Dressing vintage in the workplace

Shorty · Nov 24, 2004

Clothes you wear at work

Here's a new girl asking what kind of clothes do you wear at work?
First I have to say my English is not very good (I'm from Finland) but hope you all understand what I'm trying to say

I work at office and because of my lifestyle the other employees think I'm a "freak". I usually wear my 40's pants and some blouse. I'd like to wear suits and skirts but it feels a little bit uncomfortable because all the other ladies would be staring at me.
And there's also another but. I have to go to work by bicycle. In the summertime that's not a problem but in winter... you know it can be freezing cold outside...

kamikat · Nov 28, 2004

I don't work outside the home now, with two small children, so my opinion may not help much. I find that if I wear a 40's dress with dark tights and Doc Marten mary jane shoes, I don't get as many weird looks as I do when I wear the same dress with stockings and high heeled pumps. As for riding your bike to work, if you are wearing a dress, try wearing wool or silk leggings over your stockings, then taking them off once you get to work.

kamikat

Bobbi B. · Nov 28, 2004

For many parts of my work, a skirt would be immodest; I am more likely to be dressed like Rosie the Riveter on any given day! Tailored slacks, a nice blouse or (more often) sweater and low, practical shoes, most days; when there's something especially toilsome to be done, a flannel top, carpenter-style dungarees and (oh, yuck) work boots.

Not everyone has that option, for any one of a great many reasons. (At times I wish I didn't!) A long, flannel-lined skirt or jumper* with a suitable top and knee socks will do just fine in winter -- only a V-girl (or worse!) would risk frostbite (and good nylons) for style! There are many kinds of 1930s - '40s looks and what's proper for a night out jitterbugging is not necessarily ideal for daywear. Stockings were considerably more costly (in terms of percentage of one's income) in the '40s -- and rationed besides, in many places; less-sexy but warmer long socks are entirely appropriate for many jobs, especially in winter.

You can stand out, or not, and for various reasons; a low-key '40s look can come across as simply a little conservative and more organized than modern "office casual." (At least where I live, which is hardly one of the more fashion-forward regions of the 'States; saddle oxfords don't even stand out!). Or it can be a very bold statement of personal style. Consider the context when planning a wardrobe.

BB
____________________
* American English definition.

Shorty · Nov 28, 2004

Thank's for the tips!
Maybe skirts and dresses really are not the most practical clothes to wear at work. Somehow I feel myself too "fancy" if I wear a suit at work...
I feel comfortable in my slacks and sweater or a blouse so that's the way I'll keep it. Ofcourse if there's a reason to celebrate something I'll dress a little bit smarter.

People I'm working with are getting used to my different style and they keep wondering where do I get these clothes.
I've got few pairs of original 40's slacks but they are so called better slacks. I've got a friend who makes pants for me from original 40's patterns. That's the way I get pants just in my size.
Actually I just bought a sewing machine and I'm going to learn to make clothes. How will that end up with my nervs

Scarlet Belle · Nov 30, 2004

Hey Shorty, Welcome!!

The riding of a bicycle to work does make dressing a bit more difficult, and for that reason pants are probably your best bet.

I work in a corporate office and usually wear high waisted straight skirts and ankle strap high heels with angora sweaters or cardigans in winter and blouses in summer. I also like to wear suits and more fifties shapes in skirts, capri pants with ballet pumps and swing dresses.

The thing is, you can look smart, conservative and well groomed for a corporate environment in 40s style very easy and there really is no reason to have to dress "modern".

Good luck and stay glam!

Honey Doll · Sep 8, 2006

How vintage is your work wardrobe?

While I love the looks of the 40s and do it to the 9s on date-nights, I work in a rather conservative profession. I look for suits that have skirts at or below the knee, tailored jackets and accessorize with period brooches, vintage inspired shoes and red lipstick. I'm trying to slowly transition my hair into a look that is vintage inspired, think maybe Lauren Bacall.

I've bought a few 40s suit patterns and have one brown tweed almost finished.

Wondering how far you ladies go in your daily work wardrobe.

Daisy Buchanan · Sep 8, 2006

I'm not working at the moment. But, I'm a dental hygienist, so that means when I do work, I have the pleasure of wearing scrubs. I say that with great sarcasm. They are the most hideous, sloppiest clothes. However, they are right for the environment. They do make some very stylish ones nowadays. My favorite are the boot cut with a wrap around top, almost like a kimono. They are quite comfortable, and now they come in a wide array of colors as well as styles. Besides, most important, they are super easy to clean, which is a necessity after staring into peoples dirty mouths all day. Hmm, I wonder why I'm not working at the moment????

LizzieMaine · Sep 8, 2006

I work at home in my writing job, so I'm usually wearing cotton housedresses. When I'm at the theatre, I'm usually in 40s-style day dresses or blouses and skirts. One dress in particular has a print very similar to the deco pattern on the lobby carpets -- and I never fail to get comments on how "coordinated" I am!

Barbara · Sep 8, 2006

No one really sees me, such is living in LA. So I try to a degree, but don't make as much fuss as I did when I lived in London. Some of my summer 40s stuff has come in handy with the long hot summer here.

Having a child has also made just getting dressed some days a big achievement!

