https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:26:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1256229 Tue, 20 May 2014 05:43:02 +0000 Deborah 1256229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dana what you are working with sounds good. I have been thinking about this concept myself, also with a view to changing jobs (I totally relate to being in a soul destroying environment:) )&nbsp; For me I was thinking that adding structure to my outfits would take them from my personal life to my work life.&nbsp; So a draped unstructured dress with a structured jacket could work, compared to 'personal' days when I might top it with a drape cardigan.&nbsp; Are you wanting your clothing to work across both sectors or are you creating a capsule with pieces purely for work? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1256218 Tue, 20 May 2014 05:08:02 +0000 Niki Lea 1256218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is pretty much how I approach dressing for work. "Office me" and "home me" are two very different gals, style-wise. My work environment is pretty dressy and buttoned up (although I push the envelope sometimes, as do my coworkers...there's strength in numbers). At home, I wear jeans (or workout gear) almost every day unless I'm going out on a date with my husband, or something like that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1255890 Mon, 19 May 2014 21:54:09 +0000 Aida 1255890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I'm doing this in&nbsp;the opposite direction, creating a weekend persona :p Your capsule start sounds good to me, nice and light. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1255619 Mon, 19 May 2014 15:17:30 +0000 Ledonna N. 1255619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I just had to reply to this I have worked in the tech field for 21 years. I know about business casual for Telecommunicatios and Informations Systems. Engineers consider me the more dressed up. My work persona is different when I am working with clients or customers I will wear a wide leg high waist dark wash denim a nice top usually darker and a femenim butto up vest. It protrayes what I want to convey, I have to move around a lot and I'm not always sure where my day will take me from a very dirty environment to a construction walk through to a meeting. A lot of stylish boots and footwear are worn. Denim usually in a dark wash of black or blue and some type of topper I love wearing a vest. On the weekend I am never with clients sometimes other co workers so it is more laid back. I love my career and the people I get to interact with. I hope this was helpful.</p> <p>1-5 are on a daily bases<br /> 6 is when Its just me in the office on the weekend.</p> <p>Good luck on your journey. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1255200 Sun, 18 May 2014 23:46:58 +0000 unfrumped 1255200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That seems like a good goal. It sounds like you might be using if for simplifying dressing routines, perhaps, and maybe staying focused?</p> <p>I think I've done that, or tried to, for years, sometimes with more or less success.<br /> With YLF I strayed trying more new things, usually to improved effect, because successful updating can work in favor of supporting the actual work , as well as work persona. But, experimentation carries the slight chance of ending up feeling l wasn't true to that. </p> <p>Interestingly, mo's post on numbers/ variety fits here. Too much variety may mean I'll wear things that don't support my mission as well as if I were to stick to more focused capsules.</p> <p>"Variety" is my word for it, but what it really means is that I'm not coming across as many top- notch pieces as I am "okay" items. ( yes, I've got the Internet at my fingertips but it's such a high- effort/$$ -low yield way to<br /> experiment). So variety often means more meh items. </p> <p>You may want to do a major try- on and identify first, your target basic " uniforms" in which you both feel fab and it gets the work look you want-- colors, level of comfort, level of formality or " power" level, , even within a casual dress code ( re: lots of<br /> posts on silhouettes, uniform looks , FFBO , etc) . Identify the best if best and maybe set aside a place in closet for those items. Identify wardrobe holes for what would best complete of expand capsules in your target direction. </p> <p>Hmm, maybe I need to do more of that, too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1255108 Sun, 18 May 2014 21:04:35 +0000 ironkurtin 1255108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now to figure out how to turn this persona into a capsule.&nbsp; So far for summer I have:</p> <p>- dark linen pants and lightweight jeans (nothing faded or distressed)<br />- white linen pullover sweaters<br />- various cardigans over tanks<br />- White linen, Band of Outsiders, and JCrew Liberty print buttondowns</p> <p>This office is probably more "tech creative" than "business casual," so I don't think I need blazers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254477 Sun, 18 May 2014 00:32:25 +0000 celia 1254477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in currently in the same process as I will be working at the office. And I think Gaylene put it perfectly. I want to separate my working persona from the other one.And I also want to convey trough what I wear exactly what is my place in the food chain and what I am or not willing to do.<br />Thanks in great part to YLF I think I can create a more business casual wardrobe and still feel like me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254473 Sun, 18 May 2014 00:21:36 +0000 ManidipaM 1254473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>my last attempt at thus was disastrous. I was trying to dress from the outside in and to standards I disagreed with. but you sound way too zsm5art for that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254449 Sat, 17 May 2014 23:39:10 +0000 Caro in Oz 1254449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes - I did. Mainly for the reasons Gaylene noted. I was working in a creative field but in&nbsp;a fairly conservative environment, dealing with a real mix of people. I basically wore pants suits &amp; changed my tops, jewellery &amp; shoes to fit in with&nbsp;my day.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254426 Sat, 17 May 2014 22:37:55 +0000 ironkurtin 1254426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, that is exactly what I want.</p> <p>Lyn, I bet you could be a doctor in just about anything. