(Image from asee.org)
Why is "business casual" so...LAME?
This has been the question burning in my mind since I found out I got the job (yaaaay!) and heard the dreaded words, "business casual" (laaaame!). I am somewhat perplexed as to why a bridal shop has a "business casual" dress code. Frankly, I would feel a little weird buying a wedding gown from a woman in a power suit, but that's just me.
In my new workplace's defense, I've only heard about said dress code from the HR manager, when I asked her what to wear to orientation. I believe her exact words were something like, "It's business casual, you know, nothing too short or too low..."
Which seems obvious. Except that I have this problem of being long legged...and so nearly every dress I try on hits above the knee. Some dresses are work appropriate if I wear tights or leggings with them, I THINK. Needless to say, I'm anxious to see what the other girls are wearing. I want to look professional, but seriously? Fasion is a creative business, and even if it's a bridal shop, I still think it's appropriate to look fashion-conscious, yes?
Speaking of the new job, I'll be working in the tuxedo department. I'm actually really excited about this because I know nothing about men's fashion and am looking forward to learning. My ignorance in this area became painfully obvious this week, and here's why:
Sarge started law school last week, and in that time we've gone to no less than three different mixers for various organizations on campus. Some are more casual than others, but I tend to overdress because I'd rather be overdressed than under-dressed. Anyway, as we've been attending these events, Sarge and I realized he has virtually no proper dress clothes. He doesn't have a nice pair of khakis, a decent, well-fitting blazer, or any dress accessories (shoes, belt, etc.). I guess that's what five years in the Army will do to a person's wardrobe (maybe that's also what 6 1/2 years at a coffee shop will do to a person's wardrobe...hence why I've never had any work clothes that don't have coffee/mocha/tea stains on them).
So yesterday I went to the mall to see what I could find. Unfortunately, shopping for Sarge is much less fun than shopping for myself, so I had a harder time summoning excitement for my task. I found some things at all the usual suspects (Banana Republic in particular has a few pieces I'd love to splurge on for him) but, when it comes down to it, we just don't have the cash. So I've resulted to Kohl's, JCPenney, and the like.
I was actually surprised at Kohl's' (that looks super weird!) selection. I ended up getting him a classic light blue oxford button down, a pair of dress khakis, and two rugby stripe ties, one in blue and red and another in kelly green and blue. The khakis are a little big, so I'm going to see if we can hunt down a better pair this weekend. But I got the whole loot for less than $100, which is, in a word, AWESOME. However, neither Sarge nor I have any idea how all of this is supposed to fit. Such as...how long are the pants supposed to be? Is the shirt supposed to be more baggy or more fitted? And how the heck to I iron all of it?!?! (AskMen.com has a great article I just found here on how to do that very thing, so even if you're clueless about fit and tailoring, like I am, at least you won't be wrinkly.)
(Also, as an aside, did you know they don't make a suit coat in a 38 long? Of course, this would probably be Sarge's perfect size. Typical.)
It's funny to me that all of this is happening right around the time when I'm embarking on a new career in...men's formal wear! I am excited to learn, though.
What's that? You're wondering what kind of jerk would want to commit cruelty to animals and mention it in their subject post? Well, that jerk might be me. I'm ashamed to admit it, but the pekingese and yorkie downstairs, with their incessant yipping at every breeze, blink and toilet flush, have evoked a sleeping rage within me. I swear, the barking is enough to make a person crazy. Why? Why must we bark at everything? I suppose it's not as much their fault as it is their perhaps irresponsible owners'. All I can say is that I'm glad I at least have a bike so I can escape if need be.
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