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WIW: 1st week on the job

MuseumGal

Veteran

So I finally started work on Monday the 6th. It's been over a decade since I last worked a full time office job, so I'm definitely out of practice. None of these outfits are fab, but I felt like they were all more than adequate.

Pic 1: Monday I went with a black column (shell and trousers) and a new blue blazer. I ended up swapping out the necklace for a light blue chiffon scarf. Black brogues on my feet. Tuesday was (new) herringbone trousers (they look grey but are black and white) worn with an open weave crochet cardi (black cami underneath), black oxfords, multi-colored silk hair scarf.

Pic 2: On Wednesday we were instructed to wear jeans and boots as we'd be donning hard hats and watching things burn. It was hot that day (over 90F), too hot for jeans, so I went with light weight khaki crops and a sleeveless blouse instead, and accessorized with a lapiz medallion choker. Hiking boots in the morning for our adventure, then I switched to blue sandals in the afternoon. It was the end of a long active day, so I'm rather rumpled here, but I felt adequately professional for the day's activities; indeed I was far more dressed up than anyone else.

Pic 3: Thursday was a new navy blue (not black as it appears) top with lace sleeve paired with old olive trousers and ancient brown clogs/mules/MJs, accessorized with faceted quartz beads and large Nautilus hoop earrings. Finally today (Friday), I went with black skinny jeans, a maroon/burgundy/merlot/sangria/whatever cotton knit pullover, black moto boots, tassel necklace, and my hummingbird skull earrings.

I'm definitely open to constructive criticism, especially suggestions on how to bring in more of my personality (the stealthy bohemian or the Edwardian gentleman scientist/explorer) whilst remaining reasonably professional.

If you slogged through that, my thanks!

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17 replies

Latest reply was from MuseumGal

Anonymous

Day 1 is my favorite. You had me with black and cobalt. I also like all the other outfits too, especially as you had to deal with special conditions and hot weather. Wonderful week.

Aida

Veteran

First off, totally love your style descriptors ^^ These were not all the types of outfits I was expecting for an office look; some look smart casual and some are more officey looking. You look smashing in blue! #1a is a nice officey look, and the brogues tie in with your style descriptor words. Nicely done. I do wish we could see more of the mesh in #1b, it sounds like a great match for the optically gray trousers (and ties in with your "boho" leanings). The description for #2 is what tips me off that when you say "office job" you do not mean "desk job" Looks good for beating the heat! I like the idea of pairing with blue sandals, though this outfit doesn't strike me as meeting your style descriptors much (beyond the necklace). I think I'd also like to see these crops cropped a bit higher. Love the two moody looking outfits in #3 on you.

When you say "hummingbird skull necklace", I feel like we realllyyyy need to see a detail photo.

MuseumGal

Veteran

Thanks Joy, black and cobalt is a big time favorite for me too!

Aida, oops, I meant earrings, not necklace. They are these:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/6.....8;ga_searc
Truthfully, I could get away with jeans that don't have holes and Tshirts that don't have obscenities on them, but I'm trying to develop an actual style for myself, just not sure what it will be yet. I was sort of all over the map as you noted - starting out on the more conservative end, veering into field work attire, and then ending up more casual, but feeling more authentic. It's a process for sure!

Aida

Veteran

Really neat earrings! I hear you on the process. It's good to experiment, I'm sure you'll find your comfort level with work wear soon. I'd say figure out how dressy you feel best in at work, then from there work on getting more of your personal style injected. And if you do a lot of field work, you may end up needing two capsules!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think you dressed brilliantly for your first week and I hope it went well!

Anonymous

Hope the job's going well!

Your whole week of outfits looks great! I especially like the first day with the blazer and the column of black and the one with the burgundy sweater. Am also thinking your workplace sounds way more interesting than most, what with the hard hats and the things set on fire.

And I totally love "Edwardian gentleman scientist" as a style goal. Menswear-inspired looks usually aren't my thing at all, but that's actually a spin I could almost see working for me if I ever felt like trying to incorporate more menswear styles.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Wow, cool hummingbird skull earrings! Now what else did you say?

Seriously, first congratulations! You finally got to--and through--the first week! Yay. Hope you like the job.

