Fashion Rules for the Successful Business Woman

This post is dedicated to Nicki, who is in trouble finding a good business outfit. Blazers are potentially the best choice, as well as blouses or elegant cardigans (Purchased one of the items above, have a guess :D).

Here are a the major fashion rules for business women:

• Business Fashion Rule No.1: Cover your shoulders and arms at least down to the elbow.
• Don't wear a deep décolleté.
• Skirts have to reach the knees at least.
• No fancy colours (orange, green, pink...) until you work in the creativity section of a advert agency.
• Most business-like colours: dark blue and dark grey (found out in a recent study!)
  
• No glitzering/long jewellery. This distracts everyone looking at you.
• Do not play around with your jewellery (ring! bracelet!) - this is tough for me, too.
• Never take your shoes off in meetings. Never. (Don't frown at me, I've seen this already).
• Wear always (at least thin) tights. Do not walk around with bare legs in the office.
  
• No extreme nail polish or make-up... natural beauty and understatement rule.
• Okay, that's not a fashion rule, but: Don't smile permanently at people in order to make them like you. You don't have to. Be polite still, but think of the cat from Alice in Wonderland: It's frightening and reduces the respect others have to you.
  
• These rules also apply in summer. High temperatures are a no excuse, really.
  

It sounds strict. But these rules help you to find your own approach towards business style. This collage was created on the highly practical H&M Style Guide Tool - love to play around with that (and you have to bear with the outcome, haha). I can't believe that I ordered twice from my favourite Swedish fashion dealer within five weeks. Is this a sign that I am already addictive?
Here is more inspiration on business fashion ideas:

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25 Park - Get The Look von ZinaThePuma(Wild&Fierce)



This is just business. von [CmOk_va]ಌஜ,


Fall '09 - business von AnseV (busy...), Radley bags enthaltend

Business Ready With Chanel

Love,

How to become the Next Big Thing in Fashion

Wanna study fashion? You dream of pursuing a career in what you love most - fashion? Than this is the right post for you! I will introduce several possible careers and study courses. The study courses are located in Germany, but you will be sure to find similar ones in your own country!

• Behind the scenes of fashion industry:
  "Textil- und Bekleidungstechnik" (Economical background of textile and fashion technique/business) in Mönchengladbach (Hochschule Niederrhein).
  www.hs-niederrhein.de, www.td.reutlingen-university.de, http://de.saxion.edu/tct
  --> Later you work in quality control, as buyer, in marketing or in commerce.
  
  
  
• Costume Design:
  "Szenographie/Kostüm" (Sceneography/Costumes) in Hannover (Fachhochschule Hannover).
  www.fh-hannover.de, www.haw-hamburg.de, www.hfbk-dresden.de
  --> Later you work for the opera, musicals, theaters, movies, or TV productions.
  
  
• Writing about fashion:
  "Modejournalismus" (Fashion Editor/Journalist) in Hamburg (AMD, Akademie Mode und Design).
  www.amdnet.de
  --> You learn how to produce editorials & fashion articles, to do interviews/TV productions, build marketing-strategies, styling and fashion photography.
  
  
• Designing fashion:
  "Modedesign" (Fashion Design), e.g. in Trier, Reutlingen, Halle.
  www.fh-trier.de, www.td.reutlingen-university.de, www.burg-halle.de
  --> You learn to create your own collections and to discover your own style.
  
  
  
• More study programmes:
  
  "Fashion and Branding" (Modemarketing)
  "Textiltechnik" (Textile techniques)
  
  
• More possible fashion careers:
  
  - Illustrator (for adverts/magazines/designers)
  - Stylist
  - Clothes Manufacturer
  - Image Consultant/Assistant
  - Retailer
  - Fashion Buyer/Merchandiser
  - Shop-/Boutique Owner

How do I find the right choice for me?

- Do a lot of online research, look at the study curriculum, consider your strenghts.
- Ask people who already study your desired subject about their experiences.
- Visit the school/university when they have "open door day".
- Do an internship in your desired area - reality may hit you and you get to know the everyday work and the work atmosphere (highly recommendable!!!).

How am I successful?

- I'll make it short:
- You need beside some raw talent: the right attitude, good connections, you have to work hard - and yes, luck also plays an important role! But if you really want it, you will make your way - and become the next big thing in the fashion industry!

I would like to hear if any of my readers are already studying fashion or have in mind to potentially do so. Hopefully I provided you with some good tipps and career inspiration ;).
Love,


PS.: Lilly is not studying fashion. My most favourite subject of study lays in another area, which I am following with passion. I am still a fashionista though.

