Its no secret that the economy is still on a tough upward journey towards complete recovery. Professional image is now more important than ever.  Image is critical not only to landing a job, but also to keeping the job.  In this episode David shares a few important tips to help you navigate increasingly complex path towards an improved professional image.

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Not too starched and certainly not too stuffy. Post economic hemorrhaging, today’s creative account executive needs to shake off all the illusions and pretensions of the doo-dah days and keep it amiable.

It’s still important to stick to a silhouette that complements your physique and a style that adds credibility to your expertise and clarifies your authority. Keep the most part of your ensemble somber but confidently play with sparing pops of color and layer with an interesting sport coat, like this Jersey Blazer.

Vintage Tuxedo Shirt from Martin + Osa ($79.50), Skinny Fit Trousers from Topman ($80), Jersey Blazer from Topman ($138),Perforated Penny Driver from Prada ($460) and Trooper Bag ($215) from J.Fold.

In spirit of optimism, some form of obscure notion of job stability and perhaps an economy piqued, I’m compiling looks for the working man, the job seeker or professional poseur.

Whichever man you are, here’s a work-look to don for those of you in the creative field. Designers, writers, artists, photographers and those of you in-betweeners, here’s how to really look like you’re basking in artistic expression and professional acumen.

Broken-In-Button-Down from Martin + Osa ($59.50), Dylan In Boone, Slouch Tapered denim from J Brand($165), Classic Pointed Lace Ups from Topman ($76) and Rugged Twill Tote from Martin + Osa ($99.50).

Although it may not be present in all its glory, Spring is here. Dress up for the weekend and for the jaunty season.  For a comfortable and relaxed look, incorporate bright colors, with breathable fabrics, and geometrical prints.

Polo ($40), Cardigan ($50) and Shorts by Top Man. Bag ($298) by Marc by Marc Jacobs and Espadrille ($78) by Jeffrey Campbell.

We all know the criticality of looking our best when going on an interview.   When you’ve purchased the perfect suit, polished the new shoes, and freshly printed the resume, your  job isn’t quite over.  Below are a five quick tips that you can perform in 30-seconds to ensure that your efforts aren’t cancelled by a silly mistake:

1. Teeth – Check your teeth in the mirror to make sure there’s no residue of your breakfast or lunch.  Ladies, be sure your lipstick is only on your lips, where it should be.

2. Nose – Check your nose, especially if you have a cold or sinus infection, or if you’ve just come in from the freezing cold.  Nose dribble is unattractive.

3. Dandruff – If you’re wearing a black or navy blue jacket, double check your back in a mirror to make sure there’s no unsightly “snowflakes” falling down.

4. XYZB – Examine Your Zippers and Buttons!  You don’t want anything popping out during the interview, so check carefully.  The interviewer isn’t looking for a peep show.

5. Posture – Make sure you’re standing nice and tall with a confident smile.  Since most of the interview will be seated, be sure that you’re sitting tall, and not slouching, with a slight lean forward.

Once you’ve covered these basic tips then you can relax and really focus on your answers, and not worry about whether you have something between your teeth.  You don’t get a second chance to impress.

Ladies, it doesn’t require a whole lot of effort to easily transition from day to night.  With the holiday season in full swing and parties happening every night, be sure that you don’t miss out on the fun just because you feel the need to trek all the way home to change.  Mostly likely, when you get there you’re not going to want to come back out.

A lesson can be learned from Diane, who shared with me her personal approach for going from work to an evening cocktail party.  With Diane as my main source of inspiration, I’ve developed five easy tips for making the transition from day to night simple and painless, just as Diane did.

