1. Dress for Successful Employment
Nancy Arnett, Extension Educator
Family & Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development
Adair County

2. The “Suit” Should compliment your body style
Should fit (not too small, not too big)
Choose neutral colors (black, navy, grey)
NEVER WEAR RED!!!!
Jacket – not too low cut
Skirt – not too short

3. Other Suits
Some Good Examples:

4. Bad Choices
Examples:

5. Accessories Don’t overdo it
Should wear a ring (wedding ring on your left hand) and a flat type of ring on the right hand and nothing more.
Simple necklace (if needed), may want to use a scarf
Simple earrings
No bracelets

6. Bad Choices in Accessories
AVOID:

7. Shoes No sandals Should be pumps
Should have a 1 ½ inch to 2 ½ inch heel
Should be worn with panty hose
Should be comfortable
Should match the suit

8. Bad Choices in Shoes
AVOID these choices:

9. 7 Handy Tips for Buying Used Clothing
Shop on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
The choices are better on these days.
Tip 2
Ask yourself why the clothing is here. Is something wrong with it? Look at it carefully.

10. Tips Continued
Tip 3
Does the clothing need repair? Look for—rips, holes, worm, buttons, ripped hems. Do zippers, snaps and buttons work? Check knees, elbows, collars, and cuffs for spots. Are balls of fuzz on the clothing. They make clothing look worn. Do you have the time and skill to fix the clothing? If not, do not buy it.

11. Tips continued
Tip 4
Is the clothing clean? Look for spots and stains. Can you get the stains out? Can the clothing be washed or bleached?
Tip 5
How do you clean the clothing? Can it be washed? Does it need to be ironed? Does it need to be dry cleaned? Read the care label.

12. Tips continued
Tip 6
Would you really wear the clothing? If not, do not buy it. Ask yourself – Is the clothing in fashion? Does it fit? Do you feel good in it? Do the styles and colors make you look good? Where would you wear it?

13. Tips continued Tip 7 Make sure the clothing fits
Try it on. Wear light weight clothing. Try on used clothing over your clothing where there is no dressing room.
Take clothing that fits with you. Put it up to used clothing and measure against it.
Take a tape measure with you. Measure clothing where it fits the body.

14. Final Tip Plan ahead. Do used clothes go with other clothes you have?
Know your size.
Buy clothing you will wear.
Enjoy your new outfit.

15. Proportional Dressing
To lengthen and slim silhouette
To shorten and widen silhouette
To shorten or widen a neckline
To lengthen or slim neckline
To lengthen waist
To shorten waist
To minimize waistline
To add width to waistline
To slim a heavy lower torso
To widen lower torso
To lengthen leg line
To shorten leg line
To minimize top heaviness
To broaden & add bulk to your upper torso
To emphasize slim lower torso

16. To lengthen and slim silhouette
Vertical lines
Horizontal line higher from floor
Long diagonals – asymmetrical lines
Small paisleys, patterns, plaids, prints
Monochromatic dressing
Soft lightweight fabrics
Duller matte fabrics
Narrow gores
Accessories and belts in matching colors
Match hosiery and shoes to outfit
Blouse with no cuffs
Jacket hems that don’t fall at widest part of hips
Skirt hems above or below widest part of calves
Gently fitted, non-bulky clothing
No cuffs on slacks or shorts
Short or upswept hairstyles
Long, slim jackets

17. To shorten and widen silhouette
Horizontal lines
Horizontal line close to floor
Short diagonals
Large paisleys, patterns, plaids and prints
Shirt fabrics
Bright color contrasts
Heavy and bulky fabrics
Wide gores
Accessories and belts contrasting with outfit
Contrast hosiery and shoes
Jacket hems at widest part of hips
Skirt hems at widest part of calves
Fuller pleated skirts
Blouses with full sleeves and cuffs
Slacks or shorts with cuffs
Shoulder length hairstyles
Short wide jackets

18. To shorten or widen a neckline
Hairline ending just below ears.
High necklines and collars such as: turtlenecks, jewel, mandarin, rolled.
Wide necklines: boat-neck.
Wide collars
Scarves or bows at neck.
Choker-style necklaces
Collars turned up or buttoned.

19. To lengthen or slim neckline
Hairstyle upswept or with neck showing
Vertical necklines: V neck, scoop
Narrow collars
Long necklaces
Scarves tied low
Open collars

20. To lengthen waist Princess lines, unbelted chemise dresses
Long jackets, vests, and tunics
Narrow belt or no belt at waist
Dropped or pointed waist

21. To shorten waist Bloused bodice; midriff; shoulder or hip yokes
Bomber jackets
Short vests
Wide, contrasting belt or cumberbund
Peplum

22. To minimize waistline Accent at neck Single breasted closing
Narrow, vertical panels or gores
One-piece outfits
Over-blouses
Minimal bulk at waistband
One-piece bathing suits
Dark values, dull colors

23. To add width to waistline
Accent at waistline
Double breasted closing
Wide gores or pleats
Bikinis
Light values, bright colors
Large scale, bold pattern
Full gathers at waistband

24. To slim a heavy lower torso
Shoulder width, neck intense
No full gathers at waist
Vertical draping, slightly bloused bodice
Semi-fitted style with minimum bulk
Gently-fitted A-line, circle, or narrowly gored skirts.
No trim, accent or horizontal repetition at hips
Muted, dark colors
Smooth textures

25. To widen lower torso Over-blouses or vests ending at hips
Tightly fitted blouses
Hip wraps
Drop waist, peplum
Full skirts, wide hemlines
Shirring, smocking or bulk at hip area
Heavy, stiff, or shiny fabrics
Bright or light colors
Large pattern at hips
Extreme bagginess or fullness

26. To lengthen leg line No hip accent No pockets below waist
No cropped pants
Slim trouser leg with no cuffs
Long skirts or pants
No ankle straps on shoes
Sleeky styled shoes
Vertical pant or skirt stripes
Medium to firm textures

27. To shorten leg line Full jackets or coats ending at hip or midhigh
Full or tiered skirts
Short skirts, knickers
Pant cuffs
Chucky shoes, ankle straps
Horizontal pant or skirt pattern
Extremely bulky, stiff textures
Light values, bright intensities
Short hemlines

28. To minimize top heaviness
Small shoulder pads
Simple, loose-fitting lines
Minimal bulk or gathers
Dark or muted colors
No pockets
No ruffles or tucking
Raglan or dolman sleeves
Long jackets
Softly bloused tops
Over-blouses and tunic tops
Small patterns of solids

29. To broaden & add bulk to your upper torso
Shoulder pads
Boat-neck
Horizontal stripes
Dolman sleeves
Patch pockets
Ruffles, tucks, gathers
Bulky fabrics
Simple, loose-fitting lines
Light colors
Large patterns

30. To emphasize slim lower torso
Softly bloused tops
Straight skirts
Slim pants
Hip wraps
No pockets
No full skirts

31. References
Dress for Successful Employment; Brenda Miller & Edwina Douglas – Extension Educators