What Not to Wear (to Work)
By Susan Mercedes. Filed in Family, Work |
My kid is amazing. She has a talent of making snap decisions about really tough things. Like which earrings look better. Or which shoes I should wear.
So, like most mornings, I needed her opinion as I was racing out the door for work.
Me: Does this blouse show too much for work?
Elle: No mom. It looks fine.
Me: [kneeling down so my cleavage was at Elle's eye level] Are you sure?
Elle: Yes mom. You look cute.
As a female with a rack, what I see when looking down always looks more revealing than the view from the front.
So we left the house.
Once I got to the office, I caught a glimpse of this shirt in a reflection. Here’s what I saw:
Either my kid was in a rush and wanted to get to school, thought I changed professions or needs glasses.
I’m completely thankful for safety pins. This one saved my career. Or at least, my reputation. (But probably ruined my reputation of having a little style.)
Monday, September 14th 2009 at 8:47 pm
I liked the first version. But, I’m always inappropriate and didn’t survive in the corporate world.
Susan Mercedes Reply:
September 16th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Don: I like the first version too, but just not for work. Corporate world can be kind of stuffy. Clearly safety pins help me fit in.
Tuesday, September 15th 2009 at 7:31 am
Or it’s a case of generational appropriateness relativism? o_O
Susan Mercedes Reply:
September 16th, 2009 at 7:29 am
chrisD: I think you’re right. But if I see her sporting a low cut blouse for her grade school recital…she’s grounded!
Tuesday, September 15th 2009 at 10:49 am
I don’t know, the first one seems more business appropriate because it looks like a nice place to store your pens.
Susan Mercedes Reply:
September 16th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Jeeb Ro: Boy, did I see another word in your comment. I was about to yell at you and tell you I stored those in my bedside drawer.
Tuesday, September 15th 2009 at 2:53 pm
I work from home so I don’t get to dress up. I’m usually stuck in a robe until my lunch break. But that is a cute blouse.
Susan Mercedes Reply:
September 16th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Brandy: I’d have a hard time working from home because I love to get dressed up for work. If I did though, I’d probably have way too many robes for variety. Thanks for the “cute blouse” comment.
Wednesday, September 16th 2009 at 9:47 am
I got in trouble once for wearing a skirt…another employee was all, “THAT’S MAKING MY CLIENTS UNCOMFORTABLE.”
Then tell your clients to slap on a pair of blinders and mind their own business….is what I WANTED to say…
Instead, I just stopped wearing skirts.
Susan Mercedes Reply:
September 19th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Jessica: If I were in your “skirt”, I would have just changed the dress code. Well, because I can. Being HR and all.