Okay. Business Casual. Dress Down Friday...or Pay to Dress Down Thursday. Maybe because I am of a more mature generation, or maybe because I worked in the schools and in ministry. But, good gracious, in my most recent jobs, I have had an eyeful when it comes to fashion in the workplace.
While I agree with Sprite's comment that we should not be judged by the clothes we wear, I do wonder if somehow the lines have been blurred as to what is appropriate for the office? Of course, I will always believe that what we wear is an outward expression of who we are... that it is a way for us to express our creativity and our personalities. Fashion is fun and while should not be taken ultra-seriously, there is certainly a time and place for everything. For example:
Cleavage? For the bedroom or the beach, not for the office.
Mid-thigh tight skirts with bare legs and high heels? For pole dancing or partying, but not for presenting a program to a room full of young adult men.
Black leggings and ill-fitting black lycra tops with racer-backs? For exercise or escapades, but not when you are employed as an executive assistant.
I've seen it all. And I don't like some of what I see. And even more frustrating is that there seems to be inconsistency within many organizations as to what is acceptable. I don't get it. Shouldn't we strive, even in a casual environment, to represent our employer in a tasteful, polished and professional way? Even though it's Dress Down Friday? Trust me, I'm no prude when it comes to what to wear to the office, and I might even wear jeans on a Friday...with a cute top and a sharp jacket. I'm just sayin'.
Did you know there is a Red Alert for Fall? According to one of my favorite blogs,
Fabulous After 40, Red is right on trend this season, and can help us feel modern and vibrant.
http://www.fabulousafter40.com/red-alert-for-fall-2011/ Check it out for a contest to win a pair of red jeans.
It just has to be because of mad men's Joan Holloway...who always looks incredible in red, and wears a lot of it. Just as a sidebar, I love the fact that Banana Republic is doing a Mad Med Collection! Which includes this knockout dress, with just the right amount of red:
The Begonia Print Dress. The neckline is incredible.
So, will you be wearing red this Fall?
Will it be Jeans, a Dress or an Accessory?
For me? I'm doing a red ponte dress from Vogue's Kay Unger 1205
and a pair of red pants from Vogue's Anne Klein 1264...my first sewn pair of pants since I was a teenager!
I'm delighted to think of red for fall. It makes me happy. And now that I think of it, I may actually wear red jeans to work on Casual Friday!
Ugh, I'm with you Lynne. I think when you dress professionally, you feel and act professionally. I work at home and I still try to put on makeup and jewelry and wear something decent when I "go to work". The one I used to hate in the office was cheap flip flops. Never office appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI am SO with you on the professional attire thing. It was a constant battle in our pediatric dental office to get the women to dress appropriately - and it wasn't always the young ones. I had an older woman who insisted on cleavage! The dads bringing their kiddos in certainly got an eyeful as they leaned over the counter. And I had to admonish one young girl that if you could see her butt crack when she bent over, her pants were NOT appropriate!! I may have to check out red - it's not really been my color, but maybe that should change. I AM knitting some red socks now.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you too!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree about office attire and feeling more professional when you look professional. I work in a very, very casual legal office and often get teased when I show up in skirt and dresses every single day. In fact, on the rare occasion when I wear my jeans - everyone asks if I'm okay.
ReplyDeleteHope your new job is going well. g