What to wear

Peter Rogers, Shiva Nourpanah, Caitlyn Reid and Sean Gallagher pose with style coach Fred Connors (centre) (Nick Pearce photo)

“Does this outfit make me like the way I look?”

That question, says style guru Fred Connors, is what you must ask yourself when picking out your clothes. In business, looking professional is important – but so is being happy with the way you look. By choosing clothes that fit your body and your image, you can do both.

Four students wrestling with that task were chosen for Dalhousie Career Services’s What Not to Wear Reveal event, March 9, in the Rowe Management Building atrium. Each student received $500 for a wardrobe makeover and $300 to $400 in spa treatments at Mr. Connors’ salon on Agricola Street.

Peter Rogers

Hitting the runway first sporting a business casual look was Peter Rogers, a community design student. Prior to hitting H&M at Mic Mac Mall, the dedicated cyclist could be seen around campus with 'helmet head' and jeans tucked into his socks.

He was looking for a professional, yet functional look that suited his active lifestyle.

Onstage, his helmet hair was restyled for a managed, laidback look—ideal with or without a helmet. Wrinkle-resistant clothes, including a grey sports jacket, black vest, striped dress shirt and brown jeans, were both classy and practical.

He retains his casual, youthful appearance, but his makeover had something new to add, “I’m to be taken seriously.”

Caitlyn Reid

Next up, sporting a corporate look, was food science student Caitlyn Reid. Her problem: she tended to choose clothes that were too large for her. But no longer. Mr. Connors’ opened her eyes to a new world at The Bay in Dartmouth, outfitting her in clothes that fit her curvy figure.

Walking down the runway, she wore a black, three-quarter-sleeve jacket with a wide belt, a black pencil skirt and heels. She looked ready for her job interview later that day, but her jacket could be just as easily paired with jeans for drinks downtown with friends after a long day.

The four students - Peter, Shiva, Caitlyn and Sean - show off their "before" looks. (Nick Pearce photo)

Sean Gallagher

First-year commerce student Sean Gallagher knows he’ll need a look that commands attention to set him apart. Tough task, as the aspiring accountant had a youthful look and enthusiasm that seemed more class clown than tax whiz.

Due to his slight size, finding the clothes that he didn’t swim in was a battle. He wanted to look professional, but maintain his youthful and playful image.

First gone were the white socks and the clip on tie, which caused Mr. Connors to exclaim, “Clip-on ties say, ‘I’m in Grade 4 and my mommy dressed me.’”

Strutting down the catwalk – his youthfulness on full display – Mr. Gallagher wore a solid black suit, striped shirt, white tie, black sweater and black socks which Mr. Connors had helped him find at The Bay in Dartmouth. Lifting his pant leg, he showed that he learned his lesson – no more white socks.

“I no longer feel like I’m wearing my dad’s clothes,” said Mr. Gallagher. “I feel like I can tackle the world.”

Shiva Nourpanah

Shiva Nourpanah, an IDS student and mother of two, doesn’t have time to shop. Feeling she was presenting too much of an artsy image, she wants to show she understands the Canadian corporate world.

Her wild curls tamed, Ms. Nourpanah glided down the catwalk in a chic white jacket, dark denim jeans and heels. As Mr. Connors explained, wearing jeans is fine, but dark denim in particular is versatile, suitable for both work and play. After their afternoon strolling through Park Lane Mall, it was evident Mr. Connors showed Ms. Nourpanah the importance of taking a little more time to find the right clothes.

“She never gave herself the time to do it,” said Mr. Connors. “That’s why she’s never looked so good before.”