The transition to business wear can be pretty tricky sometimes. You want to WOW your co-workers without going overboard.

It is important to remember that not all casual clothing is appropriate for business wear.

In order to do this effectively, the sophisticated woman needs a few basic business wear essentials.

First, youll need simple flat-front pair of black pants. Black dress pants are versatile and can be dressed up or down as needed. An additional pair of khaki pants is also advisable.

How about a straight skirt hanging just below the knees? These skirts are flattering and can be worn with a multitude of tops. Casual skirts that are split at or below the knee are acceptable in most businesses. Never wear a mini-skirt to the office.

Youll need a sleeveless, fitted solid colored dress that can be worn with a cardigan.
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Whether you spend your days knocking door to door selling insurance policies or cosmetics, or wiggle under cars changing drippy oils and fluids, looking your best with a hot to trot work uniform is a career must.

If you work with any type of liquid material like paint or grease, or natural foundation like cement or dirt, purchasing two or three sets of coveralls for work uniforms would be the best protection for your underclothes. This is especially true if you are a hard-working man and are sick and tired of washing your soiled shirts and pants and trying every technique to eliminate those stubborn stains!

For the white-collared professional, looking neat and well kept is a career necessity. Whether you sell, buy, trade or distribute, the appearance of your work uniform is a reflection of your business philosophy. Keep it simple by purchasing solid color plain or pleated dress pants or slacks work uniforms, then make sure they are regularly laundered and pressed.

When choosing tops for work uniforms, a smart pick would be a long-sleeved button down light-colored collared shirt. A solid colored blouse or dress shirt would be appropriate or possibly one with thin, light-colored pin stripes.

Sometimes, the steamy hot sun rears its ugly head and short sleeves are a must for work uniforms. In that case, be sure to choose a cotton or polyester button-down with a neutral color. Fortunately, women can opt for a professional-looking knee or ankle-length skirt to wear to work on those warmer days.
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Like so much in American life, the standard clothing sizes we use today can be traced back to the Civil War. If that answer sounds glib, it isnt meant to be. The Civil War was the pivotal event in American history, marking a transition to the modern era, and heralding changes that stood until the 1940s. It even changed the way we buy our clothes.

Antebellum Clothing Sizing

Prior to the Civil War, the overwhelming majority of clothing, for men and women, was tailor-made or home-made. There was a limited variety of mass produced, standardized clothing items, mainly jackets, coats, and undergarments, but even these were only produced in limited quantities. For the most part, clothing for men was made on an individual basis. The Civil War changed that.

Mass Producing Uniforms

During the war, the Northern and Southern armies both needed large quantities of uniforms in a hurry. The South, without a large industrial base, relied primarily on home manufacture for uniforms, and through the war Southern armies typically suffered from a shortage of clothing. The North changed garment making history forever.
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Retail clothing storeowners inevitably face the same situation year after year a surplus of last seasons styles in some form or another. This is good news for the consumer, as prices on these items are typically slashed well below retail in order to make room for new products. But what to do with the clearance items that remain on the shelves well into the next season? Or what if there simply isnt enough room to hang on to these items any longer once new products arrive? Storeowners who find themselves facing these questions may want to consider donating overstock and/or clearance items to a worthy charitable organization.

In many cases, making a sizeable donation will not only benefit the many people touched by the organization receiving your donation, it may make a positive impact on your bottom line by allowing your business a tax write-off at the end of the year. If you are considering making a sizeable donation, you may first want to contact your tax advisor to discuss how the donation would impact your tax scenario.

It is advisable to spend some time researching potential organizations prior to donating. There are seemingly countless organizations out there that are willing to take donations of clothing and accessory items. When choosing an organization, make sure first and foremost that the organization is not-for-profit, as this ensures the potential tax-benefit of donating. It may be easier to locate large national organizations, but it is worthwhile to research smaller local organizations as well. These local organizations often do not receive the level of exposure necessary to meet theirs demands at the same level as larger organizations. As is the case in so many situations, the internet is generally the best source of information for researching charitable organizations. In addition, consult your local phone book, and ask around. Chances are you already know somebody who has some sort of connection to a local charity use those connections!
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