No Boots on the Dock

Individuality is definitely a proud Texas characteristic.  I observed an extreme example of misplaced individuality last weekend.  We were fueling at a popular marina and watched two people shed their cowboy boots to enter a high dollar, air conditioned salon sport fishing boat.

Appropriate boat footwear includes:

• Barefoot
• Boat shoes
• Non Black Sole Marking Sandals

The boots came off as they entered and were quickly reclaimed at the dock. 

Boating, much like the corporate climate, requires dressing for the occasion.  When boats are involved, don't even bring boots to the dock.

What to Wear?

Wardrobe anxiety is an ongoing dilemma that plagues so many people - what shall I wear?  Men have far more clear-cut guidelines than women for the many invitations that indicate business attire or black tie.  Business attire is the only easy designation for women.  Black tie for women can mean anything from cocktail attire to ball gown depending upon the occasion. And the only way to know for sure is to have previously attended, know someone who has, or call the host.   And, business casual confuses everyone.  The safest option for business casual is jackets for men and women, but many organizations are far more casual in attire.  And casual varies enormously.  For some, it means flip flops and cut-offs.  For others it means, I'm not wearing a jacket.

The dilemma for women is further complicated in that we want to fall within an acceptable range of the guidelines as they are interpreted, but we definitely don't want to be wearing the same outfit as another attendee.

New entrants into the workforce often face a triple challenge:  they have donned a uniform or casual wardrobe from pre-k through college graduation; they don't have the wardrobe or budget to dress for their new environment; and they don't know which role models to emulate in acquiring a professional wardrobe.

This is yet another area where the buddy and observation system needs to be in full force. We learn by trial and error, observing, asking, experimenting and evolving.