This post is not a joke. I’m being serious. And no, we’re not going to talk special undergarments here. We’re going to talk about the general inability of people to recognize what is appropriate to wear at work.
I am not a member of the LDS church. However, living next to Utah, I have had Mormon friends/acquaintances and know a lot about social norms. One of those norms is to dress modestly (and nicely).
So, what’s the tie-in with saving someone’s job? People, you don’t know how to dress appropriately for work and the casual dress that has pervaded the workplace is a disaster. Why is it a disaster? Because it’s hard to know what the boundaries are when basically anything goes.
I am tired of seeing people’s: tata’s, butt-cracks, those stupid freaking slouchy pants, and too much leg. When you’re going to work unless you work in the following fields: pole-dancer/dancer of any sort, waitress/waiter at specific restaurants, fashion (ironically) and artists you should be dressing professionally-because you’re getting paid to work. Not to be a hooch.
I’ve brought this up before and I finally realized that part of the problem is that people have forgotten how IT FEELS to look good. We are so used to coming outside of our homes in: pj’s (wtf?), wrinkled stuff, holey jeans, and things that aren’t tailored that I think that we have a hard time recognizing what is appropriate for work.
I am not anti-hoochie clothing, I actually own and enjoy wearing hoochie clothing: in Miami, at the club, on a date, or Vegas-not at work.
Anything that you wear at work that distracts: your colleagues, your clients, or even yourself (constant fidgeting/readjustments) takes away from what you should be doing-working. It also affects the opinion your colleagues/clientele have of you and may undermine your authority.
I have noticed a general lack of understanding that “the clothes make the man/woman” during the interviews that we’ve conducted especially in the last 3-4 years. The following has happened:
Male interviewees:
- Wrinkled pants
- Outfit doesn’t match
- Sometimes the grooming was…off
- Too casual!
Female Interviewees:
- WAY too much cleavage!
- Dresses-way too short
- Too casual!
In the event that we hired a person with questionable fashion sense, we had to talk to them sometimes more than once on what is appropriate for the workplace. They just didn’t get it.
If you have been talked to about your fashion choices be on alert-not only are they questioning your choice of clothes your colleagues may be questioning your judgement. And that is a huge problem when you are wanting to get: raises, be respected at work, and get references after you leave.
I have nothing against casual dress, hoochie dress, or being comfortable. I just want you to feel good when you look in the mirror and remember that we believe the story that your clothes tell us. Especially if we don’t really know you.
So why Mormon fashion blogs? A lot have a fresh take on modesty, are fashionable, and all of the clothes that you see (97%) would be considered work appropriate.
Here are some suggestions:
1.) Clothed Much-sadly she has stopped blogging, but I think the looks are still very fresh and appropriate for work. So, go through her old posts and get some ideas!
2.) No More Mom Jeans-She’s pretty funny!
3.) Memoires of a thing called life-Fantastic photos. I think she has also stopped blogging
Good luck!!
Picture from ClothedMuch-I chose a photo with jeans on purpose. She has elevated her look with super cute shoes. Also, the scarf and top are dressy. This creates a balanced and comfortable look for places that allow jeans.
Baby steps people, baby steps.
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I’m not Mormon, either, but I do find myself searching for “their” clothing stores and such because, as a woman of faith, I do believe in dressing modestly. And modest doesn’t have to mean frumpy! I agree on the lack of professional attire I’m seeing these days. It’s just bizarre what some people think can be called work appropriate.
I think that people really don’t understand the value of dressing modestly and that clothing shows how we feel about ourselves. I also agree that being modest does not mean FRUMPY!
I agree. I see people dressed for work and I think: THIS IS NOT A CLUB people!!!
I just can’t take people seriously when they can’t even recognize that they aren’t dressed appropriately.
We have a joke at our school that it’s not “Club Balsz” day. What we mean by that is it’s not time to wear hoochie mama shorts, low cut tops or clothing so tight we can see all of your goodies. Our school culture is sometimes too relaxed and I cringe when people come to school rocking flip flops. They should be looking professional!
