Finishing touches
Your outlook on life had become truly workmanlike. 'Practical and unadorned' sums it up perfectly. Fripperies like jewellery and handbags just didn't figure in your landscape. What's missing are the personal touches that define your individuality.
Jewellery
Jewellery is not just an early warning system to let them know you're coming as you run down the corridors from meeting to meeting. It will lift you and, dare we say it, add your own personality to everything you wear. Choose different jewellery for different outfits rather than wearing that little heart on a chain every day of your life. NB: a Swatch watch is not jewellery.
Tights
If your legs are one of your assets, why leave them off the balance sheet? Show them to best advantage with a great pair of fishnets. In the colder months, a skirt suit needs leg apparel, but those thick, one-colour tights make your outfit look decidedly dowdy. Wearing patterned or fishnet tights will transform you from a frumpy Miss Marple into a sexy Miss Moneypenny.
Painting your toenails
Small things can have a big impact. You might feel that peep-toe shoes or sandals are not businesslike, but a good pedicure and nail varnish will give you a beautifully finished look. Much smarter than a scuffed black toe cap. It's easier to DIY than a fingernail job too, and less easy for people to spot the little mistakes. Just remember to touch up any chips and completely remove and refresh the nail varnish once a fortnight.
Shoes
Chunky and black does not equal comfortable and versatile. Look for a shoe with a supportive heel but, for goodness sake, a bit of elegance in the toe area. Once again, black is not always the most useful colour for accessories. Variations on dark brown, tan, plum, rust and olive green are all far more stylish and complementary.
Bags
Yes, you have a job, so you need a big bag, but please find one with a bit of shape and try not to overstuff it. You'll only ruin the line of the bag and trash all the things inside. Empty your bag each night when you get home, chuck out or file anything that you don't need to carry and repack your bag. This will take two minutes. Downsize some of the contents as well. Do you really need that gigantic planner? You can fit all the information you want onto a Blackberry instead.
