Working Girls
[ 2 February 2010 ]
“I just had an idea for an article I would love to read! About how to dress for work – highstreet stuff you like, for wallets ranging from H&M to Urban Outfitters… that sort of price range. How to look the part but keep your individuality, and stay fashionable. So much work-wear out there is so boring! It’d be an enormous help to me and I’m sure many other readers, and a nice way to start out the new year!”
irstly, let’s put to rest the myth that work-appropriate attire has to be boring or uninspired. This is absolutely not true. Yes, there is a lot of drab “corporate” clothing out there, but there’s also plenty of drab lingerie, drab sleepwear, drab knitwear & drab designer duds! All you have to do is avoid the things which bore you senseless. We’re pretty good at this intuitively — we tend to stay away from things we don’t like naturally — so don’t worry about it, you can do it!
All offices are different. Graphic designers tend to “get away with” more than lawyers, while younger companies often have a more relaxed dress-code than their long-standing competition.
Here are some things to keep in mind, wherever you work.
The better you look, the better you’ll feel.
What this really translates to is make an effort. If you feel confident in your appearance, you will be happier & perform better. We all have different ideas of what it means to make an effort. For some it will be not wearing a stained t-shirt, for others it’ll be 6” heels & a slash of lipstick. Whatever it is, if you put in a little extra time before you leave the house, you’ll definitely feel the difference.
Don’t show too much.
This is a good general rule for dressing, unless your work revolves around you wearing a bikini or it’s hallowe’en (seemingly the one day a year where all rules go out the window for the majority of people). Don’t show everything — keep something hidden. Concealing your body a little bit is much more attractive & appealing than letting it all hang out, so to speak. So if your outfit is designed around showing off your legs, keep your arms or cleavage covered. If your outfit is low-cut, wear a long skirt. You get the idea.
Dress for the job you want, rather than the job you have.
As well as demonstrating to the higher-ups that you take your work seriously & that you’re mature enough to take on additional responsibility, it also shows that if you were to be promoted, you would instantly fit in with the other people in your department.
Let your personality shine through!
Don’t be afraid to show your personality in the way that you dress! From crystal-emblazoned accessories to a radical pair of shoes, these choices say a lot about us & are, I would argue, an integral part of our personalities. Working in an office or in a shop shouldn’t require you to hang your personality on a coat-hook once you step through the door!
...But don’t go too nuts.
At the same time, everyone you encounter needn’t be bashed over the head about who you are & your views on life. Again, what you can get away with will depend on your place of work, your role & the length of time you’ve been there. The Dish wears the most hilariously inappropriate shirts to work, but he has been there for 15 years… If in doubt, don’t do it!
“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little — if only out of politeness. & then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. & it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”
(Coco Chanel)
@StyleSample My style is NOT conservative but my office is. I add a black blazer & simple heels to counteract my wacky wardrobe!
@stellastellarum Clean clothes, hair, nails. Nothing too sexual (heels & lipstick are ok, but not worn with seamed stockings). No other rules!
@damsorrow i’m into dressing like the bands that would be equivalently appropriate to listen to at the job—for instance, most of the time i’m belle and sebastian—pretty fancy, not showy, a little punk rock in a precious way.
@crinaeae_rai I’m a stylist, so I wear black, stain resistant clothes that I can move in and are stylish. Also, lots of crazy jewlry. I think if I had an office job, I would be rebellious with the dress code as well. Big red lips and plastic hula girls hanging off my jewlry!
@staygo1dkid I take as many liberties with the dress code at work as I can. I hate being told how to dress. Ugh.
@samantharcher I always think it’s important to stick to dress codes- it gets you more respect, and it’s just polite. I don’t think it’s a huge deal either. I can dress how I want on my own time. if I really had a problem with a dress code somewhere I just wouldn’t work there.
@lohlaramona i’m still in school and i’m the only one there who makes any sort of effort to look A] put together and B] un dronelike . i wear lipstick and heels to class because wearing ridiculous things makes me feel better about being there, or anywhere really. also as much sparkle as possible.
@Angeliska There’s not any dress code wear I work, but I stand all day, climb ladders & haul heavy stuff at times, so no high heels (wah!). Also, I don’t wear a lot of white, because I’ll just muck it up. It’s a challenge to find outfits that are cute + utilitarian!
@ashemischief At current job, I have to be careful not to dress too funky/playful bc with my age, it’s easy to get mistaken as a student. at my old job it was always black/grey pants with a vibrant shirt. Style but appropriate for when donors magically came by.
@crysticouture Dress up! Even on ‘Casual Fridays’ I dress up. No lipstick, lipgloss is fine. My bright red trench peacoat is my signature.
@Ragani a friend once shared her work dress philosophy as: dress as well as your boss (if same gender), which has worked well for me. I still insert very “me” notes, sometimes in little ways. Often with more color & bits of historical styles thrown in.
@midorigreen I generally avoid jeans. Also I put together half a dozen outfits every few weeks and wea those combinations until I get bored.