Rosie · Sep 8, 2006

I'm at work now. I am dressed in vintage or vintage inspired almost every day. But then again, my work environment is not really a strict or conservative one. Some of my co workers show up in sweat pants.

Fleur De Guerre · Sep 8, 2006

I am currently having the problem that I don't have a "work wardrobe" as such! My work is not particularly conservative, only jeans are forbidden. And I have very few clothes (so far) that actually match how I want to look. So I am wearing my vintage and repro clothes both to work and out of it. It's a real shame as it means I don't have a separate wardrobe, but at the same time I just moved so I don't go out much and no one would see me in my nice clothes if I didn't wear them to work! But I find vintage stuff to be generally smarter anyway, so it's appropriate for my smart casual office. I wear pencil skirts or slightly a-line ones, little puffy sleeved shirts and cardigans, high waisted pants and wedges or ballet flats. I have one vintage day dress that is too nice for work, but a repro one I do wear, if it's warm enough.

Miss Dottie · Sep 8, 2006

My collection of vintage beaded sweaters makes it into my work wardrobe. And I love wearing my Remix wedges, since they are so comfy. And I wear a lot of my Manifesto shirts, which are vintage-inspired.

My workplace is pretty mellow but full of hipsters, so I just kinda mishmash everything together. But I think when most people se me at work, they say I give off a "vintage vibe" half the time.

Rosie · Sep 8, 2006

I don't have a seperate work wordrobe either. There are things I won't wear to work, house clothes of course, obvious evening clothes, blouses or dresses that are a little too revealing for little eyes but for the most part, my clothes are what I wear whenever.

Lady Day · Sep 8, 2006

I do pretty much every day have a vintage/ inspired look. Right now Im wearing herringbone slacks with canvas kicks, and a green cardie, and a tan cabbie. Its my day off Im casual

Normally for work, Im usualy all 50s. Long skirts, blouses, brooches, cardies, scarves, flowers, the whole 9s. I have no seperate clothing for work, I just wear what I like.

LD

Tourbillion · Sep 8, 2006

Sometimes I can sneak in a vintage blouse or skirt, but anything that stands out is not acceptable at my work.

There is a fairly strict dress code, Men wear ties and dress slacks, ladies wear dress slacks or skirts, no t-shirts allowed (not that everyone follows the dress code), Friday you can wear jeans and a polo shirt.

Also everyone is slavishly fashionable. Normal shoes are manolos, louboutin, prada. Designer labels predominate. I once asked a guy where he got his shirt (it was a slightly greyish purple shade, really nice)--bespoke tailor in HK.

My $1000 watch is looked down upon because it isn't a rolex. I must be the lowest paid at my work because I can't afford a $100,000 car either.

In short my work is disgusting.

Paisley · Sep 8, 2006

Tourbillion said:
I must be the lowest paid at my work because I can't afford a $100,000 car either.

Or your coworkers may be in debt up to their eyeballs.

Rebecca D · Sep 9, 2006

I work at a dot com, so there's no dress code, and even if there were clothing restrictions I wouldn't go out and buy a separate work wardrobe. I wear vintage every day, so I dress for work as I would on my days off.

My biggest problem, however, is that I do prison work in my free time, which leads me to San Quentin‚Äôs death row on the weekends. As you can imagine, the dress codes there are very strict: no blue, no green (they include aqua in this restriction), no denim, no underwire bras, no cardigans unless a full blouse (can‚Äôt be sleeveless) is worn underneath; there‚Äôs also a no skirts with slits rule as well as a (sometimes - depending on the guards) no open-toed shoes policy. And they check your sweaters to make sure they don't come up when you raise your arms. I'm forbidden to wear metal pins in my hair or carry a handbag that isn't completely see-through. This severely restricts my wardrobe, but I‚Äôve narrowed my prison-visiting clothes to 40s wide legged trousers and conservative war-time blouses - and I secure my hair with celluloid pins. Sometimes, if it‚Äôs horribly hot out there, I‚Äôll wear a conservative day dress.

So in my mind, if I can work around those strict rules, anyone could work around a dress code at work!

KAT · Sep 9, 2006

not very vintage but vintage inspired! my hair is always done in a hair do, red lipstick , of course

but i work with kids and a baby..so yeah i wouldnt like to have carrot spots and ...on my vintage dresses...lol

KAT · Sep 9, 2006

fftopic: but Rebecca..that is so great you do prison work in your free time? Volunteer? I would like to do something like that! But I guess i just stick with the Hospice i wanted apply to....but hats off to you! Respect:eusa_clap

RedShoesGirl · Sep 9, 2006

we have a very relaxed dress code at the newspaper. advertising ladies dress a lot nicer than us on the editorial side, but they make more money. jeans are supposedly not allowed but a couple of folks that work in dirtier areas of the paper wear them - or the really defiant lady.

i wear vintage some as i do not have many clothes but do try to do my hair in more vintage looks, like with combs. i think our lady reporters are looking pretty sloppy these days, not professional at all. flip flops and capri pants do not give off a very good impression to the reading public.

photographers are allowed jeans but encourage to wear heavy duty slack like khaki. i wear sneakers when my legs are achy or i am planning on an exercising walk that day.

typical desert california garb.

lara

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