And You Thought “Casual Friday” Was Vague… BY LAUREN BONENBERGER
Company picnics, cocktails with clients, concerts with coworkers—those new to the nine to five will quickly learn that specified hours are merely a suggestion. The real workweek is nebulous at best, as are dress codes for job-related events. STITCH has enlisted the help of Chicago etiquette experts Melenie Broyles (of Etiquette Chicago) and Patricia O’Brien (of Manners, Please) to help navigate this poten- tially dangerous wardrobe territory. Since the “best judgment” of college students can be unreliable, follow these five rules to stay in your boss’s good graces.
WATCH YOUR EPIDERMIS. Company picnics are a perennial sum- mertime favorite. College interns feel at home around hot dogs, horseshoes and hops, but an invitation’s “Don’t forget your swimsuit!” admonition compli- cates things for the ladies. On bikinis, the experts disagree. For Broyles, tankinis are the only appropriate two-piece suits for work events. A conservative bikini is okay with O’Brien, but should always be paired with a cover-up outside the water. “You become a flashing billboard,” says O’Brien of walking around in a swimsuit. Still uncomfortable? Politely opt out of aquatic activities and sport a cute romper or sundress poolside. What better way to charm that cute intern you’ve had your eye on than by leaving something to his imagination? (Warning: There is a set of much more complicated rules for office romances.)
DRINK SPARINGLY, IF AT ALL. “Tequila makes her clothes fall off,” warns country crooner Joe Nichols. If your boss spots you whipping your cardigan around your head after too many margaritas, it won’t matter if you bought your sweater at Ann Taylor LOFT. “Anything beyond two drinks and you’re the entertainment, not the professional,” says Broyles. Gentlemen, this goes for you, too. At any and all work events, drink the way you dress: conser- vatively. Don’t let Joe say he told you so.
USE YOUR HEAD. In her 12 years working in corporate human resources, Broyles says she saw countless employees miss out on promotions or fail to close a deal because of the way they dressed or acted. Remember, you were smart enough to land this job in the first place (much to the envy of your peers working – albeit for an actual hourly wage – at J.Crew). If you’d be embarrassed to wear an outfit to dinner with your significant other’s parents, make some changes.
WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK. Avoid surprises by asking your boss upfront what is appropriate. A few things that never fly: cleavage, ripped jeans, clingy fab- rics, sky-high heels, and wrinkled blouses. “Skip your frappuccinos for a couple of weeks and take your clothing to the dry cleaners,” says O’Brien. For the guys, O’Brien recommends losing the baseball cap and ditching heavy cologne.
BE YOURSELF. Suits, skirts, pumps and pleated pants leave little room for self-expression at the office. Take this opportunity to show off your personal style—swap khakis for Nantucket Reds, or introduce some bold jewelry or a pair of funky flats into a monochromatic look. After all, you are a “young professional,” and the first part of the term is just as important as the second. There are plenty of unemployed middle-aged people available for hire, but the company chose you. Dress the part.
Top to Bottom: SANCTUARY PERLA SILK PRINT TEE $92 (PIPERLIME) HIPSTER BOTTOM $48 (EVERYTHING BUT WATER) BLUE $124 (IN STYLE SWIMWEAR)
CHISELED DROP NECKLACE $38 (ANTHROPOLOGIE)
BECCA BAYOU BANDEAU TOP $64 and BAYOU TAB SLIDE VIX CHEMISE in
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