EveryJoe » Business Dress

How Casual Is Casual For Women’s Dress Codes?

Bridget Wright — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:31:54 +0000

Women in the workplace have a challenge when it comes to how they should dress on causal days. There are many corporate companies who are adopting the policy of Casual Fridays where the employees can “dress down” and be comfortable for the day. My co-blogger put it so very eloquently when she wrote this post about how women dress of the “skanky” variety. While Kristen’s post is rather “interesting”, suffice it to say that it does raise a few questions that I have about casual dress days:

[photo: flickr.com]
1. Why are there separate dress codes, implied or intended, for women in the workplace? Do men have a problem going bare-armed?

2. If we are required to wear hosiery, why shouldn’t men be required to wear socks?

3. What exactly constitutes casual for the sexes? No tie? No coat? No denim? Who made the rules and who sets the bar?

When I worked in corporate America, I can remember very distinctly being told that street attire meant only what you would wear out to eat lunch with your friends on a Saturday afternoon. Well, being a young 20-something, to me that meant jeans, t-shirt and my Birkenstocks. But, as I found out later, that wasn’t what they meant by casual.

In addition to Kristen’s post, read this article that also gives a little insight on what other companies mean by their own version of casual day. Interesting stuff.

I’d like to hear what your version of casual day is. Do share.

Post from: EveryJoe

How Casual Is Casual For Women’s Dress Codes?

Thoroughly Modern Thursday: What We Wear to Work

Kristen King — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:00:29 +0000

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s noticed an increasingly casual trend in business dress. (Bridget posted on the less casual side of business attire yesterday.) This Gallup poll demonstrates that, in the US, only a minority of employees are wearing what used to be considered standard business attire.

How do you dress for work? I’m a bad example because I work from home, but when I attend meetings on site I wear slacks and a sweater or button-down shirt with heels or dressy flats or a skirt/dress with dress shoes or dress sandals. One of my neighbors, however, works in sweatpants in her office because that’s the norm — which blows my mind. What do you think about business dress today? Leave a comment.

Tags: women in busines, women and business, business advice for women, dressing for success, how to dress for work, what to wear to work, professional dress, biz chicks rule, kristen king

Post from: EveryJoe

Thoroughly Modern Thursday: What We Wear to Work

Professional Business Dress Wardrobe for Women in Business

Bridget Wright — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:44:22 +0000

Women in business for themselves or in executive level positions need to know how to REALLY dress. Some outfits that are appropriate for after hours may not be appropriate for the office. Knowing what to wear and when to wear it is very important in developing your business self-image.

Here is a video from Expert Village about appropriate business women dressing. Enjoy!

Post from: EveryJoe

Professional Business Dress Wardrobe for Women in Business

Only A Few Christmas Holiday Shopping Hours Left!!

Bridget Wright — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:29:24 +0000

Today is it folks. It’s crunch time. Basically, if all your Christmas shopping is not done, well, you know. Things just don’t look real good. If you can find any deals, anywhere, I say go for it. There are only a few hours left. Kristen made this post a few weeks back about some Liz Claiborne sweaters that looked pretty good. Doubtful if you can get your hands on these in time for tomorrow, but it’s worth looking into if you can find a Liz store near you.

It’s pretty much a given that all online shopping is is nixed for delivery by tomorrow, but there are still deals to be found for those after-Christmas sales. Don’t worry too much. I’m sure there’s something to be found. I’m planning on going shopping again Wednesday for those after-Christmas huge sales. That’s also when I plan to stock up on business dress clothes and office supplies for the upcoming year.

Never, ever, ever pass up a good deal. Good luck!

Post from: EveryJoe

Only A Few Christmas Holiday Shopping Hours Left!!

Dressing for Success When You’re Pregnant

Kristen King — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:00:05 +0000

Let’s face it: There are some HIDEOUS maternity clothes out there. But you, your boss, your coworkers, and your customers all have certain expectations for what’s appropriate dress in the office. Fortunately, it’s possible to look professional while you’re preggers.For fantastic fashions and accessories, pay a visit to these totally hip maternity retailers:

Perusing the selection, I loved these pieces. (Click the image for product info.) Don’t forget to look after the jump for more of my favorite picks!

