Work Appropriate for Who? Featuring Liz, the Dietitian

Anyone else ever stumble across a blog and instantly add it to your blogroll? Liz was one of those blogs for me! I can’t remember how I came across her blog, but I’m glad I did. Her style is fun and has been pretty inspirational for me over the past few months. Read on to learn more about how she’s learned how to dress for work.

Liz

26

Registered Dietitian

Assess residents nutritional needs and if they are at nutritional risk. Conduct meal rounds on each unit, monitor weights and make changes as needed to residents diet. Among other things.

Nursing home

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

Business Casual

Most of the time you will find me in dress pants or khakis with a nice shirt, and flats or booties, depending on the weather. In the summer, I opt more for dresses and skirts, while in the winter it’s pretty much pants every day- I can’t stand my legs being cold and tights do absolutely nothing for me!

Where do you like to shop for work attire?

Express is probably my favorite place to shop for pants, their Columnist fit is my favorite. As for tops, I’ll shop anywhere from J.Crew to American Eagle.

When I first started, I wanted to see what everyone else was wearing, to get an idea of what I could get away with wearing, but I quickly incorporated my pieces into my professional wardrobe. Being the button up hoarder that I am, it wasn’t too hard doing so. I have also gotten more comfortable being a little more daring with color and pattern!

Since I work in a nursing home and have 2 units on opposite sides of the facility that I cover, I would say heels are a definite no go! Unless you stay in your office all day, and don’t really walk around much, then heels are fine, but for me and most of my co-workers who are running from the unit to the kitchen to a different unit, up and down stairs all day, heels are out!

I always tend to gravitate towards neutrals (if you’ve been following my blog for a second then you know this!) so the best advice, as obvious as it may sound, was to add color to my work wardrobe. A nursing home is no fun, so why not wear fun and exciting colors, it could make the residents more happy even if just for the time you’re going to be with them.

I would definitely say to start with basics! A great black pant, and a nice top in a fun print is always a great thing to fall back on. People watching at your job is also great, because you get to see what your new co-workers are wearing and what is deemed appropriate. What ever you wear, make sure your comfortable! It’s no fun pulling at an outfit all day! Plus, if your comfortable in what your wearing, then you’ll ooze confidence which is always important when starting a new job!