During this past week, I started working in a job that required me to dress in business casual attire. While I love looking at professional outfits on Pinterest, I somehow have managed to escape 19 years of life without ever needing to consistently wear professional clothing, so when I was told I would have to dress in business casual attire, I started to panic. I knew from freshman year that I very rarely wore fancier clothing, so I didn’t even bring much that I could potentially wear.
So the day before I started work, I frantically scavenged through all my favorite stores to find some neutral pieces that I could wear regularly. When starting a new job, I wanted to wear clothes that I was comfortable in, so I could focus solely on working and not how I feel in my new outfit. When I walked into the first store, I was initially lost in the sea of tailored pants, nice blouses, and classy blazers. I grabbed as many clothes as they would let me bring into the fitting room and tried everything on, determined to find a couple of gems out of everything I was finding.
At the end of my shopping trip, I left with three new pairs of tailored pants, and two blouses that I could alternate throughout my time there. I found that having a couple of pieces that work with almost anything–like a nice pair of black pants– was essential. These outfits made me feel comfortable in my own skin, which then makes you feel more professional. Being comfortable in the clothes you’re wearing can mitigate some of the new job anxiety that is easy to experience. Sometimes the confidence comes from faking it until you make it. If you feel professional, you’ll look professional. At the end of the day, you need to be comfortable in your own skin.
When starting a new job, the last thing you want to stress about is your outfit. Only wear clothes you feel comfortable in and you’ll be just fine.
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