Staff Blogs

Tis the season to be booked up every weekend. Best Friend Betty is having a soirée which will undoubtedly be filled with cheap beers, forever friends and censored Facebook pics. Next weekend your Auntie Alice is hosting a family gathering with delicious home made hor d'oeuvres, the cutest little cousins around, and the predictable meltdown between Cousin Carl and Uncle Ernie. And OH MY GOSH we can’t forget the holiday work party and yes…you have to go. And despite that creepy IT guy that will be ogling you with that glassy eyed stare, the wine is good and the mini quiches are better than Lean Cuisine. Each of these parties will be a completely different atmosphere, and there are special rules of decorum for each occasion – most importantly what’s appropriate to wear.

Here are some ideas to help you kick start your Holiday Party shopping madness.

Below you’ll find some outfits for Bestie Betty’s shindig. Get sexy, go glitzy and take risks. Short is ok. Cleavage? Go for it. You’re gunning for a party foul by the end of the evening anyway, right? Your friends won’t judge your look because who knows your true personal style better than they do?

Auntie Alice’s family extravaganza is a little different. Grandma might not approve of your Friday night bar wear and no one wants to upset Grandma. So go a little sweeter while still looking festive. Sparkle away and go for more florals and lace but please keep it tucked in and covered. The Elf on the Shelf could be watching!

And last, but possibly the most difficult tricky, is what to wear for the annual office party. Here is when you want to be able to add some personal flare to your outfits since the black trousers and button downs are such a bummer to wear Monday through Friday. The key here is balance. If you’re going with a shorter skirt, stay a little more modest on top with a higher scoop neck. A bit of cleavage peeking is ok, but stick with a mid thigh length skirt or longer or perhaps more fullness on the bottom. Keep it classy and if your boss raises an eyebrow when you enter the bash, grab that emergency blazer from the car and you won’t be the subject of water cooler convos on Monday.

So deck the halls while all decked out! You want to be the center of the party because of your outstanding personality not for your outrageous outfit and if you stick with these simple rules and you won’t go wrong!

It's that time of year again where you're surrounded by the hustle and bustle of decorating, shopping, baking, and of course visiting those you don't see very often. I'm talking about the holidays, which in addition to putting exorbitant amounts of purchases on your credit card, you also find yourself abiding by certain etiquette that you otherwise wouldn't follow at any other time of the year - like sending cards to distant relatives and clients or baking cookies for the church holiday bake sale.  Though some of the etiquette can be quite awkward for some people, there is one that must not be ignored: holiday work party etiquette.

Yes, there is alcohol and a more lenient dress code but don't let the party favors encourage a party foul.  Holiday work parties are wrapped within a social context but regardless of how laid back your company is, the event is still a BUSINESS function.  Often times, professionals of all ages make mistakes during professional/social gatherings that lead to dire consequences including termination of employment.  In other words, don't be THAT GUY or THAT GIRL known as the drunk, the flirt, the glutton, or even the party pooper.  Some may find it difficult to find the right balance between being a professional and a socialite in the same setting.  According to Peter Hess, the 30-year- old founder and president of YAPA, a free Internet-based membership organization for young professionals, the easiest way to road block your way to success is to mess up at a holiday work party.  

Hess and Lou Kennedy, a nationally known author on business etiquette have compiled a list of 10 "no-no's" to avoid this holiday season:
  

    - Mistake No. 1: The Blow-off. The biggest error is not going to an office party that is a  "must-attend" event. Says Hess - "If you do
that, you show disrespect for your company, your supervisors and your colleagues. That's a career-killer."

   - Mistake No. 2: Forgetting the Boss is Watching. Hess says senior managers pay attention to how people handle themselves at
corporate events. In his words - "They might not know your name, but they will remember your face."

   - Mistake No. 3: T-shirts and Sandals. Inappropriate dress at an office party draws attention, but the wrong kind. Says Kennedy -
"The goal is to display professional qualities, not show how funky or daring you are. Skip the plunging neckline and heavy cologne."

   - Mistake No. 4: The Business-talking Bore. Hess says - "Some young professionals let ambition drive them. They don't know how to enjoy conversation unless it is only about business. They become bores whom bosses avoid."

   - Mistake No. 5: Me, Me, Me. Kennedy says self-centered young professionals will have trouble working in teams with others...and
co-workers and bosses pick up on this.

