My Story: How and why I threw out all my suits and business clothes…
Two days after I decided to start my own business I donated my business clothes and suits.
Why would I do that and why would it be liberating?
Well let me tell you. I've worn it all in my corporate life:
The expensive shoes that killed my feet that I had to walk 8 blocks a day in from the max in DT PDX.
Pantyhose, yes pantyhose. Because ankles are too revealing.
Wearing a sweater on a hot day because it was more professional then showing shoulders.
Sitting up straight on a plane to a business meeting at 4 AM because I didn't want to crease my suit.
Paying a RIDICULOUS amount to get a suit tailored only to gain my "busy season 15" and not fit it in a few months.
Covering up my tattoos because its more "professional" (ugh okay I'm getting off topic)
Starting my new business meant saying "BYE" to all of this uncomfortableness. It was exhausting to keep up with because I never wanted to wear it in the first place, but I felt it was expected of me. I was maintaining the image of a CPA professional.
It ate into my budget and became one of my biggest PERSONAL expenses. How silly of me.
How amazing to not have that cost anymore.
How amazing to be comfortable and confident in what I wear and be trusted for the professionalism I carry as a human being and not the buttoned up way I look.
There's nothing wrong with suits and business attire. I enjoy dressing up, just preferably not that kind of dress up.
If it gives you confidence and you are comfortable in a suit, more power to you. But what I wish for all my peers and clients, is for you to be comfortable being you and trusted for the talent that you hold.
Whether that's in ripped up jeans, an off the shoulder top and sandals (my outfit for today) or in a tweed jacket with leather elbow pads.