@wishfulpinking I totally dress up for work with coloured eyeshadows. Maybe high heels and always almost always do some eye thing.
@weily Worked in an environment that encouraged “fitting in” so I had a drawer for all my things in neutral colors that fit well!
I did my time in offices, but I never managed to master that corporate dressing thing. I think I was too young to really wrap my head around it. Basically what happened is I left school a year early to go to university, but when I got there, realised it was the LAST thing I wanted to do. Statistics lectures at 9am didn’t grind my crank much either. So I dropped out, but as I was still living with my parents, they told me I had to get a job. “No free rides”, they said. So I got a job at a bank, selling home loans & term deposits.
It was bad. I was never good at toeing the line. I had loathed wearing a uniform & going to school, & then all of a sudden I loathed wearing a suit & going to work. My lingering teenage rebellion persisted which of course resulted in my looking like a complete mess. The bank graciously supplied me with a suit, & looking back on it, it wasn’t so bad. But I hated being forced to wear something that was so very not me, & thus I would wear my suit with… New Rock combat boots. It was so ridiculous. But I was so angry about feeling backed into a corner that I felt like I need to Individuate! Myself! Above! All! Else!, despite multiple warnings. Anyway, eventually I quit & started taking jobs which allowed me to dress a little more like myself. I was still never very “appropriate”, but it didn’t bother me much because I had no aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder.
Don’t be afraid of loud colours or bold prints — just give it some thought.
Don’t be afraid of putting them together, either. There’s no rule that you can’t embrace your love of colour in a corporate setting — you just might want to keep it slightly more controlled than you do on your days off. I think a lot of people fall down or look less professional when they try to put too many colours together at once. While the adventurous spirit required to do this is to be commended, I think a lot of us would look more polished & put together if we reduced the number of colours in the mix, or switched up the proportions. I love to add colour to black, it’s punchy & poppy & wonderful, but if I wore blue stockings, blue shoes, a blue shirt & a blue bag with a black skirt, well, it might be a bit much. Really when you do this, what you risk is looking “costumey”, & unfortunately to most people that does not equate with being “professional”. So pull it back a little bit, & see whether people react differently.
Plan your outfits in advance.
There’s nothing worse than an early morning scramble in a half-dark bedroom to find things that sort of go together! Odds are excellent that you won’t notice that cat hair all over your cardigan until you’re almost at your desk, & the tiny hole in your stockings will have turned into a massive run by midday. The horror! It’s awful to feel doomed to a failed outfit for 8 hours! So, take the time the night before & work out what you’re going to wear. Put it on a hanger & dangle it from the outside of your closet. That way, when you roll out of bed in the morning, you have wonderfully eradicated all panic & drama from the scene. Mornings should be peaceful, after all!
Have an outfit rescue kit at work.
Not because your capabilities are in doubt, simply because accidents happen! Your outfit rescue kit might include a lint roller (for aforementioned cat hair “issues”), a bottle of clear nailpolish (a cheap bottle will do, it will stop a run in your stockings in two seconds flat), a pair of plain ballet flats (ready to deal with anguished trotters after breaking in a pair of heels) & a plain cardigan (in case you need the extra warmth — we all know how offices love to crank up the air conditioning!). A bit of powder would be a good thing to have too. These things should fit into a desk drawer pretty easily, & you can just leave them at work in case you ever need them.
Consider having a “work only” drawer or section of your wardrobe.
While it’s fantastic to have a wardrobe which goes from work to casual & back again, few of us actually have this — & those who do tend to be in jobs where the dress code is much more relaxed, anyway. It can make your life so much more simple if you physically separate the two wardrobes. It will keep you sane & organised, & hamper most attempts to work a tutu into your board meeting ensemble. (“Maybe if I put it with this blazer, it would work…”)
Upgrade your work wardrobe regularly.
This will also keep you sane. No one can wear the same few pieces of clothing for the rest of their life, unless of course, you are a monk, & even then I am sure they have a few robes they can choose from. Go on dedicated work shopping trips, & do not stray! Do not go near the puffy tulle thing, do not finger the leather-look bustier, do not try on the rhinestone-encrusted rabbit ears or pink Marie Antoinette wig. (Make a mental note; come back later; stay on task. Tough love!) Even if you just pick up a few things every so often, it will make a huge difference to how to feel about your work attire. Get a new v-neck sweater in a great colour, buy a fantastic pencil skirt or a rad blazer with sharp details. It’ll spruce up everything else you have.
Come up with a kind of work uniform.
If you have a dressing formula which works, stick to it! When the weather allows it, I mostly wear high-waisted a-line dresses or skirts with tanks, a belt & either a pair of heels or motorcycle boots. It flatters my shape & makes me happy. Your uniform might be a pair of capri pants & a cardigan, or a pencil skirt with a loose-fit collared shirt, but if you stumble upon something which flatters you, keep at it! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, & all that!
Remember that workwear need not break le bank!
