Tip 10: Hair Management Is Key

Here’s the truth: Hair is a big deal at work. It doesn’t matter what color, shape or length your hair is, but it does matter that it is pulled together. That means that you can wear a ponytail, a bun, blow your hair out straight, or wear it curly, but it needs to be kept and together.

I have seen women at work whose hair is very disheveled and messy, and it takes away from their professionalism. You don’t have to have the most glam-orous hair, but you do need to make sure it is managed. My go-to hairstyle for work on busy days is a bun. It’s simple, easy and I can put it up in three minutes. It always looks pulled together and professional. Some women can wear a beautiful ponytail and some women wear extensions that look perfect every day. The key is finding a few easy looks that work for you and make you feel your best while keeping your look polished and professional. My favorite look is getting a blowout and going to work, but my job doesn’t afford me the time to do that everyday. I’ve discovered that buns are the answer when blow-outs aren’t an option.

It is imperative that you have a quick look you can maneuver and style in a pinch. Make it your own and by all means, show your unique look—but make sure you are polished, so you can shine!

The post Hair, Do! appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 9: Buy a Classic Bag

Finding classic, go-to bag for work is imperative. It will make deciding what to wear that much easier. I’ve always chosen classic basic bags in black or a neu-tral hue so I can use them everyday.

As I made more money, I would buy another color, but I have stayed very con-sistent with two staple bags throughout my career. Making an investment in a beautiful bag is wise; it will literally last you for years! I have the same Louis Vuitton carry-all bag that I bought six years ago. I use it most days, and be-cause it’s black and timeless, I know it will be appropriate for most occasions. I still get compliments on it all the time! I also have a Phillip Lim bag that I bought on Rue La La. It’s nearly white and can go with so much in the summer months.

Owning one or two staple bags is fantastic for elevating your look and keeping you professional. My bag fits my computer, notebook, purse, makeup, brush and anything else that I might be carrying. A good work bag is a necessity for look-ing polished and professional.

The post It’s in the Bag, Baby appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 8: Splurge on Shoes

Shoes are my everything! A good pair of shoes can make an outfit. I love beauti-ful shoes; you can literally change an outfit with the flip of a shoe. If you have a simple black sheath dress and you pop a fabulous kick of color on your feet, your day has just been made.

It is so important to have the basics in your shoe wardrobe: a nude heel, a black heel and a lower sling back, as well as a black knee-length boot. These basics are perfect to travel with and make decisions around what to wear easy. When you can find a beautiful shoe on sale, even better! That’s the time to buy.

The post Shoes Say It All appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 7: Keep the Statement Jewelry at Home

What jewelry to wear for work can be tricky. It’s a great way to accessorize, but you also don’t want it to be distracting. It is so important that you be yourself at work and in life, but your jewelry at the office must be on point.

Many women enjoy wearing beautiful jewelry—who doesn’t, really? But I find that a good rule of thumb for work is to remove one piece of jewelry before you leave your house. I’m a minimalist with jewelry; my daily go-to for work is my simple Tiffany & Co. necklace with pearl earrings and a watch. Not very exciting, but this is my everyday look. It’s easy, clean and I don’t have to think about it, though I do feel like with a nice watch, everything looks more rich and fabulous.

If you are a jewelry lover, I only caution you to not let the jewelry overpower you or your personality while in the office.

The post Make an Understated Statement appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 6: Dress the Part

Many young women in business wonder why people do not take them seriously. One of the ways that they can manage this is by “dressing the part.” Knowing what to wear can make all the difference in how you’re perceived at the office. The more professional you dress, the more you change the image of a young girl in business to a professional woman in business.

Unfortunately, the way you present yourself starts with how you look, and a lot of that has to do with your outfit. Take cues from successful women around you and work to make your own unique look a professional one. As women age and gain success, they are often afforded more options in how they dress. Note styles they’re wearing and have fun translating those looks to your own ward-robe.

Of course, there are some caveats. Successful women can harm their image when they are over the age of 40 and are dressing in a manner that might have been suitable when they were 20. I struggle with this, too! At 41, it is hard to see beautiful fashion out there and not be able to wear it any longer. In these moments, I typically take a picture of myself in the outfit and send it to one of my girlfriends who I know will keep me in check. Often times, she tells me to change out of the outfit, and I do…sadly. I know, though, that it is important to project the image that you want people to receive from you. At the end of the day, I want people to hear my words much more than I want them to look at my outfit.

