Tag Archives: feminine

Business casual, Business Dress, Dress for Success, Professional business attire, Professional Business Image, Women

How to Dress to Appear More Feminine – By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

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I recently worked with two clients who said that they felt they were perceived as being too masculine. One said that she had actually been mistaken for a man. She said that she felt ‘very embarrassed’, and as a woman, I can understand how she may have felt that way.

Right or wrong, as human beings we have inherently come to identify the female gender as being softer, more nurturing and more delicate than the male gender.  Our human perception of fashion also follows these archetypes.

When you meet someone initially your appearance can be your most powerful communicator. Deviating from those archetypical traits can lead to misinterpretation and the wrong first impression.

Here are some things that you can do to appear more feminine.

Cover the body, but don’t try to conceal the female shape. The female form is generally curvier than the male form. For a more feminine look, garments should emphasize the female shape and should flow over natural curves of the female figure without being clingy. Construction details like darts, princess seams and sheering shape the garment. Choose fabrics that are lighter in weight, refined, soft and drape well.

Lower contrast colour palettes in colours that are light to medium in value, softened or muted and analogous colour schemes increase the appearance of softness.

Details that are smaller or perceived as more delicate such as floral prints, heirloom jewelry, ruffles or lace will automatically appear more feminine.

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Etiquette, Men, Wardrobe, Women

Hat Etiquette

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It’s not just baseball caps anymore… This season hats are hot. They are everywhere and they come in every style for both men and women. Recently clients have asked questions about hat etiquette. So here are a few tips:

In the past when hats were popular there was a distinction between men’s and women’s hats. And each had its own rules of etiquette.

Traditionally men would tip their hats to say hello and they would always be taken off indoors and / or before sitting down at the table to eat.

Women’s hats were considered part of their outfit. They were pinned into their hair so they would stay in place during the day. When socializing inside they would keep their hat on as an accessory, even at the dining table.

These days, hats are worn for function and fashion. As women have adopted men’s hat styles as their own, the line for gender specific hats and etiquette has become grey.

For men the rule remains the same. Please remove your hat or cap when coming inside and always before sitting down at the dining table.

Women should remove their hat if it is for function or if it is a traditional men’s style hat or cap. If the hat has feminine details and forms part of an outfit it may be worn as an inside accessory.

This Hanukah, Christmas and New Year show respect to your family and friends with Hat Etiquette…