Comments on: When Do Girly Clothes Become Unprofessional?

By: Antonine

Antonine — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 03:41:45 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. Ditto

By: Another Elle

Another Elle — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 20:11:21 +0000

I have this ironic perspective on this – my nickname at work from some of the younger guys is in fact Elle. I also REMARKABLY resemble Reese Witherspoon. I’m a statistician at a very large international research institute in the South. Being a research institute, it can be super casual. I’m talking guys in t-shirts and cargo shorts casual. I’m most definitely a girly girl. I love to wear Lilly Pulitzer to work, but not all the time. My wardrobe has lots of bright pinks and greens, but also lots of black and navy. I went to prep school for high school and then a very Southern, Greek-centric university. I think that having very feminine work outfits hasn’t hurt me, because I wear them in a unique way. Because I went to prep school, I have a heavy dose of Vivienne Kensington. So, I wear a lot of uber-feminine colors on almost masculine items – skinny ankle length chinos, Oxford shirts, penny loafers. I also have long blonde hair just like Elle, and I think avoiding wearing curls has helped my professional image. At the end of the day, I know my math, I know my methods, and I can whoop up on some technical writing better than any man wearing a tie in my department. But I will say, a little tip to extra feminine ladies – try putting these colors in masculine form. Down South it gets so hot that I tend towards brightly colored dresses in the summer, but I wear a navy shift at least once a week. Anyways I know this has been a random ramble but I wanted to get my 2 cents.

By: heinouscanis

heinouscanis — Mon, 05 May 2014 14:01:28 +0000

Anything during/after WWII is pretty neotenous when it comes to fashion, an example being where 45 year old men still wear short pants instead of the long trousers of their forebears. The mid-century was the prime era for things like rockabilly, pin-up girls, and various emerging youth-centric styles. People now equate the neotenous fashion with comfort and ‘not giving a damn’, but with fashion trends, sometimes psychological trends follow. You gotta have a reason for looking the way you do. Others say never to judge, but when you are a part of a species where the main sensory source of information is that of sight…

By: Ruby Stubson

Ruby Stubson — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 15:00:50 +0000

I agree, wearing pink shouldn't necessarily be considered a faux pas, but wearing it in excess is a no-no for work. You don't want to be called "that girl who always wears pink" behind your back. Wouldn't you rather be called "Oh, that chick who is really passionate about her job AND had good style/fashion sense"? Personally, at work, I've ommitted dresses from my wardrobe altogether (for practical reasons), which drastically reduces how girly I can dress. However, I still think that I have my own distinct style, which is mostly classical and avoid the flowy shirts and empire waistelines that are trendy right now. 99% of the time, I pair a simple, sleek shirt (usually sleeveless) with a blazer and a pair of jeans.

By: Natasha

Natasha — Thu, 30 May 2013 23:11:01 +0000

I think you are correct. It all depends on the situation. Take this into account as you look for your next position. Does their culture suit your personal style?

I work for a large insurance agency in the Pacific Northwest. My office is more casual, however, I have a distinct vintage flair that they love. I do wear circle skirts, vintage hair styles, heals, sweaters with pearl buttons and the occasional flower in my hair. I do keep it toned down though. I generally stick to these rules for myself:
* Only one loud item in every outfit. Sometimes it is a pair of high heels or a bold bakelite earing set or a sweater but never more than one item.
* If the style is very vintage, I keep the colors and prints muted or pair it with other conservative items. For example: My favorite circle skirt is navy and I pair it with a black sweater and some kitten heels, a pearl necklage and no earings. Nothing should be put together so as to look like a costume.
* I rarely wear anything in my hair. To be considered appropriate for the office, I look for adornments that have a vintage look but are not bright and loud. I have a pair of 1920’s pewter/rhinestoned hiar sticks that are so subtle you almost would miss them. If I do wear the occasional flower, on casual Friday, I keep my outift subtle and.
* Hair styles, while certainly vintage (pincurls, teased etc) are kept neatly pinned at the base of my neck. (Think of characters Maragett and Gillian from Boardwalk Empire) Its distinctly vintage but looks very professional.
* My makeup includes bold red lipstick, winged liner and fake lashes but its all so subtle. I wear a shade of red suitable to my skin tone, keep my liner with small eye enhancing wings, skin toned eye shadow or none at all and the lashes are so applied as to look real. (My advantage is that I used to be a makeup artist and most people can’t tell I wear fake lashes.)
* Shoes – I rotate according to season. I wear all heal heights and colors but I keep them specific for the office. No club shoes or casual shoes. On Casual Friday I wear tasteful flats.
* Bags – always Chanel looking (can’t afford the real thing) but very classy.

My one “go for it” item is my coat. I keep it classy and vintage but I allow myself some give here. During the winter I have a lovely coat with a faux fur collar and leather gloves.

My wardrobe does not affect how people see me. In fact, I am treated like a lady. Out of the other young professionals in the office, I think I stand out with my personal style. It works for me.

By: Reader A

Reader A — Tue, 28 May 2013 18:09:15 +0000

In reply to Conforming vs. Standing Out. Ours was pretty basic, things like no tank tops, skirts should be knee length, no sneakers or jeans except on Fridays, no sweatshirts, etc. A few other girls would wear very girly or high fashion stuff, and we were told that it was a pretty anything-goes atmosphere. I did take my cues from the other girls. But we didn't have a lot of senior staff to look to. We were pretty much all in our early to mid 20's, higher-ups were hidden in their offices, although the CEO did compliment some of my Mad Men-ish dresses.