Your Style

Today, marks my 20th post milestone.

Ladies we've had some really good discussions and have shared our personal preferences and experiences over the last 19 articles.

For each working day we are blessed with, we face the never ending rituals of dressing and grooming ourselves. Some of us wear our own pieces while others wear the uniforms that were provided to us. But whatever we wear, we make it ours!

I asked you guys to submit photos of yourselves in your favourite office wear and I was pleasantly surprised to have received over 35 submissions from women in various industries with different styles. Thanks so much for participating.

Today's post will be a bit different. Instead of me sharing my thoughts in our virtual community, I decided that you guys would do the sharing, by showcasing your style.

Just press play

Hope you enjoy!!!!!

Thanks for your support.

Don'ts in the workplace

The majority of my posts thus far covered fashionable work wear items BUT we cannot discuss the do’s without making mention of the don’ts.

Disclaimer. The views expressed in this post….well….. are mine J. However, my intention is not to offend anyone who practice any of the following items I am about to discuss.

There are things that you see women doing and wearing that leaves a perplexed look on your face. Like this 

Just because it is not included in the official company policy does not mean it’s not a part of the unofficial one. There are unspoken or unwritten rules in every organisation.

These are some of my, for want of a better word, pet peeves:

1.     Wearing a sheer blouse without a cami or vest underneath. Why you feel everybody must see your bra? Stop it!!!

2.     Speaking of undergarments. Why is it in 2017 panty lines are still an issue??? It’s ok if you like tight pants and skirts but why should I be able to tell what type of underwear you are wearing?

To me the simplest solution is to wear thongs. “But Keisha not everybody like to wear thongs”. I know! Seamless underwear is another option. These right here are my holy grail.

Very durable and comfortable. You can get them at Macy’s or online at Amazon.

3.     Upside down Capital V. Now ladies….we all like to wear skirts that would show off our silhouette and absolutely nothing is wrong with that. BUT…..you see when the slit in the back of your skirt forms a letter in the alphabet without you even moving, you need to give it away to someone smaller or discard it. Ain’t nothing sexy about this look.

On a serious note though, once your skirt or pants are too tight, you run the risk of the ENTIRE back seam bursting on you. Don’t let what happened to me on 2 occasions happen to you!

4.     Clubbing or Working?

What type of work are you going to do ma’am??? While the pair of shoes on the left is hott…..it is not appropriate for the work place. Lets leave the gladiator sandals for the clubs nah.

5.     Knitted stockings for work?

I know many of you would disagree here but to me these fish net stockings give the appearance that you are doing the same job as the woman wearing the gladiator sandals.

6.     The Human Rhythm Section

Why must you wear all 10 bangles from the set to work. It is very noisy and distracting. As the ole folks say “ladies must be seen and not heard” hahaha. I don’t need to hear you before I see you….walking  about the office with your own lil rhythm section. I am a lover of bangles too, I just really think it’s too much for work.

7.     The Human Air-refresher

It is annoying and downright discourteous to spray down yourself with perfume or continuously use a saccharine sweet lotion while you are in an office. Meh gyul….we are in an air conditioned environment, there is nowhere for those scents to escape too. Further, it aggravates people’s sinus’ man. Why must I know you reach to work because I could smell you. Ease me Up!!!

8.     Over accessorizing.

I get that we may have so many accessories that are not being used *guilty* but it does not mean that you need to wear all at the same time.  For instance why wear a statement piece and chandelier earrings. There is a reason why those necklaces come with small earrings (really want to use another S word).  This is also distracting and confusing. Like where is the focus, your neck, your ears, your outfit??? Where family?

9.     Mismatched Prints.

It’s no longer necessary to be “matchy matchy” (Tamika Elcock-John, 2012). We are now seeing ensembles put together that we were told years ago was a no no, like plaid and strips. Absolutely nothing is wrong with experimenting however one must be careful that the pieces don’t clash. Why wear plaid, polkadot, leopard print - altogether - to send people in a trance?

Yuh see dis----->>>>>

 

  

No Ehhhh

10.  This is my biggest pet peeve. It’s not an “Office Don’t” for me, it’s more like “Doh Leh Meh See Yuh Doing Dat”. Black Stockings and White Shoes. I am sorry but I am yet to see anyone looking cool wearing this. Don’t get me wrong, black and white can make a beautiful combination…..but not like this

Stop it!!!, Don’t Do It!!!, Ease me up!!!

Whoosaahhhh!! 

Ok, those were some of my office don’ts. Hope I did not offend anyone and you saw at least the comical aspect to it. Do you have any pet peeves or don’ts for the office that I did not mention. I would really like to hear them

Have a great week ahead and enjoy the holiday tomorrow.

