Dressing For The Races

Tomorrow is Melbourne Cup Day in Australia,

 the Race that stops a nation.

Tomorrow Tuesday the 4th November of November is Melbourne Cup Day in Australia. The day the whole of Australia shuts down for a horse race. The day is given as a public holiday in the state of Victoria , but the rest of us Australians have to work. Well everyone attends work but do they work? Probably not! Their minds are probably on other things , like dressing for the races.

 

 



 

During the afternoon when the race is due to start, everyone in Australia will be watching a screen somewhere, somehow. The Melbourne Cup is a horse race that stops a nation. Well probably it stops two nations because New Zealanders are just as tied up with this race as their neighbours are. Many of the entries for the Melbourne cup are actually are bred and trained in that small country of New Zealand. Many Melbourne Cup winners have come from there, and New Zealanders are just as focused on dressing for the races as Australians are.

 

The Melbourne Cup is Australia and New Zealand’s major thoroughbred horse race.  It is a 3,200 meter race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and probably one of the richest turf races.

 

The Melbourne cup is held each year by the Victoria Racing Club at Flemington Racecourse.  The race starts at 3pm (daylight saving time) on the first Tuesday in November each year. And this has been  a nation stopper since 1861. Many a fortune has been won or lost on this race and dressing for the races is certainly a topic of debate long before the race begins.

 

Everyone looks forward to the race especially the socialites who dress up to the nines to attend. Dressing for the races is a major focus of the Melbourne Cup. 'Fashions On The Field' judges the best-dressed man and the best-dressed woman attending the race.

 

When dressing for the races there is a prerequisite for women to adorn themselves in outrageous outfits and flamboyant hats or fascinators. Many men and women plan their outfits for months. It is also a time you can show off fashion accessories to the fullest. Race day fashion more often than not attracts as much if not more attention as the race itself.

The revelry is not limited to the racetrack. Dressing for the races is a tradition no matter where you happen to be to enjoy the race. Celebrations are held all over the country on Melbourne cup day.  Businesses, offices, factories, hospitals, households close their doors and shut down their phone lines when the race is run and people flood in their thousands to gatherings, clubs and pubs to watch this prestigious race.

Bets are placed on the race in the TABS, and sweepstakes are held in just about every office and business Australia and across the ditch in New Zealand as well.

 I owned a business in the QVB located in the centre of the Sydney CBD. On Melbourne cup day I was fascinated by the ostentatious outfits worn to work by my customers. I watched with intrigue as the diverse hats and fascinators were worn to work for a day at the office and the Melbourne Cup celebrations. Then at 3pm you could hear a pin drop, the majesty of the QVB was ignored and  not a sound could be heard. But a trip over the road to the local pubs meets with crowds of excited people willing there horse to win. Dressing for the races, even if you only attend your local has become very much a norm on this extravagant day.

Dressing for the races is fun. This is one time you are allowed to express yourself and be as flamboyant as you want to be. Have you chosen your derby hat or fascinator or even a pillbox hat for the Melbourne Cup yet? A little late for this year but maybe you could purchase yours online now to be prepared for the 2015 race!! Of the Royal Ascot , or the Kentucky Derby, or whatever race you happen to attend.

Why Do People Wear Jewellery As A Fashion Accessory ?

People wear jewellery as a fashion accessory for both aesthetic and functional reasons and sometimes both!

 In fact costume jewellery is the easiest and cheapest way to dress up an outdated, simple or plain outfit, or to turn a stylish, trendy outfit into something truly outrageous and flamboyant! Costume jewellery is an inexpensive way to add a fashion accessory and can be designed to set off a particular fashion or style. It may be in the form of a colorful and showy necklaces, bracelets, brooches, rings, or earrings or it may just be a piece of an inexpensive fake gold chain or ring.

Expensive designer jewellery an also be worn as a fashion accessory. It is also worn to depict a persons status symbol, or as a symbol of cultural significance or religious statement. Wearing popular brands like Tiffany or Rolex often makes a statement about who the person is or would like to be.

Unlike costume jewellery which is often mass produced, designer jewellery are pieces that are more exclusive, unique and imaginative. Designer jewellery is a more creative and is often handcrafted by the artist himself. Because of the uniqueness of designer jewellery, more expertise and creativity is required in their manufacture. The designers and craftsmen put a great deal of effort and love into the final product. Each piece is a work of art.

