I think the big difference between the sexes, clothing-wise, is that women have more gradations to work with. Men basically have four levels -- suit, jacket, khakis, jeans/shorts. And there's a pretty clear delineation between each level. Women seem to have more subtle gradations to take advantage of or maneuver through, depending on whether you like the idea or not.
I think this is a good point, and why the dress code affects women in a seemingly unfair way. Also because sexiness is less of an issue with men in the office.
Dress codes are so expensive for women. A good men's suit is expensive, but they last and don't look dated so soon. Not to mention how unnoted they can be. It makes the bare minimum for men cheaper than same for women.
And variety is cheaper for us.
I'm in education, but I tend to dress fairly business-like. Also, I sometimes go more casual in the summer (i.e. no hose) today, I am wearing a more casual outfit -- brown sleeveless top, black suit jacket, ankle length, flowy black skirt with brown leaves on it, black low heeled slides (closed toe).
For me, it's very much habit. In the law world, I tended to dress up because people assumed I was admin if I wasn't wearing a suit. (not that there's anything wrong with being an admin, but I went to law school and passed the bar, do not ask me to make your goddamned copies. it has happened). Here, I do it because I'm following my boss' example, and he wears a suit. I like suits, I don't find them uncomfortable at all, and I don't even mind hose if it's not too hot out. I generally wear flats, though. I own and occasionally wear heels if there's a meeting or a presentation or something.
Dress codes are so expensive for women. A good men's suit is expensive, but they last and don't look dated so soon. Not to mention how unnoted they can be. It makes the bare minimum for men cheaper than same for women.
not to mention that a man can just switch up a shirt and tie and wear the same suit three times in a week.
Shoes confound me so.
Mm. Shooooooes. If only I could shop for some, but no, I'm so not allowed to spend any money.
shrift, I just sent some clicky-links to you.
EEEEEEEEEeeeee!!
I've often envied Joe in the mornings and his ease of getting work ready.
These khakis. This polo. Same shoes.
Where as for me, it's "Ok, this skirt and this top...wait...doesn't match. Where's the matching top? Fuck, dirty cause I wore it with jeans. Kay. These pants, and this top. Nope, this shirt is too short for these pants. Ok, this shirt. Nope, too bloated today. Finally, this shirt ok. These pants, this shirt. Shoes...shoes....ok, these shoes. Nope, heel falling off. These shoes - nope. Meeting today, should wear something more dress. These shoes? Scuffing on the side (color shoe with Sharpie). Scuffing fixed. Ok. Acessories...."
I think Aimee's been spying on me in the morning.
guayaberas
I had to google this — I didn't realize those were a *specific* type of shirt, other than, say, "button-front, short-sleeve." Keen.
Seriously! I loathe getting dressed in the mornings. And it's doubly hard in summer, because you want to be comfortable, but not trampy. It seems so much easier in the fall/winter than summer.
Which reminds me, I should start buying my new cableknit sweaters soonish.
For all of this, there are certain days on which I need to wear long sleeves, pants, and closed shoes--not just closed toe, but covering all the foot.
Irritating as hell because I can never remember which of my work-appropriate pants fit from one moment to the next. Which is why I'm sprinkling jeans throughout more of my week, so job walk days don't stand out so much.
