I thought I would share just a few of the questions + answers...
My typical "Casual Friday" look...
This question really gets to the heart of why I started my blog! As an event planner for nearly seven years, my clothing and appearance was critical to my business success. If I can’t look pulled together and stylish, why would a CEO hire me to make his company’s party pulled together and stylish?
Now that I’m a school psychologist, I try to bring that same approach to fashion into my workplace. Kids see that I put thought, effort and personality into my style and they comment on it nearly every day. Schools are overflowing with teachers sporting Crocs with socks, tied-dyed t-shirts and ill-fitting baggy jeans. I want to help transform this ideology that “if you work with kids you have a free pass to look sloppy.” Professional and polished doesn’t mean uncomfortable and impractical. Can it be limiting when you work with kids? Absolutely. Is it possible to be fashionable while working with kids? Absolutely.
What do you think is the most common mistake women make when dressing for the office?
Here are my top offenses:
- Showing cleavage
- Not paying attention to fit. Too tight and you look inappropriate. Too baggy and you look sloppy. A good tailor is critical.
- Celebrating Casual Friday on Tuesday.
On your blog, you do a lot of incorporating trends into work wear (neon, mixing prints, etc.) Do you think any trend, if done correctly, can be translated to work wear?
Unless you work in fashion or in a very liberal work environment, the answer is no! Please don’t introduce colored hair tips to your law firm or fabric cut outs to your accounting office. There are some trends that should be labeled “Weekend Only!”
Go HERE to read the full interview!
So I would love to hear what YOU think!
- Do you agree that certain trends should stay OUT of the workplace?
- What about common office dress mistakes? Does anyone at your work rock the ample cleavage daily? :)
XO - Marion
PS - Starting next week I'll be sharing a few of my "comfortable and reasonable" shoe + clothing picks. I can't always play duck-duck-goose in high heels :)
And be sure to join us next Wednesday for the "Trend of the Month Challenge!"
Click HERE for more information.
48 comments:
I think you've got it right! Cleavage is a big no no in the office. In my profession (attorney), I think it is important to still be polished. Especially as a young attorney, I find struggle in trying to dress how I want but not going over the top so I can still be respected in the profession.
Maria
Dainty and Decadent
Congrats on the interview Marion! And I do agree that certain trends are NOT office appropriate. I'm still in college, but during my internship I learned fast about the go's and no-go's of office fashion :) It was really challenging for me as a student to start dressing for an ofice enviroment! x
awesome interview! i definitely agree that some trends should stay outside of the office, unless you are lucky enough to work in fashion :)
xoxo,
Fashion Fractions
congrats on your interview!
i think you always look very chic, polished and totally appropriate for your position!
i'm lucky that in my job, we don't have to get dressed up at all. some people even roll in in sweats, but i will never do that. just bc i dont have to get dressed up doesnt mean that i condone looking sloppy, it just allows me to wear more fun, non-business looks!
xoxo, jillian
http://just-jillian.blogspot.com
Great interview! I couldn't agree more. My big pet peeve in my office (in addition to the abundance of cleavage- bad!) is the causal Friday sweatsuit. Don't get me wrong, I love a comfy set of sweats but I am a firm believer that there is a time and a place for a sweatsuit (the gym or home or possibly errands on the weekend). There are many people in my office that put too much emphasis on the "suit" portion of the description. Just because the top and bottom match doesn't make it a work appropriate "suit". I'd fall over if I saw Crocs... I really do believe that how we look on the outside is a projection of how we feel on the inside. And when no effort is made it leaves a lasting impression in any arena.
What a great interview! I totally agree with your office offences! I have one co-worker, in her 40's, who shows so much cleavage every day. It's so inappropriate. The other day, she actually wore a sundress, with spaghetti straps and NO BRA!!! Mind you, you could tell the dress had cups in it, but I don't know if that makes it better or worse.
xo Jenny
www.crazystylelove.com
I love your answers Marion! I think we share a very similar philosophy!
Totally agree with your offenses! Oh and I also cringe when I see people wearing LEGGINGS with like a tunic. A) inappropriate B) its NOT 2007! LOL
Amberly D'Anna
www.asliceofglam.com
Oh yes - TOTALLY agree with your top offenses. I would just have to add one more though: leggings at work. NOT okay! Ever.
I cannot even tell you how much I love this outfit. Wish I had these pieces in my closet - you've got awesome style!
Sarah
smalltowncatwalk.blogspot.ca
"Celebrating casual Friday on a Tuesday" - guilty as charged, especially in the summer and with coloured denim. Ooops!
Leggings are a big problem at my work, so I'd like to add another vote against them!
