Dressing for Work

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I often comment that I love my job.  I am so incredibly lucky to work for a prestigious non-profit and to have some excellent responsibilities.  However, my career wasn’t placed on my lap.  When I graduated from college, I was at the bottom of the barrel- a bottom-tier assistant.  I worked 60 hour weeks for basically no pay (I ate, like, Ramen for dinner every night), I was treated with little respect, and had to endure a two hour commute each way since I couldn’t afford to live in a near suburb of Washington, much less on the Metro.  On top of the fact that I hated my job, all I wanted to do was return to the comfort of my sorority sisters at my beautiful alma mater instead of facing paying rent, making copies, and answering the phone. 

One of the huge obstacles I faced was how to transition from my Rainbow flip-flops, Polo shirt with collar flipped up, and offensively short miniskirt to a professional woman’s wardrobe.  Not only did I not want to let go of my college persona, but I was completely broke and had no idea how to make a wardrobe out of nothing.  I had tons of misses in my first year out of college, appearance-wise.

Including tanorexia

And continuing to drink Natty Lite and eat bar food like it was college

I slowly learned how to navigate office politics, saw the benefit in completing mundane assistant-type tasks, and began striving to rise above my horrible job.  One of the things that gave me great confidence to do this was developing my own sense of professional style on my meager salary.  Showing up to work every day looking like I was destined to do great things inspired me to constantly strive for more.  Today, I have a prestigious position doing work that I never dreamed I would be doing three years out of college.  I show up to work every day in an outfit that makes me look as serious about my job as I truly am.  I have learned a lot on my career journey thus far (and still have lots to learn), and thought I would share with you some of the wardrobe tips that really helped me grow:

1.  This is one you’ve heard before, but I cannot stress it enough:  Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.  I don’t care if your job is to scrape the dirt off of your boss’ shoe.  Do it well, and do it looking like a million dollars.  Who cares if everyone else at your office dresses down?  You want to stand out for your intelligence, inventive ideas, and youthful energy.  If your most difficult task of the day is making copies, it can be difficult to emanate your potential, so allow your appearance to relay your upward mobility.

I’ll never forget the one day I decided to dress down for work a few months ago.  I was feeling totally bloated, tired, and lazy, and it was Friday so I rolled up to work in a turtleneck, a sweater, skinny jeans, and flats.  I looked awful, and my dowdy outfit certainly wasn’t making me feel any better.  Well, of course on this particular day at the last minute,  I was invited to attend a tea with a very well-known donor, but my boss and I knew I couldn’t show up in my sloppy ensemble, so I had to pass.  It sucked.  I could have made a great contact and learned a lot, but my laziness prevented me from taking advantage of a great opportunity.  You can bet that I haven’t dressed down (except when I am doing actual conservation work) for the office since.  Monday through Friday, I feel presentable to anyone that may walk in my door.

I got this little diddy for $25 at TJ Maxx!

2.  Keep your apparel in impeccable shape.  This is another that should be a no-brainer, but you have no idea how often I don’t see people conforming to their clothes’ needs.  Nothing looks more unprofessional or sloppier than a pair of scoffed shoes or a wrinkled shirt collar.  Do you hate polishing shoes?  Buy patten leather.  Do you hate ironing?  Invest in some fabulous no-iron blouses or wear matte jersey.

Click-click click.  Is that the sound of your shoes?  Nothing screams “amateur” more than high heels that have been compeltely worn down.  For less than 10 bucks, your friendly neighborhood shoe repair man will install a sturdy new  new heel cap.  Stop putting it off- both your feet and your look will benefit.

Yick

Be realistic about what looks fresh and what does not.  I have a red twinset that my mother and I got at the Esprit outlet in 1999.  I have managed to take excellent care of it, and I still wear the shell today.  On the other hand, I recently gave up on a Banana Republic sweater that was only 2 seasons old- it was pilling and pulling, and the color had faded.  I now look very closely at everything I put on before going to work- is it in good shape?  Is the color true?  Are the seams intact?  If there is even the slightest bit of a question, I either repair it or give it away.  “Ancient” looking clothes automatically look sloppy.

