OT: rant on workplace casualization

cloud9

so the new dress code is Friday Casual! ARGH! Just now that I feel my wardrobe's been upgraded to smart/dressy casual, and now every day is a jeans day?!? Esp. that I am on weight transition so I only have 2 pairs of jeans that fit well... and I certainly would not just leave my "dressier" clothes to sit in the closet and collect dust. I feel a bit bizarre wearing business casual clothes talking to managers/directors who are wearing faded jeans (at least not holey) and somewhat tight waffle shirts. I have to rethink my outfits to tone down the casual clothes, if there is such a thing.. What has the world come to?!?

14 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Kim

Maya

Veteran

No shame in dressing better than your superiors. I used to be the dressiest person where I worked before this job--and I was an intern. I say dress how you want and however makes you feel confident.

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

I agree with Maya. Who say's you have to dress down or dress casual on Friday's...that is for all the folks who could care less what they wear. I would continue to dress who you are...my casual is most peoples dressy, yours may be too.

14 years ago

Frances

Active Member

I agree with Maya and Taylor 100%. I am still a firm believer in dressing for success, and I think women's wardrobes allow them greater flexibility to do so without looking obsequiously overdressed or alienating their co-workers.

Gosh, this post has me thinking of Tanya and her challenges trying to tone down her wonderful style to suit the requirements at her lab. It might be worth a quick archive search for her posts--she managed to subvert her workplace dress code quite well and keep something of her signature style, in spite of the jewelry & accessories ban.

14 years ago

FoolOfATook

Active Member

cloud9, you've gotten some good advice here. If you don't feel like dressing so casually, don't!

14 years ago

Nadya

Veteran

I dress more casually than a lot people in my office, and feel that's just part of my personality. The good thing is I can get away with funkier accessories, i.e. turn some of my business casual more towards "creative industry business casual.". So maybe you can find a way to have fun with it, too.

14 years ago

cloud9

Veteran

Thanks for the encouragements, I was thinking I can be a bit more funky & arty too. Good ideas! I am going to play with pairing one more dressy piece with more casual items. Like a blouse with jeans, knit/jean jacket with dress pants, etc. I'll make it my next adventurous style journey.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I agree with the ladies. Dress in a way that floats your boat.

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

If anyone asks why you're not dressed down to Friday-casual, look at them blankly and say, "This IS how I dress down on Fridays."

Then make this face: o_0

14 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Great advice!

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I understand the ladies here saying to wear what you want, but I also understand your frustration. I see it similar to being invited to an event and getting all excited to pull out all stops, just to be informed later that the dress code is casual. You're not going to wear your cocktail dress to such said event now because you would feel silly and overdressed.
You now have to reassess what is going to feel right for work. You should be able to rework your nicer stuff though into more casual feeling outfits just by pairing them differently. We'll help you

14 years ago

Vani

Veteran

My workplace has been Florida beach casual since forever.

The first year or so I thought I liked it, when in fact I was miserable dressing and looking the same ALL the time. After I discovered YLF I decided to step it up regardless of what everybody was wearing. And I love it. There have been absolutely no repercussions or negative feelings from anyone. I wear pencil skirts, dresses, jackets/blazers, jeans - everything.

I think I might have subtly inspired a few other ladies to step it up too. And one of the new guys told me recently that I was the "coolest IT person he has ever met" LOL - I was wearing my lace skirt + turtleneck + pleather moto + hose + docs that day.
You will definitely catch me wearing smart/business casual clothes talking to my manager who wears faded jeans and Hawaiian shirts

Like Angie said, dress in whatever way floats your boat and let the chips fall where they may.

14 years ago

Kim

Veteran

Remember that your workplace dress code is the "minimum" expected. You can always dress better than "expected".

14 years ago

Category