This morning I was forced to find clothes to wear to the office that did not include jeans. NO JEANS? WHAT ON EARTH WILL I WEAR?
The project team is going out after work for a little celebration with a dinner cruise on the bay. I've never been on one, and apparently neither have many of my co-workers as we were all shocked to be told of a dress code. A DRESS CODE! No Jeans, no shorts, no t-shirts. Pretty basic really, but I have sort of let things go a tad, and I haven't touched 90% of my wardrobe for at least 6 months because... most of it doesn't fit, and I've gotten lazy. Such the dilemma.
I do admit I've become a bit of a slob in my non-girly, I work in software so why do I need to wear anything fancier than jeans, a t-shirt and flip flops everyday sort of dressing, and it has been weighing heavy on my psyche. Giving up on one's looks, does not play well into a healthy self-esteem. Sure. Sure. I still spend way too much money on fancy hair care products and cuts and highlights, but I never do anything with it. I get out of the shower, brush it, and fly out the door with it wet. And rarely does any make-up land on my face even though I own the basics.
This morning my bedroom was suddenly covered in almost every item of clothing in my closet that wasn't a t-shirt or jeans. I tried on all of it. I settled on a cute outfit but then realized that I didn't have shoes to go with the skirt except flip flops. Darn. But amazingly... with the help of some "constricting" undergarments, I was able to wear a pair of black, stretchy cropped pants that I don't think look too stretched out, if you know what I mean. Throw on a pair of sandals that are work appropriate, and one of the 3 cute tops that I own and bam! Suddenly I feel like wearing make-up and pulling out the curling iron.
Though I have no money to shop (yea yea, money woes, who doesn't have them), I would like to find a way to start paying more attention to me without going on a shopping spree. I would like to remember that I am a girl. That although we say that looks don't matter, and that the work I produce speaks for itself, I really should dress a little nicer at work and in my everyday life. Show that I do care about how I present myself. Maybe it'll help me at work, and in my head.
5 comments:
I bet you can still wear jeans,t-shirts, and flip flops to work, just change your hair from up do's to down do's every couple and days and put on a little make up. That usually works for me. Pick one day a week when you'll wear a fancier outfit too. :)
If you start dressing up, people are going to think that you're looking for another job. :-)
Do I need to nominate you for "What Not To Wear", so you can get a whole new wardrobe?
Are you uncomfortable in the undergarment?
I remember when you would come to work with your hair all cute and curled and in cute clothes. Ah, the good old days. Most days, I can't be bothered either. But I'm trying.
You know, a fun lipgloss and some mascara can go a long way in helping the girlie factor without being a pain.
I used to work in a similar environment, although I have to say I never got tired of it because I would have to conduct interviews and training sessions every so often, and so never got into a total trend of always dressing down.
For years we could wear jeans to work (my mother was so displeased "dis is wha yuh wear to wuk, today?"
Anyway, about a year ago, we were told that no more jeans are to be worn to work. It was to be strictly business casual. Interesting how it made me feel a bit better to put some effort into my wardrobe. Some days I dislike getting dressed up, but most of the time, I like it. You should see me on the weekends, though...I'm a bum :)
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