Post from: EveryJoe

Dressing for Success When You’re Pregnant

Video Resumes: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Kristen King — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:07:27 +0000

I’ve been hearing a lot about video resumes the last couple of months, so I think it’s time we talk about them. But rather than engaging in a theoretical debate, let’s take a look at a few and see what we think. First, there’s some definite video resume etiquette just as there are expectations for traditional resumes:

So with that in mind, here’s an ad for a video resume service: VidRez.com

Honestly, the quality and content of this ad don’t exactly sent my heart all atwitter and convince me that this company can help me land my dream job. But hey, maybe I’m just biased toward print. Let’s take a look at some actual video resumes. Natalie, college junior:

Patricia Schuldenfrei, seeking new career in Florida:

Pia, recent grad and former pro athlete seeking sports reporter position:

Alaina M. Slempkes, social worker:

Jordasche, wannabe actress (Is this one a joke? I hope???):

Do you think these hopefuls avoided the three most common video resume errors?

Share your opinion on these resumes and video resumes in general: Leave a comment!

Tags: women and business, video resume, video resume service, youtube, job hunting

Post from: EveryJoe

Video Resumes: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Did You Dress Up Yesterday?

Kristen King — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:04:46 +0000

I’m not talking about a nice suit or snazzy new heels. I want to know if you wore a costume to work on Halloween, and if so, what you wore.

A friend who works in a bank told me that one year a colleague of hers came to work as Carrie, from the Stephen King book/movie. Carrie, drenched in fake blood. To wait on people as a teller. Um, no! Another friend who works in a publishing office said that her supervisor made costumes mandatory because there was a big meeting on Halloween and it would be “fun” if everyone was dressed up. So she went as the Wicked Witch of the West, green face and everything.

How much is too much? I think a witch’s hat and a stick-on mole are in a completely different category from full makeup and head-to-toe witch’s robes complete with broomstick, just like a pair of rabbit ears and some whiskers are different from a full bunny suit. To each his own, but what’s really appropriate for an office environment?

Personally, I’d vote for no costumes because I think they’re distracting and unprofessional in a business environment, and senior leadership would be fully within their rights to ban Halloween costumes in the office. But I don’t think they should — or even can, legally — mandate them.

What’s your opinion?

Post from: EveryJoe

Did You Dress Up Yesterday?

A dress…or pants?

Bridget Wright — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 03:21:49 +0000

Which do you wear for those “important” events?

I recently competed in a speaking contest with my local speaking club, Toastmaster’s International. This contest was a vie for the World’s Greatest Speaker, as per Toastmaster’s standards, and is highly competitive in the world of professional speaking. People who compete in the contest prepare for months, some even years, to win that coveted, lusted title as the greatest speaker in the world.

I had been preparing on the club level for weeks. I had sized up my competition, tweaked my speech and confidently decided that I had this contest “in the bag.” I had stage presence, eye contact and even humor woven into my speech to make this my chance to take this contest to a regional level. Only, I wasn’t dressed right.

As wonderful as my speech was, as powerful as I delivered it and as eloquent and articulate as I was…I lost. I came in second place to a gentlemen who was nice, but whose speech I thought was not nearly as chiseled as mine. I congratulated him, smiled and even had my photo made with him as the “runner up”. Needless to say, I am SO the sore loser. I pouted for weeks.

Weeks later, at another Toastmaster’s function, I was speaking with a fellow speaker friend of mine. I belayed to him my woes on how I had lost, how unfair the world was and how that contest should have been MINE. My friend listened carefully, nodding and graciously smiling/listening. He waited until I was finished as asked me very ‘matter-of-factly’, “what did you wear for the contest?” I thought, what does that have to do with anything? Well, being the fashionista (ha ha) that I am, I told him I wore a very smart dark olive green pantsuit with a white blouse and patent leather black pumps. I looked very corporate and business-like in my attire. Or, so I thought.

My friend replied that if I had worn a dress, perhaps I would have won.

Jim’s opinion was that females are responded to differently when they are in pants as opposed to a dress. He, being a hiring manager himself, said that all successful business-women use their femininity in business settings to work for them. He said, “Bridget, if you want to have an edge and win contests, wear a dress.” WEAR A DRESS! At first, I was appalled at the very idea that a dress over pants make that much of a difference in the business world as far as perceived intellignece and perceptions, but it did get me thinking. Would I have in fact won that contest had I worn a dress that day?

He suggested that if my material was as good as I said and I had worn a dress, the contest would have been mine. He challenged me to try it the next time I compete for a speaking title. While I have entertained the idea, I’d like to think we’re judged on our content more than our outer appearance. And well, there is another contest coming up that I was thinking of competing in.

What you think? Does what we wear make that much of a difference?

Post from: EveryJoe

A dress…or pants?