Recently, I have a newly found inspiration for a different aesthetic in this stage of my life. This week I started a fresh job at Dillard’s and commenced my new clear bag initiative. After talking about sustainability forever, I have shifted my style mood to be a more professional and chicer vibe. Since my shopping habits changed, I have been focusing less on being trendy with fast fashion to portraying a more executive look by wearing classic styles. Don’t worry though, I will never become a corporate executive, so I always add my personal details to represent me. I’m not completely professional right now, so I’m young and proFResh.
Of course, I’m sure you all want to hear about my new job and how it’s going so far…
I love it. It is such a different experience working in a department store and having so many coworkers to talk to. I actually got really lucky and was put in the contemporary section which actually includes some of my favorite brands like Free People and Chelsea and Violet. Obviously, you know it is a department store, they have a variety of sections, so I would have no clue what to do if I ever got put in the kids’ section. A lot of people who work at Dillard’s are older than me, so naturally they all have more polished and mature styles. I have been expanding my wardrobe to mainly focus on classy and business casual looks. However, I am still in college, so I do not have to dress professionally each day, but I try to dress up some of my more casual looks.
You can dress up a simple outfit to be more sophisticated by adding a blazer to redefine your everyday jeans. This can be worn oversized and unbuttoned with a tighter fitting shirt underneath to keep that effortless look. I’ve been incorporating more neutral shades and mixing patterns or color in each of my outfits, so I can tone down my outfits or not. One thing that I have done for a long time is wear a belt around my actual waist since I have a short torso. I wear high waisted jeans and pants that I bought at some thrift stores that were once men’s slacks or jeans and I turned them into workwear. Depending on the size of the pants I would cut parts of the waist out and sew them together to make it smaller. But, a huge emphasis on wearing belts because they make you look so much taller and they are an added accessory that can complete a whole look.
One thing I wish I was able to do at Dillard’s is take my own dang purse. Honestly, it’s not a big deal but you have to use a clear purse and I just want to bring whatever purse to match my outfit instead of a clear tote. Actually today, I got a super cute lunch box purse with a really dope face on it and I can’t wait till I can wear it. My favorite type of bag to take to work is a simple shoulder bag that can either be big or small. I especially need this since I just throw everything in my one bag.
I am packed tight busy working, learning, and hanging out to manage everything but I finally figured out how to properly manage my time and balance life. There have been countless times where I have so much to do, but I just procrastinate and put it off for the next day. It is very helpful if you complete your tasks throughout a period of time instead of rushing everything in one night. I noticed now I am less stressed, being more productive every day and learning a lot more by taking proper time on my school work. Hmmm, maybe I’ll do a school hacks blog. Lmao.
Allison C Dibble 