(member)

04/09/2008 21:12

how smartly do you dress for work?

Yes, it's me again I am in a posting mood!!! As I mentioned on my previous posts, I started my teacher training day yesterday and as always when you start a new job/course etc you always have that 'what shall I wear'? dilemma. I am usually pretty good at that sort of thing, or so I thought until I started my course yesterday. I was required to go along to the college and meet and greet all the new students and participate in a few ice-breakers that sort of thing.

I had spent quite a bit of time deciding what to wear and after spending a lot of time going thru my wardrobe (I have spent a fair bit on clothes lately mainly for my teaching days as I want to look the part!!) and doing a bit of a parade for OH to get his opinion I finally settled on a top and trousers that were both new and dressed them up with new accessories and shoes etc. I spent ages doing my make up (I suffer from blushing so if I wear foundation I feel a bit more confident as it is like putting on a mask for me) and thought I looked smart but casual.

WRONG!!! Every female I came across at the college looked really really smart, not just smart but very well groomed. They all had perfect make up, lovely hair,nails, jewellery etc and looked as if they had been made up by the great Gok himself! I have never felt so scruffy and out of place in my life.

I don't have to go back for a few days so I rushed into town this morning desperately purchasing shoes, make up etc, booked a hair appt. you name it. It was a horrible feeling, like I had made a huge faux pas. Besides the other embarassing things that happened it was just a bit of a shock. I had no idea people dressed that smartly for work.

So, have any of you ladies encountered anything like this? If so, did you smarten up? Do you all 'get' what is apt for work? Are you up to date with fashion and how to wear the right things for work?

I would be really interested in what you have to say as I think it is obviously just me, being out of the loop etc.

cheers

dgt3

(member)

04/09/2008 22:49

Re: how smartly do you dress for work?

Hello dgt3,
I am so surprised at this as i think you got it 'right',
When i went to uni, it was scruffy/casual and no-one took much notice of what you wore!! Just wear what makes you feel good and you are comfortable in and let your personality shine through. As for me I have to wear a uniform every day, i wish it was smart, sadly its not but it is functional. Brandyqueen x

(member)

04/09/2008 22:55

Re: how smartly do you dress for work?

Oh bless you dgt3. You seem to be having a bit of a stressful start to all of this training malarky!!

Well, for what it's worth, my note of encouragement would be

DAY 1 IS OVER!!!

It will never be day 1 again and from now on try to just be your lovely self.. You will be bringing something uniquely YOU to the teaching profession. No one else can bring the special gifts that you have.

Try to enjoy your training - embrace each day & have fun.

Lots of love

ejanexx

(member)

04/09/2008 23:07

Re: how smartly do you dress for work?

Yes your outfit sounded fine to me. If you still feel you need to get some "work" wear maybe get a jacket which you can team with trousers or skirt. A long cardigan which can look quite smart with trousers. I'm sure you looked fine and you are just having the first day jitters.

Best of luck in your new career.

(member)

04/09/2008 23:11

Re: how smartly do you dress for work?

I too think you dressed correctly from what you've said.
I also wear a uniform and since losing weight it is far less than flattering! As it was relatively new I don't feel can ask for another yet.

(member)

05/09/2008 01:45

Re: how smartly do you dress for work?

dgt3,
Don't beat yourself up, I'm sure it's just nerves! How old are you? I ask because I bought the book "How Not to Look Old" by Paula Krupp (I think) after seeing it recommended here and think it is the best book of this type that I have read. I sounds like I'm selling it, lol! It's more about grooming and common sense but it may be too old for you.

(member)

05/09/2008 04:32

Re: how smartly do you dress for work?

dgt3
Don't stress, just be comfortable in your own skin! Don't feel you need to have lots of new clothes. For all you know other people may have felt overdressed and will dress down next week! I can't believe everyone else was perfectly groomed - this is just new girl jitters.

re. makeup - don't feel you need to wear a mask, in my experience other people are so concerned about themselves they haven't got time to be looking at other people.

Where I work a lot of people wear suits etc (which is just another type of uniform), but I prefer to wear cardigans rather than jackets so I wear these and I very rarely wear a suit.

Just have confidence in yourself. You sound a really nice, friendly person. If I was on the course, I would like to be your study buddy!
Good luck and let us know how things go!
Hugs Foxie x.

(member)

05/09/2008 10:02

Re: how smartly do you dress for work?

I came from and environment where suits where the normal dress code and everything matched and hair and nails were perfet too. It was sooo stressful, trying to keep up. You have my sympathies!

Now I wear jeans and tshirts and life is so much easier. If we had the weather , I could wear shorts if I wanted. If we had the weather.......

(member)

08/09/2008 13:57

Re: how smartly do you dress for work?

DGT3, In my last job I visited literally hundreds of colleges and universities over the years (including some down your way) and the majority of academic staff were smart casual, the admin staff ranged from full makeup, shoulderpads to kill with on reception to jeans and t-shirts in IT (senior staff tended to be smarter than most). I think you've got it right and would suggest possibly dressing to the workplace your students are going to end up in (schools these days seem to be smart casual, even some public schools!).

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