Oh….don’t forget to send me a photo of yourself in your workwear. All photos must be submitted by the end of today.

This post is brought to you by Ebuzztt.com

For all your entertainment news on celebrities, fashion, carnivals, music and so much more from Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the Caribbean,

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Workwear for Emancipation Day

It is customary in our country that we dress up for work for religious holidays such as Eid-ul-Fitr, Divali and Emancipation Day. There's an excitement that exists within me the last working day before any religious holiday to see what outfits my colleagues and other women are wearing.

Recently, I was telling my co-worker Iyanna, that every year for Emancipation Day, I promise myself that "next year for sure" I will dress in one of those regal African ensembles for work. Let me tell you, I have been saying this for about 10 years now.

Then I started thinking to myself  "Self, why can't you fulfill this promise. I mean look how many of your colleagues do it year after year." After pondering for all of 5 seconds, I then I realised why. As sad as it sounds, I think the process seems a bit overwhelming for me......Yeah.

Wondering whether I could pull off one of those outfits or if I can wrap the head piece properly or if I can find a nice piece of cloth that I would not see everyyyybody in or if I can locate an excellent seamstress to produce one of these outfits and if I do what would her price be. These thoughts often result in me wearing a dress with some kind of abstract print thinking that it will look culturalish *shame face*

Then I thought to myself again "Self why not wear what you are accustomed to, but for this day use an African print" *mind blown*

I decided to go on to Pinterest  and to my freaking surprise, there they were. Familiar pieces in African print. I am going to share with you some of the many images I found:


This chic is wearing a Blazer

Pencil Skirts (Don't dress like the one the extreme left for work eh ladies)

Add caption

Flair Skirts

Look.....she has on a bow tie :)

Ankle Pants allyuh!!!!

Wrap Dress and Wrap Skirt too!!!

You can even make high-waist pants. Why didn't I think of these before???

OMG.....Look at this Romper

*Keisha picks up her handbag and heads to a cloth store*

Alyuh It's Friday!!!!

Woi Woi......It's the end of the work week.

Friday signifies many things for each of us but it is generally a celebratory day and we all have our own little way of celebrating.

Some start with breakfast.....Today you will buy breakfast after making it for the whole week. The doubles man would not suffice, you want a lil gourmet thing, like a Panini sandwich from Rituals or perhaps waffles/pancakes with omelettes.

For lunch....we out dey.....it's curry day. As a matter of fact every Friday should be national curry day in TnT. So yuh going to head by your bess roti place whether it be Shianns on Tragarete Road, Ali's in El Socorro or my holy grail curry place Trini Traditions in Uptown Mall. However, in order for one to fully celebrate national curry day, one must get to the roti place before 12 or face long lines that by the time you reach by the server all the goat or shrimp done.

4 o'clock, the most anticipated time on the clock. This time of day is the highlight, how you choose to celebrate can take different forms depending on your personality and your overall mood on that day.

The Avenue
Where it have real action, hopping from bar to bar, meeting the same people you saw last week, but acting like yuh ain't see them in months. lol. Some even look forward to jamming in their work clothes in places like Stumbling and Coco Lounge. Really never got this, but to each is own

Restaurant and Bar
For those feeling lil bougie and love conversations with your friends and dem that are punctuated by scandalous laughter you head to places like Ruby Tuesday, Trotters or Toppers. Any where it have 2 for 1 drink specials and some good wings. These are my absolute favourite.


Community Bar
Others prefer to be out of town and hang out in bars like Nari's, Silberts, Scotchies, The Rise or Hott Shots and have beers so cold that the bottles white and cutters from the lil Chinese place at the side with the bess pepper sauce. (I like these as well)


Then there are those that can't wait to go home and spend quality time with their families and love up their significant others.

Others, just stop by the Chinee grocery for 2 Smirnoff Black or  Seagrams and head straight home to watch tv. Most likely to catch up on all the Power or Love and Hip Hop episodes missed.

Whatever you do it is an activity you are looking forward too.

Another thing synonymous with Friday is the way we dress. For those wearing uniforms.....well..... you all just have to continue doing that. lol. Some are able to dress all the way down with jeans while many have to keep it business casual.

For the business casual ladies usually our workwear is down to a one or 2 piece. We forego the stockings (even though I am wearing today cuz I did not get time shave) and wear bolder colours and form fitting pieces....yeah.....we want to be sexy professionals today. We accessorize a lil more today, a nice lil statement necklace or ridiculously cute pair of earrings. The makeup may be a lil more than what we usually wear in the week - mascara, blush a longer lasting foundation and ting ting. We extra on Fridays Ladies!!!!!