It really doesn’t have to. I think that those of us who read a lot of fashion or style blogs sometimes get disillusioned & believe that most women have ten thousand pairs of Christian Louboutin red-soled stilettos in their wardrobe. Guess what? They don’t! Most women don’t even know who Christian Louboutin is! As much as we all love the idea of expensive shoes, that isn’t real life for most people, & you shouldn’t feel any pressure to live up to that kind of nonsense. Keep it simple! Many chain stores sell great things which are well-made & inexpensive. Get membership cards (this will give you great discounts), know when the sales are, sign up for sale websites (I absolutely love Gilt & Rue La La), & don’t be afraid of shopping online — that’s always where the best bargains are! (Plus there is no reason to be afraid, almost all online retailers offer free returns & exchanges!)
Here are some outfits I’ve come up with. I’ve avoided designer stuff as much as possible to keep it realistic. A couple of these outfits would work in a corporate office, while others are more suited to a feisty librarian or sassy barista! (Remember that I have been out of the “corporate world” for years now & my grasp on reality is tenuous at best.) Despite that, I think they mostly fit the bill of being work-appropriate (well, relatively!) while maintaining plenty of personality!
Items in this set: Sequin No 6 Stripe Tee ₤38, skirt by H&M, N.Y.L.A. Extravaganza Pump – Black $115, ASOS Leather Sparkle Pleated Across Body Bag $14, Sequin Hinge Wallet $13.
Items in this set: Hammered Charm Tiered Ruffle Dress $88, Short Jersey Shoulder Blazer $135, RAE Back Zip V Throat Sandals $125, Big apple bon shopper $115, Chain Mail Coin Purse $3.80.
Items in this set: Flex Cardigan $150, Chain Trim Tank $25, Mila Hitch Reg Skirt ₤70, Ranch Low Cowboy Boot ₤165, Serpent Bag ₤100.
Items in this set: One-shoulder dress $78, Snake peep toe $250, Patent Shoulder Bag $52, H&M Shop Online $4.95.
Items in this set: Dress is from H&M but no link!, Draped Pocket Knit Cardigan $16, Frye Belted Harness 12R, Suzy Smith Lace Heart Bag ₤17, Slouch Shoulder Bag $33.
Items in this set: Old Navy Women’s Sleeveless Button-Front Shirts $15, J Brand Light-weight denim leggings $145, Fergie Mission Slingback – Blue $115, Nautical Stripe Boxy Bowling Bag $20, Knit Tie $68.
Items in this set: Vintage Swing Dress $25, Naughty Monkey Chiller Patent Heels $85, Schwarze Clutch mit Reißverschlüssen $63, Vivienne Westwood Ring $200, Old School Rapper Glasses $9.99.
Items in this set: Marchesa Asymmetric silk and wool-blend dress $2,610, N.Y.L.A. Mariah Heels $115, Betsey Johnson Tote $130, a-morir Sabotage sunglasses $600, Bow-Accent Bunny-Ears Hat Beige $50.
...Just kidding. It is my favourite though, & you better BELIEVE I bought that hat!
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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wondeful article, gala! i’m going back to work this year so your advice will come in handy for when i get the job i’m looking for.
though, i’m hoping to not work in a conservative place. i truly hope i get to work somewhere where i can wear what i like, and not a uniformed office. i want to wear pretty dresses and lovely shoes. hopefully that isn’t just a dream.
that all saints (ring?) is absolutely amazing, by the way.
Great kick start to the month of self lovin’! I am in love with those a-morir glasses in the last set. Don’t show me expensive pretty things, Gala! :p
I try to keep it pretty corporate when working in professional jobs. I use details and accessories to accentuate personal style and add pizazz. Ruffled shirts work well, detailed stocking or knee socks, hair ribbon, a vintage brooch on a blazer, a waistcoat or patent heels can work really well in maintaining a professional and corporate image that is respectable when meeting clients as well as not making you want to drown for perpetuating the sea of gray & black that plagues every CBD across the globe.
I really needed this article! I just got my first every “Big girl job”—an Editorial Intern, and I had no concept of how to put together a business casual outfit that would still allow my unique personality to shine.
Really great tips here. I look forward to creating my own look for the office.
When I see that you’ve started to make some Polyvore sets, a total Pavlovian response sets in Gala!
I automatically know that an awesome&inspirational article will be coming in soon, and this one doesn’t disappoint!
I’m lucky that I work at the Gap, which allows pink hair and tattoos and piercings. The only thing is that I can’t wear athletic clothes, which is fine with me since I have none. :D
Funny that you wrote this today, I just wrote a post on my updated work uniform! sonjaengdahl.com/blog/?p=1174
I’ve had problems – that I’ve finally found some ways to sort out! – dressing fashionably as a nanny, since my work wear has to be primarily practical, warm, and comfortable and ABOVE ALL able to survive multiple washings. (I do at least two loads of work clothes per week as things get dirty oh so fast with a two year old crawling on me!)
