New Twists for

Teaching Professional
Wardrobe
 Presented by
Sharon Fisher-Larson

Sponsored by
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Publishing
Our Mission Today
 Interviewing Basics
 Dressing for the Interview
 Psychology of Color
 Rule of 14
 Fashion Classics
 Overcoming the “I Don’t Have Anything to
Wear” Syndrome
 Interviewing Basics:
How to Stand Out in a
Competitive Job Market
Getting Ready for the Interview
 Research the company before you go
 Rehearse interviewing techniques and possible
questions
 Select appropriate clothes ahead of time
 Make sure your appearance is neat and clean
 Take a pen and notepad or portfolio
 Have two copies of your resume and/or complete
information
– Have references, your social security number, etc.
ready for the application
 Know What Counts
When Interviewing
 Be on time or a little bit early.
 Present a good appearance and body language.
 Project a positive attitude: confidence, maturity,
enthusiasm and interest in the position.
 Good communication skills: use complete
sentences; speak clearly, with good enunciation.
Listen attentively, too.
 Answer questions truthfully, highlighting the
skills and strengths you would bring to the job.
 Ask appropriate questions
 Following Up After an Interview
 Your actions after the interview can
significantly impact the employer’s
perception of you.

– Send a thank you letter

– Accept or reject the offer properly
– Learn to handle rejection and learn from it
Career Checklist:
On the Day of the Interview
 Arrive on time, well rested from a good
night’s sleep.
 Think through the answers that you have
prepared for key questions.
 Plan to go to the interview alone—you can
call your friends or family after to tell them
how it went.
 ….and you know to dress appropriately and
with a clean and neat appearance.
Career Checklist:
On the Day of the Interview
 Act confident and enthusiastic—it will be
obvious to the interviewer if you are
comfortable.
 Maintain a positive and friendly attitude.
 Sell yourself! Let the interviewer know
why he or she should hire you.
 At the end, express interest in the position
and thank them for the interview.
Adapted from Succeeding in the World of Work, 7th Edition, published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Class Projects and Activities
 Tell students that they have three days to prepare for an
interview with a local company. Have students prepare a
time schedule of what they need to do to prepare for the
interview.
 Have students cut pictures from various magazines
depicting proper and improper ways to dress for an
interview and explain why each one is appropriate or
inappropriate.
 Ask students to look for a job ad that gives a telephone
number to call and find out additional information. Then
have students write a 50-word paragraph describing how
their specific skills would benefit the company.

From Succeeding in the World of Work, 7th Edition, published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Classroom Activity Ideas
 Give students several different interview
situations (interviewing for a position in a
bank or a construction position) and have
them discuss appropriate dress for each
situation.
 Have students find a book in the school or
public library about how to dress for
success and make a list of at least five
pointers.
From Succeeding in the World of Work, 7th Edition, published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Classroom Activity Ideas
 Body Language: Projecting a positive and
confident appearance
– Ask students to suggest actions that might be
inappropriate during an interview
– Possible answers might be:
• Chewing gum, playing with your hair, biting your
nails, staring out the window, slouching, fidgeting,
smoking, mumbling, avoiding eye contact, etc.

From Succeeding in the World of Work, 7th Edition, published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Dressing for the Interview
You’ve found a job you’re
interested in and an employer
has asked you to come in for
an interview.
What can you do to increase your
chance of getting the job?
Three Things to Remember
About Job Interviews

 The interviewer doesn’t know you.

 They will quickly decide if they want to
consider you for the job.
 “First impressions are lasting
impressions.”
Interviewing Success and
Appearance
 An employer’s first impression of you is based on
your appearance.
 Your grooming and the clothes you wear to an
interview can mean the difference between being
hired or not hired, regardless of your skills.
 Your appearance gives an interviewer clues about
how you feel about getting a job and what your
future performance on the job might be.
What to Wear to an Interview

 Dress as you would for the job, but slightly

better.
 Be conservative-follow the Rule of 14.
 Let the focus be on you and your skills, not
on what you’re wearing.
What to Wear, Continued

