Tools

#01 DRESS FOR YOUR NEXT JOB
Always dress for a job that is one position higher than your own. How we dress has a profound effect on how we feel about ourselves and on the people who will make decisions about our future. Knowing that you look the part will help you confidently grow into that next job and also give your bosses the right message.

#02 NO LOGO
Wearing obvious brands or logos shows a sense of insecurity in your choices and can be unnecessarily expensive. Make sure that you are paying for quality fabric and a modern, edgy cut that really fits you.

#03 LESS IS MORE  
Use my capsule wardrobe approach to get the best out of your budget. Buy fewer, better quality clothes you'll wear more often and you'll spend less in the end. A well-constructed capsule wardrobe will give you endless combinations, a great base from which to accessorise different looks, easy packing for business travel and a confident, consistent personal style .

#04 JACKETS ARE A MUST
The jacket is the basis of every busy woman's wardrobe. Research shows that women are taken far more seriously when they're working if they wear jackets. Cardigans are all very well, but you may be asked to make the tea. So always wear a jacket unless you're wearing a dress with sleeves. The jacket must fit well and be able to be done up. If you are bigger on your bottom half, buy to that size and have the top adjusted.

#05 TRAVEL LIGHT
Pack a mini-capsule wardrobe in your carry-on case. Choose an outfit that can be split up, such as a trouser suit with a jacket that can go with a skirt or a dress the next day. Scarves can also alter the look from one day to the next. And keep to one or two colours so that you can manage with one pair of shoes or boots. Take a dressy top and extra jewellery for the evening. T-shirts can be rolled into small spaces and can work as a top under the jacket. For the cosmetic bag, use samples and decant favourites into 100ml containers.

#06 DON'T CREASE UP
Fold polythene packaging into clothes to stop them creasing. Lay trousers out, put the polythene on top and then fold, so the polythene is inside the fold. Stuffing polythene up jacket sleeves avoids creasing, too. No matter how well you pack there will be a certain amount of creasing, which, if you are lucky, will fall out if you hang it in the bathroom as you shower. A hairdryer held not too near the garment will often do the job of a steam iron.

#07 MAKE SURE THE SHOE FITS
Think of comfort as well as chic when choosing shoes - bad posture or teetering on high heels doesn't help credibility. Today, there are now many fashionable wedge-heeled shoes that give height with comfort and still look smart.

#08 ALWAYS WEAR TIGHTS
Always wear tights with dresses or skirts (even in summer - there are very sheer ones). After all, men don't go sockless.

#09 WEAR NATURAL MAKE-UP
Wear natural looking make-up, but never go without any. Mineral powders give good coverage without being too heavy. Err on less is more but, at the very least, make sure you're wearing lipstick.

#10 GROOM FOR SUCCESS
Good hairstyling and grooming are very important - don't forget your nails. Well-cut hair is your best accessory.

#11 DON'T OVERLOAD JEWELLERY
Don't wear too much jewellery - a good watch and earrings are important but they shouldn't be too dangly.

#12 FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
Buy a good outdoor coat or raincoat, depending on your budget, and spend as much as you can on your bag and shoes.

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