Your colleagues wear flip flops??!! To work?? Mine wear things that make them look like they are about to go hiking-they probably are! The thing is all you have to do is change your clothing. I have no problems wearing some hoochie clothes on occasion-especially in Miami. Even the old people are hooched out in Miami-it’s HOT. But, there is a time and place for everything. Like NOLA. Hehe.
I can’t believe how much work dress has changed. Not many people have any modesty left, it’s like Jersey Shore hoochie mamas everywhere. I swear I’ve seen it all at work…the pants with Juicy across the butt, flip flops, way too short skirts, sheer shirts and not wearing an appropriate cover up underneath, too tight pants or wrong pants for pear shaped body type. EEEEK!
Work dress has changed for the worse and I can’t emphasize that enough. People don’t take their work seriously enough and then complain about stuff that they take for granted. No one should take their jobs for granted-everyone can be replaced. Like you I’ve seen: sheer bottoms (no slips), no bras! flip flops, and dirty clothes. There is a general lack of pride in how we present ourselves to the world and I don’t know why?!
Amen sister!! I have recently discovered Mormon fashion blogs and I am now educated on the concept of modest dressing NOT equivalent to dowdy or out of date. The modest outfits shown on the blogs and from vendors of so-called modest clothing are totally classy, high style and normal (if normal does not mean hooched out (ha ha love that), which it unfortunately does for very many otherwise professional people.
Great post- totally agree.
Think about all of the women who are considered style icons-those women were not hoochies. I do think that there is a time and place to be sassy and sexy-work just isn’t one of those places…unless it’s the Tilted Kilt/Strip Club/or a place where that is clearly the business model. I also think that buying modest clothing is also financially savvy because those clothes tend to be more classic in style. My issue is people aren’t able to identify when and where certain actions/clothes/behavior would be appropriate and I really can’t figure out why? What happened?
I almost wish I was Morman to justify my more chic and stylish aesthetic! My BF wants me to dress like a hoochy mumma, and suggests it from work, but it is NOT ok!!
You wouldn’t be able to drink anything with caffeine! Stay true to yourself and on the occasional date hooch it up for the bf-just keep it outside of work.
Is caffeine out for MOrmans?!
Yes! No caffeine, alcohol, and a few other things. They did however make Graham Crackers an essential ingredient in s’mores. If you go camping in the U.S. you always make s’mores. Graham crackers, toasted marshmallows (over the fire)+a bar of chocolate=delicious!!!
Haha. No, I’m a Mormon. We’re definitely allowed to have caffeine. I love my coke and CHOCOLATE (which apparently has caffeine in it–every Mormon activity almost always involves some kind of dessert, usually chocolate, since we don’t have alcohol haha) That’s a common misconception–there are a lot of Mormons who think that having caffeine isn’t good, but there’s no “spiritual law” in our church about it 🙂
I’m super relived to hear that about the caffeine and chocolate! I’ve just met a lot of Mormons who did not partake in caffeine so I got that mixed up. Do you follow some of the fashion blogs?
Thanks for the update Andrea. Other faiths really interest me, particularly the ‘do’s and don’t’s’ so thanks for clearing that up… Mmmm chocolate..
I agree! Chocolate is a must 🙂
Interesting idea! It’s tough when you’re in a casual work environment like me. Where do we draw the line on comfy clothing? Personally, if I have to question the clothing piece at all, I don’t wear it to work.
I work in a casual environment, but some people have a really hard time understand what’s appropriate. Some of my older colleagues are the worst culprits. Think: no bras, shorts, tank tops, etc.
I have to send the “this is not considered appropriate for work” email too often. Maybe I’ll just send a link to these blogs? Thanks for sharing
Just send links to those blogs. I really think that people are unable to identify what’s appropriate for work. I actually think it has gotten so bad that we will begin seeing dress codes again.
I’ve been working from home all summer, but from what I recall most in my office are appropriately dressed. My first thought was is it a Canadian thing? But I see Sherry and Michelle have chimed in as seeing this issue as well. I need to open my eyes while walking to get my coffee plus head into the office more, I guess!
I think that summer poses a problem in North America in terms of dressing appropriately. I always look forward to fall because it gets cold and people can’t help but dress better-because Fall-Spring weather appropriate clothing actually covers you up. Deb, I think you would be shocked! But, it might depend on the field that you work in.