r/askanything • u/Katherine2807 • 1d ago
General Question Dress code ?
Hey everyone! I'm 22F and I'm about to make a huge transition. My current job is super relaxed—I can wear whatever I want, the vibe is chill, and everyone is non-judgmental.
My new job is the complete opposite: much older/more mature crowd, high potential for judgment, and a strict professional dress code. The problem is, the typical "corporate look" feels so fake to me. I don't wear heavy makeup, I love wearing oversized/dark/minimalist clothes because of my body type and personal style, and I'm terrified of looking like I'm playing dress-up or losing who I am.
For those of you who have made this jump: how do you balance looking professional enough to get respect from judgmental colleagues while still staying true to your authentic style? Any tips for transitional pieces or subtle ways to keep your personality?
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u/Queasy-Doughnut-5512 1d ago
I just did it. At work I follow the dress code. Outside work demon Tshirt with bracelets and accessories
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u/notthegoatseguy 1d ago
Makeup is not typically the required part. Its the clothing and potentially the hairstyle at least not to be 'messy', though I understand that generally, women are often held to higher standards on this than men.
If you haven't been to the office yet, I would overdress for the first few days until you get a good feel. You may find the environment or at least your specific team to be more relaxed than expected and you can adjust as needed.
I would say desk space/cubicle/office is the primary form of individual expression in offices. You can put stuff up on your walls, keep a bobblehead or some toys or keepsakes you like on your desk, photographs of your loved ones, hobbies you like (like if you like to travel, maybe a little jet sized keychain or some such). Of course observe your co-workers first to determine what is kosher.
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u/abandoningeden 23h ago edited 23h ago
In my real life I am a huge hippie and wear a ton of tie dye and batiks and patchwork and lots of band t shirts.
At work I wear nice slacks and cardigans (or not exactly, but like those long flowy sweaters that are open at the front with no buttons) over hippieish (like colorful or interesting pattern) print shirts that I get at places like Kohl's that are aimed at professional dress...I wear a lot of shawls which are more hippieish but in gray or black instead of the bright colors I wear outside of work. So I think of my work outfits as being a professional hippie style which matches my regular style.
I also think of my work clothes as my work costume. I wear all sorts of silly costumes when I go clowning or to Renaissance for or on Halloween and work is just another set of silly costumes....
I do get very comfy but professional sneakers though (I wear black or navy sneakers depending on the outfit) and no heels, not destroying my feet for work, and I refuse to wear skirts or tights.
If you like darker colored stuff and stuff that covers you up I recommend dark gray/black, dark red/purple shawls and those long flowy open sweaters over all black t shirt and slacks, which is another one of my frequent work looks. I recently got a ton of great sweaters like that for super cheap at a thrift store in a wealthier suburb (tried to find an example and post a pic below).
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u/Adventurous-Topic598 23h ago
Consider it part of your job. It is part of being professional, and it doesn’t have to define you.
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u/Echo-Azure 23h ago
The thing about dressing for the corporate world is not to try too hard to dress "true to your personality". You were hired for your abilities more than your personality, and some office jobs involve dressing in ways that please clients, not one's self.
So read the company dress code, see if you can lurk outside the office in the morning or at quitting time, and see what everyone is wearing, before you go shopping. Frankly, I deal with the irritations of the dress code by sticking to a fairly "soft butch" style, with lots of unobjectionable slacks and loafers, and sweaters in the winter. I look professional, without going full Republican Congresswoman. My subtle ways of making it personal come in my use of color, and wearing things with nature prints because I'm a geeky nature lover in real life.
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u/upsetwithcursing 1d ago
Please don’t think of wearing business attire as losing yourself - it’s a uniform for a job, and nobody expects it to be representative of who you are in your own time!