Urban Outfitters Black and white polka dot chiffon blouse with self-tie bow
Black lyrca-blend camisole
Black crepe, three-button Ann Taylor suit jacket
Black crepe, wide-leg Banana Republic trousers
Charcoal Pewter Cole Hahn heels with ankle strap
Today's Makeup:
Stila Stay-All-Day, 10-in-One Illuminating Beauty Balm
MAC Blush in "Well-Dressed"
MAC Brow Crayon (very lightly applied) in Spiked, set with Model in a Bottle Brow setting liquid
Eyes done with Urban Decay Primer Potion, MAC Paint in Untitled, MAC eyeshadows in Vapour, Vex, Blanc Type, and White Frost, and MAC Opulash Mascara
Givenchy Lipstick in Brun Createur and Chanel Lip Pencil in Rose Tawny
Coty Loose Setting Powder and Urban Decay "All Nighter" Setting Spray
So, you may be asking: what is the meaning of all this? Well, today the look at work called for a more "DC professional" esthetic. On a typical day, I can "get away" with wearing vintage, "office girl" attire paired with cat wing liner, dark, defined brows, and a bold red lip. However, due to various meetings with new clients and government officials, I am blending in with the DC masses!
This town is not know for being a hub of cutting-edge and/or unique fashion. Instead, it is the epicenter of government employees, Senate staffers, lawyers, lobbyists, military personnel, government contractors, and professionals. Therefore the look requires suiting textiles in charcoal, black, and navy paired with sensible shoes and an ID badge on a lanyard. While cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Portland are famous for their funky, hip 'come as you are' vibe, DC's "business and politics" atmosphere tends to leave us off the bullseye of cool.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-worst-dressed-people/15
Despite the horde of the dark-suit masses that dot the concrete, traffic-clogged landscape, there are little pockets of trendnistas in DuPont, Adams Morgan, and even in nearby Baltimore. Now, these 'hep kids' are the exception and not the rule. Most of the people here range from the yuppie soccer mom in Crocs and Gap khaki capris to the preppy guy on the Metro reading "Freakonomics," decked out in his crisp heather grey J. Crew suit and striped tie. If anyone (like me) has the gall to dress differently, then be prepared to endure the judging stares and stinging whispers.
Like the "Travel and Leisure" article stated, I suspect the reason for DC's lack of fashion is due to the nature of the workforce. This is the center of our nation's government. DC is also known for it's museums and monuments. We represent the nation, both politically and historically. Our local news makes national news. On more than one occasion, I have spotted Marine One (the President's Helicopter- and there's more than one) flying over the city. I love it how no one looks up in awe and wonder. Oh, we DC kids are so seasoned to the POTUS! Aren't we just too cool for school?!
So, today, in my modern professional attire, I feel I am playing "dress up!" I do not mind. It is just another day.
You look great! My husband went to DC once for an interview with Home Land Security. He was applying for a job. He commented on how so many attractive men and women weren't dress more fashionable. Just suits and satchels. He thought it was odd but also attributed it to the line of work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mariela! It's funny how most people's attire feels like a costume to me. But I am sure they think my usual 50s look IS a costume! Lol!
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting that your husband also noticed the level of nice looking people dressed so conservatively. I always see dapper guys on the Metro and walking around town but their clothes do nothing for me. So stuffy.
I know the look is the required for most agencies and offices. It is the "nature of the beast." Every government agency is practically headquartered here!
Btw, did your guy get the job?
Lol no. He didn't really pass the current US occupations question. It worked out for the better. He got another job closer to home. Well close-ish. We moved 400 for a job. Yeah. He's a college graduate with a degree in electrical engineering and we moved to Nevada. It's worked out great for us. We have our own place and don't have family dropping by randomly.
DeleteWow! So glad not getting the job worked out for you all! Living in Nevada must be cool! I love the Sierras. So pretty! I am getting tired of living in the Mid-Atlantic. I would love to live in South Florida (husband's family is from there) or the Rockies of Colorado.
DeleteIt is gorgeous! I love how many rivers and creeks there are around here. We 20 minutes from Tahoe too. The only down-side to all the water is that is flipping cold, even in the summer. I love how dry it is out here. I can't deal with humidity at all. Makes me crabby and super irritable.
DeleteYou look fabulous, even in "regular" clothing!
ReplyDeleteArizona is a much more casual place overall, and sometimes I cringe at what people think is acceptable to wear to the office. Of course, I am usually overdressed in my vintage office attire! I am sure some people find my clothing to be strange or costumey, but the informal attitude here means I can get away with a head-to-toe vintage look fairly easily.
Thank you for your comments, Amanda! I have seen some people here that dress very inappropriate for the office too! Earlier today, I saw cargo pants and a Redskins tee on a guy who was wearing government contractor badge. I can take the suits but casual sloppiness? No. I, too, would rather be overdressed than inappropriately or under-dressed. Anyway, I bet your office attire is glorious! :)
DeleteGreat look! My husband works at a not-for-profit watchdog/think tank and his casual days are business slacks and button down shirt. His days on The Hill require the the full 9 nines. He does try to keep it up-to-date with charcoal suit with purple shirt and tie, and tops it off with his grey snakeskin Doc Martens.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea, my fellow Beltway Queen!! My wears a suit daily for meetings with his clients in Rockville. On casual days at the office, he will wear a button down and business slacks too.
DeleteI have been on the Hill and it is all about dresses to the Nines and back again!
And that is cool that your guy wears his Docs!! Love that!
I used to work in a building that also housed a call center, and I'm guessing the employees were allowed to wear pretty much anything there. I saw some of the most atrocious attire--not only super casual (skinny strap tank tops and super short denim cutoffs) but also incredibly unflattering choices (sadly, quite a few employees were good candidates for “What Not to Wear,” as they didn’t seem to know how to dress their body types.)
ReplyDeleteOur building had an office that once housed a support center of some kind as well (they moved out). I saw flip flops, cut off shorts, and and sports jerseys all the time too!
DeleteAnd I agree about not dressing for one's body type. I have seen ladies wear suit trousers that are way too tight. You can see VPL (visible panty lines) and the hip pockets flare out because of the poor fit. Their overall suit look is ruined. I say get a bigger size and get it tailored. VPLs are never work appropriate!
Well you look damn good regardless of what style you go for.
ReplyDeleteYou would have knocked em dead in that 60s look though ;) *heheheh*
Thank you! I wish I could have worn my 60s black and white tweed jacket and matching pencil skirt set today! I love it! So Mad Men professional!
DeleteFundamentally, it should be described during which free glasses possess changed into a new enticing in addition to well-known phrase on-line.
ReplyDelete