Common Corporate Clothing Mistakes Women Make

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The world of corporate clothing is filled with choices and pitfalls. With some many unwritten rules one might be tempted to push the boundaries and make a fashion statement in order to stand out.

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No matter how suave and stylish a dresser you are, every woman is bound to fall into at least one of these five common corporate clothing mistakes during her career.

Take a look at these common mistakes and see if you have been a victim of a serious corporate fashion mistake.

Plunging Necklines

Plunging necklines are very sexy, but not for the office. They show too much skin and make it virtually impossible to have an intelligent conversation with a man. Showing cleavage in the workplace is extremely distracting, annoying (for female co-workers), and very unprofessional.

Mini Skirts

Just like plunging necklines, miniskirts show too much skin, and will make you popular for all the wrong reasons. Rather opt for skirts that are just below the knee. They are still sexy and co-workers will take you seriously and actually listen, instead of starring at your legs.

Flip Flops

Flip flops are the most comfortable shoes on the planet, and that is why so many women fall in this office fashion blunder. Flip flops are too casual and is very unbecoming of someone who is climbing the corporate ladder. Potential clients would also think twice about entrusting a flip flop wearing executive with their money.  Rather leave them for the weekends.

Excessive Jewelry

Complementing you corporate clothing with fashion accessories is a good way to update your look, however that does not mean that you have to put on everything at once. Excessive pieces or very chunky jewelry is too overwhelming for an office environment. Avoid wearing chunky jewelry, too many bracelets, large dangling earrings or excessive chains. Rather opt for minimal, feminine jewelry.

Choose Well Fitted Clothes

The last and most important corporate clothing fashion mistake is the pitfall of many women’s careers. The reason why fashion models look so amazing is that their clothes fit. Well fitted clothing makes a world of difference to a garment.

Baggy oversized clothes can make you look sloppy, lazy, unprofessional and, fat. By wearing oversized clothes, people will presume that you have a poor self image, or that you simply do not care. Either way this sends a very unprofessional message and you will struggle to haul all that clothes up the corporate ladder.

The same goes for corporate clothing that is too tight. By wearing skin tight clothing you will also be sending a very unprofessional message. You will probably receive a lot of attention in the workplace by wearing skin tight clothes, but it will be because of your body and not your mental capabilities and skills.

It is essential to tread carefully trough the mind field of pitfalls in the corporate clothing world, but by following these simple rules you will be able to stay a cut above the rest.

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Common Corporate Clothing Mistakes Men Make

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With all the different types of unwritten corporate clothing rules, it does get a bit tricky at times to decide what is appropriate and what is not. What exactly does corporate casual mean? And how casual are ‘Casual Friday’s’ really.

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Men tend to be more relaxed and carefree about what they wear to work than women. And this often leads them to stumble into one of the five biggest corporate clothing mistakes men make.

White Tennis Socks With A Suit and Tie

Surprisingly many men, at one point or another, stumble into the ultimate corporate fashion crime; white socks with a suit. This is the ultimate no-no in the workplace, and might get you more than strange looks. Attending an important meeting  dressed like this shows how little attention to detail you pay, and may make your clients think twice before handing over their money to you.

As a rule you should wear the same color socks and trousers. Wearing navy socks with black pants is also a big corporate clothing mistake.

Backpack Instead Of A Briefcase

Backpacks are more comfortable and easy to carry, but sometimes comfort needs to be sacrificed in order to climb the corporate ladder.

Backpacks are extremely unprofessional, and it will make potential clients think that you are a college intern instead of a serious businessman. Rather invest in a stylish and timeless black leather briefcase.

Novelty Ties

Novelty ties are great conversation starters, but at the end of the day you will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.  Nobody would be able to take you seriously professionally, f your tie is shaped like a giant snake or a piano. Rather reserve them for special holidays, like Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day or Christmas.

Baseball Caps

Yet another example of something that seems so unassuming and acceptable that some men think it is socially acceptable to do.

Baseball caps, hats, beanies have no place being associated with corporate clothing. Sports caps are just too casual for the workplace, and that includes casual Friday’s.
If your morning commute is too cold wear a stylish hat, but take it off when you enter the office, and keep it tucked away until you leave.

Shorts

Yes, it is very tempting to wear shorts during the heat of summer for ‘casual Friday’, but do this ad you will be the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons. Shorts in the workplace are just an all round bad idea. It is unprofessional, extremely casual, and in most companies this would get you fired immediately. If conventional long pants get too hot for you during the summer, try some high quality, well tailored linen pants.

