Kristin Tucker

Dress to Impress Ready to land your dream job? That’s the modern professional’s ultimate quest. You research, study and prepare to knock your next employer’s socks off. But how do you decide what to wear? Clothes could be the deciding factor between two similar candidates. A whopping 65 percent of hiring managers admit it!  Inappropriate wardrobe choices, whether too casual or too revealing, can prevent you from landing your dream job. With so many options on the fashion scene, here are some top things you need to know when pulling together your interview attire. Make sure your look is up-to-date. Appropriate office fashion has changed and evolved over time.  Women now create their own version of a “power suit” with mixed fabrics, cardigans and stretch fabrics.  Wearing a decades-old suit can come off as being out-of-touch with current trends.   (habilimentblog.com)   Research the field’s company culture to determine what to wear. What’s acceptable at fashion magazines certainly differs from the dress codes of major accounting firms. While traditional suits are most appropriate in conservative industries, nothing stops you from showing creativity in non-traditional fields with color. If you’ll be in a business-casual environment, then nice pants or a knit jacket with a woven skirt might be that industry’s version of a traditional suit.        (lookonpoint.wordpress.com)   Dress on the conservative side, but remember that conservative doesn’t...

The holidays have wrapped, so it’s time to reflect on what stood out. Here is a very short list in pictures and words of a few of my favorite things from holiday sightings to current and future trends. Color… My favorite fashion mantra that I never get tired of sharing remains…Don’t be afraid of color! These two dresses (one a bold print maxi dress and the other a rich, royal purple and fuchsia) plus chunky colorful jewels spoke to me loud and clear from bevello’s window on East Franklin Street last month. Just walking into bevello’s colorfully merchandised boutique will brighten your day. I make it a “must see” every time I’m on the east end of Chapel Hill. And so should you!       More Color and a little sparkle… My parents rule as “Best Dressed” couple on New Year’s Eve. Not only are they two of my favorite things, but so is their colorful coordinated attire. Pat pops color and sparkle under her black velvet jacket and Gary dons a matching Murano colorful striped button down shirt. (A Christmas gift from stylists Mom and The Fashion Plate found at University Mall’s Dillard’s.)      Sparkle has been a fall and holiday favorite for me. Pat Lopp again pops both sparkle and color here. Sartorial dresser Gary Lopp pops color and stripes under his leather vest. All...