Designer jewellery is more likely to be made of precious metals such as gold or silver and will consist of precious stones such as diamonds, rubies or emerald as well as semi-precious stones such as amethysts and pearls.

 

 Another style of jewellery worn as a fashion accessory is hip hop jewellery.  Hip hop jewellery is usually big and over the top, and often studded with diamonds both real and fake to give you the same custom designed look worn by top level, rappers and pro athletes.  Hip hop jewellery comes in many shapes and forms and  includes heavy gold, silver or platinum chains, watches, pendants, rings, earrings, crosses, cufflinks, belt buckles, jean chains and removable gold teeth grill.

From a functionality point of view, jewellery worn as a fashion accessory can be used for the following purposes. 

 

• Hairpins to keep hair in place. Hair pins can be plain and brownish in color to blend in with the hair and not be seen or decorative pieces of jewellery designed to add glamour to a hair style. Decorative hair pins are very popular with brides and are often worn instead of a veil.

•  Brooches to keep clothing in place. Decorative brooches add a touch of class and sophistication to any outfit. Worn on the lapels of jackets or on dresses they made of semi precious gemstones or diamonds or any other precious jewel. Traditionally large pins have been used to keep a kilt in place by Scotsmen for centuries.

•  Pins and medals are worn to indicate achievement or affiliation. Medals such as an Olympic Gold Medal or a nursing badge indicate outstanding sporting or academic achievement

•  School, college or university emblems or badges are a symbol of belonging to an educational or sporting group.

•  Tie pins are worn to keep a tie in position. Tie pins can be a simple or highly decorated piece of jewellery.

•  Cuff links are worn to do up shirt sleeves together. They are usually worn more on formal social occasions such as weddings and balls. They can be funky, plain, or elaborate pieces made from gold and diamonds.

•  Wristwatches or pocket watches are used as a time keeper.  Simple quartz watches are relatively inexpensive and keep accurate time. Mechanical watches are less accurate time keepers but have incredible social significance. Branded watches such as Cartier, Rolex or Tag Heuer are very popular with men and women alike as a sign of affluence, status and social standing.

•  Engagement rings are a mark of betrothal worn commonly by women and less often by men. Diamond rings are the most popular but almost any precious or semi-precious stone can make exquisite engagement rings.

•  Wedding bands are worn by both men and women are used to be a sign that they are married. They can be plain or elaborately decorated to indicate social status.

•  Some  jewellery symbolise  religion such as the Star of David for Jews; the Cross for Christians or Allah for Muslims

•  Some cultural jewellery is worn as a sign of ethnic or racial identity, such as the Tiki in the Maori culture in New Zealand.

•  Jewellery is also worn as a symbol of office for example mayoral chains or crowns and tiaras worn by kings and queens.

•  Amulets and  medals such as St Christopher medals are worn for protection

•  Some artists create jewellery it to show off their artistic designs.

•  Gold and diamonds and other precious stones  are seen as a sign of prosperity and affluence

•  People use jewels and gold for investment to store and protect wealth

•   In some countries such as, India gold jewellery is given as a wedding dowry to give wealth to the bride.

•  Jewellery, precious stones, gold and silver are traded as  a currency to purchase goods

No matter what its purpose it is good to have a few exquisite pieces of jewellery to wear to make you look beautiful and feel special. People wear jewellery as an adornment and as a fashion accessory. Statement jewellery such as rings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets beautify an outfit and make a statement about a person’s style. Wear jewellery as a fashion accessory as an easy way to dress to impress.

Beautiful Silk Fabrics Are Produced In Bellagio, Lake Como

I recently was lucky enough to visit Lake Como in Northern Italy which is regarded as the City of Silk and the silk capital of Europe.

This area is so amazingly beautiful and Lake Como is probably one of the most spectacular lakes in Europe. Since Roman times, Lake Como has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people and is still a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. The Lake Como area is renowned for its silk manufacturing industry.  

 The art of silk weaving began back in 1510 and a visit to the museum in Como dedicated to the silk industry is worth a visit. In particular, the village of Bellagio is most famous for its silk fabrics, silk ties and silk scarves. In centuries past, the townspeople of Bellagio spun silk of a quality rivaled by other locations on Lake Como.