No Time For The Dry- Cleaners

Showing up to work with crease and crinkles sends the message that you are lazy, scatter-brained and pay no attention to detail. This will make you stand out for all the wrong reasons. Always hang up your suit and trousers when you take them off and be sure to get a good dry-cleaner.

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The Look Of Power

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Corporate clothing generally creates a perception of authority. Nowhere is this truer than with the president of a country. Besides military garb, a suit is the most authoritative outfit which is why many statesmen wear them. It is very rare to see a president, especially Western, without a tie, let alone in casual wear. This is presumably because they need to portray and stern image that tells the people of his country that he is in control and the rest of the world that he means business.

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The Madiba shirt

But formal clothing is neither a necessity for, nor an accurate measure of, one’s success or authority.  Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest leaders of our time but broke with the expected severe look soon after his inauguration, when he wore a silk printed shirt designed by Desré Buirski at the Parliamentary opening dress rehearsal in 1994. This was so rare it made news and as he continued to wear this style of shirt from time to time, it was dubbed The Madiba Shirt. His less formal attire did not take anything away from the noble nature of his character nor the exemplary way did he lead the country. In fact it added to unique and engaging personality, endearing him even more to the masses worldwide.

My country, my clothing

This is true with other leaders as well, who choose to forgo the Western look but rather take pride in their traditional attire. The likes of Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi with his Jard, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo in his Agbada and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saudi who almost exclusively wears a thawb and bisht. Their traditional clothing does not detract from their authority or credibility to the rest of the world. In some cases it entrenches their authority in that it shows the rest of the world their unrelenting patriotism and that they are on control and will not be easily swayed to conform to western ways. This is not a suggestion that they are unwilling enter into agreements or participate in world issues but is rather perhaps a representation of their interests being vested in their country first, then to the world.

Other heads of state substitute the common suit with military clothing. This is just as traditional to them as is a formal suit. They hold their army uniform in such high esteem that it is considered more formal than a suit like the English, both Prices Charles and his son William were married in their military garments.

Most memorable though, is former Cuban President Fidel Castro.  Despite his early career as a lawyer, in which he probably wore corporate clothing, he spent most of his leadership in military clothing. His khaki or green army outfit and cap are synonymous with this leader of the Cuban Revolution which he wore even after he had overthrown Batista and become president himself.

Power and authority may be homogenous but how they are represented in clothing is a matter of personal taste and perception.

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Corporate Mogul With A Twist

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Thabo Khumalo is a young entrepreneur. At 25 he owns a successful production company in Durban. Kosi Bay Productions was established in 2008 and named after Khumalo’s hometown in KwaZulu Natal’s North Coast. “I always wanted to own my own business, where I call the shots” says Khumalo, his corporate clothing reflecting his authority.

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After completing a diploma in Video Technology at the Durban University of technology, he saved up while doing his internship at Summit TV and with one handheld camera and a downloaded editing programme started shooting weddings and family functions. Although he still does work for individuals, the bulk of his business comes from corporate events. Being self employed means Khumalo has to knock on office doors to get business.

Conforming But With His Own Twist

He recalls how he initially corporations would snub him because of his sloppy wardrobe. “I had not, by then done much work so they judged by looking at me. Their first impression would be that of a dishevelled boy.” It was then that Khumalo decided to change his look, to be more corporate when going out to meetings. But as much as he wanted to look professional, he also wanted the fresh vibrancy of his company and indeed himself to reflect, which is why he wears the All Star takkies.

The company specialises in TV, film and radio pre and post production, editing, video filming as well as photography.  His new look may clinch the meeting for him, but it is his natural business savvy that wins the clients over. His work speaks for itself, having worked for big corporate like ABSA, Nedbank and the EThekwini Municipality.

Giving Back

So busy is Kosi Bay Productions that Khumalo now has two full time employees as well as freelancers on call. He is a strong believer in empowering young people saying, “The future is our hands and those of us that are fortunate enough to have made it need to lend a hand to those that are still struggling.”  Many youths have benefitted from Khumalo’s helping hand. He intermittently runs classes, teaching videography, editing and business skills so that others can earn money in this line of work.

Khumalo confesses to not having a life outside the edit suite, but the ring on his finger tells a different story. “My wife understands the work I do, she knows I am married to my client until the job is done.”  He says however, that the long hours in the office pay off as he can do special things for her to make up for his absence.
With such dedication, it is no wonder that Khumalo is doing so well as he looks forward to more projects in the future, that he will win over, All Stars and all.

