Dressing for the part!

CluelessGirl

Hey Ladies.

I finally got an interview so now I am wondering what the great ladies of the lounge are wearing to work/the office these days.

I usually go for the black trousers/white blouse look but I want something more fun and summery.

It got me thinking on how important dressing properly for work really is and do you ladies put much emphasis into it.

I would usually spend 45 mins getting ready for work but then I see some ladies on the bus and you would swear they were up since 5.00am getting ready!

Do you think it is more important to look good or feel comfortable?

gargleblaster

For work, and even moreso for an interview, it's far more important to look professional. This of course depends on the job for which you're being interviewed.

Wibbs

You'll get a better spread of answers here I reckon.

CluelessGirl

Wibbs wrote: »

You'll get a better spread of answers here I reckon.

Any chance you can leave me in the Ladies Lounge?

I am really interested to know how women feel about dressing for work.

I don't think the same women I want to comment go into the fashion forum.

But thanks for helping me.

dudara

45 mins! Wow. I'd say that I spend 10-15 mins. For me, I save time by having a good wardrobe to choose from and by keeping makeup/styling to an acceptable minimum.

I work in a professional services company and my services are sold to clients on an hourly/daily basis. We're expected to be polished and professional, but we are allowed the freedom of dressing to match our clients. The rule of thumb is to be one step above the client.

Over the last few years, I've built up a good wardrobe of shift dresses, smart skirts, suits and colourful tops. With this, I can mix and match quite quickly and easily. My shoes are high quality (shoes are a big indicator of how put together someone is) and I currently use a black & brown leather Vivienne Westwood handbag so I'm assured that my handbag is smart and chic.

I also wear lots of 50s-style dresses, with little cardigans or bracelet-sleeved jackets.

Another aspect to my preparation is keeping my hair well cut and I usually wear it up. I might spend a few minutes in the morning to smooth out my fringe and any stray hairs with the straighteners, but I wouldn't spend ages on it, as I have quite thick hair. Make up is a quick lick of Lancome foundation, MAC eyeshadow and Max Factor mascara. I wear enough makeup to even skintone and look smooth, too much makeup wouldn't be acceptable. I use the MAC eyeshadows to give myself that boost of colour.

Although I'm often expected to be suited and booted, I won't sacrifice this for style and a bit of colour. I regularly wear Irregular Choice and Harlot shoes to the office/client but I've chosen them so that they work with my style, rather than stand out. I've also bought silk tops in different jewel colours - they are loose and comfortable but look great and deliver colour.

I love shoes, but when it comes to work (as well as personal life), I won't wear stilettos (or thin-heeled shoes) or pointy toes. Both are uncomfortable as well as looking poor in a professional setting.

So to answer, your final question, I think it's a combination of both looking good and feeling comfortable.

CluelessGirl

Thanks for the post dudara.

This time around if I get the job I want to make more of an effort and give up the cheap work gear!

A long term investment in nice cloths will be worth it.

I was unsure really what was suitable to wear but you have given me some ideas.

I guess ladies do take more of an interest in their work clobber than what I thought.

I wonder does everyone think this way or would women still prefer the cheapo cloths?

lainey316

I generally wear dresses to work - some are expensive, some are much more reasonable. None are 'cheapo' For first meetings I'd generally wear a suit but would be more flexible once we're onsite for a while, but it depends on the client

I'd almost always wear heels in the office, unlike dudara most of my work shoes are stilettos but it just seems to be the thing in our office. I don't walk in in them - too slow - but have no comfort issues with them.

I'd make 'an effort' to an extent every day, and yes, bed to door is 45 minutes to an hour (bad day) tho if I don't wash my hair it's more like 25.

That said tomorrow being Friday I'll probably wear jeans. In our own office I take casual Friday very seriously

For summer, a nice dress and a fitted jacket/blazer - you can't go wrong really.

dudara

I just want to add that I'm not super-wealthy and spend loads of money on my work wardrobe. I'm a real bargain hunter and buy most of my work gear in sales.

The main reason I have a good wardrobe is because I've been doing this for about 5 years and I've built up a good collection. Next sales can be good for finds, as can Debenhams etc. When I was starting out, Penney's used to throw up bargains occasionally (as long as you stay away from the polyester suits, they occasionally have nice natural fibre suits).

I look at it as follows - I spend over half my week in work clothes. So it's worth caring about what you wear to work and making sure that you choose it as carefully as the clothes you wear in your own time. Make it reflect your personality.

CluelessGirl

Thanks for the posts.

Going shopping tomorrow!

Fingers crossed I will find something!

Thanks for the advice.

SerialComplaint

CluelessGirl wrote: »

Hey Ladies.

I finally got an interview so now I am wondering what the great ladies of the lounge are wearing to work/the office these days.

Best of luck with the interview. Don't forget to prep for what you are going to say, not just what you look like.