   - Mistake No. 6: Who's the Boss? Says Hess - "It is amazing, but some young professionals do not introduce themselves to senior
managers at a company party. They are afraid of what a boss might think, or they don't realize the importance of a face- to-face
meeting. They should not be surprised when bosses ignore them when it comes time for advancement."

   - Mistake No. 7: About My Pay. Kennedy says an employee who raises pay or other personal issues at a company party "is marked as a person who does not understand what is and is not appropriate at social events. No employer wants that person in charge of others higher up on the corporate ladder."

   - Mistake No. 8: Hanky-panky. No longer is an office party an excuse for employees to become intimate. Says Hess - "Now it means sexual harassment charges and dismissal for one or both individuals."

   - Mistake No. 9: The College Bash. Says Kennedy - "Office parties are extensions of the workplace and not campus free-for-alls."
Using some of the speech and behavior allowed in college can show immaturity.

   - Mistake No. 10: Set 'em up, Joe. "Drinking to excess at a company party will kill a career instantly"...says Kennedy..."Don't have more than two alcoholic beverages and better yet, don't drink at all."

In addition to this advice, I suggest just three things when it comes to young, new, or aged professionals attending work holiday parties. First and foremost, dress for the occasion. This means taking into consideration the setting and mood of the party.  Is it business casual or black tie? Most importantly, it's dress to make a professional impression in a holiday light.  Second, if you can't handle your liquor or are afraid you might let your inner college days comes out, ask the bartender for a vodka-tonic minus the vodka, or a cranberry juice and lime. This averts attention away from your drink but also keeps you sober when the Vice President asks you what you do at the company.  And third, RELAX.  This is the time to really show the higher-ups who you are at the company and how you handle different situations than just sitting in a cubicle.  In fact, use the party to your ADVANTAGE.  Make them proud they made the right decision when hiring you and let them remember your face when it comes time for a promotion.  

And of course.....have fun!

Mini Skirts.  Yes, it’s November and I said “Mini Skirts”.  They are in for Fall in a big way.  But alas, how do you wear them without having goose bumps 18 hrs a day (I’m assuming you don’t fall asleep in your day clothes, but if you do, I’m not judging).

Sport that mini with tights!  It’s the hottest look right now and I suggest you give it a try. 

 With the variety of tights that are out right now, the perfect pair is out there to coordinate with your super hot mini.  By adding a pair of tights, you add a touch of modesty, lots of functionality, and tons of personality.  A few staple tights options every fashionable lady should have are opaque black, grey and brown, and some textured tights too – think ribbed or cable knit.

 Check out six different looks we’ve put together.

 This first grouping of looks is a very wearable.  The skirt and tights combos are kept simple, even with the addition of some bold colors.  Dark opaque tights are great for slimming the leg too. FASHION BONUS!  A black mini skirt is a must-have for every wardrobe and the perfect blank canvas for tights of all styles and is a great place to start if you’ve never rocked this look.  The middle look is a black knit mini skirt with silver threading for a dressier look - Great for the Holidays (it’s right around the corner!)

 This second group of looks is for the seasoned miniskirt/tights wearer.  Go bold by mixing it up!  Wear your outfit with confidence and YES, you can definitely pull it off.  This season, miniskirts are really going nuts with patterns and I’m loving it.  In the photo on the left and center, the model is wearing a bandage skirt, which feels stiff when you first pick it up.  But once you put it on, it just sucks you all in and smooths out bumps.  What woman doesn’t want that?

 Patterned tights can do wonders for your legs too.  Find the right style and you’ll trick your friends into thinking you’ve grown 4” overnight.  Look for patterns with diagonal lines such as the two outer styles.  It’s a trick that petite girls like me have been using for years!

 So try this dynamic duo out.  You don’t have to be young or old, curvy or tiny, this or that.  ANYONE can pull this look off as long as you have the right pieces to work with. Play around with what you have, or of course, come into Nich and we can pull together the perfect pairing for you! 

There’s something about living in a town where you can walk just about anywhere.  West Chester is definitely a walking town.  Sure there’s major roads and highways that are necessary to get you to certain places but the majority of needs can be met by putting on your walking shoes or yes--even heels!

