I remember when I would have to buy pencil skirts, slacks, stockings, and flats and how it made me feel like I was suffocating in my own skin. I remember thinking to myself if this is professionalism that I am truly going to be unhappy.
And since style is a huge part of my life, I wanted to make sure that no matter what space I was in I was able to express myself through my clothing. At the start of my career I worked in the advertising industry, submerged in a sea of women who didn’t look like me.
While I will say I was fortunate enough to work in a creative industry that allowed me to get away with pretty much anything, there’s still a way to dress “appropriately” at work. I always worried if I was, too casual? Too sexy? Too short? Too outside-of-workish?
And as a black women I consider my appearance twice as much. I wanted to make sure my style options weren’t seen as a negative point when people looked at me.
I’ve been inspired by professional women like Bozoma Saint John, who doesn’t just continually remind me that I’m a bad ass, but also being a beautiful, hot, and demanding woman does not negate all of the things I bring to the table.
As a content creator I am always thinking about my image, when I work places I prepare myself for people to search me on social media (naturally as we all stalk our peers online) and while I may be one way at work, my online presence consists of traveling, marriage, and my boobs out half the time. It also took confidence in self to be comfortable with everything I put out on social media.
I want work style to not only create inspiration for young black girls watching me, but I want to serve as an example that you can dress just like you and excel. You don’t have to be confined to rigid and cold wardrobes to get people to take you seriously.
A good note to add here is that I’m very good at my job. So if your style is gonna be top tier, make sure your performance is matching it too!
I never let a fit get in the way of my responsibilities at work, but it’s just as important to me to look good in order to feel good.
I’m a huge advocate of reminding people that it’s more than okay to have different sides of yourself, and to not spend time trying to dim your light. In any journey of life, adjustments have to be made. But don’t conform for the urge to be one amongst the crowd.
Im a hot girl and corporate lady.
Don’t put me in a box!!
All my love,
JMoore
