With products from Tiffany's, Sephora, Prada and Ann Taylor Loft all in one room, the MBA cafe in Huntsman Hall was transformed into a girl's paradise, if only for just one night.
The second annual "Dress for Success" was held by Wharton Women last night, and though it was a perfect opportunity to let shopping therapy ease midterm stress, this silent auction had a more serious aim.
Co-sponsored by Merrill Lynch and Financo, Inc., the event "was more to educate women on how to dress in a business setting," said Wharton senior Wharton Women president Jeannette Chang.
As many women head into the work world without a clue in regards to wardrobe, the "Dress for Success" auction aimed to show women what they can actually wear.
Participants were given a "Business Attire Checklist," as well as "The Top Ten Tips for Dressing for Success." This list included style laws such as "always choose dressing up rather than dressing down" and "choose appropriate daytime fabrics - save fabrics such as satin for the evening."
Though those tips may seem like common sense, but there are a surprising number of women in the workforce who don't abide by them.
"Sixty-five to 75 percent of American women dress for failure, and they don't even know it," said keynote speaker Ali Yarkhan.
A former brand manager for Prada and current luxury-lifestyle consultant, Yarkhan stressed tips to achieve style success in the business world.
"When it comes to work wardrobe, don't think style, think classic," he said. "If you don't have a suit, you are definitely a candidate for the fashion police."
However, Yarkhan reminded his audience that, "if you work in a man's world, you don't have to look like one." Women should aim to look "feminine, smart and put-together."
After receiving Yarkhan's advice, attendees were allowed to use their newfound fashion knowledge to bid on items from Banana Republic, Bebe, Kenneth Cole, Express, JCrew, and many others.
A Prada handbag, despite its $1,200 retail price, had a starting bid of $200.
These "Dress for Success" sales benefited more than just Penn women looking for hot-ticket items: All proceeds went to the American Cancer Society.
What most excited event coordinators and speakers, though, was the opportunity for future members of the business community to learn the ins and outs of workplace fashion before jeopardizing their careers with bad fashion choices.
Women should "understand the game [of style] and play to win," Yarkhan said. "Success is a lifestyle choice - if you are successful in your appearance, you are successful in your life."