I’ve always wanted to express my personality and look nice at work – I continually got in trouble for bending the dress code rules when I was a barista at a corporately run chain cafe. Booo for dress codes!
I love this post, you should absolutely find fun ways to show your true self when you’re working – it boosts your self esteem and also makes you feel better about your job itself!
I’ve been at my job for about 9 months now and I’ve had the hardest time finding clothes that I can wear to work. Usually I’m a pretty casual dresser, but work is “business casual” and they’re not even sure what that means. For about 8 months I’ve worn the same black cardigan over everything. It’s gross and boring. A few weeks ago I went on a crazy H&M shopping spree where I spend $177 in under an hour. I got some new sweaters and a few other tops to mix in. Over the next few months I’m going to try to pick up at least one new thing every paycheck. But I have to find a balance because I’m also going back to school in September. I need to find things that I’d wear all the time AND that are appropriate for me to wear to work! Eep! Fingers crossed! In fact… I think I’ll go to Forever21 tonight. Love that Chain Tank! :)
Thanks Gala! :D
Cool! I’m jobhunting right now and have been trying to shape my wardrobe accordingly. Personally, i’m big on the classic secretary look, with the pencil skirt and heels and glasses (and a huge furry scarf for the walk to work!).
On another note, my ex-university supervisor once commented on my clothes, out of the blue, telling me that I always look well put-together. People notice how you dress all the time, and why not impress them?
Hm… maybe it’s because I’m an mba-er (aka the snootiest program in business) but if I saw anyone come to an interview in those I would get wide-eyed and ask them why they chose to commit career suicide. That being said, I lovelovelove all of those outfits (especially the first one!), I’m just not keen on the business side of them. And I REALLY love that you said “the better you look, the better you feel” because it is 110% true. Taking an extra five minutes to get ready can change your entire outlook on the day.
Sorry if that was too harsh! Like a said… business snob.
ooooh, I just noticed the naughty monkey shoes! I’ve been lusting those for a while! They have the tiger ones on amazon for $40 www.amazon.com/Naughty
Hi Gala, I never thought you would do an article on work wear because you generally work at home and have a great funky unbridled sense of style.
But wow, this article’s got very good tips, and not just for work. It’s so important to put some effort into one’s clothes and glad you are here to remind us!
It’s hard to keep a straight face on while I check these out – apparently this is how fancy-pants corner-office types dress? Don’t get me wrong, I love the looks, but anybody who showed up in my server room in a dress and heels would be laughed out. (Metal jewelry is also verboten, static people, static!) A lot of these are really much, much too “sexy” for any workplace I’ve ever been in – but that’s IT for you!
I work in network security and I have to be able to haul rackmount servers, climb into air vent shafts (just like on Star Trek!), crawl under desks and commune with the dustbunnies – so the uniform is pretty utilitarian. On the upside, I’m probably the only one here who showers every day, so I get a LOT of leeway regarding how I dress. Sometimes I have to wear a hard hat – so I spraypainted it neon pink and wear it with pigtails. I’m sitting here with my bottle-blonde hair resplendent with black coontails, vintage striped polo shirt, black skinny jeans, Frye engineer boots, and a Sunn O))) (they’re a great doom metal band!) hoodie on…the only real concession I’m making is that I’m not wearing a t-shirt and I take my lip ring out. Nobody blinks. I let my tattoos fly in the summer when it’s warm enough to show them off.
I guess being the person who makes the e-mail go earns me a few privileges. :)
Hahahahaha I DID SAY I never got corporate dressing “right”! You were warned!!!!
Thank you!
I’ve always thought that a confident, fashionable person is more appealing than someone in a mismatched suit who is visible uncomfortable. I just went to a few job fairs where I decided to ignore the ‘suits only’ clause to wear a black pencil skirt and button down. I looked more like myself so I was able to connect better and feel better. A win-win!
Yup, that’s totally what it’s about. It’s just about being YOURSELF, but doing so in a way which makes you look more easily approachable & competent, & that’s the same regardless of the industry. Stains on the sleeve = not approachable or competent! When I go to work events I am blessed to be able to dress pretty much however I like, but again, I still want people to feel like they can talk to me & I want to look like I know what I’m doing.
Anyway, regardless of the dress code, & whether you work on a construction site or in a corner office, I really do believe that the most important thing of all is dress in a way that reflects who you are & feel good about it!
Love your tips! While none of the outfit sets would be work appropriate at my job (property management), I am inspired to take a lunch time walk across the park to Forever 21 to see if can at least I can add a little sass and spirit to the usual office drab! Thanks Gala!
If it helps, I will never get it down either. All those suits and shit just seem like a dust-bunny magnet, and why spend half my day rubbing designer outfits down with a lint roller?
IT is its own beast, anyway, we’re not even really expected to wash up before work. Brightening up utilitarian gear is the best ever, though – you and I have the same pink Doc Martens and my users rave about them every time I wear them to work.
