Speaking of work...what to WEAR for work is always a bit of a dilemma for me. I don't have your average 9-5 job so office wear isn't really necessary. Yet, although I am self employed, I feel like I need to look well turned out. I suppose you could say I am my own brand ambassador.
As I work in the arts, I think that it is important to look fresh and creative but I also need to look professional enough to be taken seriously, particularly because I am really pretty young to be doing what I do.
Being so young is usually a plus for me in my job. I think it stops a lot of my younger clients (and often the older too) from being intimidated by me, which is really important in my line of work, but sometimes it can be a bit of a pain.
At least once a week, I hear some variant of 'How did you end up here, I mean what age are you, like 12?'
So when creating outfits I try to keep them fresh and fun, to let my personality and love of clothes shine through, but at the same time I like them to give off some sort of air of professionalism. Tricky. It is hard to put together looks that make me feel nice (and like myself) but are practical and suitable for work.
AND, to make this task even more challenging, I often teach very practical voice classes so need to be free to move without showing ... erm... too much of myself to my students...
As you may have already gathered, I REALLY like clothes and really enjoy the fact that they can be a wonderful mode of self expression. I don't want to sacrifice that just because I might have to do a pelvic roll at the drop of hat!
Pretty, practical and professional - not an easy balance to master! But I guess you've got a year to watch me muddle through and try to get it right...
Jeggings are great because they look like a trouser, so I can wear them with my staple heeled ankle boots no problem, yet I can move in them like a legging. Win! Hence they have become my fallback over the last couple of years.
BUT pre Challenge I really started to let myself fall into a JJ (jeggings & a jumper) rut when it come to work wear.
My lovely friend Emma tells me that isn't a big deal and that I still look nice because the jumpers are lovely ones and not the Fruit of the Loom variety. And of course, it isn't REALLY a big deal, like benefit caps or, arguably, the cost of Thatcher's funeral, but the fact is I don't FEEL very nice. Some days simply don't feel JJ days. I'm bored of them and I really miss my dresses and skirts.
The thing is that, for me, clothes are so much more than just something I put on in the morning to keep me warm and protect my modesty. I like mine to reflect how I feel and help get me ready to face the day. I dress to suit my mood and I also let my mood be affected by what I wear. I suppose you could call me a fashion chameleon (or just a clothes whore). I dress according to the role I want to play that day.
A few years ago I had a job as a librarian and went all out to play that role - heels, pencil skirts and even the tortoise shells! Ridiculous, perhaps, but I had a ball! It was DEFINITELY one of the best things about the job.
Maybe my history as an actor is to blame but I LOVE that clothes have the power to alter how you see yourself as well as how others perceive you. The right outfit can go a long way to getting you in the right mindset to deal with whatever the day throws at you. If you were to wear jeans and a jumper to a job interview, not only would you give the wrong impression but, it's very likely that you wouldn't feel right. Where do you think the term power suit came from?! (Interesting history of that here)
Anyway my JJ rut has only led to me FEELING like I'm in a rut. It is just too casual and effortless. Sometimes we need to make a bit of an effort to inject a little sparkle and energy into life.
SO back to my work wear dilemma:
I would love to get more wear out of my skirts and dresses but the issue there is of the student flashing variety. Skirts have to be paired with tights, which are neither dignity, nor pelvic roll, friendly.
'Well, why not wear leggings instead?' you might ask. BUT if I substitute the tights with leggings it impacts on the footwear choices. Some shoes just look stupid with leggings, particularly in the winter months, when you have to wear socks. The heeled ankle boot, leggings and socks combination is not a winner.
Anyway, since starting The Challenge I have been trying to break free from the JJ and give my varied and vast wardrobe the attention it deserves.
So last Monday I wore a skirt (that nice Miss Selfridge studded pleather number that so many of you seem to love) with tights, thinking that I might be able to avoid the sort of exercises that might result in flashing:
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| Outift No 27 - 15th April 2013 - Studtastic Monday Studded Denim Shirt - Primark Studded Pleather Skirt - Miss Selfridge Khaki Tights - Primark Studded Tan Boots - New Look |
Big mistake: the inevitable need to spine roll ensued...
But I think this is a pretty great outfit. I would normally have resisted the stud overload but I was feeling frivolous that morning and I actually think it really works. Rules are made to be broken after all!
I've had these studded tan boots since last November but have never worn them before (a sin, I know, but, hey, I'm doing something about it). They are actually the same as those black New Look babies that I keep banging on about. Sold out in the shops now but you can pick up a similar pair on Amazon here.
Here are some of the other outfits I have worn to work over the last couple of weeks:
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| Outfit No 21 - Monday 8th April 2013 Kimono Dress - H&M Headband - Accessorize Blue Skinnies - Primark Nude Pumps - Office
This one was great because it WAS pretty and practical,
maybe not particularly 'serious' looking
but I didn't need that on that day.
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| Outfit No 22 - Tuesday 9th April 2013 - Keeping it Simple White Shirt with Lace Detail - eBay bargain (it has a lovely back) Necklace - Primark Skinny Jeans - Primark Boots - Aldo This was a great outfit for work - def one I'll whip out again. |
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| Outfit No 23 - Wednesday 10th April 2013 - Bottled Up Bottle Green T-Shirt Dress - Topshop (this is the same one that I dressed up for Outfit No 9 it really is super versitile) Black Tights - Primark Jacket - Zara Boots - Aldo I love this dress but the outfit is a bit on the dull side, I think. Definitely a hump day...
Thursday 11th was a 'pick yesterday's outfit off the back of the chair' day...
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| Outfit No 24 - Friday 12th April - Fringy Friday Top - Primark (this wonderful top is the same as the black one you saw me wear in Outfits No 6 & No 17 isn't the detailing just gorgeous?) Leggings - H&M Boots - Aldo I really like this one - cheery for a Friday, but 'well turned out' enough for work.  Outfit No 28 - Tuesday 16th April - Trashy Leopard Print Tuesday Blouse - eBay Black Tube Top - New Look Skinny Jeans - Primark Wedge Trainers - Primark (there is a very funny story about these...another time) The fact that the trainers have heels dresses this whole thing up a bit. Blouse is also nice tucked in: 
Now, what to wear today...
Over and Out
M x
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