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SIMONE SANT-GHURAN
Dear AFETT,
As a young professional, I was a very sharp dresser, but weight gain after two babies and then working from home during the covid19 pandemic has completely flattened my sense of personal style.
My company wants me to be back in the office in early 2024, but I have no idea how to pull myself together in terms of outfitting myself and otherwise preparing to be back in the physical world of work. These days my style is more flats and loose clothing rather than suits and heels.
Please help, I want to fit in with my workplace look.
 
Dear professional mom,
[caption id="attachment_1042029" align="alignnone" width="683"] Simone Sant-Ghuran, founder and editor-in-chief of Trinidad Weddings -[/caption]
Transitioning from laid-back “work from home” wear, adjusting to your post-partum body and facing the prospect of heading back to the office in 2024, can truly seem daunting.
But on the bright side, you have a few months to get a plan under way.
Evidence is also on your side, as many psychologists have noted that getting dressed for work actually helps your mental health.
Once you’ve established a routine and you have a selection of versatile pieces, it will help your productivity and your ability to better prepare for the day ahead (especially crucial with two small children)
 
Here are a few factors to think about that may ease your transition:
 
Your company’s dress code policy
This policy outlines what your company deems suitable for work wear, and is generally a reflection of the company’s image.
Most dress code policies fall into one of four groupings – business formal, business professional, business casual and casual.
If your company’s dress code is business formal, there may not be much wriggle room for you to deviate, as the dress code here is predominantly neutral-coloured (black, grey, navy) skirt or trouser suits, shirts worn with blazers, stockings and closed-toe shoes or pumps. However, if your company’s policy is business professional, you can opt for a skirt or trousers, with a shirt or blouse and a blazer/jacket, instead of a tailored suit.
If your company has a business casual dress code, you have much more flexibility. Within this dress code, you can wear skirts and less formal trousers, such as chinos with shirts, blouses or cardigan sets. Knee-length work dresses are usually allowed and colour is acceptable.
 
A casual dress code offers the most relaxed options such as jeans, linen pants and alternative footwear – open-toed shoes and sneakers. Patterns and colours are usually allowed.
 
Your personal style
You mentioned that your style is more flats and loose clothing than suits and heels. Should your company have a business professional, business casual or casual dress code, you can certainly wear flats and loafers. I would recommend choosing leather for either option and look for a pointed-toe version. This will appear more professional (versus round-toe) and will also elongate your silhouette. A trendier option would be square-toed flats.'
[caption id="attachment_1042030" align="alignnone" width="1024"] AFETT logo -[/caption]
Regarding your preference for looser clothing, you could choose tunic dresses, wrap dresses and A-line dresses – which widen from the waistline to the hem.
These cuts are not form-fitting and when paired with a blazer or jacket, you will still feel true to your style and professional appearance.
You can also express your personal style through your use of colour (stick to neutral trousers or skirts and add coloured blouses/shirts on top) and with accessories.
Items such as leather belts, silk scarves, a good-quality handbag or work tote, a wristwatch and tasteful jewellery (either a silver or gold set, or both) can all work together to polish your look.
 
Breastfeeding needs
If you are still nursing and on a pumping schedule, this will also affect your workwear choices, for example, most work dresses may not be practical options.
Therefore, you will need more wrap-style tops, button-down shirts and cardigans and larger scarves for layering. You would also need a work tote for your pumping equipment and storage.
 
Your budget
Establish a budget for a few new workwear pieces to refresh your wardrobe. When purchasing clothing items, look at the type and quality of the fabric (does it require ironing or dry cleaning? And would you have time for this?), the stitching or finishing of the garment (can you detect any asymmetrical construction?), the versatility of the piece (can it be worn with a jacket or blazer to give a different look?).
Also, check buttons and zippers to ensure there are no flaws or defects.
Natural fibres such as cotton, linen and silk tend to be more durable than polyester and synthetic fabrics and they are also better for the environment.
I would avoid busy patterns, embellishments on garments and loud prints, since they are harder to style for work and may also not fit in with your company’s dress code policy.
 
Wardrobe gaps
You can give your wardrobe an audit by going through and selecting pieces that you know you can wear on your return to work and removing those that no longer fit.
This will also help you identify any wardrobe gaps – do you have an excess of pieces from a certain category or do you need a new pair of work trousers or a few more blouses; in certain colours or styles?
The goal is to have a balanced wardrobe selection that will make getting dressed on mornings easier.
 
After you’ve done your audit, you’re now ready to attend Suit Me Up, an annual event hosted by AFETT.
This year's Suit Me Up (Trinidad) was held on October 21, where shoppers got access to pre-loved and nearly-new clothing deals.
The celebrity charity auctions featured pieces from Sharon Clark-Rowley, Brigid Annisette-George, Wendy Fitzwilliam and other prominent women.
Auctions will continue online in the lead-up to Suit Me Up (Tobago), happening on November 4.
This article was submitted by the Association of Female Executives of TT (AFETT).
AFETT is a non-profit organisation formed in 2002 with the goal of bringing together professional women and engaging in networking opportunities, training and business development.
 
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