Maja - clotheskinksandcurls.blogspot.ca
I agree with you! I'm a teacher and I feel like stereotypically teachers have no style! Even though we work with children I think it's important to look professional and show our style : )
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
what a great topic! I work at a very conservative medical institution, with a tight dress code- pantyhose and all. that's right, pantyhose in FLORIDA. it's frustrating but necessary. I have a hard time 'being me' in a sea of navy pant suits. I love your blog has tips for us professional gals, we all aren't moms!
While I agree with many of your comments, I don't agree with the idea of it being a no-no to encorporate style trends into your work outfits. My rule of thumb over the years has been to choose only one item to add and keep the rest classic.
For example, take neon. I would keep the outfit very classic but I might add a scarf, shoe, or purse in a neon. If you choose a purse for the item, the purse should be small--not a large tote.
P.S. I wrote about it on my blog on June 11th.
Cheers,
Tammy of "Walking in Pretty Shoes"
Enjoyed the article. America has become too casual these days. Few people make an effort to really dress anymore for any event, work, church or social. Teachers can be the worst concerning work wear. Some of the students have no other example before them but a teacher. Dress speaks volumes to these youngsters! Keep up the good work!
Congrats on your interview!!
I believe it all depends on the work environment you're in and gauge what is acceptable. I do agree that too sexy or revealing clothing is always an offense in any workplace. Just because you work in a casual setting, it doesn't mean you don't have to practice being professional.
I work in a very casual and small office and everyday can be casual Friday. LOL. But I do have fun with my clothes since where else would I wear my skirts and blazers? I don't wear a suit ever but I do dress like a librarian one day and an intern the next. LOL.
Most of my office belongs on What Not to Wear and should be arrested by the fashion police. You name it and I've probably seen it in my workplace. The worst is the cleavage, see through tops, and MIDRIFFS showing (this particular offender is a grandmother).
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Enter my Daisy Rae giveaway!
I have always dressed by this rule..."dress for the job you want, not the job you have..."
Many people start at the bottom of the company, organization, etc. and work their way up...with the above rule in mind, and an idea of where you want your career to go, I think you have a strong guiding principle of how you should dress.
And I never think cleavage and short, short skirts are appropriate in a traditional work environment.
Love your answers to these questions. Great job!
Congrats on the interview, Marion!
random question--where are the blazer, striped shirt, and jeans from in the first picture? I love them all together and wanted to know where I should look for something similar?
Thanks and keep up the amazing fashion :)
xoxo
Jaime
@ everyone - Oh my gosh...LOVING your comments today!! So many great observations and takes on the topic. Thank you so much for taking the time!
XO - Marion
@ Tammy - I am actually 100% in agreement with you! I love incorporating trends at work (hence the neon top photo). I just think there are some trends that aren't appropriate for certain work environments. But much of that depends on where you work! :)
XO - Marion
Loved this post. I don't work outside my home, but i am a big advocate of dressing appropriately where ever you are. Can I tell you how much I loved every single outfit, especially the first one.
Creamy
JUST SAY NO! ... to cleavage in the office. awesome post and interview, marion!
This interview is awesome! I am a teacher and totally agree with the whole "polished not sloppy" concept. Thanks for the helpful read!
http://hellonheelshon.com/
.thanks for sharing
This is a really great post and interview! I agree with these tips and it can be hard to incorporate trends into work appropriately, but it can be done! (besides cutouts and colorful hair tips). Everyone at my work dresses pretty casually but I usually mix patterns, colors and layer to keep my work wardrobe mixed up! And I love casual Fridays!
xoxo,
Rachel
Rachel’s Lookbook
The first outfit is amazing, love it! ♥ You look fantastic. :)
xx
Great interview! I love this topic and could talk about it for hours - I see so many of the same poor choices working for a large corporation. There is definitely a lot of inappropriate cleavage, and a surprising amount of dresses/skirts that are far too short for the office (like beach cover-up short!). On the flipside, there is SO much dowdiness too - you can tell that some people haven't updated their wardrobes since the 80s!
I agree!! I'm a teacher and sometimes wish there was a dress code to prevent crocs, ill fitting clothing, t-shirts and track suits from showing up on teachers. I do my best to always dress cute and very work appropriate. You are right, the kids notice and love it! I've even had parents comment that I dress so professionally and take my job seriously :)
Yes! I agree with your showing cleavage and not paying attention to fit, I for sure thing some women are like that. Its funny you mention tuesdyas because my office is "dress down Tuesdays and Fridays" I have dressed down on Tuesday once and felt so out of it I never did it again. Some so awarding waiting to Friday to wear a pair of jeans to work. OH and I love this outfit. :)
Sara
http://seventwentysomethings.blogspot.com
Love your blog! Has anyone told you, you look like Cindy Crawford? Btw, your beagles are adooorable :)
@ everyone - SO loving all the great comments today! I love that I'm not the only one who likes this topic :)
@ Chelsea - You are too sweet. And I have received that compliment more than once...I TOTALLY don't see it but I certainly appreciate it! xo
XO - Marion
i LOVE that you put effort into your appearance and that the kids no that. Such a great example!
