Dressing up for Interviews

I just started university again after a two week break, and during that time I've went to a few of my friends' graduations. So what happens next? I assume they jump into the nauseating grind of the job search, so here's a little advice to give yourself a little confidence boost when planning what to wear for your job interviews. There is nothing better then walking into an interview prepared and confident; I can't really help with you being prepared but here's some advice I use when getting ready for any interviews.

LOOK PROFESSIONAL!

Pretty obvious right? This being said, looking professional doesn't really help that much but doesn't hurt. However, dressing poorly can potentially make or break the interview. Most interviewers don't notice how we dress, except when it's distracting. The aim of the interview is to hire someone that can do the job and work in teams to do that job, and the way we dress is not an indication of your ability to do these things.

So, what does it mean to dress professionally? That really depends on the job you're applying for, most professional positions working behind the desk will require a suit, while some will only require a simple button up shirt and dress trousers or Chinos. The trick is not to overdress, getting information about the typical dress code in the office before hand helps out a lot. Jobs that require you to meet clients may be more impacted the way you choose to dress so think about the industry!

For suits, I recommend a conservative 2-button dark grey or dark blue suit, with either black or dark brown shoes, a simple striped tie, and a standard white collared shirt. The idea is to keep it conservative, keeping jewelry to a minimum (cuff links etc).


For jobs that do not require a suit, a simple white or blue collared shirt tucked into dress trousers or chinos and a pair of black or dark brown shoes. Go for a blazer if you want that sharper look, but not necessary. Minimal is best, wear what's comfortable.

The entire point is, what you're wearing is so standard that the interviewer can ignore what you are wearing and focus on your resume, personality and how you answer questions. Still, it can't hurt to walk into the interview with confidence and putting some effort into what you wear will definitely help.

Hope the advice helps!
Wei

Leggings Faux Pas

Many believe that leggings are not pants. However in Australia they have become acceptable to be worn on warm days when leg-hugging jeans are too hot to wear. To avoid the many possible shames of leggings that may occur here are some Do’s and Don’t’s J

DO wear them with the appropriate coloured underwear. Please. I have not gone a day without seeing a girl wearing obvious in-your-face underwear.

DON’T wear any form of bright/colourful underwear. No matter what colour your leggings are (mainly black), they can show through. Especially when you’re bent over or in bright light. Yellow underwear under leggings = No. Pink underwear under leggings = No. Polka dotted underwear under leggings = No. You get the point. You may think you can get away with it by not bending over throughout the day, but girl, trust me. I can see them when you’re walking in front of me up the stairs.

DO wear them with the appropriate type of underwear. Black seamless underwear under black leggings are best. As they don’t show panty lines and are the same colour.

DON’T wear underwear with frills, bows, or any other texture. Against the thin material of the leggings they do show through.

DON’T wear super tight underwear. Because then it becomes very apparent what kind of underwear you’re wearing (granny, boy leg, bikini, thong, etc). However, don’t go the opposite route and wear large, saggy undies.

DO buy good quality leggings. This is for the sole purpose of opacity. See-through leggings will defeat all efforts in choosing the correct underwear.

Okay ladies, now lets talk camel toe (sorry guys if you’re uncomfortable). No. No. NO. It’s so simple. Just don’t wear leggings pulled up so high. Before you leave the house, check they aren’t tight and pulled up around the crotch region. Simple. No one likes to see it, and if pointed out it can be painfully embarrassing.

So girls, remember these rules next time you decide to wear leggings in public. But if you’re at home do whatever you feel comfortable and wear that crazy underwear!

Christine 

Fast Fashion

So the other day I opened my wardrobe, flipping through my dresses and shirts, suddenly I am surprised how many "Fast Fashion" labels I have. H&M, ZARA, Forever 21. Some of which I have never even worn before. Then I started asking myself, "When did I get all this stuff?"

I am sure someone out there is sharing the same feeling cos the thing is, they are just too cheap. They provide you with easy daily clothes at at extreme bargain price. $10 tank-tops. $15 slimming pants. It is almost impossible to walk out of these stores without buying a piece or two. Plus they changes their designs constantly so you'll always find something new that suits you when you visit a store. They also provide you with clothes suiting for different occasions: formal, parties, casual. Anything you need. And the best part is they take reference from high-end designer labels, modify them, and Bam! There you have a set of Marc Jacobs outfit for 10% of the price.

One problem is because everything is so cheap and easy to get, shoppers tend to end up with more than they need. But they don't care! It doesn't hurt them at all that they have to throw away a pair of $5 flip-flops or $15 jacket. The most important thing is to keep up with the trend. They wouldn't even bother to return the piece in case they don't like it when they got home. This causes a massive waste of useful materials and unconscious excess spending from consumers.

