Do you have a "work uniform"?

[Govtgirl]

I don't mean a traditional uniform like in the military (I had 6 years of that!), but a wardrobe that is purely functional, that doesn't necessarily reflect your own personality, but lets it be known that you mean business?

My job is business-casual, but most people lean more to the casual side of it. Up till now, I've done that too.....worn clothes that could also be worn on the weekend. They're nice for work, but not that[/b] nice. I want to change that.

Men have suits of course, but a suit would be too formal for me. I want to start dressing for the job I want }( and a suit would be overkill. I want to look sharp and put together, but if I go overboard my coworkers will get very suspicious....and some of them can be nasty.

Do you stick to a color palette, or to certain shapes and styles? I'm curious to what all "go-getters" are doing!!

 

[lioness]

RE: Do you have a

I do. I work as an Office Administrator for an engineer consulting company. The dress is business casual but I have always dressed nicer than that. I basically have 2 wardrobes - work and weekend.

My work wardrobes mainly consists of dresses and skirts. I rarely wear dress pants. I think I have 2 pairs that I wear every once in a while but I'm a 98% dress/skirt girl. I tend to wear lots of black and brown but I will wear other colors if I like the outfit. Most of my clothes are from Ann Taylor or Ann Taylor Loft. I will order dresses from Nordstorms because it hard to find nice dresses in department stores these days. I'm not a suit person. I can't work in them and I get warm easily so it's not functional for me. I do tend to find outfits that are a little more tailored. I ALWAYS wear hose. I live in the South (but originally from the North) and lots of women don't wear hose here but I'm weird so I do. I also always wear pumps no open toed shoes or sandals except on casual Fridays.

BTW...not sure if I'm a go-getter but I think it's more professional and gives you an edge to dress nice in a business environment.

 

[LeanneM]

RE: Do you have a

Like Jane, I also love Ann Taylor Loft. While they do carry suits and more business-type clothes, they also carry very cute clothes that are more business-casual, which is what I tend to wear to work. They have lovely sweaters and tops/blouses in really nice colors. All of their things are also appropriate to wear to work, meaning that you don't have to worry about cleavage, etc.

HTH!

 

[Traildoggie]

RE: Do you have a

Although I'm not doing it anymore, I had a "work uniform". I wore suits or tailored jacket and skirt/or pants. contrasting sweater or blouse, no cleavage. black, brown, gray or navy pumps. simple jewelry like small earrings, watch, simple necklace. non fussy hair style, simple non theatrical makeup. It was predictable and boring but I never got mistaken for other than my job title. It was easy to dress in the morning, simple for travel. and really not expensive either cause it was good year after year with minor changes. I stuck with navy, black, brown and gray with brighter blouses and shells.

 

[MSJ]

RE: Do you have a

Yes. I wear a t-shirt or tank top, hoodie and workout pants or shorts. I find this uniform practical as it can easily take all the dirt (ie, snot, food, spit, occasional blood, etc) that comes with a 6 child, home school household. Plus, I'm always ready for my workout. Things always match and are easily washed. Easy.

It's perfectly suited to my profession}( :7

Maggie

 

[melimcn]

RE: Do you have a

Yes and no.
I think the mistake that a lot of people make is in thinking that "business casual" has to translate to "boring and conservative".

Certainly, it depends on the office that you work in. In a law firm, for example, I would keep everything very toned down. But in a different office environment, I think you can get creative with color and accessories, and still look very professional.

I have a LOT of dress trousers and fitted sweaters. I love varying bright colors on top with neutrals on the bottom, and cute shoes that complete the outfit. Most of my clothes are from Banana Republic or (now that I'm pregnant) Isabella Oliver. Most of what I wear is fitted and I only buy shapes that compliment my body (wide leg trousers for me are a MUST).

A colorful scarf is always a great way to bring a look together as well.

 

[Mikkia]

RE: Do you have a

I am a Banana Republic girl with a little Ann Taylor loft thrown in from 9-5. I found some good dress trousers that fit well and flatter and then buy some tops that aren't too low cut but still fit nice. then i have more fun with jewelry to jazz it up a little. Some pieces can cross over for weekend, going out too. Then there is my main attire:work out clothes (which I much prefer!)

 

[RunninTeach]

RE: Do you have a

Another vote for Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft.

[font face="heather" font color=black size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

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[CollinsMom]

RE: Do you have a

My office is also a "business casual" environment, with most days leanings more towards the business than the casual. In my job, I have to appear in court pretty often, so I dress up more on those days. When I don't have court, I dress more casual.

On any given Monday - Friday, you will probably find me in black or grey dress pants and some brightly colored twinset -- that is my "uniform." Oh yes, and black ballet flats!

My weekend uniform is sweatpants and hooded sweatshirt!

 

[Govtgirl]

RE: Do you have a

Thanks, this is really helpful!

My mindset has changed... I used to want to "show my personality" at work, etc, but now I just want to look professional, and have classic clothes that I can put on without thinking. I'll save the "me" clothes for the people that count: my husband and friends, on the weekend!

 

[nancy324]

RE: Do you have a

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I do not have a single article of clothing or a single pair of shoes that I wear both for work and for the weekend.

I've noticed that many younger people wear the same clothes for everything. I recently walked into a Le Sportsac store and told the (young) saleslady that I needed a "weekend" bag. She brought out a huge bag large enough to pack a weekend's worth of clothes in! It dawned on me that she didn't even understand my concepts of "work" vs. "weekend". As often happens to me lately, I felt like a dinosaur.

 

[fit_fairy]

RE: Do you have a

Maggie, that is too funny :7 :7
[font color= purple size=+3]Catherine[/font]

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[lesliew]

RE: Do you have a

Being a nurse my work uniform is scrubs. They completely suit my personality because I'm very casual and outdoorsy. Occasionally they'll have dress down day when you can wear street clothes to work, but there's no way I'll put on a pair of jeans because my scrubs are so comfortable.