The Como silk industry supplies silken goods to the fashion houses of New York City, Paris and nearby Milan. Today in the Como region there are over 800 companies engaged in the silk and textile trade ranging from manufacturing, printing, dyeing, designing, and selling. If you own any silk garment, silk scarf or silk tie made by any big-name fashion house or world-famous designer such as Versace, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Armani or Zara, the chances are that the silk came from one of the Como businesses.

 

Bellagio is a beautiful little village located at the intersection of the three branches of the Y-shaped Lake Como in the Province of Como in the Italian region of Lombardy. You can get there by ferry and this trip is well worth it. The scenery is out of this world, the mansions on the lake front are unbelievable. It has many villas and palaces such as Villa Olmo, Villa Serbelloni and the magnificent Villa Carlotta. Many famous people had or still have homes on the shores of Lake Como. Some mansions pointed out to me were the homes of Madonna, George Clooney, Gianni Versace, Sylvester Stallone, Julian Lennon and Richard Branson. 

The village of Bellagio is known as the pearl of the lake and is famous for its unique setting. The village is very old and has narrow alleyways and stone buildings, steps and  pathways. It’s outstanding beauty and its strategic position has written it permanently into Italian history. When you arrive there you are blessed not only with the charm of this little village but also with the number of little boutique shops specializing in the most amazing silk fabrics, silk ties and silk scarves.

Bellagio was already famous in Roman times and was frequented even then as a holiday resort.  The Romans living there at the time introduced the olive trees and the laurel bushes which are still found in abundance on the shores of the lake. Small industries grew up in the area during the 16^th - 18^th centuries and most of these were associated with the Sfondrati family who were the most important family in the town for over 200 years. 

 The main industries at that time were the production of candles and silk products and  included the breeding of silk worms and the cultivation of mulberry trees required for the silk industry to progress in the town. “The silkworm is a snob," says Moritz Mantero, the third-generation owner of Mantero Seta SpA, one of the largest silk manufacturers in Como, Italy "He'll eat anything, but he produces silk only if he eats mulberry!" The difficult cultivation of silkworms has long left Italy is now done primarily in China. 

For the past two decades China has dealt with the mass-market end of the silk rag trade, whereas Como concentrated on the high end of the market. The finishing end of luxury silk production stayed in the Como region and expanded.The Como silk industry set itself up to meet the fast-changing demands and relatively small orders of luxury fashion houses.  So the silk industry is still alive and flourishing in both Como and Bellagio today. But because of its small size, Bellagio has a smaller scope than Como. However the wonderful displays of silk fabrics, silk ties and silk scarves I saw in the shop windows in Bellagio are testimony to a thriving industry there.

The walk along the lake front and up and down the different alleyways with their cobble stone paths to find stores selling beautiful hats, colorful straw bags, as well as the gorgeous silk fabrics makes the visit to Bellagio well worth it. In addition there are also really interesting art galleries, handbag stores, antique shops and hand painted pottery, kitchenware and art made out of olive tree wood.  And the cafes and eateries were to die for as well. I loved the quaintness of Bellagio and strongly recommend a visit if you can.

Fashion Trends in Guangzhou China

When I visited Guangzhou recently I was surprised to find how westernized and casual the fashion trends were. 

The locals who frequented the market place in the centre of Guangzhou were casually dressed in dresses, trousers, hot pants, shorts and simple blouses and tee shirts. The people in Guangzhou could have been air lifted from China Town in Sydney Australia where I come from.

Chinese citizens from out side of Guangzhou city are of the opinion that this city is lacking in historical and cultural depth and that the fashion trends are somewhat lacking as well. This view is held despite Guangzhou’s  rich cultural  inheritance of over 2000 years which has recently being unearthed in the old tomb of the Nanyue King of the western Han Dynasty, and other ancient sites, such as the Chen Temple.

 Geographically Guangzhou is isolated from the rest of China by mountainous peaks and is located not too far from the westernized Hong Kong.  Its early contact to the outside western world has resulted in its unique way of life leading to a more westernized lifestyle, fashion trends, liberal ideas, distinctive cuisine, commerce, trade and tremendous wealth.

The temperature when I visited in July was in the mid to high 30’s (^OC), very humid, and there were sudden heavy tropical showers in the afternoon.  The climate was hot and sticky and the local people dressed for comfort more than for fashion trends. The best months to holiday in Guangzhou are October and November or April and May. The typhoon season is summer which is from June to September Guangzhou and this is when this sub-tropical climate’s humidity levels are at their highest.

