Work Appropriate for Who, featuring Jacquelyn

I told you Work Appropriate for Who was coming back! Jacquelyn is our first blogger to bring the series back and she’s got some great advice to share with all of you.

Name

Jacquelyn

Blog

justjacq

Age

Job Title

Assistant

Job Description

I work part time at a hedge fund as an assistant where I basically do whatever they ask of me. Mainly that consists of getting office supplies/snacks, grabbing them lunch, and being tech support. I also have a virtual assistant business where I help bloggers and creative entrepreneurs by making their life just a bit easier! Lastly I am also a student! I am working towards getting my teacher certification to teach secondary English.

Organization Description

My day time job is at a hedge fund.

What dress code was given to you when you began the job?

I actually wasn’t given a dress code. I am in an office of 10 and 1 of 2 women so I had to figure it out for myself. The finance world can either be really conservative or really laid back. My office is laid back; the men mostly wear jeans and khakis and simple tops. They sometimes even wear sandals! The other woman is our trader so she dresses really comfortably. Then there’s me! I dress pretty formal for the office. I believe in dressing for the job you want, even if you don’t know what that job is yet!

What do you generally wear to work?

I’m a skirts and dresses girl so I’m usually in a pencil skirt or dress. I wear a lot of button front tops and layers. I do wear jeans to the office occasionally; usually once or twice a week.

Where do you like to shop for work attire?

Loft is my main store; their clothes fit a curvy body really well. My second store is J.Crew Factory for their button front tops.

How have you developed your professional style?

I’ve actually always preferred dressing this way. Skirts, dresses, and tailored clothes fit my shape the best so it is what I gravitate towards. The past few years though I have really developed a colorful and patterned professional look. I think that came with confidence and Pinterest 😉

In your specific office, what is one thing you would tell a woman to definitely NOT wear?

Because I never know if I’ll be grabbing messy lunch or climbing under a desk to move devices, I always try to dress in items where I won’t have any accidental slippage or shows. I’d also say that because the office is predominantly male, don’t wear anything too revealing. I’m all about loving what you’ve got and being confident but there is a time and place for that and the office definitely isn’t it.

What is the best “dress code” advice you have ever received?

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. I like to add on the “even if you don’t know what job you want” bit.

What advice would you give to women starting in her career about dressing for her job?

I’d say don’t be afraid of color. I think we all make the mistake of wanting to blend in and not cause any weird looks or comments, but go in there from day one showing your personality in your clothes and they’ll adapt. Of course you have to adapt that personality to office attire.

Anything else you would like to add?

I know it’s hard when you’re first starting out to spend $100 on pants, but it is so worth it. Invest in a few well made basics and they’ll take you far. I have honestly worn the same pair of black trousers for about 5 years now. They are the only black trousers I own and I wear them at least twice a week.