You know, professional doesn’t have to mean boring. I have had a long history of fighting society’s idea of what professionalism looks like. Are jeans professional? What about a pencil skirt? How short can that pencil skirt be? Long skirt? Skirts at all?!? The fact of the matter is, what is considered “professional dress” is in flux.
Note: As with anything on my blog, this post represents my personal opinion. You are welcome to disagree with me but I would ask that you keep any responses to this post civil.
“Professional Dress” in High School
In no place has “professional dress” defied interpretation the most as in the High School environment. Female students show up to formal presentations in tiny, bodycon skirts and towering heels. It’s not so much that I fear for their morals as much as the effectiveness of their presentation. One false step and not only could there be serious injury, but the entire class would see what was not-so-carefully-concealed.
Ok, I hear you fellow feminists crying foul! I’m all about having what you wear give you confidence (or not being defined by what you wear), but I also believe that what should be memorable from a presentation is not what a person is wearing (or how sexy they look), but what that person presents and how they support what they know. A tight, short skirt is both constricting (making movement dangerous) and draws attention away from the argument itself. Young women, however, are not the only ones in High School who don’t quite grasp “professional dress.”
Throughout my teaching career I would have conversations with young men the day before a presentation where they would stare at me incomprehensibly when I explained, again, why shorts wouldn’t cut it for “professional dress.” In some circles, I had to add “jeans” to the list of banned clothing too, if the rules of the department or school insisted.
You see, some schools have their own policies of what is considered “professional dress.” For instance, one High School where I worked had a no-jeans policy for teachers. Are jeans professional enough? Apparently not there (though, to my great annoyance, garishly patterned leggings passed muster). So clearly, if jeans weren’t “professional dress” for teachers, then I couldn’t very well allow the boys (or girls) to wear jeans for their presentations. (“But Mrs. Evans! I don’t even own pants that aren’t jeans!”)
Clearly, the students needed help knowing what “professional dress” included. So, last year I actually had to visually define it for my students. (See those two slides from the presentation below, if you’re interested!)
Attempting to set some standards
So really…what is considered professional? At this point, I think it’s fair to say that it is determined by the standards of your organization. However, I would like to advocate for jeans and over-the-knee-boots to be considered casually professional. (Yes, high school boys…I’m with you on the jeans to a certain extent.) I believe that it’s all in the way that you wear those two items.
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Now…I see there being a formula to this madness:
Jeans + a t-shirt = not professional on their own (in my world). However, Jeans + a t-shirt + a blazer over the top…👌 Jeans + a t-shirt + a designer belt + fashionable pumps….✔ for casual professional dress.
What about over-the-knee boots? Short skirt + OTK boots = not professional in my world. Tight dress + OTK boots…probably not. However, midi dress + OTK boots…probably ok. Pencil skirt + OTK boots + long cardigan = 👌 Any type of skinny jean + OTK boots + long tunic or cardigan = ✔
I believe that the key to making these items professional is to pair them with other, unarguably professional pieces. As in this outfit, a blazer adds a sense of professionalism to any outfit. You don’t need to pair it with matching slacks or a pencil skirt to be professional, especially casually professional (which is, I believe, becoming more common in workplaces). Professional doesn’t need to be boring! Pair your blazer with jeans and some classy pumps! Like a blazer, pumps make just about any outfit classy.
Pairing over-the-knee boots or jeans with a long cardigan takes the attention away from the “unprofessional” pieces. So much of the jeans being covered by the OTK boots means that you almost don’t even notice the jeans themselves!
What is considered “professional dress” is in flux, for sure. In some work environments, casual professional dress may not be professional enough and jeans may really not be appropriate. However, I believe that the key to dressing professionally is in the overall look, not the individual pieces. You can be trendy and still professional.
Get the Look:
Black Blazer || Sweater || Skinny Jeans (love these and so affordable!) || Belt – similar – || Black OTK Boots || Bag Set || Earrings || Watch (on sale!)|| Hermes Bracelet Dupe || Cuff Bracelet – similar –
A few notes on these items:
- These otk boots (also worn here and also here) are amazing – the entire top is elastic, which helps them stay up. Also, the block heels are short enough to still be comfortable.
- This bag is one of a set of 7 items, all for under $40! The quality isn’t amazing, but it’s the perfect price for a trendy accent piece. You can see me review it under the “Amazon” tap of my Instagram Highlights. (While you’re there, I would love it if you’d follow me!)
- I got these skinny jeans on Black Friday and I love them. They are always going on sale and comfortable and flattering on my frame. The pockets aren’t my favorite, but I find I can ignore them for the fit and price!
I’m wondering, would jeans cut it at your workplace if paired with a blazer? More than that, what other items would you consider unarguably professional?
Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Virginia
Linking up with: Style Nudge | Pink Sole | Away from the Blue | I do deClaire | Color and Grace | Pumps & Pushups | Straight A Style | Seeking Sunshine | Mummabstylish | Curly Crafty Mom
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These are great tips! I love your bag!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Thank you Jennifer!
