Fashion Show!

One of the things I'm most involved with here on Campus is the Women in Business Club. I serve on the executive board as Events Director and I work with the rest of the board to plan fun and educational activities for our school. Well, last night I saw the culmination of literally months of work... Our first annual FASHION SHOW!

And what would a post be without talking about the clothes?

haha. Prom hair...

{Dress: Target, $20}

{Top: Forever 21, $14}

{Sweater: The Limited, gift}

{Belt: ?}

{Tights: WeLoveColors.com, $10}

{Necklace: American Eagle, gift}

{Boots: Belk, $35}

Along with the rest of the WIB board, I had been working on the details of this event since last summer, and I was SO excited for the fashion show yesterday. It was such a great learning experience to see what all goes into planning an event like this. We had to (get ready, this is a long list...) rent the staging, reserve the area, estimate attendance counts, order catering, find the models, get the models fitted, obtain financial sponsors, find local clothing stores willing to participate, style the outfits, write the script, get an MC, find a DJ, pick music for the DJ, set everything up, practice with the entire set-up, advertise the event, print programs, and then coordinate outfit changes during the show. It was so much work, but definitely worth it.

Our main purpose with this event was to show students some great examples of showing your personality while dressing in Casual, Business Casual, Business Professional, and Business Formal. We also had some interview tips and other helpful information from our career center, who partnered with us to host the event. Something I thought was especially awesome was the fact that we were able to get guy models (and a local Men's store to sponsor!) It really surprised me at how many guys showed up for the show too. I guess it just goes to show that we girls aren't the only ones who like a little inspiration!

Going There Series Part 3: Conferences

With students out of school and an abundance of nice(r) weather, conferences are abundant in the summertime. Whether you're going for work or play, it's important to make a good impression, after all, conferences are a great place to meet professionals of the area you're interested in, so you want to make sure to make a good impression!

Even as a college freshman (soon to be sophomore), I've been to quite a few conferences and a general rule of thumb I've learned to follow is to go by the guidelines of business casual, unless otherwise noted. From packing completely unmatchable separates to being the only person in jeans, there are plenty of packing mistakes to be made. However, with just a little planning, you can be the most put together attendee!

Some Outfit Ideas

Outfit One (for a casual conference)

Outfit Two

Outfit Three

General Tips

1. Plan all of your outfits a few days before leaving, that way you have plenty of time to add or change things
2. Try on each outfit (accessories and all) before leaving. Nothing is worse than arriving at your hotel and learning that you're short an outfit.
3. Bring a blazer and pair of jeans that you don't plan on wearing. That way if the conference turns out to be more casual or more professional than you expected you still have a backup.
4. Layering is important. Even though it's hot and sunny outside, conference rooms are usually air conditioned and chilly.

Going There Series Part 2: Internship

From life-guarding to working in retail at the local mall, there are endless opportunities for those of us looking for quick summer cash. However, as we grow older it becomes necessary for us to put a little more time and effort into choosing summer jobs or internships that will help us grow and experiment in our future career plans. For those of us that have worked hard and found the perfect (or maybe even not so perfect) internship, it’s time to buckle down and get a little more serious. Things that may not seem like such a big deal now, like arriving early and looking put together day in and day out may mean the difference in a recommendation or job offer in the future.

There are three main categories of work wear: casual, business casual, and business professional. Even for accomplished professionals the thin lines in between these categories can be blurry, so I’ve put together a few sample outfits and guidelines for getting ready.

Casual

There is a pretty big difference between casual and business casual, so make sure you are confident in exactly which set you will be expected to adhere to. Casual dress means that you are allowed to wear almost anything. Jeans, simple t-shirts, longer shorts, and casual shoes are all acceptable casual wear options. However, stay away from baggy jeans, sweats, and cheap flip-flops. Even though you have plenty of freedom, you don’t want to abuse it. In fact, I’ve found that it’s always a good idea to dress slightly nicer than how you are expected. This shows that you are taking your job or internship seriously and care about making a good impression

Business Casual

Option 1

Option Two

Business Casual is just a step down from business professional. Although you won’t be expected to wear suits or jackets, you should look put together and professional. Unless specifically mentioned, jeans should not be worn in a business casual workplace. Instead, stock up on slacks, nice capris, skirts and dresses. When wearing a skirt or dress, look for a length you would wear to church. While I don’t always stick to knee-length, I definitely don’t go much shorter for work.

Business Professional

Option One (For more conservative jobs)

Option Two (For less conservative jobs)

When it comes to Business Professional, you should be ready to dress like a serious professional. Although the amount of freedom allowed will depend on your exact workplace, blazers or jackets are an expected part of all outfits. While professionals at the most conservative locations (like legal firms) will likely stick to darker colored suits, and minimal accessories, working people at places with more creative freedom (like advertising or graphic design agencies) will probably be incorporating bright colors and fun prints. Regardless of where your job falls on the spectrum, feel free to show your personality with fun accessories like those in the outfits above.