ShockQueen

I'm amazed things have gone so well this year with my fashion choices. Anyone who says you can't have your own style and still be professional must be in a very limited work environment. Perhaps I'm just lucky where I am, but they don't mind the little things I do. I now regularly wear women's jeans with nice tops, paint my nails, have nice moderate heels on (4" or less - no thin stilettos), longish hair, and now have 2 piercings in each ear again.

What I find interesting about this whole style change, is that I've gotten to know more of the women on the floor on a conversational level and have visited with them much more than I think I would have othewise. Perhaps it's the similar interests, but some say they keep an eye out to see what new style I'm sporting that day. I don't make a huge deal about it - it's just another set of clothes as far as I'm concerned, and I work as hard as I usually do - nothing changed there. I do count myself very fortunate that this place allows a degree of latitude as far as style goes as long as it's kept professional. It's also guided my choices in clothing to more well-done styles, which is a nice side benefit too. No skirts or anything outlandish for me though - I like what I've achieved thus far, and it's helped out immeasurably as far as being able to be relaxed and it's been a real shot in the self-esteem arm as well.

SQ
-still floating on cloud nine - most likely never to come back down

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SQ.....still busting societal molds with a smile...and a 50-ton sledge!

Thighbootguy

"I do count myself very fortunate that this place allows a degree of latitude as far as style goes as long as it's kept professional."

Fortunate indeed!

Sounds like you have a great work place. It’s also a reflection on you as a good worker that they are willing to be tolerant.

Much luck in your good fortune.

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I have no expectations and I’m still disappointed.

JeffB

SQ: Good for you, my friend! I'm sure you must be quite the happy camper to be in an environment where you're valued more for the work you do than for the clothes you wear. I had been treated the very same way at the previous place where I worked little over three years ago, so I'm quite familiar with the feelings you're enjoying, having regularly worn pumps in all sorts of colors, including fire engine red and neon green, and was always complimented on my sense of style. Well, I hope you'll continue your experience at work all the more in the future.

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Skirts and high heels: They're NOT just for women anymore! And yes, those are MY legs!

Bubba136

I remember you in those days, Jeff. Always with purpose, confidence and a whole lot of style. Are the picks of you back in those days still available here on hhplace? I'm sure there's a whole new couple of generations of members here that would love to really know how a man can look really good while wearing high heels.

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Being mentally comfortable in your own mind is the key to wearing heels in public.

JeffB

Thanks for the compliment! Well, I still have all those old school pics that I had taken years ago on my hard drive, even though I no longer have the actual shoes I wore back then. I'll have to see what I can do about displaying them here. Stay tuned!

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Skirts and high heels: They're NOT just for women anymore! And yes, those are MY legs!

ShockQueen

I had a rather nice compliment today when coming back from lunch today. Today was my blues & greys day, so I wore my blue flare jeans with a dusty blue turtleneck, my nails done up pearl grey with shimmer topcoat, and my 3.5" Payless twist bootine boots.

The one gal looked at me and told me I rock my shoes good. :-) The ladies have been so wonderful and not said any bad things once. Still no bad reactions from anyone in the office, and everyone has pretty much gotten used to me again now. I guess they just like to see people who aren't like everyone else. :-)

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SQ.....still busting societal molds with a smile...and a 50-ton sledge!

secondtake20

Thank You ShockQueen!!

Your stories are like everyone elses, they keep giving me more drive to wear heels out in publc again Thank You.

ShockQueen

I'm glad I could help! I think it really depends on where you heel, but as long as you make the outfit complete, then it's truly an asset to invest in. :-)

SQ
"Professional heeler" *grin*

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SQ.....still busting societal molds with a smile...and a 50-ton sledge!

ShockQueen

I've gotten about as bold as I dare these days, but I think today was spot-on perfect.

Flare jeans (dark)
powder-blue short-sleeve plain shirt under open black button-up short-sleeve shirt
Cloudwalkers Claire criss-cross mary janes
teal nail polish, nice earrings, and a touch of 'scara and gloss.

I think it went together pretty nicely!

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SQ.....still busting societal molds with a smile...and a 50-ton sledge!

ShockQueen

Over my weekend, I found a couple of wonderful denim jackets at Catherine's - one in dark rinse denim, which go with my flare jeans, and a black denim one that will go well with my dress slacks. So now I have another layer that I can throw together and mix/match with the rest of my stuff! Definitely love Catherine's, as they don't mind me shopping there at all - it's just more money to them after all - but they have FUN with it!

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SQ.....still busting societal molds with a smile...and a 50-ton sledge!