 Remember the interviewer is not typically a

member of your peer group, so what your
friends may consider appropriate attire may
not necessarily be acceptable to an
employer.
 Ask a parent or teacher for help if you have
questions about appropriate dress.
Dressing for Interview Success
DO’S DON’TS
Make sure hair is clean and Wear heavy makeup
neatly arranged or combed Wear very long nails, bright nail
Shower; use deodorant polish or nail designs
Use lots of hair spray, wild hair
Shave color or ornaments
Wear clean, polished shoes Wear flashy, tight, or revealing
Wear conservative and clothing
appropriate clothes, neatly Wear perfume or cologne
pressed and in good repair Wear sandals
Trim nails; if manicured, be Wear t-shirts (especially with
conservative—clear polish slogans)
is safest Wear clothes that will wrinkle easily
Remove all piercings, except Wear too much jewelry, especially if
it’s noisy
one set of earrings for
females

Adapted From Succeeding in the World of Work, 7th Edition,, published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Psychology of Color
Psychology of Color
People respond to colors unconsciously as
well as involuntarily. Different colors get
very different responses.
Advertising uses clothing color frequently to
influence you.
Individuals actually consult with lawyers and
others in the public eye about what to wear
and what colors to wear for different
situations.
Psychology of Colors!
Black
– Control
– High Rank
– High Authority
– Dominance
– Competitiveness
Psychology of Colors
Blue
– Trust
– Loyalty
– Likable
– Expertise
– Authority
– Reliability
Psychology of Color
Grey
– Success
– Authority
– Control
Psychology of Color
Brown
– Stability
– Security
– Personal Warmth
Psychology of Color
Red
– Vitality
– Strength
– Energy
– Interest in Life
– Involvement with People
Psychology of Color
 Tweeds  Dots
– Friendly – Happy
– Low Authority – Fun Loving
 Checks – “Life is too important
– Lively, Friendly to be taken seriously”

 Plaids  Stripes
– Personal Trust – Order & Control
– Orderliness
– Organized
Final Analysis?
Style appropriate for position
– Suit
– Shirt/Blouse and skirt or slacks
– Blues or Grays
– Neat
– Organized
– Clean, polished shoes
Business Attire Examples

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!

What could you guess about these employees
from their attire and appearance?

 What kind of work would

you think they might they
do?
 Do they look like managers
or people in authority? Why
or why not?
 Do they look like they
would take their jobs
seriously? Why or why
not?
 Do they appear
successful? What gives
you that impression?
Interview Apparel

 Do you think he’d be

taken seriously as a
job candidate?
 Why or why not?
Interview Apparel
 What about this girl?

                                   
Rule of 14
You should be able to count no more than
fourteen items that are visible to the eye. A
coat and everything that might be seen if
the coat were removed are included.
If you are not wearing a coat, your outfit
should total less than 14 points.
 Example of “points”
One piece, one-color dress 1
Suit or two-piece dress 1
Each additional color 1
Blouse 1
Patterned Blouse 2
Nylons 1
Patterned Nylons 2
Tights or Leggings 2
Plain Shoes 1
Decorative Shoes 2
Small Purse 1
Large Purse 2
Gloves 1
Coat 1
Matching Buttons 1
Metallic or designer buttons 2
Self-fabric belt 1
Leather, patterned belt 2
Scarf 1
Necklace 1-2
Small Earrings 1
Large Earrings 2
Pin 1-2
Bracelet 1-2
Ring (1 pt for each ring) 1
Watch 1
Glasses 1
Briefcase 1
 Handout

Rule of 14 for
Accessorizing
Fashion Classics
What Every Woman Should
Own and Why
 The Trench Coat
– Burberry made the first ones for the military fighting in
the trenches, hence the name and design details like
D-rings for holding grenades. Style-setter from
Katherine Hepburn to Kate Moss adapted it as the "go
anywhere in any weather" coat.
 A Totebag
– It's the female version of the briefcase, perfect for
stashing office files, gym clothes, shoes, makeup, and
an evening clutch for going out after work.
 The Little Black Dress
– The wrap dress has been designer Diane von
Furstenberg's signature since the 1970s, famous for its
comfortable yet flattering fit. It is at its most versatile
in black, moving from office to an evening out with a
quick change of jewelry.
 The Pearl Choker
– Instant class for any occasion—women have been
known to wear them playing tennis. Sixteen inches is
the best length for most necklines, and white is the best
color.
 The Clutch
– Grab this and you're ready for the night. Big
enough for the essentials, small enough to slip
on a table top.
 The Three-Piece Suit
– A beautifully tailored jacket with matching
skirt and well-cut pants in a neutral color will
get a woman anywhere she has to go. Black,
navy and grey work equally well.
 Black Pumps
– The perfect shoes anchors every look. It's perfect with
jeans, suits, the little black dress, you name it. The
White Shirt
 The White Shirt
– Tucked into jeans, peaking out of a suit jacket, the
white shirt goes with everything and every color, and
always looks fresh.
 Diamond Ear Studs
– Whether worn with bikinis or ballgowns, the sparkle of
diamonds at the ears lights up any look. They come in
every size to fit everyone's personal style…and budget.
Overcoming the “I Don’t Have
Anything to Wear” Syndrome
Wardrobes that Work…
for Teachers
Do you:
Have “a closet full of clothes and nothing
to wear”?
Hate to go shopping?
Love to go shopping, but still bring home
items you end up not wearing?
Want to update your look?
Not know what your “look” even is?
Think: I don’t have time to look
fabulous!!
Closet Makeover
Block time over one or two
weekends if possible
Get three boxes or garbage bags:
Give Away, Repairs, and Trash
Remove everything but clothes,
shoes, and accessories from your
closet
Next, organize clothes by color,
then type
Closet Makeover - continued