1. The Plan – Be strategic and have a plan.  Think about what you want to wear in the evening, and then add or subtract accessories and layers accordingly.  Remember, the more layers you have and the less skin you show during the day, the more professional you will appear.
2. Accessories – Wear simple jewelry to work, and pack your evening jewelry in a small jewelry bag.  Don’t pack a jewelry box, as that only adds weight and bulk to the purse or bag you’ll be carrying. As evening accessories, I recommend dangling earrings, a diamond tennis bracelet, a statement necklace, and a jewel tone ring.  Remember, you want to sparkle.  Optionally, you may remove your glasses if you have contact lenses.
3. Layers – During the day wear a cardigan or blazer with a scarf for a more professional look.  In the evening, you’ll discard the top layer and remove the scarf to reveal shorter or no sleeves for a sexier appearance.
4. Shoes – Given the cold and often wet outdoor weather, if you’re wearing a skirt or dress then opt for a knee length boot during the day for added warmth.  Pack a pair of light weight heels in your purse that you can slip into in the evening.
5. Make-up - Keep your make-up fresh, light and nude during the day, and in the evening go heavier on the blush, add smoke to the eyes, and opt for a deeper shade of lipstick.

As you can see from the pictures below, Diane nailed the approach.  Job well done Diane!

Day Look

Evening Look

Shopping for vintage can be a fun and thrilling activity.  It can also be very challenging and more frustrating than shopping in a retail store.  During a recent presentation at Paper Dress Vintage in London, I shared my top  ten tips for vintage shopping.  Before you begin your next vintage shopping outing, consider this strategy to help you execute the best trip possible:

1. Do your homework. - There are many types of vintage shops.  Some may specialize in denim, others in western or military wear, while others may focus exclusively on menswear or womenswear.  Just because you find “ABC Vintage Shop” online, doesn’t mean that the store carries what you want.  It’s important for you to give them a call before going, or do a little investigation online to find out exactly what goods they carry.
2. What are you looking for? - Vintage shopping can be a fun hobby or a serious passion.  In either case, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for before venturing out. Having an idea of what you’re in the market for will help to narrow the focus of the hunt.
3. What’s your budget? – With vintage, prices can range greatly, depending on the era, the rarity, and brand of the item.  Also, some vintage shops may be less expensive, catering to students and young hipsters, while others can be very expensive, catering to collectors and designer label seekers.  Begin with your budget in mind.
4. Know what suits you. – Just because it’s vintage and it’s hanging on a rack doesn’t mean it’s going to look good on you.  It’s important to consider your body type, the texture and bulk of the fabric, the silhouette that it creates on you, and the scale of the pattern.  Ignoring any of these considerations could result in a fashion fatality.
5. Know what trends are hot. – Be aware of what’s hot and what’s current.  For example, if animal print and faux fur are in this fall for women, then opt for a faux leopard stole as a way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe.
6. Ask for help. - Don’t be afraid to ask the staff for help.  They usually really know their vintage eras and they’re normally very familiar with the store’s inventory.  So if you’re looking for a fringe dress from the roaring 20’s, a simple question can prevent you from spending precious time needlessly searching through racks of dresses.
7. Try it on and inspect it. – Finding the perfect item that actually fits can be thrilling.  However, don’t let the excitement distract you from focusing on the small details.  Be sure to inspect the seams, zippers, and look for holes and non-removable stains on the garment since it most likely cannot be returned after purchased.
8. Don’t be afraid to alter. - Just because the sleeves of a jacket are a little too long or the bust of a dress is a little too big, don’t rule it out completely.  Sometimes a minor alteration can transform a garment from good to spectacular.  While alteration fees can get pricey, the garment may be worth the extra cost of a nip and a tuck.
9. Consider Cost vs. Rotation - Not sure if you should spend $400 on a vintage dress?  Considering the Cost Per Wear may help you justify the purchase.  To calculate the “cost per wear” simply divide the cost of the dress by the number of times that you’ll wear the dress in a single year.  The principle is that the more wear you get out of an item the more cost-effective it is.
10. Mix it up. - I love vintage, but I never wear it head to toe.  Try mixing vintage with modern to inflect your own personality and style.

Happy shopping!