Much to my dismay, I just realized that ten days has passed without a posting (notice the direct correlation with the end of term). Thank you to Jason for the mention on his blog, Head Tale! You've encouraged me back into blogging action, although I do not know if I will ever be quite as prolific in the library blogging community. We shall see...
Today's topic is one much dear to my heart, especially since I have recently re-entered the working world after a VERY long hiatus. The last six years of my life have largely be spent in school, save a few summer jobs and part-time employment throughout the school year. Those jobs, for the most part, have also been in a kitchen environment, where your work attire is decided for you (chef's jacket and very unattractive, yet practical, pants---I've had chili pepper pants and checkered pants, but alas, no chef's hat). Depending on where you go to school, you can wear pretty much anything to classes (and to my side job as a research assistant): from the ever popular business short, right down to jogging pants. Even in the library program, there seems to be no standardized dress code for students who wear whatever they want. Recently, Wendy Newman's talk (below), made me reconsider my own decidedly causal wardrobe in a new light. Certainly, my instructors do no frequent classes in jeans and t-shirts/tank tops, nor do they wear jogging pants. If they can take the time to make themselves look professional, shouldn't I?
Yet, what exactly does it mean to "dress seriously to be taken seriously"? Does this entail the famous navy blue suit that Martha has frequently mentioned in Management (506)? Should I go out a purchase my very first suit/skirt combination? What would Stacy and Clinton say? In my daily routine through the news (The Star, The Globe and Mail, CBC.ca, etc...), I saw this article. While the author purports to answer the infamous question "What's a woman to wear" in the workplace, she offers few real suggestions for women who constantly grapple with this issue. Beyond the typical "dress for the job you aspire to" or "[l]ook at the head of your department," Gerson does not seem to know what to tell people. I concede, however, that this is probably not her fault since, as she indicates, dress codes differ from place to place. I was hoping that the article would answer the what to wear to work question for me, but alas, I will have to continue to contemplate the answer as I stand behind the desk, looking at my co-workers wondering, indeed, if I should go shopping. Some days, I miss the simplicity of the uniform...
As I wander through the mall, attempting to create a work wardrobe that I'm comfortable in, I will keep both Wendy and Gerson's advice in my mind, along with the occasion nagging snippet of what I've gleaned from "What Not to Wear." While this has perhaps seemed as a somewhat frivolous post, I would argue that this is a very real problem for women especially, who are now entering the professional community. For those of you who have figured out the what-to-wear conundrum, please share your sage advice with those of us who cannot seem to figure out which shoes go with which outfit, or even how to put an outfit together.
Today's topic is one much dear to my heart, especially since I have recently re-entered the working world after a VERY long hiatus. The last six years of my life have largely be spent in school, save a few summer jobs and part-time employment throughout the school year. Those jobs, for the most part, have also been in a kitchen environment, where your work attire is decided for you (chef's jacket and very unattractive, yet practical, pants---I've had chili pepper pants and checkered pants, but alas, no chef's hat). Depending on where you go to school, you can wear pretty much anything to classes (and to my side job as a research assistant): from the ever popular business short, right down to jogging pants. Even in the library program, there seems to be no standardized dress code for students who wear whatever they want. Recently, Wendy Newman's talk (below), made me reconsider my own decidedly causal wardrobe in a new light. Certainly, my instructors do no frequent classes in jeans and t-shirts/tank tops, nor do they wear jogging pants. If they can take the time to make themselves look professional, shouldn't I?
Yet, what exactly does it mean to "dress seriously to be taken seriously"? Does this entail the famous navy blue suit that Martha has frequently mentioned in Management (506)? Should I go out a purchase my very first suit/skirt combination? What would Stacy and Clinton say? In my daily routine through the news (The Star, The Globe and Mail, CBC.ca, etc...), I saw this article. While the author purports to answer the infamous question "What's a woman to wear" in the workplace, she offers few real suggestions for women who constantly grapple with this issue. Beyond the typical "dress for the job you aspire to" or "[l]ook at the head of your department," Gerson does not seem to know what to tell people. I concede, however, that this is probably not her fault since, as she indicates, dress codes differ from place to place. I was hoping that the article would answer the what to wear to work question for me, but alas, I will have to continue to contemplate the answer as I stand behind the desk, looking at my co-workers wondering, indeed, if I should go shopping. Some days, I miss the simplicity of the uniform...
As I wander through the mall, attempting to create a work wardrobe that I'm comfortable in, I will keep both Wendy and Gerson's advice in my mind, along with the occasion nagging snippet of what I've gleaned from "What Not to Wear." While this has perhaps seemed as a somewhat frivolous post, I would argue that this is a very real problem for women especially, who are now entering the professional community. For those of you who have figured out the what-to-wear conundrum, please share your sage advice with those of us who cannot seem to figure out which shoes go with which outfit, or even how to put an outfit together.
1 comment:
love the blog jessica! keep it up.
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