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New job, new wardrobe challenges

Kari

Veteran

I'm nearly two weeks into my new job, and I LOVE it so far (though I feel like I've barely got my feet wet.) It's at a very large company that I've always had excellent experiences with as a consumer, and their internal culture absolutely reflects that value, which is great!

I'm only in an 8 month temporary role but I hope that perhaps an internal position will open up, or that at the very least, this will give me greater skills and experiences to add to my resume when I re-enter the job market.

The new job has brought some different wardrobe challenges, though:

Rather than driving to work (and being stuck in traffic for 90+ minutes per day, as in my last job) I'm now commuting by a quick bus ride, and it's about half a mile walk each way from the bus station to my workplace. (I like this very much, by the way; I don't like driving much, but especially in heavy traffic. I enjoy commuting by bus and it's good to get the automatic exercise in from the walk.)
Due to the long walk, I get pretty hot on the way to work, especially when it's muggy and humid.
My building, and especially my office area, is COLD - I think they aim to keep the building temperature at 60 degrees (F) or cooler.

So I start out VERY warm on the way to work, even if I'm walking in the rain, and can get pretty sweaty by the time I arrive; yet, within 20 minutes, I'm chilly and needing to put on extra layers indoors. I also carry my purse and my lunch with me already, so taking off extra layers for the commute that I also have to lug around isn't that appealing because of the extra strain on my neck/back/shoulders.

I think I'm going to start leaving a wrap and BF cardigan at the office, and maybe even bring in my lavender & rice heat pack to microwave and put around my neck when I get chilly. I already drink hot tea throughout the day!

Any other ideas for avoiding getting overheated during the commute, but keeping warm at the office? I'm all ears!

(This workplace is very casual, but to my pleasure, I am not the only one to wear heels or a skirt. Yay! So I have a great amount of flexibility in what I choose to wear.)

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Marlene

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a GREAT idea to leave a wrap and a cardi at work - do you have a locker? I keep all that at work for myself too, and sometimes an extra pair of socks for slipping on when I have my feet under the desk and no one can see! Tee hee!

No advice for the bus trip though, I commute via train and have the same problem :p

CONGRATS on the new position!!! I am so thrilled you are happy at your position!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Oh, congrats on the new job! That's awesome! Leaving extra layers at the office sounds like a good idea if you have your own office or locker. What about scarves?

Anonymous

I'm so happy for you! You deserve a job that you love.
Other than layering and what you are doing, I have no advice to add for the hot/cold. Can you carry cold water to stay hydrated on your commute?

Nadya

Veteran

I used to work in a cold building and I depended on scarves. If my neck and shoulders are warm I'm a lot happier. Besides keeping a sweater, you could keep a few warm scarves in key colors at your desk. (Oh, duh, is that what you mean by a wrap?) When I worked in a freezing computer room,
I also wore fingerless gloves while working on my computer.

Great to hear it's going well!

Kari

Veteran

Thank you! I am so happy to be in a much better, happier, more inspiring workplace. It's a breath of fresh air after 2 years of misery.

Yep, a large pashmina-like scarf is what I meant as a wrap - sorry, I wasn't terribly specific! They are very helpful in the office as well as other places (movie theaters, airplanes) that tend to be overly cool. I have a small locker that I can keep things in at my desk - not a lot, but a few small things like a cardigan and a large scarf would fit.

I've thought about carrying cold water, but again - that's one more heavy thing to carry half a mile each way, so it's kind of a hard choice!

At least I already upgraded to comfortable, low-heeled shoes within the past few years, so for now my footwear situation is OK.

Kari

Veteran

And Nadya, fingerless gloves are an excellent idea!

One more thought - in the past, I wore wrist braces, which have a thick fabric liner, to prevent carpal tunnel symptoms from returning while I was typing a lot. They actually kept me pretty warm, so perhaps I should bring them into work both as a preventative measure as well as a way to heat up a bit.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ah, I can totally sympathize with the new commute issues. Walking from the bus/subway to DFS was just the same. Makes me wonder how people used to function in suits and ties and hats...

Anyway, back at the arctic office, I always had to have a mini space heater under my desk. I'd have it on even in the dead of summer!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

So glad you like your new gig! I used to walk to work and it was tricky especially when it was hot or humid. I wore a backpack which is not the trendiest look but you can keep everything in it - a purse, lunch, whatever layers you can slough off outdoors - and not bother your back. Wicking undergarments may help with sweat outdoors. I definitely like the idea of keeping layers at work. I kept a jacket at work all the time when I worked in an office, also a scarf/wrap.

Diana

Veteran

That sounds like my commute, although my current lab is not as arctic as some of my previous ones. I agree about keeping a cardi and wrap at your desk. I actually usually do carry a light cardi or jacket as well because it's a crapshoot whether my bus will be frigid, pleasant, or roasting. On hot days I carry water. A smallish bottle (or just a half full one) is not too heavy. Actually, do you ever fly JetBlue? They have these half size water bottles that are perfect.

Also, you might need to experiment with bags to find a comfy one. I personally like a big tote over my shoulder that fits everything. I use my nylon ones (like my longchamps, for example) a lot because they're so light. I dislike backpacks in hot weather because they make my back too warm, but they are admittedly easier on the back and shoulders. I have a silver leather one that's not gearish looking at all.

I promise you get used to lugging more stuff around after a while!

And I'm so glad to hear the new job is good!

Lyn D.

