Fellow workmoms, do you mesh your personal style with your professional style?  Or are the two total opposites? 

For me, I like to mesh the two, but my personal style is not the norm at my current place of business.  I was once told I dress like a boutique owner, a contemporary arts professor, and just yesterday Donna Summer (my hair was out wavy and flowy with a flower pinned in it)!  I’m always dressed appropriately; my skirts are never too short or tight, my blouses are never sheer or low cut, and my pants are never too figure revealing.  I’m always complimented and a few co-workers refer to me as a doll baby (I’m not sure if that’s good or bad).  I work in healthcare and often meet with physicians who wear white coats and scrubs on a regular basis.  Our dress code is sort of business casual, but not too casual.  Many of the women wear pant suits – some type of slacks, plain shirt, and flats.  As for me, I like pops of color, frilly skirts and dresses, unique, bold accessories, and fierce heels.  Prior to working at the Medical Center, I was an Assistant Buyer at Hecht’s.  And although I sat through the first season of Fashion Star thinking it would be so dope if I were the buyer for H&M, it has taken me some years to establish credibility here as a healthcare marketing professional, so I don’t want my lasting impression to be my wardrobe, but I don’t want to loose my personal style either.    

To stretch my budget and wardrobe, I buy pieces I can wear to work and transition into evening and weekends (as if I have a dating or night life).  I like to mix and match and “remix” items.  A neighbor/friend of the family was giving bags and bags of clothes to the Goodwill, but before she did I perused the bag and found some really cute items that I “remixed” into my wardrobe.  I actually had the nerve to wear one of her items to an event she was having and she didn’t even recognize it!  I had a great outfit that cost me absolutely nothing and looked fab wearing it.  Stuff like that is pure enjoyment to me.  It’s like a hobby.  

Yes I am a healthcare marketing professional, but I also have interests in the arts, fashion, crafting and DIY, and simply anything creative…it exudes in my style and wardrobe selection.