E.Bleak — They’re so good, right?! Though mine gave me RAGING (& I do mean raging) blisters, for which I have kind of never forgiven them… I also think they’re too high, on me they are kind of unflattering. I wish I had given it some thought & bought 8-ups instead! Boo! I never wear them! Maybe I should sell them!
Ok Gala, those are some fun outfits! But NO HOW, NO WAY could a lawyer (me) ever wear any of those! In fact, if I showed up in court looking like that the judge would probably peer down at me and ask why I left the circus. Maybe even ask me to leave the courtroom – it certainly wouldn’t do my client any favors! If I were to wear something like that to the office my boss would tell me to go home and change, stat. I think I can try a few more fun accessories and bright colored tops, or maybe some snazzy heels to dress up my regular black/grey lawyer suit.
Having a separate drawer for work clothing is a total must. I’m forced to wear a uniform top (thankfully, in an array of colors), so I keep all my bright fun clothing in there to match with it. (since actually, my everyday wear is more monochrome. So really, I dress backwards!)
I work with teen moms and their toddlers, so I have to be somewhat comfortable. I’ve finally gotten into a groove of dressing for work (lots of skirts/dresses and colorful tights) and while I stick out like a sore thumb around my coworkers, they’re also delighted with how I dress!
I like these ideas. I’m lucky enough to work in a very casual workplace so I can wear anything from a dress to jeans and a t-shirt. I choose to mostly wear things that keep people guessing, haha. I’m starting to become known for colorful tights! farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4…
If all else fails — if plain, dark suits garner the most respect, if your coworkers take extravagance to be immature (and it CAN happen, if you’re working to save money at a good job that isn’t your ‘dream’ job) — bring something hot to change into for a post-work concert, and meet up with your friends for drinks in the city.
Escaping the office feels so free!
Wow, I’m loving all the wicked new content Gala! It’s like getting a present every morning ;)
To follow up with my comment, here are some outfits I’ve worn to my job (I get a lot of compliments!):
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I try to keep it fun!
I work as a teacher but everyone dresses like its a corporate work place (they’re fairly strict), one of the things that I like to do is wear geometric prints (its a good way to wear colour) and stripes (nautical things work really well).
I think what helps me the most is having a really good jacket/blazer that makes you feel great! I have a black croped tweed round neck jacket (probably a copy of the chanel style)It cost me a little bit of money but I love it and it always looks good even if I am only wearing black pants and black long sleeve top.
I love the Coco Chanel quote! I’ve always been one to make sure I am “dressed up” even if I’m just walking my puppy wearing jeans and a tshirt. My mom used to tell me to “Be on my best behavior and look my best, because you never know when your Prince Charming will be watching.”
One of my biggest pet peeves is people who don’t take pride in themselves and their clothing. I see it all the time at my university. Girls will show up to class in their pajamas. And by pajamas, I mean the ridiculous ones with cartoon characters. If only they read your site! Not only do they look ridiculous, but I think it’s pretty disrespectful to your professor (or boss) to show up like that.
Oh and that bunny hat? AH-MAZING!
i love your advice but i’m not so sure about the outfits you’ve put together…they definitely wouldn’t work for me or my job (year 1 teacher)! but i really like how you’ve emphasized being true to yourself!!
I have to agree with the sentiment that anyone who showed up to my office in those outfits would not be considered for a job. Cute outfits, but inappropriate and impractical for most office jobs. I think the key is to have a few quality pieces of suiting (pants, pencil skirt, blazer) that are tailored and then add bright, but appropriate, tops and shoes. Practical and simple jewelry (doesn’t mean it can’t be interesting though).
I clicked on the bunny hat and it was under the “mens” section, strange. I’m totally addicted to polyvore right now, it doesn’t help that i have a slow computer either :/
ha, its funny you should post this today. I just received my new uniform and the shirts make me look like Im wearing a sack. Im a nurse so there is nothing I can do about it. However, I do have bright blue streaks in my hair just peeking out underneath the black and I have my tattoo, sparkly socks and all manner of other things going on under here.
Im still me on the inside and Im doing a good job, so its ok
I work in a casual environment and realized how easy it was to just wear jeans, a t-shirt and some sneakers everyday. I started to feel frumpy all the time. So my carpool buddy and I started a “dress cute twice a week” goal.
Great post! I especially love the blue and black (second to last) outfits you created :)
I’m glad you mentioned the “work only” section in your wardrobe, as well as the work uniform. I went to private school for 12 years and they had a strict uniform code. By the time I hit the real world, it was hard to adjust with regular clothes. I’ve definitely made a sort of uniform for different events.
Love this radical self love month :)
great article.
i like to keep things interesting with bright colours. i use black as a neutral. it’s my 2010 goal to insert more greys into my wardrobe to lighten things up a bit.
by the way gala, i thought i should mention that the images aren’t always displaying for me. instead of pink hearts i see
Wonderful stuff, Gala – I’ve wanted you to do something like this for ages, and I know you hate workwear, so really appreciate the effort you’ve gone to with this monster post.
