Mix 'n' Match

A noble profession like Veterinary medicine, goes beyond brains and diagnostic skills. When clients take a look at you, their first impression should be that they and their animals are in safe hands. As doctors-in-training, your dressing should match up with your persona. 

Although the roles of Veterinary practice allows us have one leg in Agriculture and another in medicine, remember you are first a medical professional. So excesses like flying collars and rolling up the sleeves of shirts would not portray you and the profession appropriately. 

This article will share with you, a few tips that could help you up your dressing game and hopefully, ditch some, if not all, of those habits.

Corporate dressing could get tiring especially if you are not tweaking, having fun with and investing in your outfits. The only fun thing about your 8 to 5 day could very well be knowing you look good and having people tell you the same throughout your day. 

Let us start with items that should make up your corporate wardrobe.It is important to know the colours, cuts, lengths and fit of shirts, blouses, skirts, trousers, belts and ties are right that work for you. It is very important that you know these things.

For men, neutral shades are rock solid. White, blue, navy, tan, brown, black, grey and green, to mention a few, are colors you could do so much with. Prints and patterns are a necessity. They give off this classy vibe, when you style them properly. You should avoid loud, party colors and patterns. 

How then do you mix your plains and patterns to have good matches?

Below are a few guidelines that may help you:

• Full-sleeved shirts look more professional than short-sleeved ones. The cuff of your shirt should be on your wrist - not above or below. 

• Your tie tip should touch the top of your belt. Not above nor below. 

• Your trouser fit should be just right - not too wide, not clinging to your legs. The length should be just right as well. Just on your ankles is best. 

• Plain shirts go with plain trousers.

• Plain shirts go with patterned trousers.

• Patterned shirts go with plain trousers.

• Plain ties go with plain shirts. 

• Plain ties go with patterned shirts.

 • Patterned ties go with plain shirts.

 • Tie and shoes should be of the same colour. 

• Accessorize accordingly. Nothing outlandish. Use cufflinks where needed, wristwatches, and maybe a bracelet or two. It is best to leave out the bands and beads.

• Do not make the mistake of pairing a patterned shirt with checked trousers. Or a beautiful flower-patterned tie with a striped shirt. 

Now, to the ladies.

The plain and patterned rule applies here, as well. Unless you are into some form of haute couture, it is best to pair patterned pieces with plain ones. Say, a plain purple skirt with a floral purple blouse. How's that sound? Fire, I know. Take the same thing into consideration with your dresses. Plain dress body, patterned sleeves. Patterned dress body, plain sleeves. That's not to say your plain or patterned fabric cannot make a dress and its sleeves. Just to add a bit more spice.

Chiffon tops are gems you should not miss out on owning. A couple of them will do wonders to your wardrobe. They pair nicely with your plain skirts, too. If you are not one to do too much, this is the way to go. 

Tips to remember when putting your outfit together include:

• The cut of your dress, skirt or top should flatter your body. Not every cut out there works well with your body type. Pay attention to this. 

• Round necks and V-necks are NOT corporate attires. They are very casual. Blouses and shirts are your go-to.

• Flats, wedges, court shoes and similar footwear, not sandals, flip flops or slippers.

• Watches, bracelets. Not bands and beads. 

• Your handbag.

School bags and totes may be excused because we are students.Where will one otherwise keep boots and books?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Faculty. Do me well, have mercy on me and up your fit game, uh? Please?

Till next time...

Written by: Mahmudah Akande