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Original poster

Dressing for work in an American corporation

390 replies

CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 02/04/2015 16:31

Just that - what is essential to look professional in a US blue chip company? I'm assuming a suit / day dress is standard wear, along with decent shoes and bag. But what about the subtle stuff: manicure / hair / make up / tights?

Any advice much appreciated!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
BossWitch · 10/04/2015 18:31

Ooh yes that's the stuff squoosh, only it needs to be longer for truly awesome swooshing CAPEabilities. Grin

MrsUrquhart · 10/04/2015 18:47

This thread is hilarious. I am so glad we don't have a New York office that I could get seconded to. I work in the city and for my first month I dressed slightly like this (although my jewellery is not that expensive) and then I realised I was dressed more formally than all the partners so I stopped doing it. Then I got seconded to Paris and we all wear jeans (don't usually see clients).

'Trying too hard' is definitely looked down upon in London/Europe. If you are posh you can get away with anything. My boss doesn't have a single jumper without moth-holes in it but they are all cashmere and cost about £400.

blackcurrants · 10/04/2015 19:19

I think a lot of "ugh, how vulgar" and "ugh, trying too hard" is just as snobby and annoying as "how much $$$ was your engagement ring, then?" to be honest.

OP: link [[http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2012/06/dressing-for-respect-in-the-office.html]] is a good guide to corporate America's sense of appropriate appearance.

I'm not arguing the morals of it (says the woman at work on casual Friday in cheap jeans, a fleece, and with a stainless steel wedding ring that cost a fiver... I love my workplace!) but the OP wanted to know what's the norm, and that article is a pretty good lowdown.

hello want2 :) I've been off MN since DS2 was born, life was so mental. Now I've got the work thing sorted, it's nice to be back for a bit of a natter.

blackcurrants · 10/04/2015 19:19

ah crap I used to be able to do links

www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2012/06/dressing-for-respect-in-the-office.html

ElizabethHoover · 10/04/2015 19:24

Dressing for respect fgs

MuttonCadet · 10/04/2015 19:36

Nothing snobby about asking the price of someone's jewellery (or anything else), it's just crass.

MuttonCadet · 10/04/2015 19:37

(But yes calling others behaviour vulgar and crass probably is) Wink

NoRockandRollFun · 10/04/2015 19:54

Funny what people consider to be eccentric. Wonder what they would make of Boden.

Want2bSupermum · 10/04/2015 20:21

Saurus72 - probably a bit of both.

blackcurrents that link is good. Glad to hear you guys are well. It's rather a shock to the system of going from one to two. Good to see you back. We have missed you a lot!

Want2bSupermum · 10/04/2015 20:23

Oh and my fav client here in NJ wears boden. She is awesome and totally down to earth. As I said, once you leave Manhattan life becomes normal really quickly. Thank heavens!

cheminotte · 10/04/2015 20:36

Really interesting read. I actually thought the wardrobe oxygen website made a lot of sense and some of it you will read on here, e.g. quality not quantity. I didn't see anything about weekly manicures being a necessity.

Original poster
CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 10/04/2015 20:39

I've subscribed to that website, thanks blackcurrant.

I can just about say "pant suit" with a straight face, but I'm struggling with "a sheath with a cardigan over" Grin

OP posts:
LikeABadSethRogenMovie · 10/04/2015 20:40

I think DH must belong to a completely different part of Corporate NYC as he's a bit of a scruffy bastard and it hasn't appeared to have slowed him down.

Emo76 · 10/04/2015 20:42

Looking smart, well presented and neat is construed as professional the world over. It may sound boring but there we go.

Emo76 · 10/04/2015 20:42

Cheminotte there's nothing on that site re manicures because it's a given

Want2bSupermum · 10/04/2015 20:46

chem I kid you not that toddlers aged 3 are getting a weekly manicure with mummy. The reason it doesn't say anything about a manicure is because it's considered basic. Regardless of whether you work or not you go get your nails done.

There are other parents who don't take their DCs with them to get nails done but it's shocking to see how many do.

Stitchintime1 · 10/04/2015 20:48

I know lots of people in New York and everybody I know has manicures. TV execs, teachers, my old aunts. There are tons of nail bars and they are cheap. It is an eye opener the first time, but a manicure isn't a luxury can-I-find-it-on-Wowcher treat. It's more like...well I can't think of what it's like. Somewhere between dry cleaning and having a quick drink on a Friday.

toffeeboffin · 10/04/2015 20:50

An actual cape?! Only a viscount could get away with wearing a cape [g

Love this thread, wish I was heading to New York for work!

OP, they will LOVE your accent Smile

Emo76 · 10/04/2015 20:51

Off topic but enjoyed the oxygen website, thanks

toffeeboffin · 10/04/2015 20:54

Bosswitch, please come back and tell us more about the Viscount Grin

Want2bSupermum · 10/04/2015 20:55

sethrogan it might be that his Englishness allows him to get away with it. I've had zero luck with that as a couple of the English people I work with are def channelling duchess of Cambridge. So damn annoying.

I'm interviewing with a French and Japanese company next week. Def no to the Japanese but I can't wait to see what the deal is with the French. I can live with the eyebrow grooming and shaving but the hair drives me nuts. I want to be able to go 9 months without dye and not be concerned that I might lose my position over it. It's damn hair!

Stitchintime1 · 10/04/2015 20:58

I loved working in New York. I think it is one of the great cities and its many eccentricities are as endearing as the ones in London.

Stitchintime1 · 10/04/2015 20:59

Want to be - a friend of mine works with lots of Japanese firms and it's a very different game. Interesting though.

squoosh · 10/04/2015 21:01

I've never had a manicure in my life. NYC would regard me as the female version of Captain Caveman after hearing such a revelation.

cheminotte · 10/04/2015 21:03

Emo Supermum - children getting manicures, that is mad! (I've had about 3 manicures in my life so far, I.e. less than 1 per decade!)