You are looking fab! Your first-day outfit was perfect. I also like your new pants (it's so funny what odd effects little black and white patterns will create in photographs!). It will be fun to see your professional style develop. I love the last outfit especially. And the next to last is really nice, too. Maybe you can keep an eye out for a pair of shoes that will go with skinnies that can replace your "ancient" pair. You might see how often you find yourself wearing them in the coming weeks, to see if it would indeed be worth replacing them in your new work capsule.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Off to a great start, MG! I like the way you've kept things strong but simple, and I already see you showing through -- particularly in accessories.

AJ

Veteran

I think you wear skinnies well and the last two outfits are my favorites.

Your lovely hair can also play a role in your style descriptors. The pretty side ponytail in #2 for your boho days. Maybe experiment with various buns for the Edwardian vibe?

Great outfits for your first week. Congrats on your new job!

shedev

Veteran

Nice week of outfits. You look really good in the deep red top.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I love your descriptors! I don't have suggestions yet (except that a topper with an Edwardian vibe would be awesome...and maybe hard to find) but will keep these in mind for future posts. I really liked the silhouettes in the black column with blue blazer outfit, and the skinnies and red top. Congrats on the new job.

Dee

Days 1 and 5 were my favorite but I think you managed the whole week with style!

Adelfa

Veteran

I love you in blue so much, but equally in wine! To me you look totally like yourself.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look great in blue and I love the very last outfit too! Great start!

tulle

Veteran

Edwardian gentleman scientist-explorer--I love it! Maybe I can help (used to work as a costume designer & still think that way.) Those doughty explorers were practical, but still a bit formal. They borrowed from equestrian costume, understandably, but tended to wear their version looser and washable: jodphur-like PANTS, loose in the thighs and narrow in the calf, tucked into tall boots (this look can be faked with old loose pants like chinos by wrapping the lower leg tightly around the calf and tucking into trouser socks, then high boots;) a light linen or cotton SHIRT, loose-fitting, usually buttoned up, sometimes open; a tie--yes, really--but often a soft version (try tying a long silk scarf like a man's tie, loosely, & tucking the ends into the shirt or a vest) or something like a string tie; BOOTS--very important, very beautiful--you're in luck if you want this look because the Hunger Games movies have inspired copies of the heroine's great hunting boots (tall brown leather with lacing at the front up to the shins) and in rainy weather Wellingtons work, too; a JACKET of tweed,canvas or linen, long and fitted, worn slightly oversized and open, often over a fitted VEST; a BAG, leather or canvas messenger-type worn cross-body with a long strap; and finally, a HAT--pith helmet if you have the nerve for it, but a practical broad-brimmed straw, felt or canvas works just as well, and will provide sun protection for your beautiful skin. You probably won't want to assemble the whole outfit (except maybe for Halloween) but incorporating 2 or 3 of these pieces into your wardrobe could give satisfy your hankering for this look. Are you familiar with Porter and Hollister Hovey? They are sisters who share your love of the period and expeditionary clothing. The Hollister Hovey blog may provide extra inspiration. The J. Peterman catalogue may be a source for gear. I think DSW has the boots I mentioned--sorry, don't know the name. And don't forget thrift shops & yard sales; you may find a great old hat, vest or jacket (hint: check the men's dept. for unfashionably fitted jackets with just this look.) Sorry to go on at such length, but as I said, I LOVE this stuff. Happy hunting, and good luck with the new job--sounds like an interesting one!

Sheila

Veteran

Dang I just wrote a stellar response and my ipad crashed before I finished. Poo! Well, I wll try to summarize:

1) what Tulle said -- it is brilliant
2) think Ralph Lauren but streamlined for your working environment -- mix of menswear fabrics (herringbone, tweed) with ladylike touches (lace, embroidery) and knitwear (cableknits, ribknits)
3) for me, workwear consists of: A Top and A Bottom. Choose a color palette that reflects your style goals and do not accept anything outside of it for your tops and bottoms. Go creative with other pieces. Like a safari jacket with an Indiana Jones hat...Ha Ha maybe that's not it but you catch my drift.
4) jewelry (pins, necklaces, earrings) that fit your style descriptors. Seed pearls, chunky gemstones.

Let me just say how much I enjoy your posts. As a former "museum gal" myself, I am entranced by the way you think about how your personality can be integrated into your work life. I worked in art museums and so I never had field work but I kinda think I get where you're coming from.

Post more often, I like what you write!

MuseumGal

Veteran

Thanks for the feed back all. tulle, I love your suggestions. I have never heard of Porter and Hollister Hovey but will check them out. Sheila, I definitely need an Indiana Jones hat; I am (well I guess was) an archaeologist after all!