Wednesday, October 3, 2012

What I Wear To Work

I hear a lot of people talk about how they couldn't dress vintage or vintage inspired because of their work or because it takes too much time to get put together. I just want to say I think both of these things are not really true, for the most part at least. I'm a preschool teacher; this involves lots of paint, messy lunches, sick kids, and yes...throw up and poop on occasion. I'm constantly running after kids and outside for part of the day as well. Also, I get ready in about 30 minutes in the morning, I sleep until the last possible moment, so I don't spend hours on my appearance. I thought I'd share a super simple outfit that I wore to work recently. 



 Really easy outfit and super easy to move around in. It took me five minutes to throw my hair up and nothing was complicated at all. I just want to encourage anybody out there that feels like it takes too long or they can't dress a certain way for work, sure you can! I'm surrounded by women in sweat pants and t-shirts so yeah I stick out, but I feel great about the way I'm dressed and very confident that I'm staying true to myself.


shirt nudeedudee
skirt thrifted
belt thrifted
scarf vintage
sweater gap (very old)
tights target
shoes jessica simpson

Do you ever feel like you struggle with what you wear to work or how people will perceive you?

xo,
 Em

25 comments:

  1. My coworkers are lovely and frequently complement my outfits. BUT I'm a lawyer and appear in court several times a week. And it's just expected that I look...well, like a lawyer. A contemporary lawyer. So that limits me a bit. But on office days, I feel totally free to wear whatever I want. And kudos to you for wearing what you want! My mom is a primary teacher and wears lots of sparkle and "nice" outfits-- the kids love having a fancy teacher!

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  2. Very cute! Because I'm a jeans kind of girl through and through, I usually end up throwing on my favourite pair (or at the moment any pair I can squeeze my growing belly into) and then wear a vintage blouse with it. It's super fast and easy... and you still don't look like a slouchy, track pants wearing mama!

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  3. I frequently encounter the same kinds of comments (online and in the real world) and agree with you 110% on both cases. It takes me only slightly longer (sometimes, not always) to wear vintage hair, make-up and clothing, yet the difference in how I feel regarding my appearance (in vintage clothes, as opposed to most modern fashions) is truly night and day. When people say these kinds of things, I often try to gently encourage them to take the plunge and delve into the world of vintage fashion, if their heart so desires. After all, nothing ventured, right? :)

    ♥ Jessica

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  4. i didnt know you are a preschool teacher! and a cute one at that :)

    Xo,
    steffy
    Steffys Pros and Cons

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  5. OMG you are a preschool teacher. I had no idea what you do for you, what a lovely job. You look gorgeous. I dress vintage inspired for work and I don't think it would be any quickerdressing any other way. It's just the style I lean toward. The flick of the eyeliner, the choice of glasses-style, the choice of clothing style...

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  6. I'm so glad you make a difference adn stick out. I remember being at school and having a few teachers who did the same. Though they didn't dress necessarily vintage, they had a distinct style and stood out. I admired them so much because they represented women who were in charge of their lives and their appearance. My point is, I bet there are students who look at you and ponder "maybe one day, I can be like her". x

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  7. I think that because dressing vintage means dressing up, vintage style often makes people look more professional. I'm a librarian, and my work clothes look almost exactly like yours. About half my wardrobe is vintage, but I don't necessarily think of myself as vintage--just dressy. I work in skirts, stockings, and a cardigan, or a dress and jacket. And no outfit is complete without a jeweled pin or jaunty scarf! On the rare days when I don't dress up, colleagues and volunteers always comment and ask me why I'm wearing jeans.

    Since most of my coworkers wear jeans or plain black pants and shirts with library logos, I stand out. I'll be honest: I get the feeling that some of my colleagues think I'm frivolous. Most of those people work in other departments and have little contact with me. The people who do work closely with me always treat me with respect. Regardless of other people's reactions, I prefer to dress up. I feel more polished and professional when I dress nicely. And I suspect that my clothing is part of the reason I was promoted a few years ago; our boss at the time preferred for us to dress up.

    It doesn't take very long to get ready in the morning, especially since I don't do vintage hairstyles. I lay my clothes out before bed. I curl just the ends of my hair or pull it into a bun, put on powder, mascara, and lipstick, and I'm out the door. It's easy!

    Do you ever feel like you get strange reactions from your coworkers, and wonder if it's because of your clothing?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I really do! I think they probably think I'm silly for dressing so "nice" while working with kids, but people who get to know me realize it's just what I like. I got a lot of judgment when I was student teaching, one of the teachers I was under told me I could wear khakis and polo shirts (after I wore my usual stuff for about a week) and when I told her I didn't own either and this was the way I dressed she was just like "Ohhh, hmmm well ok". Haha, but I think you're right people (especially bosses) notice when you dress nicely and it makes you appear more serious about where you work.