@damsorrow’s comment made me smile to myself, because at my work (media) the number one artist is Lady Gaga, and as relaxed as our dress code is, I don’t think it would be appropriate to dress like her.
My at work style is pretty much the same as my off-duty style. I can’t stand neutral tones (well, black and white excepted, and even then I prefer to combine with colour) or corporate cuts, and am willing to sacrifice buying anything too low cut or short if it means I can wear it at the office as well as on the weekends.
Even though I suspect it does shave a few years off my assumed age, I hope that my skills and work ethic can make up for that!
I loved the idea of a separate wardrobe for work clothes! Hmm…I’ll be keeping this in mind when I clean mine out.
I have to wear a uniform for work … But im finishing up to do a nursing course next week, so I can mix it up a little now ;)
Sometimes it is like you read my mind! Crazy. One of my goals this year is to have a defined work style and have recently bought 3 dresses that totally complement my shape and feel fantastic. I also bought a pair of glittering ballet flat to dress them all up a bit. Thanks Gala x
Best corporate wear EVER – I especially like the first 3. Personally, for work I wear a lot of racer-back singlets accessorised with gorgeous sweat patches. ;) (And a really awesome watch!)
Haha…funny you should post this!
The other day I went to my favorite wig store on my lunch break, and came back in wearing my newest acquisition just to show it off…my boss was absolutely dumbfounded. She says “Wow, you’ve got this totally other side to you…you’re so conservative…”
I said “Well, you only see me at work!”
My work “uniform” is pretty boring. I have several shirts of the same style, just in different colors. I wear the same black pants every day. I’ve been thinking about how to better incorporate my personality into my work clothes, but my tastes tend to run expensive, and I HATE spending money on work clothes (I’d rather spend it on going out clothes or wigs, lol). It’s just tough because I have to constantly look professional and approachable, I work in a non-profit and can be surprised with client visits, so I can’t take any chances. sigh I miss my purple hair :(
The best part was, my boss simply couldn’t understand why I would wear a wig to go out. Umm…because I want to? She actually asked me questions about it for about 10 minutes! “Do you really wear it out?” Yes! “What do your friends think?” I don’t care – I dress for me!
Those outfits look GREAT, Gala! I think unless is was a duperdy dopperdy conservative place, those would work.
while I like & appreciate this article, that coco chanel quote is such sexist garbage.
I do have that h&m dress though, and I love it!
Lol… oh Gala, these outfits are all fantastic but I don’t think dressing professionally is your thing—and I love you for it. It’s not my thing, either. I was terrible at it when I had to, although I erred on the more drab end of the spectrum. If one is to err, I think you have the right idea—to err on the more fabulous end!
forgot to mention in my tweet atcha that i’m a part-time feisty librarian, as well as a student. i died when i saw your outfit for the librarian – it’s exactly how i dressed when i was a few years younger, more ~*rebellious for the sake of rebellion, and first got the library gig. hahahah. fantastic.
Bwa ha ha! When I saw your final Polyvore set I was like, “has Gala lost her marbles?!?” That being said, I would totally wear that ensemble to the office, because I’m ridiculous like that. And because my boss and colleagues are remarkably tolerant. ;)
you got that hat?
:O :O :O AWESOME
I’d never be able to wear any of those outfits to work but awesome none the less ha-ha!
I enjoyed the article, but I’d unfortunately agree that these outfits are way too dressy/party/whimsical for most office jobs of any kind. They’re still super-fun outfits!
I’d also actually like to mention a caveat about that old saw “Dress for the job you want to have.” This only goes as far as what’s appropriate for where you work. For example, the receptionist in most law firms will not dress more casually than most of the female paralegals and lawyers, who tend to only wear suits on court days. There are often jobs where dressing too formally is inappropriate for one reason or another: it’s more important to wear what’s best suited to the job you have, but try to wear the nicest possible variation on it (even in khakis and polo shirts, they should fit well, not be wrinkled or stained, no loose threads or scuffed/dirty shoes, you should practice good grooming, and so on).
I’d recommend that people dressing for relatively conservative environments keep their look from becoming too flashy. Restrained elegance is always nice, though, and you can keep the expressions subtle, just choosing one or two: a “statement” bracelet with an otherwise very conservative outfit and makeup, or red lipstick with everything else subdued and polished.
Ultimately, at work, you want to look as trustworthy and competent as you are. That takes a backseat to self-expression, but it doesn’t have to negate it completely.
Fantastic article, lots of inspiration. I work in an office which has a relatively relaxed dress code; however, since I am the youngest employee, I do like to make an effort to show that I am capable of being “put together” which is often seen as a sign of responsibility. At the same time, I have to spice it up a little or I just wouldn’t be me.