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254421 Sat, 17 May 2014 22:32:05 +0000 lyn* 1254421@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely have a "therapeutic personality" which includes my clothes. I would think it'd be very hard to do my job in jeans and a cartoon t-shirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254419 Sat, 17 May 2014 22:27:29 +0000 Gaylene 1254419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm all for creating a uniform for work based on an image that feels right for you and your workplace. Once you figure out the details for the image you want, it&nbsp; makes it easier to assemble what you need for your work wardrobe and to get dressed and out the door in the morning.</p> <p>In my own case, I found limiting my look in the workplace created a psychological, as well as sartorial, separation between my work persona and my home persona. That worked well for me but it might not suit everyone. Just something to think about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254404 Sat, 17 May 2014 22:13:16 +0000 rachylou 1254404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely have office clothes, and different clothes for different offices (as I'm a contractor). Really, it just occurred to me recently I have different capsules for the different industries I work in - Pharma, Energy, SEMI. Pharma is the most fashion forward. SEMI is practical. Energy, I feel, asks for suits... or some kind of jacket and heels.</p> <p>I think kkards question / point is very interesting. I guess it has to do with participating in the group identity, in my case, and then my role in said group. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254399 Sat, 17 May 2014 22:07:22 +0000 kkards 1254399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ok, i totally get that. &nbsp;i guess i sort of do that, in that i have work sweaters and work knits…even thought they would/could totally work in more casual everyday settings.&nbsp;<br />but for me the biggie is shoes. they totally define work vs non work. but my business casual office is truly business casual<b>.&nbsp;</b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254395 Sat, 17 May 2014 22:00:39 +0000 ironkurtin 1254395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>KKards, I'm not trying to change who I am.&nbsp; This is about a unified dressing approach or uniform.&nbsp; When I wear these things, I am ready for work.&nbsp; It's more about me and my mental state, less about other people.&nbsp; I am really fairly comfortable with the image I present, I just want to edit it down for work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254390 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:56:45 +0000 Diana 1254390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't really done this (no need for biz cas in my life) but I do find that "stick a blazer over it" works most of the time. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254389 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:55:23 +0000 kkards 1254389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>in a conversation about leadership and managing change,&nbsp;a boss once told me that you can't change who you are, you just have to learn to make the best of who you are….&nbsp;<br />what are you trying to present? and how is that different from who you are? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254379 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:46:33 +0000 Laura J 1254379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm doing the same thing, but for a business formal office. &nbsp;I've created a polyvore set that helps me visualize the whole thing. &nbsp;I've needed to purchase much of what I'll wear for the new setting, so I put a limit on each category. &nbsp;5 skirts, 5 pants, 10 tops, 10 pairs of shoes. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254373 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:43:04 +0000 ironkurtin 1254373@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Right?&nbsp; No no no no.</p> <p>But I will be wearing nice toppers and shoes with them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254372 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:41:29 +0000 Angie 1254372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Phew. I can't imagine you ditching jeans -&nbsp;the foundation of your fashion existence.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254368 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:36:59 +0000 ironkurtin 1254368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I think we had this conversation last time... I think Business Casual means something different in tech and/or marketing/entertainment.&nbsp; Because I saw jeans and I plan on wearing them.&nbsp; When it's not so hot.&nbsp; Until then I am wearing chambray.&nbsp; </p> <p>Where I've been working, business casual basically means not beach attire.</p> <p>: ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254359 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:27:52 +0000 dustt 1254359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do this in a way... I have a need to come across as more approachable and casual than I often portray.&nbsp; Based on this I deliberately steer to the fun side of modern classic (business casual) - still very business like but rarely a suit. I wear a lot of color and try to stay away from anything that reads too severe. Still trying to keep true to the styles I love.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254357 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:27:27 +0000 Angie 1254357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Biz Casual means no jeans. Are you okay with that? I didn't think you were, IK.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254351 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:22:56 +0000 MsMary 1254351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been doing this for years.&nbsp; It's going pretty well so far!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254348 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:18:44 +0000 Greyscale 1254348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't done that exactly, but with my current job I'm trying to have a style persona that's more consistent and more me. I should work on it more, because too often I look like I'm a&nbsp;(well-dressed, stylish) student, not faculty. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-an-office-persona#post-1254344 Sat, 17 May 2014 21:16:41 +0000 ironkurtin 1254344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So I might take another job (hopefully this one is less soul-killing, and has more conscientious flushers, than my last one).&nbsp; Based on the outfits of the people in my interview, it's very business casual.&nbsp; So, if I do take it, I've decided that I am going to create an office wardrobe capsule based on the person I want to project, and wear only those things.</p> <p>Has anyone else done this deliberately?&nbsp; How did you do it and how did it go? </p>