Organize shoes by color or type

As you see items you haven’t worn in
a year or don’t like anymore, put them
in one of the appropriate boxes or
bags
Add a fourth box if necessary for
keepsakes, but only if you just can’t
bear to throw certain items away.
Closet Makeover - continued
Invite a friend for feedback and
suggestions
Start trying on clothes and continue to
sort
Put outfits together and write them
down in a notebook
Closet Makeover - continued

Analyze why you aren’t wearing

certain pieces
Make a list of missing pieces and
accessories to buy (does this include
any event-specific items?)
Then vacuum and dust your newly
organized closet—plan to repaint or
get a new light fixture if needed
The Basics of Effective
Shopping
Take your list (and a friend, if you like)
Wear a core item you want to build on
(e.g. black pants, beige suit) so you can
try on the pieces at the store
Wear a top that allows jackets and
cardigans to be tried on over it
Wear comfortable shoes (or take others
for trying on clothes) and carry a
shoulder bag
Effective Shopping,
Continued
Buy for fit, not the number on the tag
—and consider alterations
Buy colors that flatter you—either
blue-based or yellow-based
Buy to emphasize what you like about
your body and to camouflage what
you don’t
Effective Shopping,
Continued
Buy what you love and that makes
you feel great—not what’s “just OK”
or on sale.
Know the store’s return policies if you
should change your mind about a
purchase.
If you leave without buying anything,
that’s OK too! Don’t settle for less
than great.
More on Effective Shopping
Build on one or two core colors
Buy the best quality you can afford for key
pieces—consider cost per wearing
Discounters can have great deals--if you
enjoy “hunting” be sure to check them
frequently
In general, spend more on winter clothes than
summer
Accessories make or break the look—have
fun with them!
 Updating Your Look:
Keeping Current
Update hair and makeup on a regular basis
Take advantage of the perspective of a
younger sister, daughter, or niece
Use full-length mirrors
Keep what works for you, but update
something each year or season to keep things
fresh
Scarf in a new color; new shape or height of shoe
or heel; earrings; casual coat, sleeve or hemline
length, new color of lipstick or application
Help! What is my “Look”?

Some general categories are:

Classic
Romantic
Creative
Casual / sporty
What style does the majority of your
wardrobe fall into now?
Do you want to change?
Determining Your Style
Think of the categories
Are you a mix of several? Does your
style preference change based on the
event or activity?
Look through fashion and other
magazines and pull photos of what you
like
Try on clothes that reflect these
Read resource books with more hands-on
ideas and activities to help
Some Morning Time-Savers
Organized closet filled with ready-to-
wear items you love
Pre-determined, outfits speed up
morning routines
If you don’t do it already, pare down
your makeup routine to the essentials—
5 minutes maximum
More Morning Time-Savers

Get a great haircut and use good

products
Simplify breakfast
Keep accessories handy—even some
in your bag
Smile and you’re out the door—pulled
together and looking great!
 A special thanks to Jill Arnett of
Glencoe/McGraw Hill Publishing. Jill
shared the original presentation with me
and permitted me to take ownership. To
the original has been added Psychology
of Color, Rule of 14, and Fashion
Classics. You may use each of the six
sections as individual slide
presentations in your classes.
If you would like this slide presentation,
E-mail me at

satbfl@aol.com
Be sure to include Michigan
in the subject line so that
I do not delete you!