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    2. I get exactly the same kind of reactions! I don't own any khakis or polos, either. Heck, I don't think I've had a pair of khakis in 15 years! Professionalism is a small motivator, but honestly? I just like pretty things! :D And since people spend so much time at work, I feel like if we don't dress up for work, we'd never get to wear our nice things.

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  8. I'm currently temping at a pretty laid back office. But I'm only now really have the money to start building a cohesive wardrobe. It's happening slowly, but as for now I'm wearing nice tops and pants or pencil skirts.
    I do feel like when I wear opaque black tights under dresses and a pair of Chelsea boots I get a few odd looks. But I'm not out of dress code, so I take the same approach as I have for the past few years, wearing it with confidence no matter what!

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  9. I definitely stick out -- I work in a conservative office on campus and most of the staff is either student workers (who can wear anything) or much, much older people (who dress accordingly), whereas I am a student worker who needs to wear at least business casual but loves dressing up! It's a big conundrum for me because I can't dress too old nor can I quite dress my age, either.

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  10. Adorable ensemble, love the scarf especially. Yes I dress vintage styled for work, obviously not the whole hog like I do at weekend. Most people compliment me but I get a lot of funny looks, but I don't give a toss xx

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  11. I love the way you dress too! Good on you for not falling back on sweat pants and tee shirts because you're busy (we're ALL busy, it's really no excuse to dress sloppily!) ;) x Sushi

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  12. Well I retired from the work force in November of 2006, now I'm a full time housewife and mom, but before then I did dress vintage to work. I worked at a construction company with a bunch of men, so I was dressing up for myself and my love of vintage. It takes me about 30 minutes to get ready too, once you have it down pat you don't take long at all.

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  13. I love that you stay true to your style even while working with little children! :) I really love the autumny colors of this particular outfit; that scarf is such a great touch. :)

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  14. Yes i feel like i cant wear what i want at the tattoo shop. But i think with time all will be okay. I mean i wear things are me but i would love to wear more dresses and i think with winter coming up that will be my jump. Great outfit. I love the scarf around your neck and you hair looks great!
    Xo,cb

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  15. Does that hairdo really only take you 5 minutes? That's amazing, i spend 5 times that and my hair never looks half as good! would you consider a uber quick video on how you do it? :-)

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  16. I'm not working much at the moment, just a church job, and the ladies always comment on how dressed up I am! Same with all of the choirs I sing in... I agree, I don't feel like it takes any more effort than it does to wear jeans, but it sure does make people treat you differently.

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  17. Haha, that's the struggle I'm facing teaching Kindergarten! There are pieces from my wardrobe I can no longer wear due to movement restriction, colour that's easily ruined, or too short lengths...so I'm learning to remix! And to make an outfit unique and stylish but still simple and easy. Thanks for the inspire!

    <3 Cambria
    jupefashion.blogspot.com

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  18. I work in a very small comany (there's only three of us!) so the office is very informal and technically, I can wear whatever I like. I am up and down stairs carrying boxes quite a lot, but I resist the temptation to just wear jeans and trainers every day. I feel better if I've made an effort, and in my experience, as long as you're wearing comfy shoes and your skirt's no too tight, you can wear anything to work! I instantly feel more dressed-up if I'm wearing a skirt rather than trousers, and I think it's a shame that so many women feel like they are somehow less comfortable in a skirt. I applaud you for staying true to yourself, and I bet the kids will remember you as their pretty teacher who was always dressed up. I still fondly remember Miss Edwards, who taught at my junior school, and wore yellow tights :)

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  19. I totally agree that you can wear vintage to work!!!I work in a kindergarten and I wear vintagedresses and petticoat every day. I would be so sad if I had to wear jeans and a Tshirt(not that there is anything wrong with wearing that)I know that some of my dresses may not be in perfect condition because of my work, but I would rather that, than the dresses just hanging in my closet:)

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  20. Lovely blog! I adore it!
    I just started following you on GFC and Bloglovin! It would mean the world to me if you return the love back to me!
    Have a great week and continue the great work!
    Borka
    www.chicfashionworld.com

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  21. You look lovely, definitely workwear inspiration!

    Maria xxx

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  22. I tend to tone things down a bit for work but definitely go with my own style. I will wear pencil skirts rather than crinolines, for example, but that's for my own sake - I don't want to come off as too girly when I have to have meetings with older men who may already be skeptical about listening to my opinions! I wear what I feel confident and happy in - and that's vintage! I can't do sharp, modern suits...

    And I find that people at work love the way I dress! I frequently get nice comments. And it also has the advantage that people associate me with vintage clothes so often tell me when they hear about vintage fairs or events, or find shops I might be interested in. I've even scored a couple of amazing beaded cardigans because one of my workmates found them and knew I would love them!

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I love hearing from all of you! Please remember any ideas on my blog are my own opinion and if you don't agree or have something you want to critique, please be polite.