Work place chic

With more women pursuing professional jobs in Kigali today, there is no shortage of decisions to make on how to be a cosmopolitan woman that meshes class, professionalism, and style – all through wardrobe choices. And how exactly does one scale the mountain of looking fashionable and respectable in an otherwise conservative work environment?Truth be told, you are expected (no matter what you think) to rock up at work looking well kept and polished; “image is everything” for a reason. For starters, if you are not the one calling shots, take a long hard look at your female seniors – and a feel for what the men are wearing as well – to avoid looking out of place. Use your best judgment to avoid coming off as too casual or overdressed for that matter. Secondly, looking cute and trendy is certainly not okay, except maybe Friday! Classic pieces are key: clean-cut skirts, blouses, and pantsuits. A splash of color is definitely okay but if you look like you would fit in at Gisenyi beach, do not wear it to work. In line with this is the question of hair: sensible hairstyles that do not involve excess gel and over-the-top curls speak volumes. Jewelry is meant to be an accessory and not the centerpiece – how easy it is to forget this! Flash jewelry fits right in at the nightclub but do not wear jewelry pieces that stand out or offend your colleagues. The key: minimal and classy. “How low can you go?”The rapper Ludacris was certainly not referring to your neckline. Here is the answer: the office is not a place for low cut shirts. Be cautious of what you are showing to your office colleagues. If cleavage is showing, the shirt is too low so make sure the neckline of your blouse covers your cleavage. The same goes for see-through pieces – if you are left with no choice, at the very least wear a black camisole inside; if you wear white, double check that your bra isn’t visible.I am not the biggest fan of handbags but one thing is for sure: handbags say a lot about you. A small or medium size bag gives off more of a professional image than an oversized bag. Nail polish is one of those things I think needs a little more innovation to last longer: I am tired of chipping polish. Until then, if you choose to work with painted nails, make sure you remove old polish or opt for no paint at all. When it comes to makeup, just avoid sparkly eyes and lips. Subtle colors that don’t scream for attention ensure that you look professional and business-like. One last thing that isn’t always obvious is whether your clothes fit. Ill-fitting clothing is uncomfortable and unappealing: if too small and tight, you send off the wrong signals, if they are too big, you look slouchy and out of place. A professional image demands the right fit. With those ladies, go forth and exude the kind of confidence that is expected of you professional hot shot!