Just for the fun of it, I want to do a poll to see what's the most popular wear on Fridays. Will appreciate your participation.

Based on my observations we women generally wear certain types of clothing on a Friday. I have narrowed it down to 4 options; trousers, crop pants, pencil skirts and patterned dresses.

Option C is definitely my Friday Style. Let me know which one of these are you.

Option A - Trousers



Option B - Crop Pants

Option C - Pencil Skirts

Option D - Dresses

Favourite Friday Wear

"We live in the Tropics"

The following is a somewhat true story that has been embellished. LOL.

Me........

Supervisor: Fraser can I see you in my office please!!!

Me:             Gosh....what I do now boy (inside voice)

Supervisor: How many times do I have to speak to you about having your arms outside at work?

Me:              Oh...but I have on a scarf, so it's not that bad. We live in Tropics yuh no, the place hot. So ease me up (inside voice)

Supervisor:  I understand that, but it is not appropriate to have your arms outside while you are in the office.

Me:            But I travel the other day and most of the blouses and  dresses I  bought are sleeveless.  So I waste money then. How come nobody  does tell the lady in  the next department, that does have   her arms  and at times the top of her back exposed, anything?

Supervisor: Fraser, that is for her supervisor to deal with, not me. My focus is on those under my supervision. We are guided by a dress code policy and you seem to be breaching this every week.

Me:          

Me:            I think this policy needs to be revised. Men wear short pants to work in Bermuda cuz de place hot. A lil sleeveless should not be an issue for the office. Plus is not like my arms are offending anyone.

Supervisor: Ms. Fraser, why are you arguing this point. At the end of the day you need to adhere to company policy. It has reached to the point where it seems you are influencing other staff members to dress the same.

Me:          

                   Did you call any of them in your office about this? Or is it jus me?

Supervisor: Clearly a verbal warning does not suffice in this situation. Any time I have to speak to you this matter again it will be in writing!!!!

Me:             Ok. Returns to my office.

Me:          

Ladies what do you all think about being sleeveless at work. Is it really inappropriate??? I get that it may not be apart of a company's policy, but policies can be amended. I think this is a matter for the union. Watson Duke seems like the most appropriate representative. lol.

Having to place a cardigan or blazer over my blouse or dress may hide its beauty and .....is more washing at the end of the week.

What do you all think?

From then to now

I remember when I first began working. That was in the year 19 something. My mother was my tailor at that time. She couldn't be happier to sew clothes for her daughter to go to work. In those days after selecting your style from a fashion book, you would go to fabric stores like, Jimmy Aboud and Classy Fabrics to purchase suiting material.

I had a pants suit in every possible colour; Sober colours of course. They included shoulder pads and buttons covered in the same material as the cloth and weren't the most figure flattering. Kinda similar to this photo.

 I guess the boxy look was in back then or was it because my mother made them like that intentionally.

Back then the most colourful piece of clothing was the inner shirt. I had colours such as neon green and fuschia pink underneath there. My dress code for Friday would be a pair of trousers from one of those suits and a button down shirt. Yep I only wore pants!!! I have what trini’s call “tin foot” and was veryyyyy insecure about them. People called me names like mop leg and bird leg in secondary school. Someone even told me that if I ran to fast I might take up flight. Steups

But I’m over it and I have embraced my legs to the point that I mainly wear skirts and dresses.

As a became a ‘Big Girl Now’ and was no longer about the suit life, unless it was for an interview or presentation. Having mummy design my clothes was a thing of the past as websites like Forever 21, Charlotte Russe and Amazon became my best friends. Ok enough about me ……. Sorry…. I strayed for a bit there.

Remember starching your shirts so much so that the crease in your collar was so stiff that it can cause you personal damage. Or calf length skirts with short slits that did not allow long strides or a wide leg trouser with that seam cutting straight down the legs that at times you would lose the original seam of the pants and end up with 2 or more seams  or  a shiny pants from the constant ironing. Don’t get me wrong, these items are still in use but they no longer form part of the mandatory work wear ensemble.

That dominant dress code has been abolished like slavery; women have definitely loosened up and office rules have relaxed somewhat. We now wear multi-coloured dresses, skirts and shirts. A full matching suit is no longer a big deal as we can experiment with separates. Cardigans, blazers, pencil skirts, crop pants, wrap and sheath dresses are now the pieces in our wardrobe.

The working women in 2017 is Fashionably Professional.  It’s about striking that delicate balance between being “in-style” or “trendy” and work-wear. I mean why must we wait til weekend or when taking a lil lime to dress up. 

Regardless of your style, your choice in what you wear to work is a representation of you as an individual, personally and professionally. It's about your comfort, confidence, style and how you feel.

Please Remember........

Have a great day ladies