Standing Desk Fashion

Photo credit: biomorphdesk.com

When my older daughter asked me what jobs I have had over the years, my list was long and varied. I scooped ice cream, worked at a dry cleaners, was a gofer for a jeweler, taught English, was a salesperson in many clothing stores, waited tables. . . The job I have never had, in nearly 35 years of working, is a desk job. Now I learn that more and more people are finding it healthier to not sit at their desks, and are instead bouncing on large balls, using a treadmill while they use their computers,  or are using stand up desks. This trend reminds me an amusing account by A. J. Jacobs of his time writing while walking on a treadmill in his book Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection (2012). Of course many are re-thinking their wardrobes for this new way of work. Go here to read an article on this topic.

Job Hunting

Image credit: buzzkenya.com


My daughter is about to turn 16 and cannot wait to work. When she mentioned asking for applications at a couple of stores downtown today, I realized that I had some advice for her that can benefit others as well. Now is a good time to look for part or full-time work in Santa Barbara's retail world as I have seen a lot of signs in store windows, advertising job openings.

More than once I have been in a local store and overheard young men and women requesting a job application. 99% of the time they have been wearing completely inappropriate clothing for such an occasion (shorts and a tank top, flip flops, bathing suit and skimpy cover up, etc.). Even if you are not planning to be interviewed that day for a position, dress well for your job search. Chances are you will be remembered in a positive way if you were the one asking for a job application wearing a nice dress or a skirt and pressed blouse, or a nicely tailored pair of pants and simple sweater or blouse. If possible, ask for a couple of applications and let the person know you would like to take your time with them and will bring them back after working on them at home. Again, this shows that you are serious and memorable.

If you dress well at each stage of the job seeking process, and are a motivated, hard-working and valuable employee during your holiday stint, you stand a good chance of being hired to work after the holidays and beyond.

I Couldn't Have Said (or Written) it Better

Sometimes I am struck by a brilliant topic for my blog. Inspiration can hit when I see a spectacular outfit during my day or while I drift off to sleep. Other times I take my hat off to those who have written well about topics that interest me and my Wardrobe Wisdom blog readers. Here are a few of the best ones I have recently come across:

From the Huffington Post:
What 40+ women should have in their closets;

How to build wardrobe capsules, from CapsuleWardrobes.com; and

just about every post from my new favorite blog, Wardrobe Oxygen.

Let's Talk about Work

Photo Credit: bananarepublic.com

Last week I spent an hour at UCSB's Career Center, talking to students about how to dress professionally for job interviews and beyond. It's an important topic, and I will be giving similar talks in other departments this winter and spring quarter. It is always interesting to hear the students' questions about appropriate dress, and I come away with information on what to add to my presentation.

To read a beautifully written and detailed article on my presentation, by Grad Division Senior Writer Patricia Marroquin, go here.