And since the clothes are so cheap, fast fashion labels have actually sacrificed. I once bought this sweater in one of the shops and I couldn't stop scratching my back for the entire night. So it's not always good to go for the cheaper option. But for a student like me who has limited financial resources, it'd probably take some time for me to walk away from this convenient and helpful industry. For now, I am definitely recommending these guys for you all who wanted some nice pretty treats to yourself from time to time, without emptying your wallet.

Janice

Fixing your ugg boot Dilema

As the weather gets colder and my motivation to leave the house weakens completely particularly when I’m stuck with the dilemma of deciding on whether it’s suitable to walk out the door wearing ugg boots or it may get me ridiculed by others. I love my Ugg boots. They are like fleecy cuddles for my feet. They are the first things I put on in the morning and the last things I take off at night.  Well, almost the last things - in winter I also wear pants. Der. We’ve seen celebrities, fashion icons, models, neighbors, friends, and work colleagues wearing this winter shoe. Everyone is doing it! You are probably on the exact same boat as I am. But really is the act of wearing one’s comfy home footwear outside of the house really all that bad? Are we so stuffy a society as to dictate the wearing of “proper” footwear just to go up shop and buy some milk? We seem to have erroneously clinched rubber thongs as almost a national symbol, and yet their winter equivalent must still stay hidden behind closed doors. I have been thinking a lot about this lately have decided there are indeed occasions when Ugg boots should be considered appropriate.  I figured you can still wear ugg boots outside, but you need to make sure you are wearing them correctly and fashionably. So here are many ways to coordinate different fashion styles with Uggs. I am going to give you some fascinating suggestions, but feel free to use your imagination!

Since they´re stout, styling ugg boots is about proportion, balance and details. Always wear them with leggings and skinny jeans and add some interesting details on your outfit. You can wear leggings and a babydoll dress. A babydoll dress can create curves for rectangle-shaped figures or hide those few extra curves.

The easiest way to wear your Uggs is with your comfortable skinny jeans and a baggie blouse accessorized by a necklace. This way, you will be comfortable, warm and stylish. Wear baggy pants and tuck them in your Uggs. Accompany this look with a with a tight blouse and cardigan. This is another easy and comfortable way to go about your day in both comfort and style.

It is also best to avoid neon-colored Uggs. If you really want to wear your Uggs in funky colors, do so with jeans and a neutral-colored blouse. You don't want your outfit to compete with the strong statement of your attention-grabbing footwear.

So, hopefully you won’t need to think twice about walking out that door with your ugg boots on. Just do it stylishly and you will pass. Remember, there are always ways in which you can equip yourself with stylish ways to wear ugg boots and it all starts now in the cold.

Nadia

Beauty is sometimes simple

So, last week we talked about man in suits.  This week, we talk about ladies in dresses.

Weddings, proms, balls, formal dinners, you name it.  These events are always when girls turn to ladies.  Taking every single detail into count, they glam themselves up from head to toe.

A dress suited for these kinds of events doesn’t necessarily have to be a long dress.  Instead, it can be short and elegant, and it would still fit the occasion.

 

However, some people may prefer long dresses to extenuate their slim figure.

The main thing that ladies should keep in mind when choosing a dress is not how nice the dress looks on it’s own.  Rather, it should be how nice the dress looks on you.  Be sure to look for a glamorous shade that brings out color in your face.  When choosing a fabric finish, in mind that shinier finishes will tend to show off figure flaws while matte finishes will obscure and diminish undesirable features. 

Try on dresses in a variety of different styles and cuts to find the one that works best for your body. 

If you have a slim figure, you may look best in a sheath-style dress that shows off your silhouette.  If you are curvy, you may want to consider an A-line dress that will highlight your waist and minimize your hips and thighs.  If you're short and petite, dress shopping may be a nightmare; cocktail dresses become full gowns and party dresses become cocktail dresses.  If you're looking for a longer dress, look for a short dress that is long on you.  It will fit better and will fit you everywhere else without being too long.

But lastly, don’t forget that beauty is sometimes simple. 

Take this advice with a pinch of salt.  I hope it helps. 

Sheryl.

Longchamp Le Pliage

Have you ever wondered, while out and about, or at uni, why a lot of women seem to have this colourful bag with brown handles that comes in different sizes? That, my fashionable friends, is the Longchamp Le Pliage.

Why do you see so many of them? Because it’s light, roomy, foldable and comes in many different colours and sizes. I didn’t understand why they were so popular, until I recently bought two for myself thanks to a sale work was having , which when combined with my staff discount, made it SUPER cheap.


