But the comments kinda were. I didn’t read a ton of them, so maybe it got better, but there first few were harsh. Basically someone came in and tried to defend themselves, saying that a long tunic and leggings with boots was a really nice option for work wear in the Fall. Commenters basically said “You are wrong”.
I say,(Stephanie Tanner voice) “HOW RUDE”(/Stephanie Tanner voice)
First of all it’s really important to understand that there are many different types of office environments these days. There are the classic super corporate offices where one must wear closed toe shoes and nylons. There are “business casual “ offices. There are offices like mine, where the basic rule is look polished, look like you made an effort and look modest, and that about covers the dress code. So while there might be some basic “rules” I can get behind such as “cover your boobs up, don’t show your behind, and don’t wear wrinkled clothing” outside of that I think we have to remember that all office are NOT created equal, and we are NOT the boss of everyone else’s wardrobe choices.
That being said, as a result of reading that leggings are never, ever appropriate to wear to work, I wore not JUST leggings, but shiny leggings to work.
(My Blackberry makes a reappearance due to a very tight schedual!)
These shoes = OH SHINY! *magpies*
This necklace sacrificed itself to the greater good last night when I needed the chain for another project. Note to self: order chain today.
*I don’t remember what blog, honest I don’t, and I don’t think it matters because the point was not that the blog offended me, the comments did. So if YOU remember, don’t tell, OK? I am not looking to start a fight with a perfectly lovely blogger who was just trying to help the kids out with their office wear.
Tunic and belt, American Apparel
Leggings, Target
Sandals, Report via Zappos.com (fastest shipping EVER, am I right?)
Necklace, Love Erin Designs
Posts
28 comments:
I always enjoy seeing shiny leggings.
Too right, you! Rules are never hard and fast, ESPECIALLY style rules. And ganging up on someone for defending leggings at work is just infantile.
how fun! while i could never get away with open toes or shiny leggings at work i love that you can and you look every bit as polished and pulled together as you need to. we all know that the whole point of dressing appropriately for work is make yourself look competent, trustworthy, confident, and capable and you sure as hell do!
but i'm the same commenter who disagreed with you on plum tights to interviews and i still stand by that- i think interviews are a slightly different ball game from general work wear and even though i would never pretend to be something that i'm not at an interview
but ps- you should always do whatever feels most comfortable for you and i LOVE that you feel comfortable with your work wear, it speaks loads about your fun personality and confidence and we can all stand to learn something from that!
You're very right. There is no hard and fast rule that will apply to everyone. When I coached University students about their upcoming careers, one of the rules I always stood by was "know your company's culture." Do some research. Ask around. Talk to current employees if you can. Visit the place and see what they wear. I believe that goes for the interview as much as it does for your actual day-to-day garb.
My office is business professional. No sandals, no leggings, no visible tattoos larger than a credit card (which makes covering up my full back piece a bugger), no sleeveless tops, no t-shirts... you know the drill. I just think it's important to know.
You look great! I totally eyeballed some sandals on Zappos yesterday that are very similar to those. LOVE Zappos. Seriously. Fastest ever.
There's no way we could get away with a tunic and leggings at my office. I think it's totally dependent on context and where you work, what the dress code rules are, etc.
I think as a rule, leggings are a no. But not always.
My office is BUSINESS (it's a very conservative law firm), but I would feel perfectly comfortable wearing leggings with a dress. I think you're totally right in saying that all offices are different. There are definitely times when I feel I'm pushing the boundaries, but never once have I been told my clothing is inappropriate in any way. So yeah, as long as I look good and am nice to our clients, my boss seems fine with my sometimes less-than-conservative fashion choices.
Nicely done, E! You look gooood! Proof indeed that it's really not necessary to wear a suit and pumps to work every day to look professional!
Do we work in the same office?
Nah, in my office you can wear basically whatever, I'm wearing jeans as I type this (and slacking) and once this girl wore a see-through dress...with a thong! Everyone noticed, but no one said anything surprisingly. I'm trying to get used to the whole short shorts thing too. Some people have come in sporting them, I'm not too keen. However I work in the fashion industry and they do encourage us to dress how we like. For people to say things like "Not appropriate ever" is annoying!
I just read that blog this morning! I disagreed with a few other things as well. Anyway, you look awesome!
oo, shiny!
i've gotta say, i've rocked all sorts of things at my workplace -- jeans, leggings, clamdiggers, skirts, dresses, clown suits -- okay, well maybe not clown suits -- and nobody bats an eye. i'm going to say it totally depends on the culture of the workplace.
also, that is the downside to some members of the blogosphere, unfortunately -- anonymity seems to give people the chutzpah to say all kinds of mean things they'd never say in real life.
