Fashion Confidence Made Easy

Looking good and feeling confident does not have to be a difficult task, even for women who do it all. Modern women spend their days juggling life's daily necessities, which can result in back-to-back meetings and lunches on the run. Jane Buckingham, trend expert, author and host of Style Network's "Modern Girl's Guide to Life," knows that being a successful modern woman requires having a few tricks up her sleeve--especially when it comes to getting dressed.

"Balancing work, family and play leaves no time for today's modern woman to deal with clothing worries, such as choosing the right look for any occasion, avoiding embarrassing situations and taking care of cherished pieces," says Buckingham.

Buckingham suggests these stylishly smart and practical tips to help busy women avoid wardrobe blunders and feel confident every day in the modern world:

Invest in a Classic Wardrobe

• Rather than rushing to the mall an hour before a date to find the "perfect thing" to wear, cultivate a great collection of clothes in advance by having a few key classic pieces that mix and match well.

• Invest in a few high-quality T-shirts that go under everything from blazers to sweaters; try a few daring color choices to make a neutral wardrobe pop.

• Since more than one out of five women (22 percent) have ruined a favorite top because of unsightly white marks, Buckingham recommends protecting a great wardrobe by using Dove Ultimate Clear Anti-Perspirant/ Deodorant, which stays on skin and not on clothes.

For proof, turn shirts inside out to discover the beauty of alleviating white marks.

Say "I Do" to Smart

Wedding Style

• Wedding attire can be a complicated matter, and not just for the wedding party. If a particular dress code has not been requested on the invitation, a basic guideline for daytime weddings is to wear a light-colored dress.

• When dressing for an evening wedding, err on the side of sophistication. Choose a cocktail dress that is elegant and skims the knees in an A-line cut.

• Even though a flirty, strapless frock is the perfect garb for a wedding, one out of five women (20 percent) opt not to wear sleeveless tops altogether to avoid white marks. Apply a deodorant with translucent moisturizers, which form a barrier between skin and clothes to put the mind at ease.

Distinguish Yourself

In Business

• Dressing for success at a new job can be a daunting task. The trick is to look stylish and confident without being distracting. Instead of a full suit, pair suit trousers with a striped button-down shirt or classic wool wrap.

• Steer clear of ruffles and sweet-looking prints in order to avoid giving the impression of being a shrinking violet rather than a bold risk taker.

• Since more than half of women (51 percent) were at work by the time they realized that they had deodorant marks on their clothing, Buckingham also suggests using Dove Ultimate Clear to ensure confidence when conversing with a boss or colleague.

Fashion Week Begins! How to Start a Career in Fashion

For all you fashionistas out there, this is the week you've long been waiting for. New York Fashion week kicked off on September 9 at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, with the entire fashion world holding its breath to see what clothes we'll be wearing in Spring 2011.

The final products you'll see over the next few days are the result of months of hard work and collaboration between a variety of players in the fashion industry. From the designers who make the clothes, to the models who wear them, to the stylists who use them for celebrity clients, everyone has a role in bringing the newest styles to the public eye.

If one of these jobs sounds like your dream career, now might be the time to consider a career in fashion. Whether you're watching coverage of the shows online, or you're lucky enough to be attending, there are a variety of careers you can consider as you watch the latest looks roll down the runway.

It all starts here . . .
Fashion Designer Careers
Days, weeks and months before Fashion Week begins, fashion designers begin sketching, planning, and designing clothes for upcoming seasons. With an extensive knowledge of fashion history, designers combine past trends, beautiful fabrics, and their vision of the future to create wearable works of art. The clothes they display on the runway eventually influence what we wear to work, to school, and even to the beach.

On the runway . . .
Modeling Careers
It's not enough for clothes to look beautiful on the rack—NY Fashion Show attendees need to see how clothes move, hang and appear when they're worn by real live human beings.

That's where fashion models come in. Although their jobs might appear easy on the outside, professional models have to cultivate their look, walk and attitude to help designers showcase their creations and make them appealing to stylists, editors, and merchandisers.

In the audience . . .
Fashion Stylist Careers
At Fashion Week, celebrities, style editors, and fashion stylists alike are in the audience to preview next season's looks and trends. Attendance is extremely important for anyone in the styling world, as it gives them a chance to scout outfits for their clients, network with designers and other fashion insiders, and stay up-to-date on the hottest new designs.

From the runway to your closet . . .
Fashion Buyer & Merchandising Careers
As the hottest new looks are unveiled, fashion buyers and merchandisers get to work, deciding which designs and styles are right for their customers. Whether they work in large department stores or small, exclusive boutiques, fashion buyers and merchandisers are in charge of monitoring and predicting trends, deciding how much merchandise to order, and keeping an eye out for hot new items.

Ready to get started?
In addition to a passion for fashion, all of the careers listed above require an extensive knowledge of design principles, fabric and textiles, and fashion history. A fashion design degree can be a great place to start.