Okay, people, here's a question:
Now that I'm director of a WGS Program, how important is it that I wear grown-up clothes to work?
On the one hand, I want to be myself, and I am usually most comfortable in jeans, some sort of slouchy top, and Birkenstocks or Chacos, depending on the weather. On the other hand, I want to be taken seriously as an administrator and colleague, a goal that may already be complicated by the fact that I'm young and female.
What do you all think?
10 years ago
11 comments:
kevin...
"fast-paced high-octane academic world"
????
interestingly, my verification word for this comment is "jickofh."
oh...
i wasn't thinking about "jickofh" in terms of you, kevin. i just thought it was funny.
w
I think if you were to show up to the office in say, pumps and a blazer, I would not know what to do with myself.
Please tell Kevin O'Mara that yes, closed-toe shoes can hurt.
Our office isn't that high-octane is it?
It's fun to get dressed up.
Hm. I'm torn. I really like Aaron's comment (at least I think A is Aaron). I also think there are ways to maintain your freedom, flexibility, and comfort, but also notch up your "professional" wear when needed (or overall) if you found things that you liked. Let's talk more.
my natural state of dress is comfortable jeans, crazy socks, birkenstock knock-offs, and a t-shirt or crazy hippy top. that's not the kind of dress that was expected for the job that i took...so i decided to do some shopping. to get stuff that looked professional, and yet was something that i could have fun with.
the result has been surprising. i've really liked getting comments on how cool my new wardrobe is. it's still not mainstream, but i certainly look at it as playing dress-up. although, i've never given up my crazy sock collection.
and i carry a hippy bag. and still no make-up.
i still think of jeans, tie-dye shirt, and braided pigtails as the real me, but the professional version of me where i'm doing a version of heather fashion has actually turned out to be fun.
real charleston sheeple don't wear closed toe shoes. no one. it's too hot, even in the wintery/rainy 65 degrees i had on open toed shoes today. okay - they were fake snakeskin heels - but still... open toe!
anyway, as a student i heart teachers who wear whatever the eff they want. makes you approachable, not distanced! :)
- The Marge.
I'm with Catherine and Heather--I think you can notch it up (particularly since you are the Director of a new program that you're trying to grow and you'll have to impress certain donors, old Cha'lston folks, deans, etc. for) and still be true to yourself. I can see you in some really cool, funky clothes that send the "I'm a professional grown-up" message while still saying "But I'm relaxed, approachable and way cooler than you." :-) Be yourself while impressing those you need to.
-deandra
This is some VERY interesting feedback.
Meghann and Kevin: I wouldn't characterize our office as high-octane. More like radical-feminist-Laverne-and-Shirley..
Cate, Deandra, and Heather: I hear you on the "professional but still funky" possibilities, although I have no sense of what that might look like for me. The problem is, I really need to avoid the 2nd wave feminist muu-muu/caftan look, but I don't really have other models of feministy dress up.
Perhaps I'll wear seersucker, in honor of Kenneth. Or I could dress as a coffee-stained Wookiee, in honor of Sneeeedge.
Which am I? Laverne? Shirley? SQUIGGY?
Please let me be him.
THANKS.
Luv the santa hat on the Deez!
Cate
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