Business Casual

Okay, I can not believe it's already April

where did the semester go?

I have a month left of my third year in college..

Now that's super nerve racking, even though, I am a little behind.

That's what happens when you change your major three times...

BUT I am sticking with Fashion Merchandising 

Monday I had to present my current event for my 

intro to Fashion Merchandising class.

It took me forever to try and figure out what I wanted to talk about

because it literally could have been anything.

I kept going back and forth between ideas. Being that my name is at the end of the role I was one of the last few to go and we are not allowed to repeat current events and a lot of the ones I wanted to do were already done..

I decided to talk about Casual Fridays!

I would like to share my project with you guys.

When researching I found a lot of things interesting and very helpful.

So just a little background history..

I bet you guys did not know that Casual Friday originated from Hawaii and it was known as 

Aloha Friday!

It all started in 1966..

The Hawaiian Garment Industry wanted to sell more hawaiian shirts. They came up with this day that encouraged companies to let their employees wear hawaiian shirts one day a week.

This day took off and soon became a culture statement.

By the 1990s Aloha Friday came to the mainland and what we call it today, Casual Friday!

Management for a lot of companies thought this day was too relaxed and were unsure about the idea.

But, Levi's took it as a way to better their brand. The sales of jeans were starting to become stagnate. They recreated the Dockers. Dockers were originally meant for weekends spent on the golf course but, Levi turned them into the casual friday go-to attire. 

This picture is a slide from my presentation 

It shows you how men's clothing have changed over the years

Ever since Aloha friday, casual friday has become an everyday attire.

Most offices run off casual friday dress codes.

I think, we as americans have become so busy and are constantly going that our work attire and our play attire have become the same. It makes life easier when you don't have to change out of your work clothes and into your going out clothes.

Monday for my presentation I attempted to look business casual.

Although I think I was more just casual than business casual but I tend to dress up when most wouldn't. I always say it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.

SO, I'm sure you noticed the oh so adorable pup I'm holding!

Yes, that's my little guy. I've had him for a month now and couldn't be any happier, even though he ate my rainbow sandal the other morning... and I just bought a new pair like a week ago... so mommys not too happy with that.

ANYWAYS.. for my presentation I wore..

• Your basic Ralph Lauren button down that you can find here. 
• I actually found mine at Plato's Closet in the men's section
• There are so many of these tops I've even found some at goodwill
• It never hurts to look because this top is $90 and at outlet stores it's around $50
• These olive green pants are from American Eagle. I can't seem to find them online.
• They do have some that are very similar here. These are cropped jeggings unlike mine which I rolled up. There is also this pair , but they don't have them in the olive green.
• Yes, I said jeggings but honestly they feel like pants. They just fit nice and snug but are very comfortable. AE jeans are always comfortable! These are also high waisted and button up. You might be able to still find these in stores.
• My shoes are Lucky Brand, but I can't find them. I got these so long ago, but I love them
• There are a few shoes I like that I think would do the trick for this outfit:
• You can never go wrong with a pair of Jack Rogers. I don't have a pair, but I do want some. I just can't bring myself to paying that much for them..
• I absolutely love Steve Madden and these are super cute.
• Also if you want to dress this up a bit more you can add some booties and maybe your favorite cardigan or a casual blazer. I found some Carlos Santana booties here. By adding these two things it'll make the outfit more business casual.

                                                               Now time for the jewelry!:)

• In the first picture the set of four bracelets are from Versona, hey I gotta use that employee discount!:) sadly they no longer have them online.
• I found a set that would also do the trick here.
• When stacking bracelets just have fun with it. You really can't go wrong!
• Cheeky Peach also has great bracelets to stack. They have way more in store than online.
• My Fossil watch you can find here. I've had this watch for a few years now and it still is in great shape. Fossil watches are definitely made to last.
• In the second picture I took two of the bracelets from the set and paired it with a wrap bracelet that I made!

I got the idea for my current event from Sunday Morning

I don't know if you guys watch that

but it's something my dad watches 

I always would watch it with him

Now that I live alone me and my pup watch it!

sources for my project

• http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-fallout-from-casual-fridays/
• http://www.marketplace.org/2012/08/17/business/workplace-culture/dress-code-history-business-casual
• http://articlesofstyle.com/56239/a-brief-history-of-mens-style/

additional links

• http://humanresources.about.com/od/workrelationships/a/dress_code.htm
• http://time.com/3951291/100-years-mens-fashion/
• This link is for a video that shows the change in men's fashion over a 100 years. It's really cool to watch and they also have one for womens fashion.

"Don't take yourself too seriously and don't get caught up in the rat race, Relax!"

Mufi Hannemann

(former mayor of Honolulu)

Happy Hump Day!

-A