Picture sources:
www.boston.com, studyusa.com, newgeneration-edu.com

7 ways to get into fashion industry

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1. Visit seminars about fashion.
   *
   
2. Make an internship at a designer or a fashion magazine.
   *
   
3. Apply for being a dresser at the fashion weeks.
   *
   
4. Start a blog about fashion.
   *
5. Apply for an assistant job at a big label or Haute Couture house.
   *
   
6. Become fashion assistant or a stylist.
   *
   
7. Start off as a model and collect VIP contacts.
   
   *As quoted from the H&M Spring 2010 Magazine. Any more questions, girls? ;-) I am not sure if they are meant as real advice or just for fun. Any opinions on the quality of these advice?
   
   Love,
   
   
   

TOP 12 tipps on how to cover a Vintage Fashion Market successfully!

~ Bring home the best bargains with this guide ~Today it was finally time for the spring vintage market! Just returned from there and will share all of my finds on Tuesday! Please enjoy the tipps!

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1. First of all: Be prepared and know what you want: Make a list beforehand, of things you are potentially looking for. This makes your decision easier and quicker. Do not overuse the list, also get inspired from what you see!

2. Be early and be prepared to wait (bring Ipod or chat with the other women in the queue.)

3. Wear something you can easily take of. Leave jewellery, hats and high heels at home!

4. Check the sellers about their height, age and style – this helps you to focus your search.

5. Be quick, decide if you like the general style of the available clothes and if it is worth to keep on searching or if not: change the table right away. Sometimes it is worth waiting a little at an overcrowded table…could mean that there are some treasures. Patience!

6. Only take it on if really necessary (e.g. pants, jeans, dresses, shoes). Getting into the changing cabins costs you time!

7. Bring change and enough shopping bags (some even bring a suitcase, lol!).

8. Negotiate! The sellers do rarely like to, but they might agree to a 1-2 Euro discount or maybe in case you buy more pieces from them, you get a small discount.

9. Be nice and friendly, do not hustle people around or step on their toes. It’s messy, it’s overcrowded and everyone wants the clothes. But do not act against human dignity out of sheer avidity. (Oh boy, that I have to include that…). There is enough for everybody!

10. Don’t forget any of your purchases in a changing cabin and take care of your personal belongings! (It did not happen to me, but I keep hearing that things get away on this occasion!)

11. Get home and do some yoga. Vintage markets are tough.

12. Before you throw everything into the washing machine, already think about combinations with your existing wardrobe. This ensures that your new pieces get enough love. I take photos to aid in this matter.
Well done, Miss!

Love,

Glitter Power

Gorgeous black sequin jacket! (Source)

Oh, a shooting star! (Source).

O la glam^^ - blue midnight dress (Source).

You will be hearing more of this talented lady soon (Source).

Sequins are a strong fashion statement: you cannot practically hide their effect, they are giving away the general direction you are heading for with your outfit! As they are a powerful accessory it it easy to combine them unsuitably and create a maybe ridiculous result. To avoid this, let's focus today on how the wear sequins for a stunning outfit! I collected a few photos to illustrate the small zone we are talking about between beautiful and please-get-the-fashion-police! (Please note: I do not intend to offend anybody. Everybody has the freedom to wear what he or she wants!).

• Do not just pick your favourite colour. Wearing a pink/lilac sequin jacket to the supermarket will of course be a head-turner, but will you be considered fashionable or in the best case a little courageous? Head for an understatement in colour.
  

• Avoid other glitter accessory! Keep the rest of the outfit as plain as possible regarding jewellery and make up (nail polish!). Black is always a good (and easy) combination solution. If you want to try something new, go for white or grey.

• Remember: Your life is not a costume party! (Unless you are attending one). Buying sequin shoes or jackets has a very strong effect on your wardrobe. Try to experiment in the beginning with small pieces like e.g. bags, purses, belts or vests. Carefully pick the occasions to wear them.

• Do not wear sequins if you do not like them. This might sound antic to you, but from some girls you get the impression they are just wearing something because it is a trend, not because they like it. What you wear is about your individual personality and what you prefer. Stick to that, always!

• Have fun! This is most essential message^^.

The photos and the comments will provide you with inspiration about sequin outfits! Last week I went with SH to a draper's shop to purchase fabric with black sequins^^. And yeah, I am excited about planning a DIY project with it! Watch out for this one! Do you have any sequin accessory?
Love,

Lilly

You might get more attention with this one than you can (and want to) deal with! (Source).

Very dashing...but: NO! Unless you are heading for a Paris Hilton lookalike contest. (Source)

Seriously a small fashion accident! (Source).

Example for two good solutions! (Source).