• Home
  • Blog
    • Archives
  • Etiquette Services
  • Media
  • About Diane
  • Books
    • Modern Etiquette for a Better Life
    • Pearls of Polish
  • Holiday Guides
    • Holiday Tipping Guide
    • Holiday Table Setting Guide
  • Contact

Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

Leading Etiquette Expert and Modern Manners Authority Diane Gottsman’s official blog, with Business Etiquette, University Etiquette, Social Media Etiquette, Dining Etiquette and more.

Fashion Etiquette: Adding to Your Spring Wardrobe

22 Mar 2013 By: Diane Gottsman

Have you been thinking “Spring!” while weathering through yet another cold spell in your city? With the arrival of Spring, we can hardly wait to put away our Fall wardrobes and welcome brighter pieces of clothing and cheerful accessories. But not so fast…it’s still cold in many parts of the country and we aren’t quite ready to pull out our lighter weight fabrics when the temperatures outside are still in the teens (this obviously doesn’t apply to me as I write this in 75 degree weather – but am planning a trip to a city where I will need long johns next week!).

While I teach a clear message of erring on the conservative side of the fence for business, I also believe that your choice of clothing is dependent on the corporate culture, industry and the temperature outside your front door. I like trends but I adore timeless pieces. I take care of them just like I cared for my favorite dolls when I was a child. I keep them in their original boxes and pull them out from time to time, try them on, wear them out, and then put them away until next season. Some of my favorite “old” things are purses that look brand new, shoes that I have resoled countless times, and a pair of men’s Gucci cuff links that I wear with a white cotton shirt and faded blue jeans.

Here’s what is on my Spring Wardrobe list for office and fun…

Shoes: I am never one to shy away from height.  I always feel at my best with a great pair (or several!) of heels to add that extra pep of confidence into my step.

The Office: I own this pair in black patent and camel suede. The shoe below is on my Spring wish list.

jimmychoo

Jimmy Choo Agnes

Fun: Saturday brunch with friends – who wouldn’t have a skip in their step?

fun-yellow

Alexander McQueen Skull Platform Pumps

Arm candy for all seasons: Even though most of us rely on our cell phones to check the time, it’s an important professional detail to wear a conservative watch. My staple time piece is a simple link watch. It’s been reworked, parts replaced, links re-linked, and glass face repaired.

Another favorite:

timex-striped

A Timex Weekender

You might want to add this to your Spring wish list:

tag-heuer

Tag Heuer Formula 1 w/ a White Dial

Consider jewelry to add a pop of Spring color to your wardrobe.  My jewelry, mostly inexpensive, is sentimental and timeless. I also have many pieces of bright jewelry that I pull out for Spring that make me smile when I wear them because they are sunny and cheerful. I always seem to add a few more items to my wardrobe for both work and play.

Here are a few Spring favorites…

Kate Spade New York Frontal Necklace

Kate Spade New York Frontal Necklace

or:

Camella Spring Earrings by Amrita Singh

Camella Spring Earrings by Amrita Singh

Casual Friday’s at the office:
The end of the week might feel like you have one foot into the weekend but you certainly can’t risk showing up to work too relaxed.

Office: Instead of faded jeans, consider this outfit from J.Crew:

striped-jcrew

Pencil wrap skirt from J. Crew

For some work environments, this would be a perfect style for a holding a meeting over lunch:

red-with-jacket

Love the colorful pant!

And, if your office wears jeans to work on Fridays, this would be a good choice:

jeans-look

A great mix of colors – note the sleeves, belt and necklace

What does your spring bag look like? If you are still carrying around a back pack or an overused handbag, now is the time to treat yourself to a new look.

A nice Spring office update

A nice Spring office update

Or, if you prefer to go darker:

Legacy Leather Medium Candace Carryall from Coach

Legacy Leather Medium Candace Carryall from Coach

Or, if you want to show your vibrant personality, just don’t wear it with a bulky briefcase:

Waverly Terrace Medium Maise by Kate Spade

Waverly Terrace Medium Maise by Kate Spade

You love color? This may be a too pink for the accounting firm or courtroom, but a touch of hot pink will add flair to your wardrobe and let your competitors know you are walking down the corridor. Notice her soft nails with the bold outfit. While this purse may be a luxury item for most, the look can be achieved by shopping carefully for a similar, more affordable option.

pink

Gucci bag/Harpers Bazaar

What is on your Spring wish list?
Tweet me @DianeGottsman or post on my Facebook page.

Signature

Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram

Search

Connect With Me!

Subscribe to Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman's Blog by RSS Follow Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman on Twitter Become a Fan of Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman Follow Diane on Pinterest Follow Diane on Instagram Follow Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman on Linkedin Check out my Etiquette Expert videos on YouTube

Categories

Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman's Tweets
27 Jul 2023

Also, the nice thing about interviewing etiquette experts was they all returned my call. Thanks @Debretts @williamhanson Laura @PolishedManners and @DianeGottsman for bringing some clarity to protocol chaos

5 Jul 2023

Technology and the gig economy are playing a role in #tipping #etiquette. Sharing my thoughts on when to tip, skip, and how much with @cnbcmakeit: . #manners #gigeconomy #technology #modernmanners

19 Jun 2023

Become their favorite houseguest and spread kindness on your summer travels! Tips on the blog. ❤️🧳✈️🚗

https://dianegottsman.com/2023/06/19/houseguest-etiquette-reminders-for-the-summer/

#travel #houseguest #etiquette #manners #kindess #modernmanners #etiquetteexpert

3

Load More

Media




Join My Mailing List

Recently Quoted In

  • Yahoo! News 5/20/25
  • MSN 5/20/25
  • The Independent 5/20/25
  • Better Homes & Gardens 5/3/2025
  • Brides.com 4/21/25
  • New York Post 3/18/25
  • Yahoo News
  • Fox News 4/17/25
  • AOL
  • Southern Living 4/11/25
  • Fox News 4/10/25
  • Huff Post 4/1/25
  • Huff Post 3/28/25
  • Bored Panda 3/25/25
  • Daily Skimm 3/8/25
  • Newsweek 1/29/25
  • Reader’s Digest 1/29/25
  • NY Post 1/26/25
  • Rent.com 1/24/25
  • Wide Open Spaces 1/18/25
  • Men’s Journal 1/11/25
More ...

Copyright © 2025 · | Site by: Simply Amusing Designs



Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert, sought after industry leader, and owner of The Protocol School of Texas,
a company specializing in executive leadership and business etiquette training.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNoPrivacy Policy