The Observer

Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Meredith Collier

Boys and girls, it's that special time of year: finals. It's the time of year that gives you the warm fuzzies along with a few ill-timed panic attacks. It's a meaningful time to reflect on what we've all learned over the past semester and put it all together, in some misguided hope that we'll actually use what we've spent all this time learning. Well, for the Spartans of Style, this sentiment is no different. We decided that for our last column of the year, we'd review everything we've covered this semester in an extra-special column: "What Not to Wear!"

Our first style disaster is an outfit we've seen repeated many a time during the chilly Cleveland months: the quick-and-dirty hoodie and sweatpants, paired with grimy snow boots. This outfit is a fashion "don't" for so many reasons, the least of which is the image you're projecting to the world! Here at Case, we're all over-achieving students who have great professional careers to look forward to - so practice for the rest of your life by taking pride in your appearance and dressing professionally.

Secondly, oversized clothes like this actually make people appear much larger than they really are. This poor girl is practically swimming in those sweatpants, and the silhouette created by the outfit makes her look at least ten pounds heavier.

But don't fret - this outfit is totally fixable. Instead of a hoodie for warmth, go for a long-sleeved knit top paired with a simple camisole underneath. By placing a wide belt around the waist, we're able to accentuate the waistline, the smallest part of the body, as well as tie the look together. We've replaced the awful sweatpants with a classic, dark-wash pair of boot-cut jeans (a wardrobe essential). By tucking the jeans into a pair of tall black boots, we're able to elongate the line of her leg, making her appear taller and leaner.

Since we're all bright young professionals here at Case we know that having a work-appropriate wardrobe is an absolute necessity. Unfortunately, one of the most common mistakes made when it comes to professional business attire is the sweater mistake. Chunky knit sweaters and "grandma" cardigans simply read "casual," not professional. If the sweater and truly ugly scarf weren't enough, the jersey-knit skirt is too long for her body, and again, is far too casual.

Continued...

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