3.  Learn how to bargain shop like a champ.  People at work are shocked to discover that I do 99% of my shopping at TJ Maxx, Loehmann’s and Filene’s Basement.  I often hear comments about how most things at discount stores are trash, but in my opinion you have to be smart and patient to get the best deals.  Here’s what I do:

I give myself plenty of time.  Regular stores like JCrew and Brooks pay merchandisers to create attractive displays that cause the shopper to readily see how good a dress or pair of slacks can look (on emaciated mannqeuins, often, but that is not something I want to get in to!).  Discount stores simply put everything on racks and leave it to you to hunt for the gems.  I will literally go through every rack that carries my size and look for things that look good to me.

In the beginning stages of building a wardrobe, I buy seasonless color and fabrics.  This means I focus on fabrics like lightweight wool, matte jersey, heavy cotton, cashmere, and satin.  I stay away from linen, boucle, velvet, and other season-specific fabric until I have the means to purchase things that I can only wear for a portion of the year.  Likewise, if I have limited funds, I’m not going to spend my money on island-print dresses or winter white pants; I am going to purchase khaki trousers and a basic black dress to dress me through the seasons.  Once I have a firmly established wardrobe, then, and only then, can I get the “fun” seasonal extras.

I look for quality.  I carefully examine the construction of each piece, examining the hems, how the sleeves are attached, the uniformity of the button holes, or the sturdiness of the collar.  If something feels flimsy, weak, or uneven to me, I don’t care how cheap or pretty it is, it is a definite no.  I do this at expensive department stores and other brand name shops too.  You would be shocked at how cheaply some of the stuff at your favorite stores is made.  The more you do this, the more you train your eyes to know what to look for, and the easier it gets.

I look for classic colors with clean lines that provide a neutral and grown-up backdrop to display the things I really care about in fashion- fit and accessories.  On any day of the week, I would rather wear a well-fitting black pencil skirt with a simple sweater than a gimmicky dress.  I can add interest to my classic pieces with fun shoes or an interesting necklace.

I don't think so

Simple black and white

4.  No ifs, ands or ghetto booties:  Everything must fit.  You can be wearing a $5000 St. John Knit and you will look cheap and unreasonable if it is tugging and your hips.  This has been especially tough for me in the past year, as I have put on weight and have had to say goodbye to some pieces I really love.  But in the end, I either got them tailored, or I gave them to charity.  I would rather look polished, put-together, and competent than hold on to  my size X suit.  Here are some things to look for:

Button down shirts and cardigans:  No tugging at the boobs.  See yesterday’s post if this is a chronic problem for you.

Pencil skirts:  They should lie flat on your WAIST (not your hips or your rib cage).  If they ride up when you walk, they are too tight.

Pants:  If closing them takes some real effort, abandon ship.  Likewise, if you find yourself pulling them up regularly, either eat more or get smaller pants. 

Dresses:  They should always follow the curves of one’s body and highlight your shape, but if you are ever able to see the whole outline of your boobs, waist, and hips, you are either in an Herve Leger and out a club, or your dress is too tight.  If you can’t see your figure at all underneath your dress, cinch it with a belt immediately or get it taken in.  Potato sacks are for produce, not professionals.

No gaping button holes, check

5.  Wear accessories that are as fearless and proactive as you are.  If daily you are still wearing those diamond studs from your 16th birthday and the silver Tiffany initial necklace your college boyfriend, your accessories are failing to enrich your outift.  The true way for a woman to look pulled together is with statement accessories.  Princess Di would have looked naked without her big stud earrings, as would Blair Waldorf without her outrageous headbands, or Barbara Bush without her fabulous fabulous pearls.  Accessories must speak directly to an outfit, otherwise, they are just white noise. 

6.  Insist on still being yourself.  One of the things that tortured me most about my first year out of college was doing a complete style 180- from adorable sorority girl to frumpy assistant in my crewneck sweaters and long skirts.  Uh-uh- not me!  I am an uber feminine, slightly city-chic girly girl.  So I love wearing pencil skirts, wrap blouses, and peeptoe heels that make me feel ladylike.  Likewise, you should allow your true self to shine through in your clothes.  Do you love sparkle?  Wear a broach like Michelle Obama.  Are you a serious prep?  Freshen up your look with a crested jacket.  Being appropriate and professional doesn’t neccessarily mean black slacks, a white button-down, and utter boredom.  Be fabulous!

 

 

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