Neutrals, Gala, neutrals!!! Hee, just kidding! Just before I left my corporate-ish job, though, I was working on an office-friendly “Hipster Professional” uniform akin to what the more stylish seasonal temps wear to my particular company, or more accessibly, 99% of what is featured on The Sartorialist. By choosing more conservative cuts and silhouettes, I could push the boundaries on the typical office proportions and colors. Woo!
Some staples were: – my pinstriped skinny-fit trousers from Forever 21 – a cropped navy blue blazer with white polka dots from H&M – royal blue crew socks – red ‘Erin’ oxfords by Frye
... and lots of cheap but well-fitting quality tops from Filene’s Basement and Uniqlo (no sense in paying top-dollar to tailor plain cotton/wool just so I won’t be tugging them up at the breast or down at the waist! My time was well spent finding these!)
Gala is right on all points! Spend the time necessary looking for the perfect ABSOLUTE basics at good prices, quality, AND fit – outerwear, winter hats/boots (shoes in general of course!), tights, etc. – so that when everyone comes in or leaves at the same time to start/end the day, you’ll feel fabulous knowing that no one is judging you for a frumpy/too loose coat or your fleece hat from junior high (guilty as charged!). The key is to walk in with your head high and keep it there!
This is kind of funny because I’ve been at school for 11 years, and this year is my first without uniform, for the next two!
Its okay, but sometimes I kind of miss the uniform because I didn’t have to think about what I had to wear the next day!
and nothing was better then when you got away with something that wasn’t uniform too, but thank for the article Miss Darling :)
There’s a librarian at my campus library who would totally go for that outift. She must be about 50 and always wears heels and pearls and a shiny, colourful blouse, every single day! I work the IT helpdesk and get stuck with jeans and a royal blue ‘HOW MAY I HELP’ t-shirt – I think if I showed up in a tulle skirt…no, nope, it would probably go down quite well.
xx
This is my work dresscode:
-Black or khaki pants
-Blue, black or white top
-lack shoes.
Which, while limited, sounds manageable, right?
Until you also consider:
- I do a lot of walking, crouching, climbing, etc, and usually for about 7 hours a day, so heels don’t work very well. Also there are a lot of slippery areas on the floor. – I work with greasy, dirty tools so light-coloured pants or shirts are usually a bad idea. I hate buying khakis in the first place, I don’t want to buy a new pair every time one gets ruined. Dress pants don’t react well to grease either, and I’ve been reprimanded on three occasions for wearing black skinny jeans tucked into suede booties, even though they are completely and totally pitch black and hardly even look like jeans. – In my state (Wisconsin) it’s cold 9 months out of the year and I work really close to two doors, so I have to wear long-sleeved sweaters or cardigans.
My go-to outfit is usually just black skinny jeans, black boots, black or blue embellished shirt and black open cardigan.
I’d love to have an office job, get good hours with decent pay, so I can’t justify giving up my job for somewhere else that would give me fewer hours but allow me to dress nicer. ):
WOW that post was so full of typos I don’t even know what happened. I hope the message is still intact somehow. ):
Great post, I really love all of your text. I also looove the outfit posts, but not for work… a one shoulder dress with fake lashes to work? Can´t really think of any place where that would work professionally other than in the fashion indstry.
Nevertheless, I love your style tips, and will start considering keeping a separate drawer for work wear!
I would love to have 90% of these sets. I really need to start to do some online shopping.
gala, thank you so much for going to the trouble of writing this, it’s really fantastic and so thorough!
i absolutely ADORE the first outfit. i do believe I’ll be visiting H&M for the skirt this weekend, and those cowboy boots… mmm! with leggings and a long cardi. definitely. i’m also totally taking up the tip of separating work and play outfits. we’re moving this weekend and i plan to take full advantage of new closets!
thanks lady, wonderful article, so pleased to have my idea up.
loving rad self love feb!
x
I actually devised a Polyvore group for exactly this purpose a while ago. It’s called Offbeat Officewear. Check it out: www.polyvore.com/offbeat_offic…
I’m glad I can wear what I like to work. I lets me be creative and not confined to a business look. I would hate that. It does make a huge difference to put a little effort into your clothes. I could wear jeans and a t-shirt everyday and sometimes I ask myself why I would bother dressing up if I don’t have to but It’s worth it and true, the better you look the better you feel.
Unrelated technical note: I just got a new computer running Windows Seven/ IE 8, and your pictures are not displaying, nor is the banner. Yours is the only site I’ve had a problem with, so I don’t think it’s an issue on my end. Interestingly, if I refresh the page, random pictures will display correctly. If I refresh again, some will go back to being red Xs and others will display correctly. Just thought you’d like to know- perhaps Le Dish can tackle it.
