Ladies, when was the last time, if ever, you wore a suit?
For me, it has been over twenty years. The last time I wore a suit was in the 80’s and not even for interviews have I needed a suit…until now.
Why?
Perhaps it was the change in location. Miami, Florida verses Portland, Oregon. Perhaps it was the change from a big corporation to small, more family run, businesses. Perhaps it was just the natural evolution of business wear to casual business wear. Or perhaps, the e-trade world we live in where people are a voice, an email signature, rather than a face.
Joely Sue Burkhart talked about dressing for dieting and writing success last year. Loved that post. And, as I mentioned in my comment, getting dressed each day is part of my Flylady routine. I’ve never been a slob but my last two positions (not counting the animal hospital) were more jeans/Dockers and blouses than skirts/dresses/suits!
Yet here, in Sin City, it seems to have shifted back to the professional dress code. Perhaps that isn’t so strange after all. Miami = tourist destination. Las Vegas = tourist destination. Portland, not so much.
I have an interview this afternoon so this has been on my mind, thrust into the foreground with my continued job hunt. Like many, I’m in a catch-22. I don’t have the funds to go out a buy a business suit yet I need to dress for the position I want, not the one I have…well, had.
Apparently, the current thinking is to focus on suits and/or separates (jackets, slacks, and skirts) in gray, black, navy, or tan. Stay away from open-toed and slingback shoes, keeping the heels under four inches, in fact, kitten-heels are recommended.
Raelyn Barclay 
Just about everyone in the office here wears jeans, but they also make on-site visits – which are usually under construction – so that’s understandable. I do wear either dresses or skirt/blouse combos to work every day except Friday when I can get away with jeans. Of course today I’m wearing Khaki capris and flip flops 😉 I don’t directly deal with clients anymore. I’ve never worn a suit, and the one skirt/jacket combo I purchased, I always felt uncomfortable in a jacket. I guess if you’re a lawyer, there’s really no way around it. Personally, I hate the “suits” designed for women. No matter how pretty, skinny, what have you, I’ve never thought suits flattered a woman’s figure. Just my opinion. Granted, most women who are wearing the suits may be trying to downplay their femininity a bit to be seen as equals. Sorry, I rambled a bit, but there you have it.
I don’t mind suits, I’ve just never had much luck with them, LOL.
Thanks for sharing Mel!
Under pain of death, I won’t be able to speak on the garb worn at my day job. Different departments do different things with the dress code and the inconsistency can be brow-raising.
For the most part, khaki pants, Dockers and button-downs with a blazer can be pretty casual, though if you add in a color-fully fitting scarf and proper low heeled shoes, you can dress that up as well.
Yeah, that’s basically what I’ve done. I picked up a nice navy blazer that I can wear with a few different things.
But it’s funny Angela. Some places, that makes me feel over dressed. Others, under dressed. Where’s the happy medium?
Thanks for sharing, but you know you now have me extremely curious about what you wear…or don’t…to work!
I’m retired so my uniform is blue jeans or sweats, depending on the weather and what might bite me. 🙂
But when I worked for Corporate America, I was an art director and I was required to dress appropriately. Usually business casual was fine for most days, but for important meetings and visits, it was suits. I liked my suits though. I always wore a pretty silk blouse or nice jewelry with it.
Five years as a stay-at-home-mother, my uniform has been more jeans or shorts, too 🙂
I know it’s in your bio, but I often forget you were in corporate business. You’re so well rounded, Maria. Thanks for sharing.
Pingback: Holy Interviews Batman | Raelyn Barclay
For now, my work wardrobe consists nearly entirely of jeans paired with business casual-appropriate tops (or t-shirts on Fridays). Yes, I work in an office and the management folk wear slacks and skirts. But as long as I am in a job that requires me to go through the manufacturing shop without warning or work-provided protection, I don’t want to put my good clothes through the extra wear.
Get me back in an office without the attached shop, though, and I’m sure I’ll get back into the slacks & skirts uniform as well. Pity. I hate nylons.
Nicole, does any woman LIKE nylons? Ugh. Add nylons to our desert heat and it’s quadruple UGH! 😆
Thanks for sharing.
For my business attire, I usually wear a dress with a jacket. I live in Miami so the weather here is humid. However, since my job is conservative I do wear nylons and pumps.
UGH! Nylons!
I lived in Miami once upon a time so I do know what you’re going through. I try to get away with bare legs as much as I can but I’m also in a conservative industry and sometimes I must pull out those nasty nylons.
Thanks for stopping by.
BTW, I’m also a huge Flylady fan. Sometimes those routines are all that get done 🙂
You are welcome Raelyn! I’ll stop by soon.