When I first wrote this article, it was 5 days post-U.S. presidential election, and 1 day after President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris had made their acceptance speeches in Wilmington, Delaware.
This election had the highest voter turnout in history and was unique for a myriad of reasons. Some include the fact that it occurred during a pandemic, counting the ballots after the election have taken at least 4 days and thus, a similar timeframe for projecting the president and vice-president elects. And, among all the other extraordinary factors of this event and descriptors of the candidates, the new Vice President-Elect, Kamala Harris, now ‘former senator’, is a woman, Black, Indian-American, and Jamaican.
Whether or not you voted for her, history will show that this is a glass-ceiling shattering moment, as there has never been a woman or person of color in the vice president role. And while her career path has been incredibly strategic as evidenced by a solid education, accomplishments, cultivating meaningful relationships, and producing scalable results, do you know what else was on full display? Her style.
A few times during the campaign trail, I caught a glimpse of her wearing a blazer, jeans, and Chucks (Converse). From my business-minded point of view, the blazer and jeans are casual power-dressing which enables a leader to always be meeting-ready to engage with stakeholders, and camera-ready for photos, videos, and press conferences as they arise. But the Chucks—they reassure you that she is approachable, willing to listen to your concerns as they relate to politics and your well-being; and comfortable enough to physically move around, as evidenced by her dancing on stage during the campaign. In terms of sentiment, Chucks are synonymous with her being from California and is also a nod to the Hip-Hop and Sneakerhead communities, which of course can serve as an ice-breaker, allowing her to connect more genuinely with those demographics.
Thus far, her image portrays her as being an approachable leader who is assertive and pragmatic—which, then begs the question: how are you expressing yourself through fashion in your workplace?
Many of us have been in quarantine since March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, which means that corporate fashion expression now extends to the virtual work environment, if we had not yet been remote employees. Before COVID, we would consider industry, position, workplace culture, country culture, weather, climate, and schedule when creating our corporate fashion style. But as we transitioned to working from home, at times it feels like we are trying to define a grey area. Technically, we are working our same positions, but at home, in a lax environment—so sweatpants or pajamas may seem like appropriate options. And for some, their return-to-work plans have already been enacted by their employers, so not much has changed in terms of dress-code.
With these scenarios in mind, Image Awareness, Industry / Company, and Country Culture / Climate are 3 categories I like to consider when defining or enhancing corporate fashion. Let’s explore these categories in-depth:
Image Awareness
- Adjectives to describe your work persona
How do you portray yourself as a professional and how would you like to be viewed by your peers, management, and clients? - Adjectives to describe your personality/character
- What parts of your personality are you willing to share that do not conflict with retaining your job?
- What skills do you possess which help you establish common ground?
- Position / Job / HiPo
- What is your current position?
- How long do you plan to be in this role? (You may want to dress more formally than required if you want to be perceived as a “HiPo,” or someone who is a high performer and ready to be groomed for leadership roles)
- Would you like to be viewed exclusively as a leader, supporter, or both?
- Beyond your position, do you wear many hats?
- Do you spend more time sitting at a desk or standing / walking around?
- Are you currently working from home?
- How often are you attending virtual or physical meetings?
- Do you often meet with clients beyond phone calls?
Industry / Company
- Is there a uniform or dress code that is traditionally assumed in your industry or specifically for your department?
Can you deviate from this expectation? - What is your company’s culture?
- Business Formal: communication is formal; also, suits, sheaths, and heels are expected; flats may be worn, but sneakers are not permitted
- Business Casual: communication is mostly formal but attire is modestly casual
- Casual: communication is informal and attire is casual
- Are you expected to mirror in-office dress-code requirements during virtual calls or is a more casual version of your company dress-code permissible?
Or do you have the freedom to not turn on your camera?
Country Culture / Climate
- Are there any articles of clothing that may be frowned upon in a particular country due to the culture there?
- Do you live in an area with four seasons or do you live in a tropical climate where the weather is summer all-year-round?