The favourite fashion trends with the young women and girls appeared to be shorts or hot pants and light tops to keep them cool. Older women wore loose fitting trousers and tops, or simple dresses. Men wore shorts and tee shirts.  It was quite rare to see men in suits in the streets. The only ones I saw were in the hotels and were probably business men visiting Guangzhou.

Children like children everywhere wore simple clothes to keep them cool, and enjoy tasty treats.

What puzzled me most about the fashion trends I saw was that most of the fabrics worn by the locals were man-made synthetic materials. Also the majority of the clothes I saw for sale at the markets were made in synthetic fabrics. I personally find these synthetic fabrics hot and sweaty to wear because they do not breathe. I was unable to wear any of my own clothes made of synthetic fabric in Guangzhou and I really cannot understand how a whole city of people living in such a hot sticky climate managed to keep cool in all those synthetic materials. 

The shoes also seemed to be made out of synthetic materials which sweat and do not stretch when your feet become hot and swollen. The men seemed to wear sneakers and the women synthetic sandals. High platform shoes seemed to be the favourite fashion trends with the girls and young women. 

English is only spoken by a small percentage of people in Guangzhou so it is a good idea to carry your hotel's business card with you when you go out. Have the names of your destinations clearly written down in Chinese by the hotel staff so that you can   ask for directions if necessary. Also have a few phrases written down for shopping, such as how much does this cost? Or where is the toilet? However a lot of educated younger people do have some basic English language and most staff at hotels, bars and restaurants do speak satisfactory English, so the best thing to do  if you are  lost is to call into a hotel to ask directions.

I experienced three levels of shopping in Guangzhou. The upmarket brands such as New Balance, Nike and Versace where I found the prices to be about the same as in Sydney; the bargain stores which offer cheap Chinese made products; and the counterfeit stores which sell fake imitations of leading fashion trends and brands.

 
Tourists typically come to Guangzhou to shop and eat. Guangzhou is renowned for its   huge markets specializing in nearly any sort product made in China, such as Chinese tea, herbs, garments, watches, electronics and toys. Guangzhou is known for being up with the fashion trends and offering cheaper versions of products and brands available on the international markets. Guangzhou is a shoppers' paradise with loads of good quality products at affordable prices. You will be surprised to discover how low the real cost is for most products made in China. If you are looking for up to date fashion trends, the Baima Clothes Market, World Trade Mall and Teemall are the best places to shop.

But buyer beware!  There appears to be two price rules – one rule for the locals and another rule for the tourists. The prices on the majority of items are not clearly labelled and if you ask about the price the calculator is produced to calculate a “special” price. However I found that the price is higher than those found in Sydney and who is to know if the product is real or faux.

If you are approached by a hawker on the streets, beware because they will probably take you to a counterfeit store. Sometimes you may be really happy with your purchase and the price you pay, but don’t forget it is not under guarantee and there is warranty provided if something goes wrong with it.

Men - Wear a Tie When You Want To Dress To Impress

Men, when you want to dress to impress wear a tie.  

A fashionable tie will complement any style, from trendy to elegant and will help a man to dress to impress. Also known as neckties, men’s ties are a long piece of cloth worn for decorative purposes under the shirt collar which are knotted with a four-in-hand knot at the throat and which then hang down the front of the shirt. Variations of the men’s tie include the ascot tie, the bow tie, the bolo tie, the zipper tie, the clip on tie and the cravat.

MEN'S TIES and BOW-TIES are worn as formal wear for weddings, balls and other high society social events as well as for business and professional attire. They are also used in places like schools and the military as part of the uniform requirements. Until recent times, men’s ties have been worn with the top shirt button fastened, and the tie knot between the collar. However, younger fashionable men have more recently worn them in a more casual way, tied loosely around the neck, with the top shirt button undone. The short wide tie of yesteryear has been replaced by long skinny ties.

 Men if you want to dress to impress wear a tie to complement your outfit and you will look very suave. Every fashionable man should have several good quality ties in their wardrobe. Wool ties look great with heavyweight wool or tweed jackets, and silk ties look best with formal or business suits. Ensure that it has a good quality lining as well so that it is easier to tie and does not wrinkle.

