Dressing For The Times

Posted by
Paym Bergson
Sep 21, 2007

Dress For Success has been a slogan for many schools trying to show people appropriate attire for work; for corporate climbers trying to get ahead; and for the Media as it tries to make news off of celebrities. Appropriate clothes have long been a culture unto itself - how many of you remember your mom telling you NOT to wear white (yep, this means shoes, socks, pants, blouses, etc.) past Labour Day in September. And you couldn't wear it until the May Victoria Weekend (affectionately known as the "2-4" - for when the holiday usually happens - around the May 24th weekend, and for what you usually bought to drink!). Um, for the uninitiated, "2-4" refers to a case of beer. And "winter-white" was allowed for blouses. Go figure!

I doubt anyone really pays attention anymore to wearing white past the start of school. I happen to love white socks at any time of year - and most of my wardrobe consists of black and white pieces. However, each workplace has its own culture, and that includes what is allowed as appropriate dress. It still is NOT acceptable to wear a ballgown to the office. While post-secondary students often wear pj bottoms to class (and to shop), this is not an acceptable ensemble to work.

But honestly, would you really want to wear your best fancy dress or tuxedo to work? Or go into the office in your sleepclothes? Me, I'm happy in any environment that lets me wear jeans, but also allows me to dress in a suit too!

What do you wear to work - and what would you change if you could?

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