Shiny leggings, you just wanted to be noticed ;)
Love those sandals WOW
You are so SO right...there are many different types of "office" environments out there and rules are never hard and fast. You rock your leggings!
You are right! It depends on your office environment! I work in a business casual office. I have seen a co-worker wear a tunic, leggings and flats once. She looked cute and proffession for our office!
i don't love leggings, especially when worn as pants without a bum-covering top, but if you can rock 'em (and you do, well), more power to you. i wear flip-flops and way too much cleavage and kind-of ratty jeans and exposed giant tattoos because i work in an academic environment and our CEO sometimes wears slippers. no need to judge (says the girl who just posted about trends she thinks should never ever be worn, haha)
I think I sent you to THAT blog. Sorry!
I think you have to understand that "what not to wear" lists are usually targeted at very mainstream, conservative readers. I'd say you are more alternative an edgy. (Which I LOVE, by the way!)
Personally, I kind of hate "what not to wear" lists because they are full of so much hate. How about a list of "10 things you should totally wear out in public during your lifetime?" With items on it like a tutu, fairy wings, and a studded collar?
I need to go back and check out the comments on THAT blog. Because now I'm curious, even though I'm sure they will be mostly hateful.
I read that post too and was equally annoyed with some of the 'rules' for the same reasons you were. It also said no sequins at work, which is a load of crap in my opinion, because even in a conservative office environment I think anyone can make a little sparkle look professional.
I'm sort of tempted to try to rock ALL of the things on that list just as an F.U. to the poster, although some of the things on there are so tacky/slutty that I wouldn't wear them EVER, let alone at the office.
I like when you wear those leggings. They look like the hide of a futuristic animal.
Ah ha ha, greatest comment ever, Bill!
I was going to bring up the plum tights post too. I remember most of the people who commented telling you you CAN'T wear those to an interview! There just isn't a cut-and-dry across-the-board rule like that. Advice or generalizations are one thing, but to say NEVER is just dumb.
Anyway, I love love love the shiny leggings! Great shoes too--they're very unique (are they leather?)!
I read that post too, and I think the thing is, many (and by that, I mean most) people tend to wear leggings...wrong. Or at least, in such an unflattering way that it is clearly inappropriate for office environments, even casual ones. For example, leggings that are see-through or ripped in unbecoming places or are all lace, worn WITHOUT A TUNIC/BUTT-COVERING THING would most likely be NOT okay in an office environment. I would even venture to say, that's not really okay in real life either, but people do do that. And I think that's what the blogger was getting at.
You look very classy though. I wish I had the nerve to pull off shiny leggings. Mine are silver and are currently stuck in the bottom of a drawer somewhere at home because I can't day-ify it.
Having worked in the arts for the past few years (managing director for a ballet company) We can wear just about anything that looks polished and professional. No one cares if you are wearing leggings when most of the people in the building are in sweaty tights and leotards or glittery tutus. It is also the only job I have had that I can wear a tiara and no one blinks :)
I think D'Et said it best: "know your company's culture", because one thing I realized working where I currently do is that culture definitely isn't static. When I started working, there was a dress code that was to followed to the letter of the law. Four years later, with the exception of the woman that wore a sports bra and spanx around the office, no one has been called out for their appearance, not because they've all agreed to tow the line, but because there have been changes, everywhere from personnel to day to day duties, that have resulted in a more relaxed atmosphere, and a more relaxed dress code.
You look awesome! I have that same tunic and was just about to give it to Goodwill because it seems so short as a dress now. You've inspired me to try it with leggings before I let it go forever! Thank!
I am not a fan of getting lectured or the "never ever" rules either. I think in more creative fields and more casual offices, leggings would work. Way to show them!
I wore leggings to work today before reading this post. I always wear tall boots when I'm wearing leggings to work.
Rock those shiny leggings, sista!
People wear jeans and t-shirts to work everyday at my office (it's a tech company). Leggings and a tunic are totally appropriate, if not above the curve in terms of the average dresser in this place. I plan on wearing some myself once the unbearable Texas heat subsides.
I rock the leggings at work all summer long ... it's hot down here in Georgia, and I don't like to go without anything on my legs. Leggings paired with nice skirts or dresses and polished sandals are chic!
i LUB those sandals.
I followed the same link and I too found the comments very judge-y and very timid, style-wise. I agree with you that it depends on your office! And you look smashing.
Post a Comment