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FORMAL PROFESSIONAL DRESS CODE

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Pairing a skirt or a pair of slacks with a matching jacket automatically creates a suit ideal for formal wear. Suits with a business-like attitude and presents the wearer in a professional manner to clients, who appreciate executive attention. Women can be notoriously finicky regarding their clothing choices, as self-image and figure-confidence are first and foremost, when it comes to their appearance.

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Before ordering corporate clothing, it would wise to consult with female employees for an agreement of opinions, otherwise the items ordered, could result in very unhappy ladies. The aim of corporate clothing is to instil pride and confidence in the wearer and encourage them to work as a team. This will give them self-assurance and allow them to concentrate, on the task in hand.

Display wise choices

Corporate clothing, which reveals too much cleavage, your stomach or your underwear, is not appropriate for a place of business. Skirts vary in lengths and styles, to reflect the image you wish to convey and allow for modesty, comfort and a fashionable appearance. Majority of the styles are standard and do not date, for example fitted pencil skirts of varying lengths. Also the A-line flared skirts, a style which is flattering to most body shapes. For winter, slacks and longer skirts are a good choice, as they cover the legs and are warmer.  Some women are more comfortable wearing slacks, as opposed to skirts

Corporate clothing can take a major chunk out of a company budget, so choosing classic styles, and buying in bulk, makes economic sense. The female staff will be content and the need for replacing garments, based on current fashion styles, will be avoided.

Making a great appearance

In our work environment, clothing should never look like one just climbed out of bed.  Corporate clothing, should be clean, ironed and in a good state of repair, because torn, frayed and dirty clothing, show a lack of self-respect.

There are a variety of fabrics from which corporate clothing is made; easy care options like machine washable fabrics requiring little or no ironing.  These are popular and guarantee the wearer can turn out smartly without too much effort regarding laundering and clothing care.  Wool, polyester, and Lycra mixes fall into this category and the materials used in the fabric ensure a good fit, durability and an ability to retain its shape well. These fabrics, with special finishes, make them stain and water resistant, so that accidental spills will not cause any major disasters. Some manufacturers, despite voicing, easy care properties of their products; recommend dry-cleaning, so if the garment is part of a set, be aware of the care instructions, before laundering.

The polished finish

Conservative court shoes, dress heels and smart boots, are acceptable for corporate dress. Tasteful, professional scarves, and jewellery are encouraged, jewellery should be worn in good taste, with limited visible body piercing.

A professional appearance is encouraged and excessive makeup is unprofessional. Remember that some employees are allergic to the chemicals in perfumes and makeup, so wear these substances with restraint.

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CORPORATE DRESS FOR SUCCESS

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Although corporate clothing looks smart, shows professionalism, creates a united team and is a walking advert for the company, some staff feel prevented from portraying who they are. In other words, many workers feel that having to wear corporate clothing takes away ones individuality.

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Have your say

With regards to wearing the corporate outfit and maintaining your individuality, remember that the shirts, skirts, trousers, jackets or dresses that one has to wear, usually comes in various cuts and styles. Ensure that the fit and style is right for your body shape.

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Become involved in the choice and design of your corporate clothing, by offering input from the whole team. Assure the management, that they will still have the final say, and that the staff will respect their decision. If this is not an option, take the time on the internet and research on companies that produce corporate clothing and suggest a suitable company one, with a wide trendy range, to management. Ask that whatever clothes are decided on, are tailored and that they also consider colours, as not everyone suites the same colours.  For example a redhead could wear green, but definitely not red?

Keep your individuality

It is possible, however, to wear corporate apparel and still maintain your own look and have your own personal style, while looking presentable and professional.

On great factor emerges from this whole corporate clothing fiasco, you do not have to work at creating a new look every day. You can also sleep much later in the morning, knowing that you do not have to worry about what to wear, for the office.   One quickly runs out of outfits when you have to plan something new for every day of the week.

Accessorize well

Make sure that whatever you team with your corporate clothing, wear shoes that you are comfortable in and add accessories that you feel good with. Obviously you have to abide by company rules, but remember that what you do with your hair, shoes and jewellery, is still personal decision, this is where you portray your personality and unique style.

