Comments on: Business Attire- What Ivy League Girls are wearing to work

By: marleny

marleny — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:05:58 +0000

I’m 19 years old and work for an insurance company. First job after high school that i actually dont have to wear a uniform. So I really dont have an idea what to wear. I am also a thick person so i dont know whats actually right for me to wear and doesnt make me look way older.

By: Dee

Dee — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:36:23 +0000

I was looking for formal wear style trends when I came across your site. For the past 6 years I have worked in a company where the dress code is so casual that my boss wears shorts to work! I am now moving to a new job and I’ve started stocking up on more formal wear and I found the article and comments useful. At my new workplace, shift dresses are accetable which works great for me and my wallet (I have a couple of shift dresses that are more formal than casual). It is good to get the skirt, pants and jacket but also consider the culture at the workplace because if its more business casual you do not want to come across as too rigid!

By: Barbie

Barbie — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:59:06 +0000

if you do not like the dress code of business professional/casual for the company/organization that hires you, either don’t work there or don’t constantly complain and push the bounderies of the dress code. you and everyone that works around you will be much happier if you found somewhere else to work that suited your idea of dress code. like an assembly plant or lawn care. but, be warned…the good ones that pay okay, WILL make you wear a uniform!

By: kandi

kandi — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:22:46 +0000

While a shift dress is always nice to have, suits are NEVER out when it comes to the corporate dress.

By: Julie Hardee

Julie Hardee — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:52:43 +0000

Michelle Obama is not hawking policy. She is the First Lady. Condolezza was the Sec. of State and dressed in a more plain manner. Hillary Clinton is secretary of state and she also dresses in a much more plain manner.

If there is room in a young woman’s profession to wear interesting things and perhaps show personal style – she can follow Michelle. If she works in a boring, stale industry – she better follow Condi & Hill.

By: jayci

jayci — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:18:43 +0000

If these girls are taking style cues from Michelle Obama, I am worried. The First Lady wears many beautiful things, however her clothes are not appropriate in a conservative industry like law or banking. If these women want a style mentor that is polished, professional, and feminine you can’t go wrong with Former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice. Her clothes were rich and beautiful without distracting from who she was or what she was saying. In contrast, whenever Michelle Obama makes an appearance everyone talks about what outfit she is wearing rather than what policy she is advocating. When you are known more for what you wear versus what you say or what you think, you have failed the professional wardrobe test (see Michelle Obama Look Book on NYMag.com).

I’m a lawyer in Houston and office attire tends towards slacks, button down shirts, sweaters, and dresses. For lawyers skirt suits are generally not required unless you are in Federal Court or in a court with a more traditional judge. I’ve attended interviews in a smart pantsuit and everything worked out fine, however it is always a good idea to have all three pieces (jacket, skirt, trouser) to have the most flexibility in your wardrobe. Even today many offices in the midwest, south, and overseas have very conservative dress codes so these future business leaders and consultants need to be prepared for it.