Marion,I Loved the article, and couldn't agree more! I don't understand why some people can't care less about their image!One time somebody answer me.. "because I don't think with my clothes?!..." which I agree but they don't understand that the whole image of a person has a direct impact on his/her professional career. My hubbie is a Software Engineer and he has always cared about image and dressing accordingly(specially when you are a VP in the company), and I'm being specific mentioning his profession because softwaree engineeres have this "bad reputation" of dress terribly!!(well earned by some of them) Only because they are "creative minds" they think they have the right?It's sad to see on casual Fridays people wearing ragged jeans, horrible T-shirts, flip flops!!!!????? ZERO formality!
VERY SAD!! But even more sad that some big software companies promote among it's own personnel
to wear PJ's to work if you feel like! That is a NO, NO!!
It feels so good to express yourself through nice clothes, nice colors, projecting harmony and, why not, feeling pretty or good looking!
Great tips! My day job is also at a school & I see a lot of crocs & baggy denim jumpers! Dressing stylishly & work appropriate can go hand in hand!
Love this! As a teacher I see all the spectrums from sloppy to street walker and I totally believe you can be stylish, appropriate, professional, and comfortable but it just takes a little extra effort. Glad to see there are others with my same mindset! Awesome post!
Oooh I really love that first outfit! I haven't seen too many light gray blazers. I'm super inspired, I'm about to Pin you! :D
Julia
Cup of Tea
How fun to be interviewed! Sounds like you did a great job with the answers. I lvoe that you keep a high standard of fashion even working at a school. It is inspiring to me :)
I cannot stand when women wear miniskirts, 6 inch stilettos and show cleavage in the office. It is unprofessional and distracting.
I prefer more modest hemlines and necklines, personally, because I want people to focus on my work not my outfit. Having said that, I do write a personal style blog so obviously i want to look cute---but you can still look great and ladylike at the same time :)
You mention some really good tips and I like your honesty. Unfortunately some things just aren't appropriate for the office.
I added you on all your platforms. I'm on all those too in addition to Tumbler. Glad to have found you and I look forward to seeing more of your blog!
xo
nic
mymannersandmoxie.com
Yes cleavage is a big no no - why do some people want to show them at work is beyond me.
Another big no no for me...is too short hem lines or very tight fighting dresses that are meant for a night club.
It's amazing what some think are work appropriate.
Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com
I just found your blog today and I'm so excited to see that someone can look so polished and stylish while working with children! I work in community-based early childhood mental health, so I have to plan each outfit knowing that my day will most likely include finger-painting, play-doh, a trip to the playground, time playing on the sticky floor of an apartment without air conditioning with a drooly 18 month old who may have a leaky diaper, then to a chilly staff meeting back at the office...then maybe out to meet a friend or my husband for dinner. It's definitely a challenge; I'll be reading your blog for tips!
Great interview. You made some great points. I think it's important for women to recognize they can be fashionable at work. They just need to wear the trends appropriately for their environment.
Meredith
createthatoutfit.com
I love the striped top! Great interview!
www.daisyraeboutique.com
www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
Really love this. My husband is new to the work field and landed a really wonderful corporate job. It took me months to get him to understand how big of a difference his appearance makes in the workplace. There is a lot to be said for dressing well and having fun with what you wear.
First off, I am a 33 y.o. RN who is trying to make the move out of jeans & t's on my days off. I totally agree with what you said about people that work with children. I was recently reading the local paper during a visit to my mother's. I had to ask her which one was the teacher because everyone in the picture had on t's/hoodies & jeans & sneakers. I just could not believe that I had to ask my mom to distinguish. I think teacher's set an example for young people & they should have pride in the way they dress.
Thanks for your blog, it's helping me with my goal since I am crazily fashion impaired (:
I often struggle with what to wear to work. I work with 5-7 year olds all day. Sometimes I want to wear my really cute heels but quickly decide against it for fear of falling flat on my face. On the other hand, I hate wearing flats all the time. I'm stuck in a rut!
http://thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com
This is the perfect interview outfit. It's classy and professional, but not stuffy and boring. Love it. You look just beautiful! workwear
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