The New Business Casual
Friday, February 29th, 2008Yesterday, I stood in front of a closet full of cute dresses and killer shoes and ladylike scarves and grown-up trouser pants, and I gave up. Without remorse, I went straight to the laundry basket of folded clothes from two weeks ago and dug out a favorite grey tank from the Gap, a matching grey hooded sweater (also from the Gap), and a ratty old pair of army green A&F pants from my college days. I topped this miracle of business casual off with my fake Uggs.
And that’s exactly how I went into the office.
The thing is, I used to make such an effort. Back when I was an innocent little intern, coming to work on time, working late, exceeding expectations; I’d wear knee length tweed skirts, shirts that required IRONING, and properly matched sweater sets.
I went on to work there full time, spending years building my work experience alongside my professional wardrobe. I fought teeth and nail for that perfect black crepe suit at Ann Taylor during the end of year sale, I became an early investor in the Editor pant from Express, and I scouted out hordes of work appropriate boots and slingbacks and pumps and slides.
But those days are long gone it seems.
Maybe it’s because I’m in the midst of THE WINTER THAT WILL NOT END. Yeah, that’s it- I’m just trying to keep warm. Really.
Okay, seriously, that’s a cop out. I mean, that’s part of it, but that’s not why I’m practically wearing a hoodie, sweatpants, and slippers and calling it good. That is, however, why I wear kneesocks, three shirts, and wrap myself in my “sleeping bag” (i.e., ankle length down puffer coat) as a part of my regular “work” garb.
Yeah, that’s right. I’m the one waddling on the sidewalk toward Union Station. I’m also the one who’s laughing at you stupid chicks in your tights and skirts and flimsy little peacoats. How’s that working out for ya?
Maybe it’s sloppy of me, but I don’t really care what people at work think of how I look anymore. I mean, who am I there to impress really? It’s the suburbs.
I wonder if I can get away with a velour track suit for casual day…
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