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Restrictive work dress code killing creativity

Loves Tea

Hi All, is there anyone else out there with a painfully restricted work dress code that kills their dressing creativity not only at work, but spills over into "fun" event dressing as well?

I'm a chemist. I love being a chemist, but some days the safety restrictive dress code really drags me down. Shoes that cover your whole foot. Pants always, unless skirts/dresses are ankle length. ID tags gotta be visible. Nothing you couldn't bear to lose in case of a lab accident (yes, I have ruined pieces of clothing in minor incidents in the past). Blazers/cardigans are a pain when you're putting on/taking off a lab coat 20 times a day.

The problem is, I've gotten so used to dressing for the lab, that when I'm not at work, I have a heck of a time putting together something fun and creative that would allow me some flexibility that I don't have at work.

Is this common for people who have restrictive dress codes, or is something wrong with me?

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Laurinda

Thistle

Veteran

My husband works in a lab, and he wears jeans and tee shirts every, single day. Hmmm, maybe you are on to something!

Adelfa

Veteran

Hi Loves, all you are saying is that you are not used to putting together super cute outfits! This has been true of a ton of us, for whatever reason. (For example, being so used to dressing to be thrown up on by the baby that you forget how to dress for fun.... or being so used to wearing black tees in every situation to cope with perceived figure flaws that you forget how to be creative....)

So I TOTALLY see how your job would inhibit you fashion-wise. I also think all you have to do is start practicing and you will be amazed! And everyone here will help you so much.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

You could buy a few cute (not expensive) bottoms - like the patterned jeans and chinos that are popular right now in all different colors and patterns. You could wear hair accessories like headbands or something to jazz things up and help keep your hair out of your way. You could use interesting brooches on your lab coats....and wear colorful tops to peek out. I rarely spend a lot on my clothing because I live basically on a ranch. I'm a software person but just going to the car I can get dusty or stop to help a neighbor do something dirty. But I still try to find fun, interesting things to wear.

I'd say to start experimenting a bit and see where it takes you!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Maybe two separate capsules would work the best for you - one for workwear and one for having fun and not being at work?

I remember when I had to be in the lab, I'd just take my blazer off and hang it up by the door and wore it during lunch/breaks/on my way to my car on the way home (actually, the on the way home is when I met my then boyfriend - he remembered the bright red blazer!)

Spiffy

Here is what I wear to work everyday. Black suit, Black Sanitas, dark colored high neck top, hair pulled back, very minimal makeup. Every. Single. Day.

It used to kill my creativity as well. You get so used to just 'putting something on' that your fashion muscles atrophy.

But now that I'm focusing more on my personal wardrobe, I get to have my 'superman' moment most days when I go into the bathroom in my super conservative not fun work clothes and come out in something great. Sometimes I'll get home late when we have people over and my boyfriend will say 'just give her a second to go upstairs and superman'

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I wear scrubs to work. I have total free reign in my off hours. I feel that I'm a pretty creative dresser.

rachylou

Veteran

What level of lab do you work in?

I work in high tech/bio tech and also a production bakery. I'm not on the floor/lab all the time, so that makes a difference - but I have to be prepared to go out at any time. So, restrictions. Probably similar restrictions. My clothes are to me, though, what fine lingerie is to others. Even if they'll be covered by a bunny suit and I'm the only person who will ever see them, I'll "dress up." I'm afraid I love them that much. The flour will probably never come out of my Marc Jacobs stuff, but hey! I look hecka cute scaling hundreds of pounds of dough. Lol.

Anyways, ya. I'd say most people are more practical. All my aunties and uncles are scientists and they all wear the same thing all the time, 365. But it *is* pretty sharp, actually, the way they do it: Crisp button downs over another shirt and wool trousers. It's a uniform that goes everywhere.

I say you can do it. Just pick a method for the madness! ;>

Raisin

Veteran

I sympathize. I don't even get to wear normal clothes to work. I work in uniform and find it really hard to dress up at all for those few hours a day when I drop or pick up kids, or if I happen to go out on the weekend. It definitely stifles my wardrobe creativity.

Day Vies

Veteran

Absolutely! I am an artist at heart but I work in law so most of my outfits live in "classic land" It's hard for me to do something "clubby" on the rare occasions I'm invited. I recommend trolling fashion blogs-- especially people whose lives mimic your own, Pinterest, and runway slideshows.

Atlantia

Veteran

I totally get it. At work I am either in a suit (new conservative dress code for presentation day) or working with dogs (similar dress code and concerns to a lab). I am pretty close to having 2 separate capsules.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Loves Tea --

FWIW, I don't think your situation is at all unusual. I think the "bug" either gets turned off by a work uniform/"uniform" or amped up.

I agree with the above that adding small touches to your workday outfits may tap into creativity for the weekend (start flexing those muscles, ha).

I also agree you could just put minimum effort into being creative within your workplace and take time/put money towards the weekend looks. Either way you're breaking out of the rut!

You might want to check out this post (and the comments, which may be more useful) re dressing challenges for a young engineer in a business casual environment:

http://corporette.com/2013/01/.....erdressed/

Makrame

Veteran

I had the same idea as Texstyle - fun jeans could be your friend (good protection from chemical spills, too). Also flat oxfords (as per today's blog post) are good closed-toe shoes for the lab. I would head out to Ann Taylor Loft (when they have a good sale) or a similar place that sells inexpensive jeans in various colors and prints so that you can have some fun with fashion at work.

Loves Tea

Thank you for all your replies. It's so great to have you ladies to talk to this about.

Laurinda

Veteran

Fun Earrings. Saved my soul through 7 years of lab-coated bench work.