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.
Name
Liz
Blog
Age
26
Job Title
Registered Dietitian
Job Description
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.
Organization Description
Nursing home
What dress code was given to you when you began the job?
Business Casual
What do you generally wear to work?
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.
How have you developed your professional style?
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!
In your specific office, what is one thing you would tell a woman to definitely NOT wear?
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!
What is the best “dress code” advice you have ever received?
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.
What advice would you give to women starting in her career about dressing for her job?
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!
