts are mostly preferred for first interviews,” she said. Pencil skirts look more professional than other types and are preferable for both an interview and the workplace.
It is also not advisable to wear the same outfit should you get called back for a second interview. “To get started, you’re going to want a suit that you can add pieces to,” Lyne said. The appearance of a basic suit can be changed with accessories and different colored shirt, providing variety and flexibility to a wardrobe.
The show provided advice about fingertips, feet, and accessories, as well. Nails should be unpainted and well-manicured while shoes should be closed toe and have a medium heel. Though long earrings and clunky jewelry are in style, they are not recommended in a business environment. “Accessories are minimalist,”
Lyne said. “You don’t any long dangling earrings.” Many of the women in the show wore pearls. Scarves and sashes, if a solid color or subtle print, are also permissible.
The show also offered options for Casual Fridays and jobs that provide leeway for personal style, such as advertising and communications. Shades of tangerine, pink and pear-green are popular choices for both spring outfits and accessories and brightened up many of the ensembles on the runway.
The men entered the runway wearing a variety of suits from Men’s Wearhouse that had been altered to fit them. They sported designer labels such as Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan for Men, and Oscar de la Renta.
Gordon Cole, the district manager of Men’s Wearhouse, moderated the men’s fashions.
Prem Panchal, a junior majoring in finance and economics, found his advice to be very helpful. “I never knew that you weren’t supposed to wear a black suit,” he said.
According to Cole, an ideal interview suit for men is charcoal gray or navy blue. A white shirt should be worn to the first interview, but the rules relax if the student is called back a second time. In that case, a colored shirt may be worn. “A cobalt shirt is the most popular color sold to men in the United States today,” Cole said. Pink is also one of the colors for men this year.
Cole addressed every component of a professional outfit. “Lace-up shoes are the only things that are appropriate for an interview,” he said. Men should also wear over-the-calf socks that approximate the color of their trousers.
As students entered the door, they were given a booklet containing advice on such subjects like how to buy a suit, how it should fit, and what mistakes to avoid. It also provided additional information on what types of looks were most appropriate in certain settings. The booklet came with a pocket card for quick reference when shopping for a suit.
To help students build a professional wardrobe, both Ann Taylor and Men’s Wearhouse will be offering a discount to those who come in and say that they attended the show. Men’s Wearhouse offers an ongoing 10 percent discount, while Ann Taylor will give students 15 percent off a purchase of $100 dollars and 20 percent off a purchase of $175 dollars until April 1.
The JC Penney Center for Retail Excellence, The Retailing Club, The Marketing Association, Alpha Kappa Psi, and the BBA scholars presented the show. It was held in the Ernest & Young Room of the Fincher Building from 5 to 6 p.m.