Our financial adviser gets away with it, but they are pantsuits (menswear type, not Hillary type). And black or gray at that. She has a very relaxed, tailored style. Her hair is long, and she wears flats and shirts that are open at the collar. Little or no jewelry or makeup. Very low key. And she is quite senior. I hope I haven't just given away her identity. ETA: Removed the name of the bank!
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My shopaholic aunt LOVED to find bargains of any clothing type and donate them to us, and a lot of the work clothes were perfectly matched suits and I always thought they were
Especially in a weird color like salmon. I am in no teknik in fashion, but NO.Oh yeah, a lot of those suits still had shoulder pads in them too. I have pretty broad shoulders for my otherwise tiny frame, so it was doubly NO.
I wouldn't quite go that far. When our company exhibits at HIMSS, a big healthcare conference, we go the matched suit route. I bring two suits for 4 days... all black one day, all gray next day, half and half day 3, reverse for day 4. Other than the hired models that lure men to various booths, all of the other women do the same. I sure beats 20 years ago when I was forced to wear a men's size medium polo and pleated khaki pants. I looked ridiculous, but it never occurred to the marketing people until after they saw the pictures. They ordered women's sizes for the next year and let us wear black pants. Much better, but not as sharp as the suit.
I think if it's black or gray, it's fine. It's when it goes weird colors (like salmon...) that it looks odd.
I do want to move back into healthcare eventually, though!
I'm fine with mismatched...I just think when you wear the jacket and the matching pant/skirt it is boring and lacks imagination. But remember, I am not a professional. Lower class has it's advantages in that I can wear a black lace blouse with a silver sparkle cami and faded denim jacket and jeans with a funky scarf and cute boots to work. And purple eyeshadow and my classic bed head hair do!
Dress codes are not fun.
Yes. Use the 3-inch rule for heels. Wear a nice pump but no stilettos. Leave the Louboutins at home! Also, a chunkier heel is better than a spiky one. Not only are they easier to walk in, but you won't look like a fashion victim.
But you still need to look put-together. What if there are two applicants of equal qualifications in the same demographic box? Might as well give yourself an edge and look good.
It depends on the fabric and the color. Don't forget that fabrics also come in levels of formality. It would seem that dark silk or fine Italian wool would be too much for this particular position, but a knobby texture in a fun color would certainly be appropriate. Suits need not be sober.
Totally true. DCis as conservative as it gets and the only women still wearing skirt suits are members of congress and those working for very old fashioned law or lobbying firms. The techies look like what I look like on Saturday.
Have to be careful there, too, and do your homework. The people interviewing in my city just outside of Boston aren't making 6 figure salaries. Most of the managers are just a shade above paycheck to paycheck and come from working class or lower middle class backgrounds. I always try to wear something that fits in so I don't get started off looking snooty or looking like I'm applying for a job way above the interviewers pay grade. Homework is key.
Exactly. But you can still look appropriate without breaking the bank or looking cheap. And yes, homework is key.
But those are out of style and 30 years old. There are updated matching suits in a variety of styles and colors. You can't just say no to the idea of a suit based on the Joan Collins look of the '80s. Look at modern suits. They are completely different.My shopaholic aunt LOVED to find bargains of any clothing type and donate them to us, and a lot of the work clothes were perfectly matched suits and I always thought they were
Oh yeah, a lot of those suits still had shoulder pads in them too. I have pretty broad shoulders for my otherwise tiny frame, so it was doubly NO.
Yeah... but in the civil service you run the risk of showing up looking better than your would-be boss. And that would not necessarily be a good thing. Like PR Lady says, they're dowdy. I was too chicken to say that but it was what I had written before I edited my post.
Right. But when clothes of any style fit properly, they are not uncomfortable. And for the most part, self-expression with respect to clothing is limited at a job. What you wear on and off the job are two different things. It is indeed possible to express your own style within a dress code. You can wear lace. You can wear sparkly things. It's just more subtle. Ever watch "What Not to Wear" when it was on?I live in a lunch bucket blue collar area. Any woman that shows up in a matching suit is a visitor. And I still find suits unattractive regardless of fabric, or fancy designer or accessories. They also look uncomfortable, and I am so glad I don't have to wear one. Even the professional men around here rarely wear suits, mostly sports jackets and a very occasionally a tie.
As for fashion, I really don't pay too much attention. I prefer my own style.
This is where the "homework" part comes in, as someone else suggested. You can look put-together without being obsessive about it.
If you still have them, you could take the shoulder pads out of the jackets and do some mix and matching. Like a gray jacket with more colorful skirt or pants.My shopaholic aunt LOVED to find bargains of any clothing type and donate them to us, and a lot of the work clothes were perfectly matched suits and I always thought they were
Oh yeah, a lot of those suits still had shoulder pads in them too. I have pretty broad shoulders for my otherwise tiny frame, so it was doubly NO.
Oh, dear, no. The styles have changed completely. If you take the shoulder pads out, then the jacket won't hang right. Unless you're a tailor, trying to recycle 30-year old clothes is probably a fail.
They're not THAT old, but yeah, that's totally what would happen, considering the fit when I tried them on. They would overshoot my shoulders by an inch or two. And they weren't that awesome to keep and tailor.
Totally true. DCis as conservative as it gets and the only women still wearing skirt suits are members of congress and those working for very old fashioned law or lobbying firms. The techies look like what I look like on Saturday.
the civil service are dowdy, not dressy
