(no subject)

[mogwai_do]

Had a chat with the uni line manager today - fairly positive - plus she can see what the academics can't, which is that there needs to be a 3rd person in the office to ensure proper coverage and to take up my colleague's slack. Maybe if she discovers she has competition, her attitude will change - don't know, but it's actually almost irrelevant at this point. We need a 3rd a person. End of. So that's progress of a sort I think and things are likely to start shifting towards the end of this month and into September in terms of roles, job title, etc.

However, something also came up in the meeting, which had been on the periphery of my attention for a while - largely because the main part of my attention has been entirely taken up with getting the job done.

Peeps of my acquaintance in stakeholder-facing roles (not customer - entirely different in case anyone's confused), particularly les femmes, what are your opinions on the whole dress-for-the-job-you-want/how-you-want-to-be-seen thing? Yes/no? Is it worth investing some not entirely ready cash in it? Does it help?

For the last however many years, my standard has been casual office-wear - so shirts sometimes, sweaters, long skirts, suit trousers, etc. It's all been getting rather worn due to finances and the abysmal state of the fashion industry in catering to an unfashionable shape (thanks whoever it was who decided everything must be empire-line or smocks, they really don't help someone 5'2 and broad). This year as things have progressed at work (and fashion finally cooperating) I've been buying assorted bits and pieces that are a bit more... formal - few more shirts, a pencil skirt. Is it worth me investing in this? Any dos/don'ts? Any must-have items?

Is it something that helps? In both an internal and external perception sense?

Comments

[lferion]

My situation isn't quite the same -- I'm going to have to invest in Interview Garb (which is, in my opinion, a fairly specific costume, in the sense that it is definitely about giving the right impression, and little to do with who I am or anything like that). That said, classic 'business formal/semi-formal' is probably worth spending a little energy on. I'll let you know how it works for me.

[mogwai_do]

Yeah, interviews are different. I think I need something that I'm comfortable in (psychologically and physically), but that is a step up on all fronts probably.

How are the interview-type things going?

[lastrega]

FWIW, I think it's worth investing in good workwear and presenting yourself as you want to be seen. Right or wrong, your professionalism does get judged in part on how you look. It's probably a good idea to aim for the same level of dressiness as the women above you in the hierarchy without copying their look too closely. Just go for the vibe.

As for must-have pieces, I'd say: a good jacket or blazer (preferably black to start with, not too long or too boxy), some trousers in a cut that suits you, a couple of skirts, and a dress or two (try a wrap style). Good shoes (not overly high) in good repair are as important as anything else you wear. Well-made clothes in quality fabrics will last longer, so on a cost per wear basis often aren't quite as expensive as they seem.

[mogwai_do]

Thanks :)

I think, based on where I've been tending with my most recent purchases, then I'm probably aiming about right re: more senior women, though my personal style seems a bit more... formal? i.e. short-ish pencil skirt with a neat, tucked in shirt (not blouse) with rolled up sleeves and not a cleavage-gaping neckline; trousers with a neat, fairly snug sweater, usually a high neck.

I've been looking for some dresses, but haven't found a wrap-style that fits well, though I've found a couple I liked, I think I'm too short in the body that there's not a lot of room for error in the cut and it ends up being far too low in the front or making me look oddly blocky.

Trousers I do better with, but again it's finding a petite fit. I wonder if my Savile Row sister in law can help with that... despite the baby :)

It looks like I should probably invest in a good jacket and I would really like some more shoes - I have a great pair of DM mary janes with a 2-3" heel that I can wear all day easily and look smart, but they're really the only pair, so I need to find some others as well I think.

I think, based on this complete ramble, I need to move up a price bracket for my work clothes, however much it doesn't feel like I can afford it, the cheaper end of the scale doesn't have the requisite fit and hopefully the better quality will be the trade-off and give them some longevity.

I shall head out in the next half hour and see what I can see in wilds of Newcastle. I haven't even touched on the make-up question as that's really horrifying ;)

[lastrega]

It's hard when you're a non-standard fit, but there's always the option of having things tailored to fit you, which as a shorty, is probably going to be your best way of getting a good fit. As for the 'blockiness' problem (which I completely empathise with - even when I was thin I never had a waist) you could try experimenting with belts of different widths (try a really narrow one) to give you a bit more shape with a dress. I really like this look as a dress option for work, with a shorter jacket or cardigan it looks great.

[mogwai_do]

Thanks. I went forth and shopped. No luck with blazers 9no petite fittings so all the darts were in the wrong places, looked awful) or shoes, but I got a pair of trousers that fit well and should go with most of my shirts and sweaters (black and white dogtooth, look a bit tweed-like, but aren't) and a just-above-the-knee straight navy dress, very plain (there's a pattern in the fabric but that's all), but I've got a few belts that should go with it and a cardigan I'm hoping will. I think for the most part it's going to be a case of keeping my eyes open and if I see something that fits the requirements, just grabbing it without wincing too hard at the price.

I think I have enough at the moment to see me through for a while - short-term the appearance demands aren't too high, 2014 will be another matter most likely. I'd be happier with another pair of decent smart shoes and a jacket of some kind, but I think I'll just have to keep my eye out.

[evilawyer]

I think it does, even these days. Going for a look that says "professional" in your line of work shows you take your role, those with whom you interact and, most importantly, yourself, seriously. Stay away from anything low cut. Also away from excessively frilly or ruffled. I'm not being prudish on the low cut thing, although I am probably a bit prudish about it. No, it's that there's nothing like spending all your time trying to pull your shirt together, which is what you usually end up doing because your at work and the comfort zone isn't the same as the beach where a bikini-sized breast covering is fine. Without discussing gender politics, really lacy frills tend to be be made of dry-clean only stuff, and they pick up everything so you end up spending a fortune on dry cleaning. Ruffles (big ruffly fabric as opposed to lacy frills) scream "Hippy Chick Wannabe," which no one takes seriously even when they know you are brilliant.

I find I always feel a little more sharp and on if I'm wearing a tailored jacket (a blazer is what we call them here). It might be a hold over from the old days when I would have to suit up to go into battle, but it always helps me. Not that I always feel the need to be performing, but when I have to, it helps.

[mogwai_do]

I don't do frilly and ruffled at the best of times ;) Quite aside from the fact it does my build no favours it's really not my aesthetic ;)

I'm not sure a blazer may not be a step too far... maybe if I can find a sort of semi-casual one...

Thanks :)