I would say it depends on the dressing rules of the institution but also personal preference of the individual. I do agree that a blazer instantly dresses up any look and your tips are spot on. Your clutch is pretty and how cool it came with six other options.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Thank you! The bag set was a great find. I’m having fun mixing the various bags with my outfits!
We are not allowed to wear blue jeans, but can wear colored jeans and leggings. I dont understand it, but now a lot of my teaching wardrobe is tunics or dresses worn with leggings and colored jeans with sweaters.
See! I just don’t understand how leggings can be ok but jeans aren’t…urgh. That being said, your description about your teaching wardrobe seems pretty much what I came to last year too. I tried to embrace the leggings with long tunics and colored jeans (at least they’re comfy!) but it’s getting harder and harder to find colored jeans that are good quality and tunics that are long enough! Anyway, I’m glad to hear that my experience with fashion in the classroom isn’t unique, though I wish it were different!
I was a business major in college and we were taught how to dress professionally and anytime we gave presentations we were expected to dress that way. They also taught us what to wear to interviews and even to pay important to little details, like how well kept our nails were/don’t wear heavy perfumes etc. I’ll never forget what I learned there and wish it was something everyone was taught, starting in high school! You appearance is often your first impression and it should be a good one! Great post!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Brooke, that is awesome. I’m glad they taught you about that because how else are you supposed to know? In grad school we had a lesson on how to dress for an interview and I’ve always used those tips for what is “professional.” But, then I interviewed the last few years for jobs and I just felt stuffy! It was like the rules had changed, so now I don’t know! But, I would LOVE to hear some of the tips they taught you. The nails and perfume thing is golden! Maybe a blog post idea? 😉
I think having a blazer that fits good is one of those items that is a must. It immediately elevates any look!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
So true, I agree! Sometimes it takes awhile to find the right blazer too! When I find a good one I tend to have it for YEARS. Hope you’re having a great week!
I love a good blazer and jeans combo! It must have been so hard trying to teach kids what professional dress is! We are lucky, we have uniforms here so we didn’t have to dress any differently for presentations – although at university we certainly did! 🙂
I have a business casual office so jeans definitely are allowed – but I am only int he office twice a week so I try dress a little more formally, even if I’m surrounded by a sea of jeans, haha!
Hope that your week is going well! Thank you so much for joining the #weekdayWearLinkUp 🙂
Away From The Blue
It was hard trying to teach kids what professional dress was, which makes sense since I struggle with what it is myself! I think is so fun to have a business casual office. You can try all sorts of things. You can dress more formally if you want and still wear jeans and some pumps on a day that you just don’t feel like being formal. I think it’s the perfect scenario! Thanks for stopping by Mica! Hope your week is going well!
What a great look, love the otk boots. Thanks for sharing on #chicandstylish today. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Thank you Jacqui!
A blazer and belt is a great way to elevate a look and make it professional! Love the graphic you created for your students!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you Jill! You know, I wear belts for their practical purpose but you’re totally right. They elevate a look all on their own and I need to remember that more! Thanks for stopping by!
My kids both wear school uniforms, so I really have it easy with them and their clothes! Ha!! They haven’t complained about it too much, BUT I think they just don’t know any other way… it’s normal to them. I do think that you can dress up jeans and a blazer (I love yours!!) is the perfect way.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I was never a fan of the idea of school uniforms but I have met more and more parents who have had kids with school uniforms and it is starting to grow on me. It would be easy to pick outfits in the morning and it would give students a base standard for what’s appropriate. Sounds like a good idea to me and most parents I’ve talked to have said what you said about the kids not complaining too much about it. I’m glad you agree with me about dressing up jeans, lol. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve just convinced myself of some of these things because I want to be comfortable! 😂 So, it’s nice to have some confirmation from others!
Hahahaha. I am totally with you on this as a teacher. I think it’s important to know that we wear certain things for certain occasions, and not all things are equal. I am of the mind that jeans in some schools or for certain outings would be appropriate but I am kind of thinking my destressed jeans are not work appropriate because they are way too casual in my opinion. I also don’t need to see certain private parts just hanging out, nor do you need to see mine. Anyway, ,love this outfit you put together.
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
I like how you put that, “we wear certain things for certain occasions, and not all things are equal.” It removes the judgement itself from the clothing choice, ie: No, jeans themselves are not inherently unprofessional, but there are occasions where they work and occasions where they don’t work. I think kids could get that.
I’m with you on the private parts…lol, oh man, am I with you on that. Leggings have been quite the challenge in that department, if you ask me. I went back and forth with distressed jeans. At my first school I finally wore them – but they were not greatly distressed and you could not see skin under any of the distressing. For that school, with the rest of the outfit dressed up, it worked. But at my second school, even when I was allowed to wear jeans, I didn’t wear my distressed jeans. It just didn’t fit. So you’re right. Not all things are equal and the outfit does have to fit the environment! Wow, lots of things to think about! Thanks for stopping by Bojana!