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Bringing the goth aesthetic to the office...

topic posted Tue, July 22, 2008 - 11:41 PM by  )'(Ms. Meow)'( 		Share/Save/Bookmark
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I recently graduated from the University and got a 'real' job. The kind that takes place in the office, and mostly entails sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours a day.

I already miss school, where I never felt at all estranged when I dressed how I wanted, and I felt comfortable expressing myself, and treating the classroom as a runway.

In the office the dress code is 'business casual,' but I am trying to find ways to bring the goth aesthetic into my work wardrobe, without over doing it. I try to accessorize, but a lot of my jewelry seems too over the top. I even have to tuck my septum ring up into my nose while I'm working and it feels like I'm hiding the real me for this job.

Any suggestions on how I can incorporate my goth goodies into my every day work wardrobe so that I don't feel like I'm losing myself? All suggestions welcome!
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)'(Ms. Meow)'(
offline )'(Ms. Meow)'(
California
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  • Kass...
    Kassandra
    offline 118

    Re: Bringing the goth aesthetic to the office...

    Wed, July 23, 2008 - 5:53 AM
    This website has lots of good reading:

    www.waningmoon.com/corpgoth/

    You don't say what is your favorite style, but if a simple nose piercing bothers them so much, I would recommend dressing formal (in the Victorian style maybe?). Long flowing skirts, blouses, velvet jackets... A nice ribbon choker, a cameo or a locket would not be out of place in an office. Boots can be OK too, if you wear them under a long skirt.

    You can always return to your style when going out at night or on weekends.
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  • James
    James
    offline 79

    Re: Bringing the goth aesthetic to the office...

    Thu, July 24, 2008 - 8:04 AM
    I'm a lawyer (real property litigation) in San Francisco but I don't dress goth (unless I wear a gothy T into work when I ride my bike). I easily could -- my boss got me a Siouxsie VIP pass a few years ago after all -- but it's just a hassle, although you can wear velvet year round here. I don't even wear a suit unless I go to court. However, given that this is S.F., I'm going to try to schedule a hearing for Halloween and go in in my 19th century Dickens Fair upper crust attire - frock coat, top hat, cravat, etc. :-> Good luck.
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    • Anat...
      Anathema
      offline 191

      Re: Bringing the goth aesthetic to the office...

      Sun, July 27, 2008 - 8:43 PM
      Yeah, I guess when I was a lot younger I wore the same clothes to work and clubs, but now I pretty much have three sets of clothing . . . work-safe, fetish club, and non-fetish goth. I probably wear more black and have more piercings and tattoos than my co-workers, but I have enough time in my "real" life to dress fancy. Workwear is like a school uniform--you can hitch up the skirt a bit, or wear your blouse tight over a pushup bra, but really . . . it's still a uniform.
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  • Lady...
    Lady Maria
    offline 14

    Re: Bringing the goth aesthetic to the office...

    Fri, September 26, 2008 - 5:34 PM
    I work in the education system, and I have to be VERY careful about how I dress. NO facial piercings (wah). I've got several tattoos, so I have to wear pants or long skirts, and shirts with collars year round (nice in the ninety degree heat). I do have some lacy tops and red rose earrings that I wear a lot, and I often wear Mary Janes with striped socks. I also like to have my nails done in darker tones, like plum or wine, and I tote a CRAZY purse (can't have the labret, but they aren't going to tell me what purse to use!) I also like to throw a teeny weeny little nearly invisible washable stripe of some abnormal color in my hair on the days that the boss is gone, for my own shits and giggles!
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