Stylin’ & Profilin’
Upon answering the above questions to learn more about your work environment and your image, the profiles below can help with nailing down your work style. Also, as an island girl who strives to be more inclusive, the accompanying items below will include both warm and cold weather options. With regards to price range, options include luxuries that are budget-friendly, as well as splurges.
Items are meant to be mixed and matched to get a lower cost-per-wear. They can be worn with black or nude pumps in warm weather and then layered with black tights, a blazer, and a trench or wool coat for added warmth in cold weather. Jewelry can also be added to complement each look.
Lastly, I hope this helps anyone who may be looking to enhance their corporate fashion style or build a new workwear capsule. Think about your legacy. Envision the highest performing version of yourself and dress for that moment.
Enjoy!
(Click on the images to enlarge)
Shop Under $50
1. Amazon (LookBookStore) – Blazer in Black
2. Amazon (MUXXN) – Retro Style Pencil Dress in Black
3. Aldo – Cherrawia Tote in Black
4. Calvin Klein on Amazon – Brady Pump in Black
Shop Under $100
5. J Crew Factory – Broadway Blazer in Black
6. J Crew – Résumé Dress in Black
7. Ann Taylor – Crocodile Print Tote in Black
8. Aldo – Jady Pump in Black
Shop Over $100
9. Cinq à Sept – Suki Blazer in Black
10. Black Halo – Jackie Sheath Dress in Black
11. Tory Burch – Walker Embossed Satchel in Black
12. Sam Edelman – Croc-Embossed Pump in Black
Shop Under $50
13. Amazon (FARVALUE) – Trench Coat in Khaki
14. Ann Taylor – Asymmetric Tie-Neck Shell in Winter White
15. Zara – Wide Leg Pants in Camel
16. Zara – High Heeled Pointy Toe Pump in Brown
Shop Under $100
17. Halogen – Classic Trench Coat in Tan Biscuit
18. J Crew – Ruffle Blouse in Vintage Champagne
19. Ann Taylor – Mila Pumps in Camel
20. J Crew Factory – Cameron Full-Length Pant in Hthr Saddle
Shop Over $100
21. J Crew – Icon Trench
22. Tory Burch – Satin Bow Blouse in New Ivory
23. Ralph Lauren – Celia Pump
24. Lafayette 148 New York – Grammercy Pants in Cappuccino
Shop Under $50
25. JCrew – Slim Perfect Long Sleeve T-Shirt in Brilliant Sunset
26. FRNCH – Micro Stripe Long Cardigan in Black
27. J Crew – Sweater-Skirt in Bright Persimmon
28. Aldo – Nerillan Oxford in Black
Shop Under $100
29. J Crew – Halter Bow Velvet Top in Neon Fuchsia
30. Express – High Waisted Dark Wash Skinny Jeans
31. Ann Taylor – Crocodile Print Tote in Black
32. Aldo – Jady Pump in Black
Shop Over $100
33. Fe Noel – Button Up Wrap Top in White
34. Fe Noel – Caribbean Pride Pant in Multi-Color
35. Tory Burch – Lee Radziwill Double Bag in Leccio
36. Casadei – Julia Storm Pump in Black
Shop Under $50
37. Target – Cozy Long Sleeve Sweatshirt in Fern
38. Target – High-Waisted Leggings in Green
39. Saks – Headband & Mask Set in Grey
40. Puma – Sneakers in Miltary Green
Shop Under $100
41. Madewell – Crewneck Sweatshirt in Dried Cedar
42. Madewell – Sweatpants in Dried Cedar
43. Adidas & IVY Park – Mask Set in Black & Mesa
44. Adidas – Stan Smith in Cloud White
Shop Over $100
45. Net-a-Porter – Cashmere Hooded Sweater in Grey
46. Net-a-Porter – Cashmere Track Pants in Grey
47. Saks – Off-White Brand Mask in Black
48. Net-a-Porter – Alexander McQueen – Suede-trimmed leather sneakers
About the Author