The Le Pilage in the Medium Shopping size (the blue one in the photo) is particularly handy for uni! Because it’s light, it won’t be as heavy as a leather bag. The size means I can fit my A4 folder in it without having to carry it around. And because the material is made from nylon, if it suddenly rains, I won’t need to worry about the bag getting yucky, unlike a leather bag, as it’s waterproof! I tend to use the red one for the short shopping trip where all I need is my wallet, keys, Walkman, Swiss Army Knife and mobile.

You may see a lot of them around, but there’s many good reasons why – the Longchamp Le Pliage is one of the best bags one can use when they, like me, carry what seems like the earth with them.

Wendy

Winter is coming!

Woke up this morning, freezing, winter is finally coming, and as the only male blogger on this fashion blog, I feel it's necessary for to show off various options for guys when it comes to outerwear (Coats, jackets, etc.) during the winter months to come.

Despite how little variations are available to us guys when compared with the ladies' collections, do not lose hope! We have a quite few versatile choices to tide us over these winter months ranging from leather jackets to toggle coats, depending on the look you're going for. I'll will be focusing on my favourites, leather jackets and pea coats.

I feel that richer darker colours really fit and complement the winter. So colours like blacks, browns, darker reds and maroons, grays  and navy blue work well and can be well balanced with lighter colours like ivory, olive greens, or tan colours.

Classic Leather Jacket

Leather jackets have not and will never go out of fashion and is the perfect addition to any fall/winter (guys and girls!) wardrobe. Windproof and practical, this is great choice and goes with most outfits, I personally prefer a black leather jacket but the classic brown should definitely not be overlooked.

Faded Black Denim Pea Coat by Ralph Lauren

Originating from sailors and members of the European Navy, the pea coat has become a staple for most guys' fall/winter wardrobe. Pea coats are easily recognised by broad lapels, double-breasted fronts, large buttons and vertical or slash pockets. Typically easy to wear with most outfits and will definitely keep you warm while looking your best. I bought a great one on sale from H&M and I have not regretted it since!

There are many other choices available such as 

• Quilted Jackets
• Tweed Sportscoats
• Corduroy Sportscoats
• Wool Blazers
• Quilted Vests
• Down Vests
• Chesterfield Coats
• Down Coats
• Car Coats
• Duffle Coats
• Toggle Coats
• Parkas
• Fleece Jackets
• Overcoats
• Fishtail Parkas
• Mackintosh Coats

These can be chosen based on the style you're aiming for and are all valid choices for any fall/winter wardrobe and the colour choices I mentioned above applies to these as well.
Anyways, hope this helps and as usual take my advice with a pinch of salt. See you next Monday!

Wei

Fashion getting Exotic

There’s a certain point in life when I imagined myself being a fashion designer. I dreamt of all these wonderful clothes I made being worn by gorgeous top models walking under glamorous spotlights on a catwalk. This was one of my favourite pastimes as a kid.

Yet, looking at some of the designs from modern designers, I realize the fashion industry was never how I had pictured it. Designers are much more “inventive” than I expected. The outfits have exaggerating designs that could not have fit into any occasion except a party gone wrong.

This guy looks like he has lost a true-or-dare game. Maybe that’s where the designer got his inspiration as well?

A sausage and egg lover would definitely give anything for this dress. But beware! People around may not be able to hold their constant envy from persistent craving!

I can see that you have a very good iron. Would you mind letting me the brand?

Don’t make me jump on you because I. LOVE. durian!!!

I guess these designs only exist for the sake of a fashion show. They are bizarre and entertaining, and lots of people actually fancy them (though there’s space for them to work a bit more on the practical side). Still, hope all these designers can keep up their enthusiasm and give us more of these fabulous arts. 

Hope you enjoyed the post and please subscribe!!

Janice :)

Man up, Suit up.

So, few weeks ago we had a formal dinner in my college.  People were dressing up, girls in dresses and heels, and guys in suits and ties.  Let me repeat – SUITS AND TIES. 

There’s always something about guys in suits that makes me melt a little inside, especially when that special someone dons it.  So some may ask, how does a complete suit look like? 

Well, there are four main criteria to take into consideration – colour, pattern, material and context.  The colour of the suit should be a matching fit, and soothing to the eyes.  The pattern of a suit should just be light and simple, nothing over the border.  Personally, plain suits win hands down.  Another importance of a suit would be the material. It can be smooth or slightly rough.  It all depends on the look that you are trying to pull off.  Classy, or a little old school.  Next up, context.  The thing about suits is that people always think that it’s only meant for formal events but they don’t realize how combining different styles of suits would make a it suitable for any occasion.  Sometimes all you need to do is mix and match and you’ll end up with the perfect suit for any occasion.

Classic Perfection

A simple taste

Take this advice with a pinch of salt.  I hope it helps.

Sheryl.

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