Suiting Myths Part 2

"Only wear a white button-down shirt under your suits to be taken seriously and look professional."

Newsflash: women are not men. There is no "uniform" that any and every woman can wear and be perfectly dressed for any occasion. That's why there are a million and one fashion blogs geared towards working women. We are here to tell you that you do not need to EVER wear a white button down under your suit. Here's why:

1. For many women, it's impossible to find a white button down that actually fits, i.e. the buttons don't pull and it doesn't look like a box.
2. It's claustrophobic. Honestly. There is just too much material to move around with a jacket and long sleeve shirt. I sweat and panic just thinking about it.
3. White doesn't look good one everyone.
4. It's boring.

As for reason 1, there will be an entire post dedicated to finding the right  button down shirt and making sure it fits. For now, just know that you are not alone. Fitting a button down shirt is an absolute nightmare. And not just button down dress shirts- that casual oxford can be a nightmare too. 

With respect to reason 2, wearing too many layers makes the work day uncomfortable. And honestly, why make the day any worse than it has to be? You should be comfortable (within reason) and not struggling to reach across your desk for a pen. We here at Not a Corporate Fashun Blog are strong proponents of the sleeveless blouse under a jacket. Not only is it more comfortable, it makes it very easy to adjust to changing temperatures and formality. Take off the jacket and pop on your office cardigan (you don't have an office cardigan? Then what do you have hanging on the  back of your chair?). Even the most formal of offices don't require you to wear a jacket 100% of the time. While sitting at your desk, be comfortable. When it's time for the meeting/presentation/court appearance, pop on the jacket and take on the world!

Regarding season 3, we are all different skin tones, and not every color looks good on every person. The same goes with white. just ask the bridal industry how many different "whites" there are to choose from. For example, Katie 1 looks good in bright white and champagne. She looks like death in cream. Same goes for most pastels.

There's no other way to say it: white can be just plain boring, especially when you're wearing a neutral colored suit. I (Katie 2) heard something in passing a number of years ago and it really stuck with me. The woman (a friend of my mom's) worked in an office and had just finished a day of interviews. They interviewed about 20 people for one position. At the end of the day, the interviewers got together and no one could remember the names of any of the candidates. They ended up referring to the candidates as "the guy with the weird nose", "the grey haired lady" and "the chick with the necklace". Truth: you don't want what you're wearing to be distracting and you don't want what you wore to be all that someone remembers. But people are visual by nature. At the end of a long day of interviewing (roll call interviews or job fairs for example), everyone will start to look the same. You want to be someone that stands out. Of course what you say matters, but give people a little more to go on. Let your clothes say something about you. We can also say that, from personal experience (sorority recruitment anyone?), this holds true, especially at the end of a long day.

We're not saying you should wear that statement necklace or the glittery shoes, but wearing a beautiful jewel toned blouse under your suit can be just what the doctor ordered. Plus, you want to pick something that makes you feel confident. When you aren't thinking about what you're wearing, you can focus on blowing the interviewer away with your dazzling personality and skills. [Please note: Katie 2 realizes that this section is controversial. "Your clothes should be the least interesting thing about you" is touted my all sorts of people when it  comes to interviewing. She has heard from people that bosses firmly state they will not hire someone who does not wear a white shirt to the interview. But would you really want to work for that person??? I have it on good authority that this idea works and I stick by it. But you do have to toe the line. Don't wear a crazy pattern; stick with a solid color under a traditional suit and almost no one will bat an eye. Also remember that wearing an ill-fitting shirt that follows the "rules" can be just as distracting as a teal blouse if you're self-conscious about it.]

Her are some alternatives to the white button down that we like:

1. Banana Republic
2. Banana again
3. H&M (multiple color choices!)
4. Reiss 
5. Zara
6. Reiss
7. Reiss (I really love this store, plus, 6 and 7 are on sale)
8. Everlane for those of you not certain about the whole "not white" thing, this is a good compromise
9. Reiss (just so many good choices!) 
10. Still want a button down but feel too constricted in long sleeves?
11. If you're feeling brave

Just one little tip: if you're wearing a jacket with notched lapels, pick a shirt with a neckline at or below the lapels. You can look a little closed off. See #2, above.