Reader Request: Dressing for Cold Offices

by Sally on January 18, 2020 in the category: reader requests, style

rb threw this one into the Suggestion Box:

Dressing for really cold offices but still looking professional? Colleagues have resorted to fingerless gloves and even snuggies.

Why is it that office environments are always places of temperature extremes? A handful get uncomfortably hot in winter, but more are chilly during the cold months AND the warm ones. And in my experience, cold offices seem EVEN COLDER during the summer. It’s like any building with an imbalanced HVAC system just gives up and turns its dials to “arctic” once the sun comes out. I’m sure you office workers are all too familiar with air conditioners that get cranked up to levels capable of crystallizing saliva. Although the sun may graciously warm those lucky enough to sit near windows, many of the world’s cube farmers spend their days shivering as they type.* read more

Originally posted 2012-07-18 06:22:52.

Clothing Commentary

by Sally on January 17, 2020 in the category: body image, psychology, style

Oh, how I love this skirt. It’s romantic yet funky, playful yet sophisticated, and ever so fun to wear. It’s also, in essence, a grown-up version of a tutu. And whenever I wore it to the office, whenever I wear it now, it draws lots of comments. Lots of curiosity. It’s an attention-grabber, and causes people to come out of the woodwork to share their thoughts.

And no one has ever said anything nasty about it. Not directly to me, anyway. And I’m able to field whatever questions and opinions get thrown at me, no problem. But I’ve had years of practice and given it loads of thought. And several readers have mentioned that they love the idea of dressing smartly and stylishly, but worry about how peers will react. Specifically how often peers may comment upon or question any noticeable changes in personal style. So I thought I’d offer up a few suggestions for dealing with clothing and style commentary from your peer group. read more

Originally posted 2012-04-30 06:16:37.

You’re Too Old to Have Fun with Fashion

by Sally on January 5, 2020 in the category: body image, psychology, style

too old for fashion age appropriate

Many style rules rankle me because they seem subjective, arbitrary, and confining. And now that I’m 35 and can see 40 on the horizon, I’m thinking more and more about age-related dressing maxims, and find them to be just as subjective, arbitrary, and confining as the rest. I’ve penned a post on age-appropriate dressing, and outlined some loose style guidelines for women over 40, but can’t say I’m happy with either piece. Even loaded with caveats, those ideas still reinforce the notion that older women need to watch what they wear more carefully than younger women do. That, after a certain point, wearing certain items will make you look foolish no matter your personality, style, figure, or profession. read more

Originally posted 2012-03-27 06:27:30.