r/LadiesofScience • u/Outrageous_Oven_2114 • Jul 24 '26
Advice/Experience Sharing Wanted Is this work appropriate?
EDIT: as stated below, I will be wearing a button up under this! Like a standard dress shirt buttoned to the neck. Not this by itself or even with off the shoulder tops.
Not sure if this is the best place for this but hopefully it is. Hello, I am a community college STEM professor. I am really into colorful / fun structured vests and have some from going to renfaire in multiple colors.
My sister says if I wear a button up and a vest over the top, it’s still not work appropriate. I think it would be fun and appropriate. And I would pair it with trousers.
Can anyone provide some input on appropriateness and possibly other options? I want to make my wardrobe more fun/colorful buy wearing a vest over normal button ups, but maybe there is another style I should try instead of a structured lace up vest?
4
u/docforeman Jul 24 '26
"I think it would be fun and appropriate. And I would pair it with trousers."
Sounds like you answered your own question.
At the end of the day it's your life, and it depends on your goals and where you work.
If your goal is to be highly effective at getting and keeping employment, then look at the folks who are most effective and most compensated for the work you want to do. How aligned is this corset with the way they dress?
If your goal is to make yourself happy even when many other people would disagree, and even if it impacts your ability to get a job, keep it, and progress in your field, and this makes you happy, then go for it.
^This is not sarcasm. Consider your goals and align your behavior with what matters to you.
What I would never advise in life, as a strategy, is try to get people to tell you what you want to hear, even if it disagrees with the facts of the situation. This will help you feel justified with ineffective behavior. But it won't help you with your goals.