Dressing Like a Million on Considerably Less Presented

Dressing Like a Million on Considerably Less!! Presented at D-9 Total Faculty Conference Sandra Fry, CEA-FCS - Fort Bend County Vincent Mannino, CED-Fort Bend County

What to Wear! • Pay attention to others • Consult fashion magazines • Plan ahead • Know the type of event • Lay out cloths before you pack • Ask others!

Why Dress Professionally? For: • First Impression – You may only get one chance to impress a boss, a collaborator, an elected official… • Respect - If you want to be taken seriously always dress appropriately. “Dress like the boss!” • A Message to Clients – Inappropriate dress may send a message of incompetence. • Setting/Upholding a Agri. Life Standard • A professional dress code helps Agri. Life establish & uphold standards that every employee can easily follow. •

1 The Styles of Dress 1. Formal 2. Business Professional 3. Business/Professional Casual 4. “Smart” Casual 5. “Field” Casual 6. Demo Work 2 3 4 5 6

#1. Formal Appropriate for: • Weddings (bride, groom or member of the party) • “Most Prestigious Award” banquets • Planned meeting with the highest-level elected officials • As a key-note speaker at a banquet of the highest level • What else? . . .

#2. Business Professional Appearance Grooming is fundamental ü Hair clean and styled appropriately ü Clean nails, skin and teeth ü Make-up (optional), natural is best. ü Fragrance ü Deodorant ü Perfume/cologne (optional) ü No bulky jewelry ü Pressed clothing ü Clothing – proper fit

#2. Business Professional Appearance Wardrobe ü Females v suits/pant suits, v ensembles or coordinated skirts/slacks v jackets/sweaters, v dresses, v nice sweaters with coordinated skirts/slacks. v shoes – Heels or flats and v hose (preferred).

#2. Business Professional Appearance Wide range of business casual for men • Casual End: Pressed khakis and a polostyle shirt • Nice End: Dress slacks and a long sleeve button down • Shirts must have a collar • Cannot wear athletic shoes or socks Match knot size w/ collar style

#2. Business Professional Appearance Grooming is fundamental ü Hair clean and styled appropriately ü Clean nails, skin and teeth ü Clean shaven, mustache trimmed ü Fragrance ü Deodorant ü Perfume/cologne (optional) ü No bulky jewelry ü Pressed clothing ü Clothing – proper fit

#2. Business Professional - Men • Invest in your Suit; SPEND SOME MONEY – Quality is cheap in the long run – Get it tailored, make sure it fits (sleeves not too long, pants not too high or too long) • Nothing Flashy (Try Dark Navy or Charcoal) – Don’t try to send a fashion statement • 2 or 3 buttons jackets – (always leave bottom button unbuttoned)

Word About: shoes, ties & belts • • • The color of your belt & shoes must match Shoes with laces are best Wear high quality shoes that shine with suits Polish your shoes Socks need to be long enough to cover your leg when your legs are crossed • Belts can be of medium quality as long as they look good • A cheap tie can ruin a suit • Make sure your tie is conservative, no crazy designs or logos of your favorite cartoon characters

#2. Business Professional Appearance Outerwear v Appropriate for women & men v Trench coat for cold and/or rain v umbrella for rain or sun protection ~ nothing obnoxious

#3. Business/Professional Casual Typical day in the Extension Office; 4 -H project, home, and farm visits; less formal educational events; 4 -H club meetings ü Females v Less dressy ensembles including jean jackets, denim dresses and skirts, khaki slacks, capri sets, slacks. Scarves and shawls, vests with long or short sleeve shirt or top. v Shoes – flats, sandals and no hose are acceptable.

#3. Business/Professional Casual Typical day in the Extension Office; 4 -H project, home, and farm visits; less formal educational events; 4 -H club meetings ü Males v. No tie; Dockers/slacks/starched colored or nice blue jeans and nice short or long sleeved shirt (no tshirts). v. Shoes – cleaned and polished shoes or boots.

#3. Business/Professional Casual for women & for men

#4. “Smart Casual for office not “field” work! • Dressy enough to attend a impromptu business meeting • Perfect for “casual Fridays” • Great for nice restaurants

“Casual” Casual for Guys & Gals • Doesn’t mean that you can show up wearing anything you want • Remember that you are still portraying an image of yourself • Don’t try out the newest fashion trends

#5. ‘Field’ Casual Friday’s, conducting a Child Safety Seat Checkup, establishing Result Demonstrations, trimming livestock, setting up for an educational event, etc ü Females v Jeans, slacks, casual skirts with no holes. slacks, v blouses, nice jogging suits (not sweats!). v Shoes – Flats, sandals, boots, athletic socks. ü Males v Slacks/colored or blue jeans (with no holes). No shorts. v Good shirt (short/long sleeves, polo). v Shoes – clean shoes or boots. Good tennis shoes, no sandals, flip flops, etc.

#6. ‘Demo Work’ Dress …. for the “grunt” work we all are called to do. ü Females v Whatever is required. v Have extra change of cloths and toiletries available ü Males v Whatever is required. v Have extra change of cloths and toiletries available

Name the Dress

What is the Style? Where Does This Dress Belong?

What Is Inappropriate for Professional Casual?

What Not to Wear ü Females v Short, tight midriff revealing tops, jeans with holes or frayed edges, low-cut bosom revealing tops, clothing too tight such as pulling at buttons across the chest. v No shorts, short skirts or mini-skirts. v No flip flops or house slippers. v No workout clothes. v No garments that looks like undergarments.

What Not to Wear ü Males v. Jeans with holes, t-shirts, sleeveless shirts, shorts, jogging suits, biker jackets. v. Tennis shoes, sandals, flip flops and muddy boots. v. Dirty/dusty hats or sweat-stained caps.

First Impression Test – Women Who would you hire?

First Impression Test – Men Who would you hire?

Always dress appropriate for the event and as indicated in communication from your DEA and/or RPD. If not otherwise noted, the recommended attire for all District, Regional and State events (except camps and retreats) will be Professional Dress.

Questions ?