Tag Archives: career

Dressing “Outside of the Box” When You Work in One

Many of us work in a stale, dank, bordering on depressing, office. Every day, we drag ourselves into work hoping for a glimpse of excitement, an ounce of dynamism, a tidbit of color. But instead, we’re met with a cubicle that feels more like solitary confinement and an underwhelming outfit that fits right in with the dull surroundings. It’s easy to feel like you have to act and, ultimately, dress like the people you work with in order to be taken seriously.

It’s actually the opposite. Expressing yourself differently in an environment where the majority dresses the same can be a great way to start a conversation and break the ice. It’s even possible that, through your style bravery, you may be giving someone else the courage to express themselves as well.

Here are some ways to liven up your wardrobe and feel confident in your work environment:

Get Lippie

Maybe you’re not quite ready to wow your colleagues with your pattern mixing abilities, so instead opt for a neon-colored lipstick. There’s no need to showcase a full face of make-up if that’s just not for you. A simple touch of mascara and a bright lip color is more than enough to add some color into your wardrobe for the day. In the winter, instead of a dark red lip color, grab a dark green, or a dark gold color. These lip colors will keep your colleagues guessing and give you a reason to talk more at meetings.

Get Lippy blue lipstick

Shun the Boring Shoe

There is no better conversation piece than a funky shoe! Shoes have been known to start lasting friendships and spark newfound obsessions. Slipping on a pair of fun and attention-getting shoes will immediately give you a pep in your step. Just make sure you feel good in them. Wearing a pair of six-inch stiletto heels that you can’t walk in may be attention-getting, but it won’t act as a confidence booster and will absolutely become fodder for the naysayers.

fun and funky shoes
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Dress to Shock

For those of you that just want to blow your colleagues out of the water, this is the phase for you! No more beating around the bush. You love turquoise lipstick, patterns, feathers, fringe, lace, and emoji shaped purses. And you’ll be damned if any workplace inhibits you from shouting it from the rooftops. If you fall comfortably into this category, then you know about the naysayers and couldn’t give a flying Fendi monster baguette about them. But for those of you who have just gained free admission to the “Express Yourself” cruise, sailing daily you should know that there are petty, passive-aggressive piranhas in your midst…

Dress to shock
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Beware of The Naysayers

Most people are too afraid to represent themselves honestly because they are worried about the repercussions, and rightly so. It’s scary to show yourself so openly, to then receive what feels like a vicious verbal attack solely because you chose to express yourself. Just be aware that these reactions are inevitable and have nothing to do with you. Any snide, passive-aggressive, or blatantly obnoxious remark flung your way is really just the flinger’s way of repositioning their understanding of the “normative.” In other words, you’ve just blown their minds and they’re trying to make sense of it all. Unfortunately, something as simple as a neon pink lipstick can lead to demeaning comments being hurled your way. My advice is to come up with a sound bite that you use in these situations like,” I can see that my [insert fashion-forward item here] makes you feel a bit uncomfortable, but when I wear it, I feel like a million bucks! “ Then execute your best catwalk strut back to your cubicle. They’ll get the point. And you’ll be standing up for what you believe in– freedom of style!

Beware of naysayers
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Encourage the Style Curious Colleague

Although you may hear some negative responses, you may also hear some that exhibit an eagerness to follow in your footsteps. These feelings can be disguised in comments like, “I love that on you, but I could NEVER pull it off.” These are the moments when you can help your colleagues build their own style confidence. Recommend some items they may feel comfortable trying and if they are brave enough to try them, shower them with compliments as soon as you see them. Your workplace, although maybe not your happy place, should at least be a place where you can be yourself and feel happy doing so.

Style and Fashion

Things You Need to Know About Freelancing

Who doesn’t want to be self-employed, enjoy a flexible schedule where you can plan last-minute vacations, and create a life that other people dream of living? Sounds pretty good, right? Working in your pajamas from the comfort of your own home, without a supervisor glaring over your shoulder, are a few more perks and there are no words to express the beauty of avoiding rush hour traffic (can I get an amen?). There is more to freelancing than meets the eye, however, and this lifestyle is fraught with both advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few things you should know about freelancing for the next time your bossmakes you want to jump ship and set off into the sunset behind your own sail.

There is no set schedule.

Freelancers don’t follow a 9-5 schedule, and although this can be amazing, it also has its drawbacks. More times than not, we work around the clock in a frenzied attempt to meet deadlines, build our craft, and find more work. Lunches and breaks can easily be forgotten until our stomachs (not-so-gently) remind us that they need to be fed, and it’s possible to fall asleep at our home work stations. On the other hand, it’s worth it when you can buy groceries while the store is slow or when you’re en route to a tropical paradise and your friends are in the office.

freelancing 3

 

You have to hustle to get work.

We are not the only people who do what we do and the job search doesn’t end once we find our first gig; actually, it’s just the beginning. Someone out there has more experience and/or is willing to accept lower pay. And companies won’t start beating down our doors the moment we decide “I want to be a freelancer!” (it would be nice!). Job security and steady income streams are rare; many companies only need one job done or look for short-term agreements. Once you’re a freelancer, you also become a marketer with one very important subject to promote: yourself. Before diving into this lifestyle you should ask yourself if you’re willing to go the extra mile to keep your head above water. Why should Company A hire your services instead of those from Company B?

 

It’s best to set a rate and stick to it.

Friends may ask to “pick your brain” and proceed to give you a task that you normally charge a fee for. Companies will also try to pay as little as possible, even suggesting that they will move elsewhere if your fees don’t match their expectations. Before going along, remember one thing: if you don’t respect your time, effort, and talent enough to set fair standards, no one will.

When beginning as a freelancer, agreeing to lower pay and pro-bono work will help build your portfolio. After some time, however, it’s best to sit down with a calculator and a computer and be prepared to crunch numbers.

freelancing1

 

Tax and social security payments need to be planned in advance.

Workers in the 9-5 grind don’t think about taxes until it’s filing season and they’re deciding which trips to plan with their beautiful return. As a freelancer, the opposite is true; it’s important to set money aide and be ready to pay the government at the end of the fiscal year. Spending each paycheck as it arrives is a common mistake made by new freelancers; remember, no one wants to dip into their savings or begin a drastic payment plan come February. To avoid an uncomfortable surprise, it helps to send a percentage of each pay check to a separate bank account and pretend like it was never yours.

 

Some freelancers go days without seeing another person.

Between finishing paying jobs, looking for new work, and becoming a specialist in your field, you may even forget what your own voice sounds like (especially if you live alone). Gym memberships and team hobbies can help break up the daily routine and maintain social interactions.

freelancing 2

 

When done right, freelancing helps us develop a work-life balance.

Once we fall into the routine that works best for us and sell our services for a fair rate, we’re able to fit in time to see friends, enjoy hobbies, and even take on extra work; in short, freelancing can help us achieve the ultimate professional goal: a work-life balance.