Your Best Foot Forward

On a recent elevator ride I was drawn into a conversation with an exhausted-looking woman, feet clad in 3-inch spikes. Oh, her aching back! Her sore and tired legs!Tough kickboxing class? I inquired. Training for the New York City Marathon?No, she replied. She was working a trade show at the Javits Center.Say no more.Like everyone who rounds the tradeshow circuit, I knew the score. If you’re like me, you’ve probably been tempted more than once in these circumstances to slip into a pair of sneakers and sweats to walk the endless halls or man your exhibit booth.Don’t.For the sake of your career and the company you represent, it’s important to remain professional in dress and manner, even when business events become physically demanding.But there is a bright side to having to be on your feet for much of your workday.Looking good at long-day events doesn’t mean you have to be miserable. You can effect dramatic changes to your overall well-being by adhering to the following four basic Style for Success trade show guidelines:* When you’re setting up the booth the day before the show, jeans, sneakers, and T-shirts are acceptable and expected. No one expects you to lay carpet and rig booths in your Armani.* Once you go live, it’s time to put your best foot forward – preferably not in a sneaker. Guys, you’ve got it made in this department. A pair of dress shoes is great, but the range of professional loafers with sneaker-comfort from the likes of Doc Martens to Johnston & Murphy to Ben Sherman is almost limitless, and will do the trick.* Ladies, if you insist on pumps, now is the time to invest in the best, most comfortable Italian shoes, and keep the heels to 2 inches. But for 10-hour days on your feet you might want to explore some of the less spiky options that will take you well into the evening hours if need be. Look into more comfortable footwear options such as those offered by Merrill (check out its new Spire Flex) or Ecco (ditto its Twilight Envelope Pump).* Once you’ve found the right shoes, the tough part is over. Whether your role is manning the display booth, conducting product demos, or networking with a steady stream of trade show attendees, the rest of your outfit may range from a sharp suit to a pantsuit to a fashionable – but conservative – pants and sweater ensemble. Remember to wear fabric that breathes well because you’re likely to work up a sweat. You also want to choose fabric that doesn’t catch on sharp corners, and travels well for easy wear. The letters keep pouring in – keep them coming, please. Let’s get to this week’s round.Dear Jordan:I am able to afford top designer clothes, but on the accessories I go cheap because I can’t tell the difference between real and mock. I’d like to know if this a mistake? Are the fakes obvious to others?– Joelle, ManhattanDear Joelle:Depending on the quality of the item, it can be almost impossible to tell with the naked eye the difference between faux and the real stuff. Nevertheless, whether or not your pocketbooks and belts can be discerned as “fake” is irrelevant, as long as it’s a good match for your outfit.Dear Jordan:My colleague comes to work dressed to the nines each day but when she gets cold puts on a ratty old green sweater that she keeps in her office. It looks very unprofessional and she often forgets to take it off when clients arrive. What can I say to her without being rude?– Sandra, Ronkonkoma, N.Y.Dear Sandra:To get your colleague to dump the frump, commiserate with her about your chilly office and tell her your own embarrassing story about leaving your sweatshirt on by accident. You can make a gentle joke about the incongruity of her attire: “What a gorgeous suit – did the sweater come with it?” And, there is the option of an office “secret” Santa getting her a new sweater next season!Ms. Speer has been writing about the apparel business for more than nine years. Readers are invited to send workplace or corporate fashion questions to styleforsuccess@aol.com.

Your Best Foot Forward

Your Best Foot Forward

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