The post Maximize Your Age appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 5: Mirror Who You’re Meeting With

When I have a big meeting or presentation, I typically know the people I will be meeting with and have done my homework on them. I find that when you’re trying to win business or convince superiors to come to your way of thinking, it’s helpful to mirror them in some way. The easiest way to do this is by paying attention to how they dress as it will help you decide what to wear for your meeting.

I have a boss who loves to wear sneakers and jeans no matter what, so when I meet with him, I never wear a suit. This keeps the meeting more comfortable and keeps him at ease. Conversely, when I am going into a meeting with a big client and am trying to win their business, I dress for success. That means looking as professional as possible. I will typically wear a suit in a basic navy or black color to convey how serious I am about winning their business.

People form an impression of you the minute they lay eyes on you. Whether you’re heading in to a huge presentation or a one-on-one meeting, make sure the impression they form is a good one.

The post Mirror, Mirror appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 4: A Little Research Goes a Long Way

Work cocktail parties are an interesting event to navigate what to wear. If it’s an annual event I’ve never been to, I typically research the previous year’s event online to see how people were dressed. There are formal work cocktail parties and more casual work cocktail parties, and it’s always helpful to have an idea of how to dress. Are women in silk jumpsuits with lots of jewelry? Then wearing your work suit may not be the best option. Are they all wearing their office suits? Then perhaps a basic black sheath dress and a jacket will be more appropriate than a red cocktail dress.

Knowing the environment you are walking into will always help you to feel more confident, and therefore, to look and feel your best!

The post Know Your Audience appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 3: When In Doubt, Always Aim for Overdressed

What to wear to conferences can sometimes be tricky. “Business casual” can take on a life of its own, and the results can be less than flattering. I attend a lot of conferences, and I typically see a sea of navy blue suits. In a male dominated industry, I like to stand out from the crowd by wearing a dress or pencil skirt. Most of the conferences I attend are not formal, so I typically wear a beautiful work dress—I like Theory or DVF— or my go-to

pencil skirts and blouses.  I try to pack for one color palette, opting for nude heels and a nude bag so I can choose my outfits around them. This makes packing so much easier!

I’ve also learned over the years to err on the side of being overdressed. A good friend of mine thought that many of our male counterparts looked casually dressed when they showed up without ties or jackets. She came to the conference floor in flats, slacks and an un-tucked blouse. Upon surveying the crowd, she quickly rethought her outfit and came back down with a matching suit jacket that pulled her outfit together nicely. The lesson? It’s much better to be overdressed than underdressed, and feeling pulled together will automatically make you feel more confident!

The post Overdress for Success appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 2: A Little Effort Goes a Long Way

What to wear on a date can be a point of confusion and stress for many people. When I’m heading out on a date, I like to put a little extra effort into dressing up. I love to wear dresses, in particular. My go-to for a date night is an Herve dress, anytime. They have classic, beautiful dresses that hold you in everywhere—so flattering.  If I’m not going to wear a dress, you will find me in Frame jeans, a tank top with a cute jacket and heels, of course! When I am going out, you will always find me in heels. Even when I had surgery on my knee, I wore heels! Some things are non-negotiable to me, and heels are definitely just one of them.

Everyone appreciates someone who puts effort into how they look when they’re on a date. Whether you’re a jeans kind of woman or a woman who loves a dress, going the extra mile will make you feel great, too

The post Dress It Up appeared first on Heather Monahan.

Tip 1: Find Your “Go-To” Work Outfits

If you’re like me, you have no time in the morning. I’m constantly running against a clock trying to get my son ready for school while simultaneously getting myself ready for work. This can prove difficult if you don’t plan your outfits out for work the night before.

I try to plan my outfits out on Sundays, but when things don’t go according to plan and I find myself strapped for time, I have two work outfits that I reach for, no matter what. One is a wrap dress. I own three different wrap dresses that all fit my body type, and I know when I throw it on, it will be flattering. My other go-to work outfit is a pencil skirt and blouse—or turtleneck—depending on the weather. I rotate my four different pencil skirts with basic blouses, so when I’m rushed and pressed for time, I know that these no-thought outfits will allow me to leave looking neat and pulled together.

By knowing what your body type is, dressing to enhance your unique figure and having some outfits that fit well and can be rotated throughout the week, you can put your best foot forward and concentrate on a job well done!

The post Work Your Go-To Wardrobe appeared first on Heather Monahan.