7 Tips to Make Your Wardrobe Work this Winter

To succeed in retail you have to stay on top of trends and one major theme to watch while job hunting is fashion. Showing up in style will help with your interview; on the other hand showing up out of date may show you out the door.

Stay on top of styles with this quick list of fashion trends and how to make them work for a profession edge in the Fall/Winter 2011-2012 season.

1. Stylish Suits – Slacks and jackets are on the racks for men and women this fall. Avoid grabbing one that is improperly sized. If you can’t afford a tailor hold out until you find a tailored suit with a flattering fit.
2. Color Pops – Fashion typically tends to tone it down in the cool winter months but this season bold bursts of colors like crimson, neon orange, purple, sky blue and more are all the rage. Don’t go too loud in your garb though. Pick a bright accessory like a tie or a scarf to act as an accent piece and a conversation starter.
3. Tempting to Touch – Think of the read and feel books designed for toddlers when you think of your wardrobe choices this season. Texture and textiles are on the top of the trends. Leather, fur, knits, and feathers are flying off the racks. Use these in accessories like belts, bags and hats to hint you’re up with the times.
4. Simple Sophistication – The timeless style and elegance of the forties is rampant on the runway. Lines and cuts that reflect an era of elegance make an easy transition into work wear. Google historical events from the time frame to see what they’re wearing and maybe you’ll learn about more than just fashion.
5. Ladies, Get Girlie – Flowy skirts, ruffles, pleats, sheers and frills are fashion favorites right now. Add a blouse with an embellishment at the cuff and mix it with a midi skirt to keep it stylish without going overboard.
6. Wild Side – A surprising turn in fashion trends turning up is reference to fetish wear. You definitely don’t need to let your freak flag fly high at an interview but certain choices can allude to your powerful personality. Leather boots instead of flats can give a powerful impression and keep your feet warm in winter weather. A classy way to add a chain to you outfit is with a pocket watch.
7. Lots of Layers – It’s practical, stylish and flattering to turn to layers of clothing in the cooler weather. You can shed or add clothing as the temperature changes and not feel uncomfortable in your interview.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer with experience in web, film, photography and animation as well as traditional fine arts like painting and sculpting. In addition to writing for RetailGigsBlog.com, she is co-founder of design and promotion company. Heather’s spare time consists of making puppets, teaching Sunday School, building Legos and doing science experiments with her children.