So, even though you might have to wear corporate clothing, it does not mean you are uninteresting. Liven up the clothing with your own look and style, and finish it off by being yourself. The company image will look very good – and so will you!

Temporary staff requires corporate clothing

Temporary staff, brought in by the company, to help in short term projects are usually given corporate clothing to wear, for the duration of the project. This helps with the incorporation of the new members into the overall team, allows them to identify with the company.

It can be beneficial to allow the temporary staff to keep the clothes when their stay with the company comes to an end. They can carry on to be the ambassadors of the company, even after they have left, by merely continuing to wear the clothes. The branding on the items will be communicating company products as well as other messages to the public at large.

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The History Of Corporate Clothing

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Today it is common knowledge that working for a certain company entails dressing in a certain way. Companies expect of their employees to project a professional image to their clients, and while some companies choose to provide guidelines according to which employees should adhere when dressing, other companies choose a more strict approach when it comes to corporate clothing and choose uniforms as the basic dress code.
When one compares corporate clothing today to what it was in the past it is clear to see that fashion in the workplace progressed as technology did.

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The 1900’s

During the 1900’s people mostly wore black- this seemed to be the official color for work wear. This choice in color seems ironic as the First World War occurred in this period. Black seems to still be a popular color of choice for most working people, but at least in today’s modern times employees are allowed to choose what they want to wear against a set of guidelines.

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The 1920’s

This was the period when top hats, bowler hats, frocks coats and lounge suits seemed to be the most popular and the newest fashion craze. Women were allowed to incorporate white with their black clothes and men started wearing grey suites.

The 1930’s

Women in the 1900’s were very conservative and were expected to be covered up in the business world. During the 1930’s shorter skirts were introduced into the workplace. During this period a more feminine look was being incorporated; women no longer had to be completely covered up, but as in any work place still needed to look suitable and professional.

The 1950’s

This was the period where companies realized the value that corporate clothing has for business. The idea of corporate clothing was first introduced when t-shirts in the USA were printed with the resorts names that were to be found in specific areas. This idea then became very popular and businesses realized that a great way of promoting their companies was not only by advertising their products or services on television or in print, but that their employees could actually help to advertise their services, as well as their image.

Modern Times for Corporate Clothing

Corporate Clothing has now become a world- wide phenomenon as companies all over the globe realize the importance that image has for business. Corporate branding in itself has now become a specialized industry that helps companies to design uniforms and to maintain a professional image. There are many different approaches towards corporate clothing; some companies choose not to incorporate uniforms but set out guidelines according to which they expect their employees to dress. Other companies want every worker to project the image of the company as well as advertize at the same time.

Just as technology keeps on progressing, trends in the corporate world do too. As the fashion industry keeps evolving, more and more ideas are integrated with corporate clothing, which means that, thankfully, black will never be the one and only color for working individuals ever again!

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Portraying A Positive Corporate Image

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There are many ways through which a company can enhance a positive view amongst customers and clients of its corporate image. Making use of corporate clothing, paying bills on time, staying up to day regarding your field of work and delivering services and doing so with a smile will ensure the good reputation and long term growth of any business!

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Corporate Clothing

To ensure that employees are always dressed well and looking neat, corporate clothing can play a significant role. If staff members are allowed to wear whatever they want to, it might happen, especially in a more informal environment, that some people are very eccentric in what they wear. This might either offend customers, or portray an image of unprofessionalism of a company.

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Corporate clothing made of good quality material and with a clear and memorable logo will do much for leaving a lasting impression with clients.

Paying Bills On Time

A company should be very diligent in making all necessary payments on time. This will ensue positive corporate credit. In the case of such a company with a good reputation needing a loan for investments or expenditures, it will be easily granted. Not paying bills on time could leave the impression that a company is not consistent.

Also with regards to being on time, businesses should make sure that they always render services by the time they have stated to do so. Once people know they can trust a company to deliver services on time, business is sure to increase, as most people go to do business with a company they have heard only good things about.

Stay On Top Of Your Game

Another way in which a company can ensure positive corporate credit is by staying up to date with developments in its field. Impress clients with knowledge about the latest possibilities that can be offered them. Don’t let them hear it somewhere else!

Employees also need to stay on top of their game by staying updated about new software and other technical developments. Whether it is working with a credit card machine or programming something on the computer, people need to go with the latest and most productive, effective ways of working. Send staff members on regular and relevant training sessions.

