NOTE TO READERS: This is not a food-ly post, but would still love your feedback!
I moved from consulting to full-time-employment. Drive to work, no-more-mid-day-yoga, conference calls at 11PM. I still love cooking and gardening, and spend every non-work free moment in slippers, t-shirts and shorts/ratty jeans looking for ideas for eating and cooking.
But this is Silicon Valley, and I need to dress the part. In any given meeting, I'm the shortest person, and definitely one of the few women in management. Thus, in addition to being absolutely prepared, I aim to be the best-dressed person in the room. My wardrobe is part of my armor.
Without diving too deeply into gender politics, there is no way I could dress like Mark Zuckerberg and be credible. Just look at what Sheryl Sandberg wears by comparison. I've seen an executive walking around the office in stocking-feet, and many an engineer shuffle in wearing sweatpants, cargo-shorts, and even flannel pajama pants. None of this works for me. But more importantly, I don't want to dress that casually. The Zuck uniform of old hoodie, jeans, and a tshirt just doesn't work for me.
But getting the right armor is no easy thing. I am grateful that I have a friend that KNOWS how to put together polished professional armor. Professional armor that establishes credibility without shouting. I have some great separate pieces, but my Sunny-Side-Up friend knows how to find 'statement' pieces that I can work with my existing stuff, and then put them all together.
I moved from consulting to full-time-employment. Drive to work, no-more-mid-day-yoga, conference calls at 11PM. I still love cooking and gardening, and spend every non-work free moment in slippers, t-shirts and shorts/ratty jeans looking for ideas for eating and cooking.
But this is Silicon Valley, and I need to dress the part. In any given meeting, I'm the shortest person, and definitely one of the few women in management. Thus, in addition to being absolutely prepared, I aim to be the best-dressed person in the room. My wardrobe is part of my armor.
Without diving too deeply into gender politics, there is no way I could dress like Mark Zuckerberg and be credible. Just look at what Sheryl Sandberg wears by comparison. I've seen an executive walking around the office in stocking-feet, and many an engineer shuffle in wearing sweatpants, cargo-shorts, and even flannel pajama pants. None of this works for me. But more importantly, I don't want to dress that casually. The Zuck uniform of old hoodie, jeans, and a tshirt just doesn't work for me.
But getting the right armor is no easy thing. I am grateful that I have a friend that KNOWS how to put together polished professional armor. Professional armor that establishes credibility without shouting. I have some great separate pieces, but my Sunny-Side-Up friend knows how to find 'statement' pieces that I can work with my existing stuff, and then put them all together.
In this case, that 'statement' red dress was on sale for $19.99 from Uniqlo. Sorry, it may be sold out by now as we went shopping a couple of weeks ago. The scarf, frilly poncho, belt, and blue blazer (lower right) were all my existing clothes. The black blazer (upper left) and button-down shirt (lower center) were purchased, on major sale, at the same time.
I'm ready to start the week. I would LOVE to know what other Ohana-ers do for work. Even if it is pajama pants!
I'm ready to start the week. I would LOVE to know what other Ohana-ers do for work. Even if it is pajama pants!
