Dressing for the Not-So-Corporate Work World

For she who does not reside behind a desk for 9 hours a day.

Adulthood is all about choices and discovering one’s self, especially when it comes to what’s going to be your source of bread and butter for the next 20-30 years of your life. For those of us who have chosen to avoid the corporate world like the plague because we constantly have ants in our pants, we find ourselves in the not-so-corporate world. This however, is never an excuse not to slay slay slay! Your style should be both fashionable and functional.

Here are a few tips for achieving this.

The Basics:

• For a hands on job like mine (I work in event planning), jeans and basic tees are your holy grail. Dark colored jeans are a must, as they do not get dirty as quickly and are quite durable.
• Cotton T-shirts/basic tees are very affordable and functional. I prefer V-necks because they are breathable, allow you to move around easily, and have just the right amount of edge. You can easily purchase them in Ghana, or you can get someone out of the country to send you a care package. If you’d like some tips on how to style your look, check out this video: How To Step Up Your Style with Accessories to find some style inspiraton.
• A comfy, inexpensive and well-fitting pair of sneakers or sandals is also a must have, especially if you move around a lot. You’ll also need a good pair of sunglasses.
• This definitely doesn’t rule out more formal clothes like a button-down shirt and well fitting pants/skirts. The trick is to know your schedule (the calendar on your phone works efficiently or try an app like Todoist), like the back of your hand.

Refresher Bag:

• Yes, you’ve worked hard the whole day, but NO the whole world doesn’t need to know!
• For those extra-long days, pack a bag that includes the following to make sure you’re always prepared:
• Deodorant – This will ensure your pits stay dry and fresh the entire day. My personal favorites are Sure and Nivea for both smell and stay power, and they both come in small sizes for convenience.
• Face towels/wipes – After all that sweating and exposure to the harsh sun and ever so common Ghanaian dust, it just makes sense to have a towel to wipe your face. We’re all about that ‘fine girl no pimples’ life.
• A spare white/black tee – It’s always a good idea to have a backup shirt that can easily be accessorized for more formal events. Just add a chunky necklace or even funky pins to add some ‘skirmishes’. Complete the look with a bold lipstick and two coats of mascara and BOOM – Beyoncé’s flawless level achieved.

Makeup:

• You’ll never find me with full-face makeup for two reasons: my job can get very sweaty, and I’m giving my face a much needed break.
• However, going without full-face makeup doesn’t mean you should look chapped and worn out. Make it a point to look for makeup options that work during the day. Try a tinted moisturizer instead of a full coverage foundation, or a lip balm instead of bold red lipstick. The look you should be going for is simple, fresh and understated.
• It’s also smart to keep an emergency makeup bag on hand just in case you need a last minute glam up. Glam necessities include mascara (Maybelline colossal volume is THE one), a bold lipstick, eyeliner (try colors like sparkle green which make your eyes POP) and definitely some blush.

Personal Style:

• Your personal style cannot be forgotten in everything you do, and your job is no exception. You must discover your individual style yourself, but make sure it shows through in your outfit choices.
• For instance, if you are a tomboy, feel free to wear sneakers with your skirts or dresses. For more “girly” girls, your jewelry and hair are good avenues for you to express your style. But remember, modesty is everything; you don’t want to end up looking like a clutter queen.

Attitude:

• Attitude is everything in my business because I interact directly with clients all the time. It might not be something that you physically wear, but it definitely shines through in your look.
• Even if your muscles are sore after a long day of carrying, screaming, and bending, you MUST wear a smile on your face at all times. Especially when someone says, “Excuse me, can you…?”
• Attitude is everything; the cherry on top. It’s what makes you Ghanaian jollof instead of Nigerian jollof.

By Guest Hacker Maame Owusua