Fashion

8 Ways Your Fashion Changes When You Get A New Job

by Annie Crawford

So, you got a new job. Congrats! Life is sweet. The agony of resumes, interviews, dwindling savings, and bills coming in the mail is resolved. You've got a badass new job title, a new sense of purpose, and the chops to do it all like a pro. While a new job means all sorts of changes — new skills, new cuties to flirt with, new experiences — the best part (clearly!) about getting a new gig is the excuse to explore other parts of your fashion persona. Maybe it's your first new job out of college, maybe you're in the midst of a career change, or maybe you decided that being a stay-at-home something was getting too damn boring and you wanted to join the working girls of the world. Whatever the case, getting a new job equals getting a new wardrobe.

In your personal life, you may be pretty girl punk—all pink hair and black leather—but when it comes to your impending professional life, it might be time to get a lady suit and some modest heels. Or perhaps you love sexed up glam—red lips and tight denim all day—but you might want to consider adding a demure cardigan to go over it all for the office. Every money making mama knows that personal style sometimes has to take a break while she's on the clock, but there are definitely ways to incorporate your unique sense of style into your new workplace wardrobe. Here are 8 fashion changes that you might experience when you get a new, big girl job.

1. You trade your ankle breakers for kitten heels

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You look great in your fuchsia patent leather strappy platforms. There is no doubt about it. However, you also realize that your new gig as a 9-to-5 professional requires dressing the part. That's why God invented tote bags — so you can change your heels before happy hour.

2. You learn what "pantyhose" is

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You discover that pantyhose is apparently a real thing that women (and sometimes men) wear. To your surprise, you find they're not just a mythical construct related to 1950s femininity. You learn that, much like your revered Agent Provocateur thigh highs, they have the propensity to run like a mother. You also learn that a bottle of clear nail polish can save you from looking like a street walker when life hits a snag. And also, that they'll keep you warm when winter seems like it's never going to end.

3. You tone down your heartbreaker hair

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Upon re-entering the work force, every lady finds it hard to tame her Brigitte Bardot hair. The allure of wild, sex kitten bedhead is impossible to deny. The thing is, your new job is hoping you don't cause heart attacks all across the 15th floor the first day of work. Monday through Friday, you smooth out your vixen style and let your brain do all the stunning for you.

4. Your go-to leather jacket gets traded for the perfect blazer

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Your rock n' roll vibe has to go on a little bit of a break when you're solving the world's problems at work. That's not to say you can't look totally badass in a power suit. And who knows, it might have just as much street swagger as your trusty leather moto jacket.

5. You swap your yoga leggings for a killer pencil skirt

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Unemployed life was awesome if only for the fact that you could wear spandex all day. Sadly, 11:00am coffee in bed after catching up on your favorite podcasts is a thing of the distant past. The good news, your behind looks fantastic in a slim-fitting skirt, too.

6. You invest in a fabulous, big girl coat

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That should be reason enough to start working.

7. You ditch your boho hobo for a structured handbag

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You love your velvet boho bag, in all of its slouchy elegance. Unfortunately, you can't find a single thing in it without dumping the entire contents on the floor. Time to trade it in for your power babe bag. You're suddenly an organized superstar, flipping your leather case up onto the boardroom table. Out comes the tablet, your favorite pen, a business card or two. You are professionally chic — and organized!

8. You learn to dress like a boss

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You dress for the job you want, not the job you got. It's true, your job is awesome. However, once you've gotten settled, you start to see that you'd make a damn fine queen bee. You start dressing like a boss, cause that's the way to win.

Image: Devil Wears Prada/20th Century Fox; Getty Images