After a short break, we continue the theme of entering a new year dressing smart and looking your best. Since most of our resolutions tend to be linked to financial and professional goals, so we are featuring new looks for the new you. Last week we featured looks on a budget by making clothes from extra fabric; this week we feature looks inspired by versatility.

The first inspiration is to dress the part you are aiming for. If it is a promotion or a new career or job, by dressing as you would in that capacity, it helps reinforce and sustain the thought in your mind. It also helps others see you in that position.

And of course, we exist on budgets, so we suggest items that may be worn in different ways.

We also thought we should share tips on the professional looks, which though common, seem to sometimes be overlooked or unknown:

o Wear professional colours to interviews: make the right impression in that interview for the new position that you are aiming for.

o No "sexy" silhouettes or cuts, such as deep necklines and close-fitting clothing, and short hemlines.

o Avoid too many accessories that may be distracting.

This week's looks are conservative in colours, and in Part II next week we look at how you can introduce colour to stand out as well.

Steps: Pencil sheath

1. Cut front and back of skirt, and bodice, as well as facing.

2. Insert darts.

3. Join facing and attach to bodice at neckline and armhole.

4. Join front and back at side seams -- for both the skirt and bodice.

5. Join skirt to bodice at waist

6. Finish seam edges.

7. Hem.

Look 1. Grey sheath dress simply styled with pearls

Look 2. Black velvet pencil skirt worn with a conservative, office appropriate white cotton lace blouse

Look 3. Same black velvet skirt worn with a grey, long sleeve chiffon blouse

Look 4. Reverses the grey and black look, where a black chiffon blouse is worn with grey pants

Look 5. Features a black mini tee with the same grey trousers, however, this is a more casual look, dressed up with chunky black accessories

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments