The first thing that an interviewer would look at will be your confidence and the way you carry yourself and that includes your grooming. Which means you should be properly dressed. but not overdressed, be neat, comb your hair, make sure your shoes are clean sparkling jewelry is a no no and don't overdo makeup and don’t forget to smile. First impression last as they say. “be decent and not revealing” You should be responsible with your fashion to give a good impression to your future employer. Your clothes will certainly influence your employer’s impression and decision.

Looking good also makes you feel good. Thus if you feel good you will be more comfortable and be more confident. Thus you will have a bigger chance to be hired for a job. Your fashion statement can make or break your career in a way.

For suits and support for career development I would suggest that you visit this link http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

Photos from

www.topicsites.com
www.utalkmarketing.com

Many requests came up that the Ministry of Liturgical Affairs issued posters with illustrations regarding the proper and improper attire inside the church.

For men, they can wear

• collared shirts or T-shirts,
• jeans or slacks,
• polo shirts or long sleeve polos

while women can put on

• long sleeved or collared blouses,
• corporate or office attire or school uniforms,
• dress, or long gowns

However, men are barred from

• wearing caps,
• jerseys or sandos,
• jersey shorts, or shorts.

For women improper attire are

• spaghetti straps or tank tops,
• skirts, or skimpy shorts,
• sleeveless, or plunging necklines

From left to right: Me, Miss Amie ( a journalist for a newspaper),
Fr. Cadwin Tatlong-hari and a Student from UP

Basically there is a proper time for everything and this includes the proper clothing for a certain place and occasion. If there is proper attire for a party thus, there should also be proper attire inside the church. Maybe other people would say that we should not judge them by what they wear and what’s important is there interior disposition. I agree that we should look at the heart of a person than his physical appearance. "But internal disposition must always come with External." as fr. Cadwin Tatlong-hari in my interview last August 9 2007

Now a day, people became more lax when it comes to fashion when attending Sunday mass. I remembered back then, during my childhood days, I used to wear my new clothes and my favorite dress when attending mass together with my family. But now, as I personally observed the way people dress up inside the church there is a big difference. People became more liberated and the traditional way of dressing up is not present anymore or is very least.

The dress code in church is not just an issue of decency but a matter of respect not only for the people around but "RESPECT" for the house of God and the celebration of the Eucharist. This dress code is not just for the conservative Catholics as implied by other people which became very negative. Still at the end it will be ones choice and we are to be responsible. Someone cannot be force to do something if he/ she does not intend to. "Kung gusto talaga maraming paraan, kung ayaw naman maraming dahilan (if you want there are many ways, if you don't there are may reasons.) the poster only serves as a guide" as said by Fr. Cadwin Tatlong-hari.

Fashion is said to be a dynamic social process by which new styles are created, introduced to a consuming public, and popularly accepted by the public. And as defined by Paul Weston Thomas for Fashion-era.com “Fashion is a form of free speech. It does not only embraces clothing, but also accessories,jewelry, hairstyles, beauty and body art.”

Today, a lot of people see fashion as an expression of ones self. They use clothing not only for protection against a cold weather or for insects but rather, clothing serves as a status symbol, a need for self esteem, a tool that enhances ones appearance, a need to belong to the crowd and a form of art.

Through time, there are lots or transformation happened in the evolution of fashion. From nothing, to the use of leaves, the regency fashion, Victorian, Edwardian, the 60’s or the time of the baby boomers up to the present. Fashion can be considered as a cycle. Style comes back time after time even though there are little changes. Like the latest trend of wearing skinny jeans which is very popular during the 50’s and 80's. Changes in fashion can also be a result of the advancement in technology. People follow trends from magazine to newspapers and TV/personalities and today in the Internet too.

But, do we have to follow the trends all the time? Don’t we also have to consider if these trends are appropriate to the place and occasion were attending? Imagine someone wearing a micro mini when attending mass, just because it is in vogue. Maybe some would be annoyed or some don’t care. But, it is not just an issue of decency but also an issue of respect. I suppose everyone desires to be respected therefore, to earn this from other people we should first learn to respect them. One way would be by the means of how we dress up. Not only in churches but anywhere.

Wearing something appropriate does not mean that it should be expensive or branded. It is just a matter of mix and match and a matter of how one carries his or her clothes. Now a days RTW clothes are all around the market which are less expensive than custom made. Even old clothes can still be appropriate. Hence, the issue of money should not be an excuse of not wearing proper clothes.

Every action should be followed with responsibility and fashion is considered as a freedom. Fashion ethics is an act of proper and improper way of dressing up for a certain place, time and occasion and as defined by Professor Crispin Legaspi, a Christian ethics professor of University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design, Fashion Ethics is a “Responsible Freedom” Thus, fashion is a choice and yes it should have to be followed with responsibility.