Corporate 101: The Basics of Dress-Down Fridays

ThereÂ’s nothing like Dress-Down Fridays on a sticky July afternoonÂ…the photocopy machine humming like a microwaveÂ…not knowing if the steam rising from the bathroom is coming from your sweat or the coffee mug in your handÂ…fearing your MacÂ’s whirling internal fan, like a faint hummingbirdÂ’s heartbeat, will spin itÂ’s final breath and kill your 5 hours of mind-numbing data entry. Ah, call it summering in Corporate. Kind of sounds like a New England townÂ…

Dress-Down Fridays, for me, have never been the horror stories Hollywood makes them out to be. Themes like Â“Wear Your Favorite Hula ShirtÂ” to Â“Bring a Bimbo in a SkirtÂ” are buried in a paper trail of memos that date back to **gasp** when the in-house notifications were not sent by e-mail. Therefore, we are safe. Dress-Down Fridays are about calm, cool, and collection, and the secret tip: always be prepared to impress. The old saying is true, that the days when you wear a sweatshirt, is the same day you run in to (unexpectedly!) exactly the person you want to impress.

Where to Start:

Considering the sweater set is for the otherÂ four days in the cube, jazz it up a little on Fridays. Need help? Pick little themes for yourself. Go Girly. Go Glam. Go Beachy. TIP: If you canÂ’t think of any reason to get out of bed, throw on a favorite sundress or some electric-colored high heels. It will give you a boost to go out the door and show off the fabulous you!

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Â Pleated Mini w/Belt: $19.80

WriterÂ’s Picks: High-waist, colorful skirts are fashionable this summer. Pick a solid, modest color and pair it with a short sleeveÂ tee tucked underneath (add a little jacket or wrap if you think the boss might mind the short sleeves). High-waist skirts are great because, when they pull the shirt tight underneath, it looks more like a dressÂ—mixing and matching shirts and skirts can give it a whole different feel!Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

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Where to Stop:
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No belly shirts, cut offs, short shorts, Daisy Dukes, fluorescent bras, tattoo or piercing reveals, track pants, or hooker heels. Of course, look out for sheer/transparent tops, skirts, low backs, etc. YouÂ’re a tasteful gal. You know what to do. Be super careful of skirt/ dress length, and if youÂ’re in a city, take in to account wind from traffic, or if youÂ’re anywhere, watch out for breezes. You want to expose your personality, not expose yourself.

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