Spending most of my career thus far largely in an office environment, I have often heard the advice from elders that younger folks should dress for the job that they want. As for me–I beg to differ. I have always dressed in ways that made me feel comfortable and confident in my personal preferences while being practical about my professional surroundings.
My go to is always a dress and heels and depending on the weather and other elements, a blazer, too. My favorite brand for blazers is Veronica Beard. I also tend to go for looks that can go from day to night given the amount of after hours events, and comfort comes in second. Elevating my height always gives me a boost, and yes, it does come with a cost by the end of the day. I don’t shy away from colors and prints or patterns, and a headband is my go-to accessory for a good pick-me-up.
Dressing in ways that speak to my personality in a professional setting is both an expression of my inner being, as well as a political statement. The latter has mostly everything to do with hair. I am proud of my hair texture and heritage, so I have worn an array of natural styles, braids, and straight styles to the workplace unabashedly. I think it’s important to stay true to yourself and signal to others that they can and should do the same, as well.