 A hand rolled hem will keep better shape than a machine stitched one. Ideally the tie should be long enough to reach to the top of your belt and wide enough to match the width of your lapel. However, the short wide tie of yesteryear has been replaced by long skinny ties. Make sure the tie is not too tight around your neck –most men hate wearing ties so this ensures a comfortable fit.

 Make sure that the color of your tie complements both your suit and your shirt. A solid color tie is best for formal occasions and is more versatile as it can be worn with anything both formally or casually. Dark are great for business especially when worn against a lighter shirt or conversely wear a lighter colored tie against a dark shirt.  Black ties can be worn for most occasions and are favored for funerals and weddings as well as for work. 

 Multi-colored ties such as stripes and patterns add a bit more interest to a man’s look and if well chosen can add that flamboyant touch to make a well deserved impression. But make sure the colors you choose tone in with both your outfit and your skin tone.

If you choose a patterned tie make sure that it does not clash with the pattern on your shirt or jacket. If your shirt has a loud pattern, choose a more subdued tie. If your shirt is plain you can afford to wear a more flashy patterned tie such as stipes, dots, checks, paisley, shapes, animals, logos etc.

A BOWTIE OR WHITE TIE of course looks fantastic when you are going to a ball or getting decked up in your WEDDING ATTIRE. On these special occasions the  color is often chosen to match your partners outfit or the bridesmaids outfits. Sometimes they are matched with a CUMMERBUND

 

Whatever you do don’t overdo your tie. If in doubt it is better to wear a more subtle tie. While your tie can be the focal point of your outfit, it is a fashion accessory which makes a statement about who you are. It is better to be elegant and sophisticated rather than showy and ostentatious especially at work and at formal occasions. However there are times when a bit of fun and excitement are called for so then is the time to wear your Mickey Mouse or Dinosaur Tie. Like a good watch use your tie to dress to impress.

 But men whatever you do DON'T fight with your wife about what tie you should wear - she will always have the upper hand!!!

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Men Dress To Impress With A Trendy Man Bag

Men when you want to dress to impress, one way to do it and show style is to carry a man bag.

 Men’s handbags have become really popular and make a man look classy and professional. Whether it is a briefcase, portfolio, messenger bag, tote bag, clutch purse, cross-body bag, shoulder bag,  satchel, backpack, bag or a duffel bag, it will add a bit of pizzazz and look really trendy. Men’s handbags are considered to be a cool fashion accessory for new aged guys in this modern world.  Guys carry a bag to make a statement about who they are.

A briefcase is probably the most classic type of men’s handbag. They are typically carried by professional, business men and women to carry laptop computers, papers and other documents. They are usually slender box-shaped bags or cases with handles.  

 Soft satchels which were the predecessor of the briefcase are also in vogue and are popular especially with students but are becoming more and more in demand for business and casual wear as well. They have a shoulder strap which is worn diagonally across the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip. The satchel has a front flap that fastens using single or double-sided buckles and sometimes has a handle at the top. 

 

Other types of bags popular with professionals are portfolios, folios and attaché cases which are often used to carry documents, papers as well as computers. These three types of bags do not have a handle and are usually carried in the hand or under the arm. 

 Messenger bags have become the most popular type of men’s handbags. They are worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back making it easier to carry heavy items, such as documents, books and laptops.  The hands are left free for doing other things such as riding a bike.

  Tote bags are popular fashion accessories carried as both women’s and men’s handbags.

They are functional carry-all bags which are open with parallel handles fitted at either sides of the bag. A lot of tote bags are very decorative and may bear different logos, themes and patterns. 

 Backpacks have become very popular with professionals and business men and women who use them as business bags in place of the  more classic and traditional briefcase for carrying laptops and paperwork. They have two straps which go over the shoulders and are designed to carry heavy loads on your back.  Some of the larger backpacks have frames which offload the largest part of the weight onto padded hip belts, leaving the shoulder straps mainly for stabilizing the load.

  A duffel bag is a large cylindrical bag traditionally with a drawstring closure at the top. They were designed to be slung over the shoulder by drawing the rope tight and then using the rope as the strap.  Now days the more modern versions are used as gym bags with handles and straps.

