The Upcoming Grad "Couture"

“I really like that shirt! Where’d you get that?” I mean, come on we’ve all had that compliment with the question attached to it. Ok, look at it this way. What did you wear to class today? Was it shorts and a t-shirt? Jeans and a t-shirt? To be completely honest, that is probably along the lines of what I wore to class just because that is what I find comfortable. So, would that be considered professional clothing, especially in the environment we (and I mean the majority of business students) will be expected to wear? Most likely not, especially if it is a corporate job. For example, my older brother graduated almost two years ago from college with a degree in accounting. Now let me tell you that he definitely grew up wearing shorts and a t-shirt and only dress pants and a nice shirt for church and special (absolutely mandatory) events. I mean, I completely understand that because I had a phase where I was not the biggest fans of dresses in general, no matter the occasion. Did I still have to wear them? Yes, because my parents were trying to instill the value of acting like a lady (at least once a week for church) into their very tom-boy daughter. Yes, I partly grew out of that phase, but will still take a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt over a dress any day. But as an up and coming adult who will be expected to dress and act a certain way within the business environment, that means the dress code is going to have to change. Again, take my older brother for instance, who graduated in four years from Liberty University (good job bud). He had to transition from wearing clothes that he felt comfortable in to wearing straightjackets and large wool snuggies…I mean suits and overcoats (he lives where there will be actual snow in the winter). And he is the first child to be off of my mom and dad’s payroll and onto his own (which let me tell you they were singing praises when that happened). And for all my ladies, we know what will be expected of us when we step out into the workforce. It’ll have to be all the works: blazers, skirts, nice dresses, having our hair and makeup done and overall looking put together. And, of course, how could I forget the daily stilts…I mean heels. I will say, even for us tall girls, they definitely make you feel powerful…just so long as you don’t fall (been there done that and its not to pretty or graceful). So guys, I am (not) sorry to say that you have it a little easier than us ladies all over here. All this to say that adulting is more than just realizing what the future will bring, but learning to have the skills to adapt to those changes with the utmost grace and dignity without falling to much. ;)