Veteran

I didn't realise that you had a new job now. Congratulations, and I am glad that it is going well!
I am all for incidental exercise through walking too- fantastic for clearing the head after a long day and waking you up in the morning.
Yay for stylish and comfortable shoes too.

Anonymous

I commute by Subway and walk back and forth. I actually walk in whatever shoes I am wearing for the day and do not have commuting shoes. I don't carry a water bottle either, since I hate lukewarm water with passion, or carry any extra gear to speak of either. My purse is whatever purse I am wearing that day as well. I guess what I am trying to say is that you might not need to "gear up" for this. Depending on what you actually carry, I think you can just get away with your regular bags. I used to have a cardigan in the office but I decided to stop wearing it too. It became like a blanket and no one would see my clothes,because I would be covered in the same wrap e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y. My bottom line: You can look the same way you would if you were driving everyday. I don't really carry anything other than my wallet, my office ID, my glasses and sunglasses, lipgloss, cell phone and allergy medicine. I sometimes take a laptop back and forth, but most of my bags are roomy enough for a laptop. I don't think you have to lug much extras. I feel that the big ole commuting bags often are filled with stuff you don't really need.
I would just select a daily topper based on outfit, remove it on my way to work, carry a regular purse and a small tote with my lunch ( Food in my bags? never) and keep a little desk heater at your cube, if allowed. Keep a little stash of refreshing wipes, deodorant and other accoutrements in the office, so you can freshen up once you get there. I find that is the stuff most women carry in their commuting bags. Why not keep a set of hygiene items in the office instead? I would keep a wrap, but would not go with the microwavable heating thing. You commute will be a happier one, if you travel light.
I am very happy to hear that everything is going so well.

Glory

Veteran

Great news on the job front. It is also a plus on the commute. I am wondering if you could use a neck cooler - they are very popular here for walking and hiking in the heat. They do not weigh much and you can re-use them. If you are able to reduce your overheating maybe you won't freeze so much at the office but 60 degrees - yikes - that is chilly.
I found one at REI for you to consider (they have them at Marks and MEC but these are both in Canada).

http://www.rei.com/product/691097/kafkas-kool-tie

nancylee

Veteran

A big congrats on finding a job, Kari, and one you love! That is such great news. It's also exciting that the dress code gives you so much flexibility. I'm so happy for you.

The commute to work transition does present a little challenge, but I think you should be ok with carrying or leaving a jacket/cardi at work to avoid getting overheated while you're in transit.

(FWIW, when I had a long commute I used to wear flat shoes to and from and kept heels in a drawer at my desk)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations, Kari! This is such great news! Really glad that things are going well for you.

The commute may be at its worst right at this time of year. You are having more heat and humidity than you are used to, in your parts. And the contrast between that and the office must feel large. Plus, you are new at commuting and unused to the walking and exercise. You will acclimatize to that quite soon and perhaps you won't overheat quite as much.

You are the lucky owner of a million beautiful tops that do not require jackets to give them presence. For that reason, Zap's suggestion (plus a wrap and other accoutrements in the office cubby) makes a lot of sense for right now. Leave your topper off on the commute; put it on when you get there.

I often carry water when I'm out and about. A bottle like this one is handy because you can stuff it in your bag when it's empty. Very "gear", I know, but useful.

As the weather shifts, the temperature range won't be as extreme, and you will probably find it easier to manage.

In general, I would think that dressing for "transitional" weather would be the best bet. Admittedly, that is the toughest weather to dress for.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Congratulations Kari! So glad the new job is working out well for you

With regard to this commuting issue, I'm liking where Zapotee is going with this one. I remember when I used to go to a gym right after work, and I used to schlep around this big gym bag with my gym clothes, deodorant, socks, all kinds of stuff. Silly me...it was *much* easier to store that stuff in a locker at the gym! Agree with her suggestion of cooling wipes etc. How about some peppermint foot spray? A spare set of mineral powder in your desk (in a small makeup bag, for instance)? Along with a comb, small trial-size of hair spray etc.

Btw, I'm sure you've already figured this one out, but closed shoes are best for walking and will keep you warmer at the office. For extra warmth, consider very low-cut "no show" socks that you can put on once you get there. Or those practically invisible nylon footie type things. I had to try a few before I found a brand that was comfortable on my foot and kept my feet warmer than bare feet - and I found them at Nordstrom Rack (after trying multiple brands)...

They're the "KushyFoot" brand:
http://www.kushyfoot.com/categ.....overs.aspx

The ones that help me are the "ultra low foot covers"
http://www.kushyfoot.com/produ.....a-low.aspx

Lots of these things slide around and aren't comfortable, but the KushyFoot ones are comfortable. Like I said, my local Nordstrom Rack has them, and you can just buy a two-pack to try out.

Do you have a little closet in your cubicle or desk area? I'm thinking that five or six cardis or jackets stashed at the office for the entire summer might be a good idea? Bring them home in September?

Once again, congrats! You DID IT - wow...persistence, perseverance and it worked

Sona

Veteran

There is a nic and zoe white cardi that Angie lined to very recently. it is a fabulous warm weather option and folds up really tiny. You could also leave it at the office but as Angie has often said covering up in loose clothing is often the way in tropical countries. Paradoxically wearing long sleeves in a breathable cotton or a lightweight cardi can make you feel less sweaty.

Marlene

Veteran

Congrats on the new job and I'm so happy to hear that its a good fit for you. Other than what you are doing, check to see if you can have a little heater under your desk or maybe those microwavable heating packs that you can put on your lower back for warmth.

I have an image of you typing away in the produce fridge at costco!