Re: Business Dress
Daniel wrote about the return of business dress to the workplace. I have to say it hasn’t come a moment too soon for me.
People who know me think I must hate dressing up for work. I know how, with my teenage rock-and-roll machine persona, they could think that. But they’re wrong.
I have two sets of clothes: work clothes, and real clothes. This is because my real clothes are in no way appropriate for work. I’m a Doc Martin, ripped black jeans, black hoodie sweatshirt, arm full of black rubber bracelets kind of girl. Business casual was a vast mystery to me.
I loved the advice I’d get: “Just wear something comfortable.” Are they kidding? Comfortable to me is flannel pajamas a bathrobe. I literally have one for every occasion. I’m a female American Oblomov. I don’t think that’s what they really meant.
As far as I can tell, business casual is “dress like a nerd”. Khakis, golf or madras plaid shirts, and some variation of a top-sider for men; khakis, knit tops, loafers, and maybe an argyle sweater for women. Kind of a cross of styles between high-school debate team, Stepford wife, and demented Kingston Trio revival.
Umm. No.
What they’re ignoring is the amazing style potential of business formal. You can go political, like the Black Muslim men in my neighborhood: Malcolm X- style horn-rim glasses, bow tie, and derby hat. You can go “rough trade”, with a Reservoir Dogs black suit, white shirt, and black tie. You could dress like Kafka or even go Urban Cowboy with business dress.
But Kat, you may protest, what about those of us who do actual work for a living? I can't be crawling around under desks and running down halls in a skirt and heels! I hear you, and I'm right there with you.
Jackets. It's all about dark colors and jackets. I usually wear a pair of black Gap khakis and a matching black jacket, with a white button-down shirt or a crew-neck knit top and a pair of ankle boots.
Anything is better than the dreaded business casual.
10:50:15 AM 
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