This is topic Why do they assume women work in "an office"? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=049750

Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/homestyle/08/16/is.update.wardrobe/index.html

I have improved my fashion sense over the years. However these articles always tick me off.

I can't wear jewelry that might get snagged on heavy machinery.

I have to wear close toed shoes, and heels are impractical. Steel toed shoes are required in some areas of our company.

Skirts, forget it. Not safe, the fabric could get eaten.

I can't wear anything nice because I could be elbow deep in grease on 15 minutes notice and they could be totally destroyed.

*end rant*
 
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
I think they tend to assume everyone works in an office.
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
*commiserates*
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
Their whole target audience is the highest class of white-collar professional. The big spenders - the ones who can AFFORD the stuff they are talking about.
(not that you don't make decent money as an engineer, girl -- just you aren't their target).

I agree it's frustrating.
 
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
 
I think they assume that the people who would read that article for advice work in an office.

Why would you care about being fashionable in the environment that you are describing?
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
I didn't read anything about wearing those in an office in there; you could apply all those tips to your weekend or "going out" wear. While some people might apply it to what they wear to work that doesn't mean everyone who applies their suggestions will do so for their work wardrobe.
 
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
 
When they do the same sort of thing for men, they give advice on suits and ties and whatnot. Do you think that means they assume men all work in offices?
 
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
 
Usually "fashion" is ugly anyway. Stick to practical and inexpensive stuff.

Why waste the money when most women look just as good in jeans?
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
kq - well it DID say this at #8:
quote:
8. Outfit yourself for the office in a high-waisted pencil skirt.
That was the office reference I see. But I thinking this looks like a sidebar to another article...
 
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
 
I read the title as:
quote:
Why do they assume women work in "an orifice"?

 
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
And when I first read the thread title, I didn't notice the quotes, so I saw:

Why do they assume women work in an office?

Sheesh. That's easy - they figure a lot of the men *aren't* working, but still work gets done.

So it must be the *women* who are doing the work.

[Smile]
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
[ROFL]
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
When I clicked on the link in CNN I guess I was expecting more a practical "how to clean out your old clothes and buy a few new pieces" article than it was.
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
for crying out loud what *is* a "funnel neck shift" (item #5) or a "paper bag waist"
Here's the list...

1. Look tailored yet sexy in stiletto oxfords.

Stilleto oxfords?! (you lost me at stilleto)

2. Recall Old Hollywood glamour with new art deco baubles.

ok... reasonably doable if you are into baubles

3. Bag a frame purse that's classic and modern.

If there wasn't a picture I wouldn't know what a "frame purse" is (oh wait, the picture was of the "boxy bag" I still don't know what a frame purse is)

4. Strike gold with fall's patterned metallics.

This sounds like a bad 80s flashback but I do understand what they mean.

5. Tweak traditional tweed in a funnel-neck shift.

Again, "funnel neck shift"?! It sounds like one is wearing a tornado.

6. Clutch a boxy bag with a feminine flourish.

Ok, boxy bag must not equal "frame purse" but both appear to be rectangular. I only have one purse at a time, I really don't understand the constantly shifting stuff from one purse to another to be fashionable. My purse has the Important Stuff in it. If I'm switching purses constantly I don't know where the Important Stuff is.

7. Dress up in a sweater with demure details.

"demure details"??? what the heck are they? how nicely vague.

8. Outfit yourself for the office in a high-waisted pencil skirt.

This was the "office" comment According to the Lucky Shoping Manual every woman should have one high-waisted pencil skirt. I don't... I guess I should get around to buying one... although I still don't know where I'd wear it. I can't wear it to dog shows, because you've got to be able to run at a dog show.

9. Bring pizzazz to basic pants with a paper-bag waist.

I have no idea what this is, but with the "pizzaz" in there, the visual I get is a Trader Joes paper grocery bag.

10. Jazz up jeans with a floaty blouse featuring flirty fillips.

I think they've overused the f-words. And if one needs to use that many f-words, is it actually a worthwhile endavour? I haven't yet made it to dictionary dot com to define a "fillip"

11. Go graphic in a geometric-pattern minidress.
Yes, "G" is the next letter in the alphabet after "F"

12. Shine on in a sparkly, showstopping tunic.
"S" is not the next letter in the alphabet after "G" And, I think the last time a showstopping tunic was in, was in Mel Brooks history of the world Part 1.

13. Consider autumn's color-block styles in earthy tones.

Hmmm. I'm considering them... what am I supposed to do with them after that??


