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Too edgy for work?

Makrame

Veteran

I wore a version of this outfit to work, except with grey Born Arletta oxfords and a brown bag http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ng-errands . It was a no-meetings day spent in the lab so I figured I can go casual. One of the people I work with looked slightly surprised when I first walked in (maybe it was something else other than the clothes but the impression I got was it had something to do with the clothes). Is this too much for a casual work environment?

I will probably refrain from wearing cobalt jeans to work in the future, just in case. Somehow this is suddenly making me question some of my outfit choices. Time to go conservative?

25 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I think it looks great! It's colorful, but really lovely....

MsMary

Veteran

If jeans are otherwise acceptable at your workplace, I think this look is perfect.

Some people are just startled by bright colors.

Makrame

Veteran

Thanks, biscuitsmom and MaryK! That's reassuring. Any type of regular denim/jeans is acceptable, although most people wear non-denim for teaching or important meetings.

K. Period.

Veteran

Ditto what Mary K said. They were probably surprised by the bright color. I've noticed that lots of folks are afraid to wear color. It takes them out of their comfort zone. Even though they may appreciate it on others, they are surprised to see someone with the confidence to wear it. You look great. If jeans are okay, I don't see any reason why what you wore wasn't perfectly acceptable.

Diana

Veteran

I think it's great for a lab day! You should see the things I wear to lab... granted, I'm not a professor but I can't imagine revamping my entire wardrobe when I do become one! I wish we worked together...

At this point, nobody even bats an eyelash. Oddly enough, one of the only things that generated comments (other than "i like your outfit" from some of the ladies) was the infamous leprechaun dress, which, aside from the bright color, is pretty conservative for me! So I think Mary is right, some people are just shocked by colors.

ETA: And, for some reason, everyone notices crazy colored or patterned pants. Other articles of clothing, not so much. I've not worn my Liberty print teal skinnies yet, but I'm sure I'll get some comments!

cciele

Veteran

That looks fine to me for a casual workplace! I'd wear that to my casual office

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think it is completely appropriate and a fun, colorful outfit. I used to get comments fairly often when I worked in a technology company with mostly male engineers. They thought anything with color was "trying to be trendy" or "kind of out there." I suspected they had a closet full of the exact same techie ad t-shirt and jeans so they could just look exactly the same each and every day.

shedev

Veteran

That does look conservative to me.

bj1111

Veteran

i'd wear it. it's not like your wearing leather pants or anything outrageous.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with the others - I think it is completely appropriate.

Kiwichik

Veteran

Ditto what caro said

lynne

Veteran

Echoing everyone else- you look fabulous. They were probably just amazed at how stylish a casual outfit can be.

ironkurtin

Veteran

It is 100% fine.

Jonesy

Veteran

To me, it's not at all, but then again I wear floral pants in the classroom :).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I do not find it too edgy in the least or too anything else for that matter - except maybe too fun for the person who made the comment or gave you the look!

LOVE the pants on you.

Anonymous

The answer to your question, in my opinion, depends on what you want to convey with your wardrobe. Do you want to blend in or do you want to stand out?
I am a blend in kind of gal... What kind of gal are you?

Makrame

Veteran

Zap, that is a good question. I guess I do not mind standing out as long as the outfit is situation-appropriate. For example, when I occasionally might see a woman at a scientific conference wearing a miniskirt and moto jacket or a sheer lacy top, that person stands out in a way that seems somewhat inappropriate. On the other hand, someone wearing a really well-tailored blazer might also stand out but in a very appropriate way.

For example, I will often wear bright colors such as a red blazer to work and have no problems with that, since it is a fairly tailored piece. In this case it was a combination of bright bottoms and a casual-looking denim jacket that made me question my choice.

rachylou

Veteran

It's not too edgy by far. Just bright and cheerful and fashionable.

But help me prove my prejudices... Is your co-worker German American? LOL. That's how my kith and kin would act. They get all funny when someone "calls attention to themselves." You can imagine what a boatload of fun their party clothes are... LOL. Did anybody say brown? And that weird pasty blue...

Makrame

Veteran

Good question, Rachylou, I am not sure. But I am envisioning something out of Garrison Keillor stories based on your description. "We get into as few clothes as possible and the sight of ourselves depresses us. Sunlight makes us gloomy. We are not Mediterranean people."

rachylou

Veteran

Lol! Bingo!

That's the sort of stuff I'm talking about.

Anonymous

Well, a pair of cobalt trousers are situation appropriate, I think, but I hang around here;) For the common folk, they might not be, I don't know.

My only comment regarding dressing at the edge of your societal norm, is that you have to be able to take the attention or " heat" whether positive or negative, that your outfit will provoke. That just comes with the territory. Also, different strokes for different folks. Not everyone is into fashion and that's that.

..and the Germans I know of are quite fun and colorful...

Nanabear

I love your style and the colours are definitely fun!

That said, as long as denim is acceptable at your workplace, I don't see why you shouldn't wear it!

rachylou

Veteran

(Zapotee - Germans or German Americans?)

Anonymous

(German - Colombians, yep there is such a thing lol)

rachylou

Veteran

(Lol. Ok, now we know where the fun ones went. I can see it *all* back in time... "Ja, Ja, we'll see you over there! (Schnell! Jump on that other ship to Columbia!))