How do women dress up for networking? What kind of image projected should she choose? Ideally, the answer should be: a professional lady.

Let us start with the first layer; lingerie. They are undergarments, meant to support and enhance womanly curves. So with that being established, by convention they should not be obviously seen. Therefore, wear undergarments that are of the same color tone as your skin (note: not white). If you are fair skinned, wearing a light colored blouse and a dark colored bra, chances are that the attention will be on your chest and not your face. Bra straps should be sitting securely on your shoulders and not slipping off. Wear good panties that don’t bunch up or offer everyone a view of the Visible Pantie Line (VPL) underneath your pants or skirt.

Wearing a blouse or a shirt would be suitable for the event. Ensure that the blouse is non-transparent, not too tight, non-provocative and non-sequined. If you are wearing a dress or a skirt, the advisable length that your skirt should end would be at the knee or slightly below it. Thigh-high slits are discouraged. However, if you are opting for pants, the same advice would be given as for men but with a twist: pants should fall between the top of the heel to the middle of the heel. Any higher you will end up looking shorter, any longer you might be bordering on sloppy.

Shoes should be cover your toes. Remember to clean them and visit the cobbler for those scuffed heels. Regarding heel height, it is entirely dependent on your stamina. Take into account that there will be some walking in the venue, standing during networking or queuing in the buffet. Based on how heels might affect your health (Hagan P., 2008), perhaps it is safer to stay below 3 inches.

Accessories should be kept minimal. Perhaps in today’s society, nose, eye and ear piercing have become more acceptable, but in most cases, they are still considered out of the ordinary. One pair of earrings is enough; small and non-dangling ones. Make-up should be applied sparingly to give some color to the face. Clean and trim your fingernails; avoid bright colors for fingernail polish. Remember to shower and brush your teeth, and wear minimal or no fragrance.

Take a leaf out of the books of Suzanne Jung from Channel News Asia, Sarah Palin (during the US vice presidential campaign transformation) or even your insurance agents.

References:

Hagan P., September 2008. Retrieved from the World Wide Web: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1053601/High-heel-horrors-The-hidden-cost-body-crucial-extra-inches.html

Image: Flickr/Group Portrait 2