Service With A Smile

Lastly, and most importantly, building a positive corporate identity involves actually rendering the services promised and doing so with excellence. Poor work will lead to a bad reputation. It takes only one story to create a negative image of a business. Also make sure that employees provide services with a smile. The quickest way of building a bad reputation is having unfriendly staff members.

Whether it is corporate clothing or rendering services on time with a smile – there are many things companies can do to build positive corporate credit!

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Is Corporate Clothing Right For My Business?

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More and more businesses are starting to implement corporate clothing at the work place. Many companies are now asking themselves if corporate clothing is the right path for them. There are many things that should be considered before making a final decision about this. You should consider things like the budget, company needs as well as all the pros and cons associated with corporate clothing.

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The Pros And Cons

One of the biggest pros would be that you will be creating a professional brand identity as well as brand awareness. This is also why it is so important that you choose corporate clothing that reflects a professional image. You should also ensure that your branding is clear and visible. This is because your employees will essentially be advertising your business everywhere that they go during the work day.

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Another pro would be that implementing corporate clothing ensures that all of your employees are appropriately and professionally dressed every day. This also benefits employees because they would no longer have to stress about what they are going to wear to work every day.

Covering all the costs associated with the corporate clothing is also a great way of making employees feel like a valued part of the company. An employee that feels appreciated is a lot more likely to go the extra mile for the company and would probably also be a lot more productive.

The only con or disadvantage is that your employees may not like the corporate clothing. This will negatively affect their productivity. This is why it is so important to involve all your employees in the decision making process. This makes sure that that they are happy with the style and comfort of the clothes.

Other Things To Consider

The first thing that should be considered is your budget. This will dictate whether the company can afford to cover all the costs associated with corporate clothing or only a percentage thereof. This will also dictate which quotes you receive from suppliers are affordable.

You should always talk with your employees before you do anything. Find out how they feel about corporate clothing and what types of styles or materials they would prefer. You will use all this information to construct a general brief that you will give to all prospective suppliers.

Also, be sure to consider your climate. For example, if you live in a colder climate then make sure that jackets or coats are a part of the corporate clothing. This way, employees can be warm and comfortable when they leave the office and still advertise your company branding everywhere that they during the work day.

When looking for a supplier always contact as many as possible so that you can shop around for the best value for your money. Remember to never sacrifice quality for price. The best deal will be a supplier that offers a high quality product and efficient service at an affordable rate.

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Increasing Productivity At Your Workplace

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There are many ways that you can increase productivity at your workplace. These include implementing corporate clothing, offering incentives and simply redecorating the office space. These tactics are all well known for their ability to increase productivity and improve the working experience all round.

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Implementing Corporate Clothing

Corporate clothing is a great way of promoting unity and team work within an office environment. This is because employees feel like a valuable part of the company when employers cover the costs of the corporate clothing. An employee that feels this way is a lot more likely to go the extra mile for the company. Corporate clothing also eliminates a lot of stress for employees. They no longer have to worry about what they are going to wear to work every day.

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Corporate clothing has also been known to improve communication between employees and leads to better working relationships. This in turn, leads to better inter-departmental communication within the company. This will result in more efficient service delivery, more co-operation within different teams and simply within the company as a whole.

When employees are wearing corporate clothing, they will essentially be advertising your company for you everywhere that they go during the work day. This is why you should make sure that the corporate clothing worn is professional as it is a direct reflection of your company. You should also ensure that the company’s branding is clear and visible.

Offering Incentives

Incentives are one of the most effective ways of increasing productivity in any workplace. This can be anything really to reward an employee for good work. You can reward them with a day off or a prize such as a free laptop bag, desk accessories or even a weekend away.

These types of incentives would of course need to be defined. This definition should include things such as what levels of performance or attendance is necessary. Also, the type of prize or incentive offered would largely depend on your budget that you have available. You should always allocate a certain budget to this program and stick to it strictly.

Redecoration And Organizing

A cluttered space can really hinder productivity in the work place. This is why organizing your office is an effective way of boosting your rate of productivity. You can start organising the space by buying decorative storage solutions such as boxes, filing systems and shelves. You should also rethink your floor plan if you find that you cannot move around the space easily.

Decorating the office would the space a lot more pleasant to work it. A better work environment leads to a better work attitude and results in an increase in productivity. Add some aesthetic appeal to your office by giving it a fresh coat of paint. You can also add room accessories such as plants, art and ornaments. Remember not to add too many of these as this will make the space the space seem cluttered and this would be counter-productive.

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