14. Channel Joan Jett. Studs lend a rock and roll vibe to shoes and shirts, bags and bangles.

does "studs" = "rinestones" I don't think they are referring to horses...

15. Raise the style bar of a simple dress with a wide, twin-buckle belt.

First I'd have to own a "simple dress".
 
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
 
[Big Grin] I can empathize. Though I am not usually required to wear steel toed boots, I do have to wear close toed shoes (I normally opt for sneakers because I can stand for long periods of time without paying for it at the end of the day), long pants, nothing that would get caught in machinery, etc. Since I often get covered in grime and grease I always wear tshirts and jeans that I don't really care about (in the winter I throw on a sweatshirt over the tshirt). Since I live in Phoenix and sometimes am working in an area that is over 100 degrees (besides the hot machinery I'm working on), natural fabrics are essential. I have enough equipment to lug around - I can't really be lugging a purse around with me, so my wallet, keys, and cell phone go in my pockets. If I'm feeling really snazzy, I opt for a polo shirt! I'm I'm feeling snarky, I opt for a tshirt with a flippant saying! [Razz]
 
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
 
Men's magazines like Men's Health and GQ pretty much assume the same thing.
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
[Smile] I didn't understand #14 because I have no idea who Joan Jett is....
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
I think you'd probably recognize some of her music if you heard it. She was one of the early female rock stars with a "harder" sound. (and I only know this because Steve has attempted to improve my pop music education)

One of her more famous songs starts out "I don't give a d*mn 'bout my bad repuation"
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
AJ, you crack me the heck up!
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
I actually DO work in an office, and to that entire list I say nyet, no way, fuhgeddaboudit! [Razz]
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
What, not even the "demure details"?
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Um, no.
 
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
 
I think that article is written for "High Femme" types. You know, those for whom fashion is the central point of their existance?

The kind of person that most jatraqueros would have no common ground with.
 
Posted by porcelain girl (Member # 1080) on :
 
Can't you really like fashion AND realize that it's not truly important?

I adore fashion. However, my biggest fashion pet peeve is judging people based on their clothing. Calling me contradictory, just don't call me tacky. [Smile]
 
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
 
There are actually pictures of all those things here.

The so-called "article" is really a bunch of photo captions that aren't actually with the photos--weird.

Not that anything in those pictures looks like something I'd wear. Although when I was younger, thinner, and had functioning knees I might have had to try the shoes!
 
Posted by scholar (Member # 9232) on :
 
Right now, I wear whatever I feel like to work. I don't have any co-workers so it is hard to really care. But I am hoping to someday have a job where I dress to impress. [Smile] And the salary to go with it. So, one of my goals (jokingly) is to be more superficial.
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
That seemed more like a catalog than an article.
 
Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
 
I really, really wish I were required to wear a uniform to work. (Maybe khaki pants and a polo shirt.) I HATE deciding what to wear every day, buying outfits, maintaining my wardrobe...all of it.

Although I did like those shoes.
 
Posted by martha (Member # 141) on :
 
It's all part of the conspiracy -- those of us who wear jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers to work should be glad we haven't been sucked in.

http://monster-island.org/tinashumor/humor/pockets.html
 
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Farmgirl:
[Smile] I didn't understand #14 because I have no idea who Joan Jett is....

Watch a little YouTube, y'might learn something.

Articles like this tend to annoy me (and, yes, I have seen similar articles aimed at men) largely because they seem like one more attempt to seperate "us" from them. And to create an ongoing "them" who were "us" yesterday but didn't keep up with our flawless fashion sense. Given how many of the articles in the article are supposed to be channeling "classic" looks, one really wants to ask why anyone shouldn't find a style they like and stick with it (since it's going to be "new again" eventually anyway?)
 
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
 
That was one of the worst slide shows I've ever seen. Ever. NO woman should EVER wear a high-waisted pencil skirt. Ewwwww.

I do love fashion, but not in the soul-destroying, self-esteem-crushing way. I think clothes should make people feel good about themselves, accentuate their best features, and make them ready to face the world. It makes me so sad when I see someone in trendy clothes constantly adjusting and pulling and fidgeting. They never look very good, mostly just uncomfortable. On the other hand, it's always nice to see someone who loves what they're wearing and is comfortable in their own skin.

And I will never, ever stop wearing my dark-rinse flares.
 
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Liz B:
I really, really wish I were required to wear a uniform to work. (Maybe khaki pants and a polo shirt.)

