Bored with my work dressing - YouLookFab Forum

So, I have been on my new science job for 6 weeks. In order to fit in and appear smart and whatnot that has been discussed in great lengths on many previous posts on how women in science dress/should be dressing, I have toned my style down a lot.

The dress code requires long pants and closed toe-shoes all the time. The weather is already quite warm, but the AC is so strong than even on the hottest days people wear fleece inside because it is freezing. So I wear ballet flats/small wedges, jeans ( or pants on dancing days), knitted or woven top and a cardi when needed. No accessories other than watch and specs. Nothing too colorful, feminine, edgy, trendy etc. Not too much of anything really. The most daring outfit I wore so far was a silky shirt dress over skinnies with metallic ballet flats. I do not stand out too much from other scientists, but definitely a little bit.

Anyway, I am not really asking for any advice, just venting. I know that it must be this way, and I am saving my trendy persona for evenings out and weekends. It is just that I am so, well, bored with myself. I shop much less - this year I only got Smooch sandals, silk cargo clams and a cross body bag, and it has all been in the last 2 weeks.

I have just ordered a full length mirror and as soon as it arrives I will start posting outfits again. But they will be quite boring, nothing as creative as in the past, at least not for work. Sigh...

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Tanya, This is a prob. for most work environments I think. If you are a teacher one must dress conservative and comfy...down on the floors etc.
scientist= dressing smart.:)

Few professions have the freedom to wear anything one wants, even mine in the hair biz, has limitations...I can dress however I want, but the risk of ruining my favorite items limits what I wear:)

Maya

I'm sorry Tanya! I would be bored as well. Do you think a new hairstyle or new makeup might help?

elpgal

Tanya, I am glad you posted. I was whinging about the exact same thing a few weeks ago and someone told me to keep an eye out for your posts. I hope you do outfit posts soon so I can learn from you

Tanya

Thank you for the understanding ladies!

Taylor, of course I know I can not wear whatever I want. It is just that not being to add little personal touches through items such as chunky jewelry or belts bothers me a bit. I guess for the future I may have to look for items that make an outfit on their own, yet don't stand out too much. A tall order, I know. You always look amazing. Each and every outfit you posted has blown me away.

Maya, I actually splurged on a haircut ( long layers) and highlights right before i started my new job. That is one thing I do feel good about. As for the makeup, I always wore little, but now I have toned it down even more - I am trying to look like I am no wearing any yet my skin needs the cover up. I used to wear very subtle perfume to work before, now do not even do that.

Thank you for the wonderful compliment Elpgal ! Here is a link to my photobucket album with pretty much all the outfits I have ever posted here, while I was still in grad school. I doubt my new ones will be as interesting, due to all the restrictions I have mentioned.

http://s300.photobucket.com/home/dancing_starr

Thanks Tanya, I have always been your fan:)

It is such a bummer that certain professions keep employees from expressing themselves in fun and stylish way.

I guess your fab boot collection, beautiful scarves and jewelry will have to wait for weekends. It must be hard to repress your fashionable side for work:( I feel your frustration.

I was just wondering recently why I hadn't seen any new pics from you.

I'm sorry that you're not able to enjoy dressing for work each day. That's no fun.

Well, you could always just invest in some new, lacey (racy?) under garments and have a little secret giggle to yourself all day. : )

Queen Mum

Tanya- do you think that after you have established yourself at your work, you can slowly start sneaking in a bit of fun style here and there?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Tanya, I know that this is hard for you. So stifling. I was going to say what Kim said, and hold out hope that this will be the case some time soon.

Katiepea

Tanya, I so hear you! I have a job with very similar dress requirements (although I luckily have a tad more freedom accessory-wise) and it is similarly starting to drive me crazzzzzyyyyyy!

Like you, the only real way for me to show a lot of expression seems to try and play with colour and texture and a few different style of tops - ie, longer tops, banded tops, cardigan's over etc. (And I agree, it IS even harder as it gets hotter and hotter outside!)

Have you got a great collection of watches to help add a bit of individual style? Could you sneak in some belts as well, to give you an extra accessory option (and given you could pretty easily argue you need them to stop your trousers falling down or keep your top presentable)?

I hope that at least the job is rewarding for you and that like Kim and Angie suggest, that over time you can exert your own style preference into your workplace!

Kristen

First off, welcome back, Tanya! So glad you are posting again.

Second, I recommend you check out Corporette. She highlights a lot of professional pieces that aren't stodgy or boring at all. Seeing the daily TPS report of one recommended item has gotten me used to the idea that sometimes you don't need a lot of accessories to make an outfit; a really well-made, perfectly-fitted pants or boot or top or sheath can be all you need to be stylish and strong. Less is more, you know? That's been a new concept for me to absorb...

There was also a great guest article on that blog by Privilege, who talked about some women trapped in the daily suit grind start up collections of one type of thing that becomes their statement and their way of expressing themselves. I think she used Madeline Albright and her brooch collection as an example. Personally, I have been growing my shoe collection -- and it does make a difference! Even if I am rotating in and out the same set of dresses I am changing it up with my shoes. I started slowly, adding in ones that didn't grab much attention but as I have gotten more comfortable here and am more able to express myself without fear of not fitting in, I wear ones that are a little more daring.

Daring, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. I'm not marching around in 6-inch stilletos; I think it's daring when I wear a peeptoe or a brightly-colored pump. LOL!

chewyspaghetti

Oh Tanya- I don't have any advice since I don't deal with this but I just wanted to send a hug. Oh- also for make up have you tried any highlighter? I just discovered this stuff (I have an E.L.F. product that is cover up in one side, and highlighter in the other). It's AMAZING! I use it on my cheek bones, brow bone and tear ducts. It's a very no make up look, but really makes you glow. It might help brighten up your day- and E.L.F. at Target is only $1.

yublocka

Tanya I know what you mean. I often find it frustrating that I need to "dress up" for work more than I do 99% of the time at home, however can't wear my most fun clothes to work, meaning they do't get as much wear as they should.

I often try to push the boundaries of whats accepted as work-appropriate, but I don't want to push thigns far enough that I offend patients uncessarily (I know some are simply offended by my nose ring for instance). It's tough making everyone happy, including yourself sometimes!!! I hope you find a happy balance soon, and I can't wait to see more Tanya pics, regardless of how conservative they are!!

shana

Hi Tanya, I'm glad to hear that you are getting settled into your new job. I empathize with you on the boring dressing thing. Like the others have already mentioned, perhaps you can add a bit more Tanya once you are there longer and feel more comfortable. But do make the effort & spice it up for non-work hours though - don't let yourself fall into a rut and start wearing the boring clothes all the time! Seriously, this is what happened to me and it's taken me years to dig myself out of that hole.

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