I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was in my 20s.  This meant my life living in West Chester during college and for a short time after, I had to walk to get groceries, walk to work, and walk to the bars and restaurants.  Thankfully, the town of West Chester is welcoming to foot traffic.  On my way to work I could grab lunch, pick up my Friday night dress, and stop by a friend’s apartment--all within a mile.  

In the winter months, particularly in December, walking is still do-able.  Despite the cold and freezing temperatures, the town is decorated with wreaths, lights, and of course a big tree that makes my commute that much more enjoyable.  Sometimes, I felt like the scene  I saw as I walked was right out of a movie and I have to admit that I often pretended I was in one (maybe that’s what kept me warm).

And yes, the walking somehow is still an option even in heels.  Sure I complain a bit but I always make it to my destination and back in one piece. I’m kidding.  Walking in my high heels downtown was and is my favorite part about commuting by foot.  I’m sure people think if she can do that, she can do anything.  It's true.

West Chester also has so many accommodations for walkers.  From food trucks and hot dog stands to hot chocolate and even Philly pretzels, walkers can keep their stomachs full and their energy levels up. That's key for walking.

But of course I can’t go without mentioning the fact that walking everywhere meant I remained thin and healthy.  I also saved TONS of money on gas.  It was definitely a win-win.  So maybe the next time you go to get in your car, you’ll look down at your heels and say, I can do this.  I will walk.  And I promise you it will be worth it...

Welcome to the "What to Wear" blog where we give you tips and tricks to looking your best, how to wear trends, and how to feel confident about what you wear!

These days, people are pinching their pennies and trying to make the most of their paychecks. But it doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your choices in fashion. You can look unbelievable and not run your wallet dry.
But how do you make the most of what you have? What’s the best way to stretch your wardrobe? I’ve chosen pieces that you can easily transition from day to evening so that you can save that hard earned cash for a fun night out.

In the day look, I’ve paired the Draper top, which is a stretch jersey with a deep V neck. Out model is wearing a denim pencil skirt and opaque tights for modesty at the office. I’ve layered a camisole under the Draper top and completed the look with a scarf for a splash of color. Scarves do wonders to bring out the color of your eyes and are an easy way to dress up any outfit.
For evening, I’ve paired the same top with a printed mini skirt, a HUGE trend for Fall. I’ve removed the camisole to reveal a sexier neckline and the look is finished with over-sized statement earrings which add a real sultriness to the entire look.  She went from Power Point to On The Prowl with just a few simple changes.

Next is the Kent sweater. It is a cowl neck, ¾ sleeve, tunic length sweater. I’ve changed very little in this transition from office to evening. In the day look, I’ve paired the sweater with dark denim and a brown skinny belt. The model is accessorized with simple earrings.
The evening look is achieved by ditching the denim and adding leggings (if you can get away with it, think opaque tights instead!). Think about your shoe options too. Lose the wedges from the day and add a sexy black booties or motorcycle boots. She has changed up the earrings for a bigger, bolder accessory and can now meet her friends after work for dinner and see where the night leads.

In this third look, I’ve dressed the model in the Trinity top. It’s a gorgeous silky fabric that is paired beautifully with a cropped black blazer and dark denim. Remember to keep color in your wardrobe throughout Fall even though you see a lot of neutrals on the racks. The best way to prolong that summer tan without a fake bake is to wear colors that really warm up your skin tone.
For her evening outfit, I’ve removed the blazer and denim and added a gorgeous peachy colored mini skirt. Silver drop earrings finish the look and girlfriend is ready for a hot date with her man.

And last, but clearly not least, I’ve chosen the Treasure dress. The dress on its own screams sex appeal but YES – there is a way to wear this during the day. For day, our model is wearing this cobalt blue dress with a cool Navajo print cardigan. It’s belted to add shape, although for this look, it’s not a necessity since the dress is fitted. I’ve added opaque tights for modesty. No outcry from HR today!

And for evening, she’s letting the dress do all the talking and added leopard heels. WOW & MEOW. No one at work would have known that the back of this dress is so hot, and guess what – they never need to know either! This change up could easily be done in the car (oh, like you’ve NEVER done that before…) Your Casual Friday outfit can instantly hit the road straight to Atlantic City for a weekend getaway.


So remember that your work outfits don’t have to clock out by 6pm and your evening looks are not strictly nocturnal. Add some accessories, strip off the layers, and tease up that hair. Play around with your wardrobe and I know you’ll find a closet full of outfits you didn’t think you had!