By Erin McKean
If you're not wearing a dress today, that's your choice (and I fully support you in it), but I thought I'd post about some reasons I've heard people give for not wearing a dress on any day, and talk a bit about them.
I can't wear a dress to work, my co-workers will think I'm: too dressed up/snobby/looking for another job. The best answer to this is: What do you care more about? Their opinion? Or your happiness?
I can't wear a dress: it's too cold/I ride a bike to work/I have to move boxes. I have done all these things in a dress. (Today I will ride my bike five miles in a dress.) If there's a will, there's a way. These last two excuses are really a coded "Oh no! What if people see my underwear?" excuse, which I believe I answered with this rant here.
I feel uncomfortable in
dresses. That's not the
question. (Actually, that's not a question at all.) The
question is: Do you want to feel comfortable in dresses?
Then you have to start wearing them, or start trying things on
until you find dresses you do feel comfortable in. If you
don't really care, then there's no problem. (Need more
ideas? See:
Va-va-voom Meets the Boardroom)
I'm plus-sized. Yes, finding attractive clothes that fit well when you're a plus-size is not the easiest thing in the world. But if you are determined, it can be done, absolutely. I see plus-sized women in fantastic dresses every day, both in real life and on the Internet. And there's always sewing for yourself. Your sewing machine doesn't care what size you are, and it never gives you a snooty look when you walk into the sewing room.
I hate pantyhose. I hear ya, sister. I don't wear them either. I would say that unless you are a corporate lawyer or work in banking, bare legs or tights are acceptable in 90% of workplaces.
Dresses are too expensive!
Sales. Ebay. And most of all: sewing. I've made dresses
for $10, including the cost of the zipper & pattern. (And have
you seen the price of jeans lately? Sheesh!) (We've made it
extra-easy on you. See:
The Web's Best Shopping Sites)
I work on an oil rig. OK, yeah, maybe you should wait until your day off.
Blogger Erin McKean is the founder of A Dress A Day, where this post originally
appeared.
Do you have other excuses or answers? Or do you love wearing a dress? Leave them in the Comments section. This story is part of a series from the ForbesWoman community, including LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Join us and share your thoughts--and Shine!
