Nancy, I missed this earlier but the answer is YES, most definetly, I dress up more for my non-work hours than my work hours. For one thing, I am a full-time telecommuter. I only go in the office twice a month. So nobody sees me during the day working from home in my sweats. I do walk every day, but that's in gear. If I get out of the house at all, it's to taxi my kids to their various appointments, or to run errands, or to go out at night.
I have kind of a routine to my week - this will probably sound weird. But since you work part-time, I'm thinking you may get some use out of this:
If it's Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday - I will dress in a smart casual way, as if I *did* work in an office - where smart casual was the dress code (and not the reality of my office, which is very casual - high tech.)
If it's Thursday - usually this is when I get the most dressed up, because we tend to go out on Thursday nights. I dress depending on where we are going, and who we are going with (I consider what they may have worn to work, if we are meeting them after work). But almost always, you will find me in heels (after 5 pm at least). This is the day I'm most likely to also wear a skirt or dress instead of jeans.
If it's a Friday - I consider that most people dress down on Fridays at their place of employment, therefore I dress still smart casually, but a notch more relaxed. For example, I might wear a knit top instead of a silky blouse. Or choose a cardi instead of a structured blazer.
If it's Saturday - if I'm going to the mall, I like to dress up. I find you get better service if you dress nicely. If we're running around town, I dress kinda like I described for Friday.
If it's Sunday - we nearly always eat brunch out, then run errands or go for long walks. I dress the most casually on this day, and it's when I'm most likely to pull out a graphic tee or wear cons, and least likely to wear a blazer.
Since the reality of my field is that one may be laid off at any moment, I am always dressing for that next step. Even if I don't get laid off, one of these days when the kids are grown, i would love to go into marketing consulting again. So, I dress with that in mind, with the thought that you just never know when you might meet someone who is an important career connection. I strive for a certain look - creative, saavy, talented, someone with good taste, etc. I dress for the job I *want* someday - not really the job I have now.
Does that make sense? You can certainly translate this anyway you prefer: dress for the feminine part of you, when you can.
Hope that helps!!!