 

 For every day use and an easy, safe way to carry your belongings is the cross-body bag which has a long thin strap worn across the body leaving the hands free. Man bags also include styles which have long straps worn on one shoulder which are called shoulder bags. 

 Clutch purses for men have become quite trendy and are considered to be the perfect fashion accessory for the modern man.  They are small man bags which are large enough to hold necessities such as phone, keys, tickets, passports and money, but are small and compact.  They may have a detachable chain or strap so they can also be worn hanging from the shoulder, and some may have a small wristlet strap. 

 Men’s handbags are made out of a variety of materials such as thick fabric cloth, jute, canvas, heavy nylon or leather and may be lined with vinyl or waterproof tarp or PVC to make them waterproof.  In my opinion there is nothing nicer and more masculine than a man carrying a bag especially one made out of fabulous Italian leather – leather stands the test of time and looks so classy and stylish.So men if you need to dress to impress especially in the office carry a trendy man bag.

Dressing For The Office

Dressing For The Office

Does your performance at work relate to the good job you do or is your performance dictated by your dress style?  

 Does your boss you take your job seriously or is he more concerned about the length of your skirt or the name of the brand you are wearing or worse still by the size of your boobs?  Are you confident enough in your own abilities to make a fashion statement of your own at work? Do you take your role seriously enough and believe in the good job you are doing or do you dress to impress your boss at work?

Now while in the Western world it is best to dress modestly, a corporate wardrobe does not have to be boring, or of poor fit or even attention avoiding. There are definite standards which need to be considered when dressing for work, but there are many ways you can express your own personal dress style and make a statement about who you are so that you are still taken seriously in your job.

There is nothing worse than being stuck in a job you do not like  while not being able to wear the clothes that make you feel comfortable. You can be creative whilst still dressing appropriately for the office. The additional confidence you will exude when wearing something that makes you look and feel good will show up in your performance and really make your boss sit back and notice you. It is OK to dress to impress at the office so long as it is done tastefully in the right way.

Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts when choosing a wardrobe to wear to the office:

Don’ts

•  Don’t have your  hemline too short – you need to be able to sit down or bend over without showing your knickers
• Don't wear clothes too tight so you cannot move properly - they are too restrictive and may affect your performance
• Don’t bear too much skin by having the neckline too low or strapless dresses or low backlines or sheer see through fabrics
• Don’t be too flamboyant and look like a Christmas tree
• Don’t overdress or under dress. Formal outfits or party gear are not appropriate for the office, and on the other end of the scale nor are shaggy jeans or beach shorts unless specifically specified.
• Don’t wear unclean or unkempt clothes to work

Do’s 

• Do dress to impress in a business or professional way
• If new to the office access what everyone else is wearing and fit in with the general style. Business or Casual or Uniform?
• If on the road visiting clients find out what the clients expect from a supplier and dress accordingly
• Do wear dresses, skirts and pants made of quality fabrics which give you a look of wealth and success. Cotton, wool, linen are always good.
• Do keep your wardrobe well maintained and laundered and ironed
• Accessorize your business attire with jewellery and scarves which make a statement but are not over the top
• Do wear bold colors or patterns such as hounds tooth, plaid or minimalist floral which are ideal for work
• Do wear pastel colors with earth tones or suits
• Do mismatch blazers and pants but be sure that the tones complement each other. 
• If wearing shorts or ¾ pants team them up with a blazer or jacket and tights and trendy shoes or boots to make them look more corporate.
• Do choose blouses which are feminine and made of silk, cotton or satin which do not crease too much during the day.  
• Do wear looser silk blouses which are more feminine than stiff white button downs ones and big sleeves look great. A tie at the collar always adds extra elegance.
• Do wear jackets and blazers with unique contours, structures, padded shoulders, belted waistlines which are well cut and fitted
• Do wear trendy well cut skirts which flow well and are both feminine and corporate. Pleats or inserts are fabulous as well as A line or straight skirts.
• Do have your pants tailored to fit – whether straight legs, skinny legs or pants with a flare
• Do wear knee high leather boots which  really good look  under skirts or worn over skinny pants
• Do  keep your look tailored and professional - wear belts and scarves
• Keep a pair of high heel shoes at work to wear if you suddenly need to go out visiting clients or suppliers, or attend a board meeting etc

Whatever you do, dress appropriately for the office  - you want to be known for your intellect not for you sex appeal.