welcome to wednesday, where we start the new year with purpose, saying:
dress for the day you want to have,
not the one that’s trying to have you.
today and every wednesday, i invite you to link arms, blogs, and instagrams in solidarity. here’s to setting the tone for the days we desire with the clothes we pull from the closet!
have i told you before? i’m a telecommuter.
and all the other tele-commuters say “hi, abby.”
that’s right. while many of you are sitting in traffic or running into starbucks or waiting in the pre-school drop off line each morning, i get in my little internet engine and fight spam semis all the way to the e-office. it’s not your typical work-from-home-for-yourself-set-up, but more of a work-with-an-office-full-of-people-hours-away sort of dealio.
shirt: target // pants: old navy
it works for me. i get the flexibility and the limited distractions of office life, yet still hang on to the collaboration and camaraderie of working on a team. plus, there’s unlimited coffee and a pantry full of snacks. it’s a win, win for me and the office coffee pot, too.
it’s also one of the biggest reasons i need this dress for the day business. the hardest thing for me in transitioning from the office to the kitchen table was to channel the motivation to dress for work, even when i wasn’t going there. i know the value of wearing what makes me feel capable, smart, and professional, but it’s easy to sacrifice all that for the comfort of my favorite hoodie until lunch.
that is, until i learned the unpredictable power of skype meetings.
necklace: pac sun // earrings: francesca’s
we use skype a lot for work, and the internet phone could ring at any moment. it could be my boss, or a whole conference room full of co-workers. with only a few minutes notice, they might throw my face up on the ginormous presentation screen.
godzilla-size abby better be dressed for the day, is all i’m sayin’.
so i’ve learned a few tricks for dressing for the close-up, professional conversation, and i share them here with the hopes that you can pull off the “waiting by the computer for this important meeting” look at the drop of a hat should you ever need.
- the right set up: lighting is everything, and you want it to come from in front of you, not behind. one lamp oughta do it. keep your background neat, and put your computer on a phone book or higher surface so you are looking the other meeting-goers in the eye and don’t have to slouch. use photo-booth to check how things look before the call, but be sure to close it completely or your camera might not function correctly when it’s go time.
- neat, simple hair: the less you have to touch your hair, the less attention you draw to yourself while listening to others. the screen seems to amplify the simplest movements, especially if there’s any delay!
- strong lip: it’s easy to look washed out, so a little extra lip and blush can help you look put together in a snap.
- statement jewelry: frame your face with a statement necklace or colorful earrings.
- be yourself: the internet is great for long-distance communication, but it does limit your ability to express your full personality in a conversation. don’t be afraid to wear something a little brighter or attention-grabbing to leave an impression and assert yourself in the crowded room.
do you ever skype for meetings or interviews?
what tips would you add to my little list?
if you’re into buttons, feel free to grab this one, and link up a post or a photo that tells your story below. feel free to link up anytime during the week, and look for a new dress for the day story each wednesday. everyone is welcome to join anytime on twinstagram (twitter +instagram) by using this hashtag:
#dressfortheday
I made dressing up a resolution because I have been unemployed this year. I am a teacher and I really enjoyed putting together outfits (and let’s be honest, the kids are brutally honest!) so it came as a shock to me when I started wearing PJs/workout clothing everyday. Dressing up for my blog has helped me get ready everyday, but also learn how to use all of the items in my closet.
I love your skype style, so cute :)
You’re so right about being ready to look professional at a moment’s notice! That’s kinda like what I wrote about today, without the skype :)
I don’t telecommute, but if I’m not dressed for the day, I always end up running into a friend I haven’t seen since high school, or an ex-boyfriend’s mother, or something like that. I don’t want to be slumming it when that happens! Not ever. :)
love love love those tips (and red lips)!!
That blouse is darling on you!
When my co-author and I were writing our book, we had quite a few Skype meetings with each other and with our publisher. It’s kind of intimidating to think of how they are viewing you from their screens! Love these tips – I will have to keep them in mind in the future (especially lighting).
the hardest thing for me is looking at the person i’m talking to and not just at the little box with my picture in it – terrible! haha
Great tips! I used to work from home and dressing daily was so hard for me. But Skype calls would have made it easier.
Awesome tips…but you forgot to mention the best part of telecommuting: PANTS ARE OPTIONAL. :-)
i was waiting for you to say that :)
I’m not sure what the animal is that’s on your blouse, but I love it! Especially with that necklace!
it’s a whole zoo of animals! giraffes and cheetahs and zebras and more! thanks dani :)
Awesome tips, and timely too, as I have a Google hangout scheduled for tomorrow. I’m always uncomfortable doing video chats, and I never would’ve thought to consider how I styled myself. You have opened my eyes :)
Secondly, love the shirt, and when you see my outfit post this week you’ll understand why. Great minds think alike :)
Let us know what you wear for your hangout! Glad it could help. Love the black and white :)
I needed to read this post today! My plan for the day involved staying at home with preschoolers and folding laundry, so my fashion choices were jeans and a t-shirt. After reading this post I added a velvet blazer, a scarf, and some eyeliner. I know that helped me have a better day! Thanks!
I just love that shirt. so fun!