That's our uniform, except on Fridays when we wear nice jeans and polo shirts. [Wink]

Actually the people with career aspirations still wear nice pants and ties and white shirts, some of them.

Oh, and I long ago stopped reading the text of fashion articles, given that they're so nauseating and their underlying assumptions insult my intelligence and very humanity. Is there anyone at all alive who actually buys into that garbage? I just look at the pictures (sometimes to laugh and sometimes to go "oooh, cute!"). [Smile]
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
quote:
And I will never, ever stop wearing my dark-rinse flares.
Good for you!


Um . . . what's a "dark rinse flare"?

What I find frustrating is how hard it can be, sometimes, to find "normal" classic clothes. If I want a plain blouse with buttons all the way up, no pleats, ruffles, prints, cut-outs, surplice, gathers, yokes, or other ornamentation, I usually have to try a few stores. I wanted one in pink (or pink and white stripes), and I'm still looking. I've been searching for months, now. And I want to try it on first, so I'm not willing to buy it from a catalogue. (My size changes, and I want to be sure I'm getting the right size).
 
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
 
Mrs. M, I love fashion too! I love how really good clothes can make me feel more confident and outgoing, and clothes-shopping is a great anti-depressant for me, though an expensive one. [Smile]

I think the mistakes of fashion all come from thinking it truly matters, from thinking dowdy unfashionable people are uninteresting or somehow lesser beings, for instance. Or for thinking it's completely impossible to be seen even on weekends or at the ER without one's hair and nails and lipstick just right and without the perfectly appropriate clothing for the occasion. (Or maybe it's just that the perfectly appropriate clothing for the ER is barefoot with an old bathrobe on. [Smile] )

I like to wear crazy clothes sometimes because it makes me happy. Like when I wore my Dr. Seuss black and white horizontal striped stockings to jury duty.

The other thing that really nice clothes can do that I don't like is they can make one seem unapproachable to people who don't have the time or money to dress well. They can make one seem to be "above", somehow, and can frighten the meek and put them off. I don't like that effect. I want to be someone who intimidates nobody, who appears as less than she is. I want no authority but the excellence of my mind and heart (such as it is). Because in the end it's the insides that matter, and the coolest people to meet are almost never the most fashionable. For instance Einstein, Feynman, Gandhi, Jimi Hendrix, or MLK, none of them were particularly noted for their sartorial elegance.

But fashion is fun!
 
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
 
Here's a fashion themed story that I saw the other day that I love. Rigoberta Menchu, the Nobel Laureate, was tossed out of a nice hotel in Cancun because she was wearing native Mayan attire, and the staff assumed she was a beggar.

I love the Guardian! What a great paper! [Smile] The other news sources just don't give us this stuff! [Smile]

See, what I think is that there are a lot of Nobel -Laureate-quality people that the prize committee has overlooked thus far. Probably some of them dress funny by my standards. I want to get to know them anyway. [Smile]
 
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
 
Those were all hideous. Of course, 1989 was my best year and I dress accordingly. The funnel neck dress was particularly mystifying.

I think if I showed up in any of that stuff my boss would figure he was paying me too much, if I had money to burn.
 
Posted by porcelain girl (Member # 1080) on :
 
quote:
NO woman should EVER wear a high-waisted pencil skirt. Ewwwww.
I actually like them, but not on myself.
Highwaisted pencil skirts look fantastic and flattering on my roommate. She has a high waist, and slender long legs. It looks perfectly lovely and chic.
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
Mrs. M, you are still my fashion guru, and have made it much more easily comprehensible to me.

It's articles like this that make it more mystifying rather than simplifying it for those of us less fashion literate.
[Wink]

AJ
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mrs.M:
That was one of the worst slide shows I've ever seen. Ever. NO woman should EVER wear a high-waisted pencil skirt. Ewwwww.

I do love fashion, but not in the soul-destroying, self-esteem-crushing way. I think clothes should make people feel good about themselves, accentuate their best features, and make them ready to face the world. It makes me so sad when I see someone in trendy clothes constantly adjusting and pulling and fidgeting. They never look very good, mostly just uncomfortable. On the other hand, it's always nice to see someone who loves what they're wearing and is comfortable in their own skin.

And I will never, ever stop wearing my dark-rinse flares.

Are you a fan of What Not to Wear?

I've just started watching sometimes because I find it kind of funny. Stacy and Clinton would die if they saw my wardrobe.
 
Posted by Qaz (Member # 10298) on :
 
To be fair, if you work outdoors, you probably aren't looking for advice on updating your work wardrobe anyway.
 


Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2