I have a problem.
as i am still in school in year 12, i have to wear the uniform given :| and if that wasn’t bad enough, we aren’t allowed any accessories. Only in a nun outfit with no shape or anything. but the one thing we are allowed are a few hair things. although we can’t have any of our hair out. was wondering if you could do an article on hair? or any tips? i used to wear my hair in a bun constantly but im over not being able to have some sort of individual thing. but yeah. and my hair is DEAD straight and theres nothing i can seem to do ..
need help!
x
LOVE LOVE LOVE the outfits, but probably a bit OTT for most offices/workplaces unfortunately – but a Gala-esque office where this was the dress code would be awesome! So much of each set thought could be “toned down” (how boring!) with the right basics. IE the grey skirt (which I am determined to hunt down for winter!) in the third set would look great with a contrasting coloured top (maroon red? Royal purple?) and maybe a wee cropped blazer with heavy zipwork, and the purple dress in the last set could work with a light grey blazer and light pearly grey tights with sparkly shoes.
My only piece of advice (from selling corporate wear for the last 2 years!) is have the basics, and spend the most money on it. All of my skirts, trousers, blazers and work dresses are expensive but are so worth it, as I wear them the most (a couple of my skirts are worn almost every day in summer, in winter I live in wide leg pants with fitted shirts and knitwear). Make sure it fits and you can stand being in it on your feet/at a desk/ going from desk to clients and back to the desk again – being a retail girl, I walk around in everything I try on to make sure it doesn’t pull anywhere or crinkle up in odd places as I go about my day. Don’t be afraid to take something you love and basically fits (ie a blazer fits on the shoulder but is a bit loose everywhere else, the trousers fit your bum and thighs so good you look like you go running at 5am every single day but the waistband sits off your back a wee bit, etc) and have little things altered to make it perfect. Most of my skirts get shortened as I’ve got short legs, I’ve had trouser waists taken in slightly so they don’t scrunch up with my belts, and my blazers sometimes get tailored through my body and arms just a bit more so that they sit better and look better. Make friends with a good local tailor (ask menswear shops, boutiques etc for recommendations) so that you get a fantastic result. Most of my skirts, blazers and trousers are in varying shades of black, grey and brown, so I buy coloured shirts, tops, tights and silky scarves to mix it up a bit, and having some slight-different shoes will give you heaps of different looks. My grey heels surprisingly go with everything, and my new laceup booties look like a cross between a librarian and a stripper, but they’re like flashes of personality, which will stand out amongst the uniforms your workmates put on every single morning. My fulltimer girl experimented with boys ties, I have fun with scarves, tights and pocket squares in my blazers, my part timer boys all have wee quirks in their outfits that make them stand out. And make sure you have the right underwear – there’s no point in buying white tailored shirts if you have black or red bras in your lingerie drawer. Under my whites and creams, I wear either nude, lemon or minty green. Don’t be afraid to try boys stuff either! I have a couple of knits from my company’s last winter season, as they were tiny fits, and I wear them to death. I’ve also found things like belts, small-size blazers and shirts, and been able to wear them fine. Keep the eyes peeled!
My job is good but not the most satisfying every single day, so I take my satisfaction from the outfits I create in my head as I’m having a shower – and its fun being complimented on what you wear all day long! We spend so much time at work – we may as well have some fun with it, even if it is from the clothes we wear!
Sorry for the essay peepz… I hope it helps someone out there, even just a little bit. x
I brought the bunny hat in black. So excited! cant wait for it to arrive!
I agree with your statement that the way you dress affects how you feel, which is why it’s beneficial for even women who work from home to still dress up. I teach that the way you dress affects the way you think, the way you feel, the way you act, and then the way others respond to you.
There is room for creativity in dress without going too over the top. Clothing brings credibility. Too much cleavage, detail, color, jewelry causes people to take you less seriously. Dress professionally and you’ll be respected. bit.ly/5lHIHU
Wonderful article and great outfits!!! I totally agree with you – dress code doesn’t necessary mean boring and ugly. We should learn to be more creative and look as beautiful and confident as possible!
Great article, Gala! I think it’s very easy to fall into the trap of dressing boringly/predictably for work, especially when I don’t take the time to plan ahead.
I’m not working right now, but one thing I do for days when I can’t figure out what to wear out of the house is look at this document I have saved. Like a lot of your readers (I’m sure), I have a folder full of inspirational pictures, and when I have free time, I’ll look at them and figure out what I like about the outfit, and if I want to try it, I’ll break down — in the document — what I have in my wardrobe that I can use to recreate the look.
Yes, it’s a little nerdy, but it works! :)
P.S. Some of your pictures aren’t showing up. The “pink” and “librarian” ones, I believe.
Really? Are you serious? I was excited that you would provide pictures of sample outfits for work appropriate outfits, but what you showed didn’t seem to have much to do with any work environments I know of. Perhaps these would be delightfully accepted at a fashion-oriented organization or retail store or the United States Navy (for the sailor cap shown), but can you name any other industries where these outfits wouldn’t get you laughed right out the door? The written advice provided on this page seemed sound and helpful so I’m guessing these pictures are just a tongue and cheek joke? Or maybe the wrong photo album is being displayed as the sample outfits. Or maybe your disclaimer that your grasp on reality is tenuous at best was an understatement. Thanks for the written advise.