Wardrobe Malfunctions at Work
Last Sunday's Super Bowl was a disappointment for anyone taking bets on the next purveyor of the halftime popped top, but it did remind me of some less notorious - yet very real - office wardrobe malfunctions that befall most of us at one time or another.
While the risk of citation by the FCC is slim, wardrobe problems at work can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and time consuming. I once had the unfortunate experience of rounding the corner into the office kitchenette as one java drinker was exiting. His cup of coffee went flying - fortunately, it was not scalding - but I was soaking wet, stained, and embarrassed. I realized I had no option but to return home to change clothes.
In today's fast-paced world, an unplanned trip home (especially if it's a two-hour train ride from Manhattan to, say, Danbury, Conn.) can be more than an inconvenience, as deadlines pass and e-mails accumulate unmercifully in your inbox. So, here are a few tips that will allow you to keep the ball in the air even when your wardrobe has been sacked:
* For the worst-case scenarios, keep a change of clothes at the office, even if it's just a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. No one will fault you for a day of dressing down, but they might not be happy if you disappear just before the big presentation in front of the CEO.
* A safety pin can be the difference between dressed-to-kill and disaster. Toss a few in your paper clip holder for those days when zippers break, buttons pop, or hems fall out.
* Buy stain-resistant clothing. Fabric finishing is increasingly high tech, with today's stain-repellent offerings having far surpassed their scratchy, stiff, and unfashionable predecessors. From Dockers, Haggar, and Liz Claiborne to Brooks Brothers, Gap, and Lands' End, to name just a few, the options are numerous and expanding.
* Treating stains depends on the type of fabric and the nature of the staining agent, but a few general rules apply across the board: 1) Attend to a spill immediately. The longer you wait, the more it will set. 2) Blot, don't rub. 3) Keep a bottle of vinegar handy, as it is good for many types of stains.
* Most important of all, keep your sense of humor.
Let's get to this week's letters.
Dear Jordan:
I see on television that many of the top broadcasters wear pink and purple ties on camera. They look great on camera. Would I be making a mistake wearing them to work at my accounting firm?
- Stephen, Queens, N.Y.
Dear Stephen:
Adding a touch of flair to an otherwise traditional suit is usually recommended in most professions, but while times have changed, some firms have not yet explored their more colorful sides. Play it safe and try it on a nonclient day and then take cues from your colleagues.
Dear Jordan:
In the nasty weather I drive in my snow boots and bring a pair of shoes in my tote. I am appalled at the secretaries (and executives) who change into slippers! I find it offensive to work with people dressed in sleepwear. Any ideas?
- Renda, Westchester, N.Y.
Dear Renda:
The important thing is that your coworkers are choosing to show up on snow days (albeit in slippers) rather than stay home, which is good for the company's bottom line. But, if you're in a managerial position, send out a simple "reminder" style e-mail about appropriate dress codes.
Otherwise, you might want to suggest jokingly that you didn't get the memo about "pajama day" and hope they get the hint.
Ms. Speer has covered the apparel business for more than nine years. Send workplace or corporate fashion questions to styleforsuccess@aol.com
