The mysterious allure of work clothes

Ryan is particularly attracted to me when I come home from work in office-y clothes. While this could be chalked up to the fact that dress pants and pencil skirts show off my ass far better than the dirndl dresses and harem pants, I think there's something more to the inherent sexiness of workwear.

After all, I feel the same way when I see him in scrubs.

So, what is it that's so sexy about clothes that are designed to be anything but? I think it has something to do with the unfamiliarity and mystery of that person's work life.

Allow me to explain . . .

When you live with someone (in a tiny apartment no less), you become utterly familiar with each other, and things can become a bit routine. But part of the essence of sexiness is mystery, and unfamiliarity. The one thing we don't share, can't share, will never truly be a part of, is each other's work life and each other's work self.

We are someone different when we go to the office (hospital, school, *fill in your workplace here*): we dress differently, talk differently, and practice skills that people in our personal lives may know nothing about.

I'll never truly know the Ryan that Ryan is at work and he'll never truly know my work self. Therein lies the mystery and therein lies the sexy allure of office clothes.

If you're still not convinced, perhaps you will be by the following anecdote. Back when I worked at Best Buy, I once showed up at a coffee shop open mic after work in my Best Buy uniform, and a guy friend there said, "Wow, you look sexy in your work clothes."

Let me assure you that this assessment of the way I looked made absolutely no sense. Best Buy uniforms consist of khaki slacks and huge blue polo shirts that are unisex (i.e. don't fit women at all). The "short" sleeves fell baggily to my elbow. I would post a picture of me in it but there aren't any as I hid from cameras for the better part of that year so as not to document myself at my worst.

Objectively, there's nothing sexy about a Best Buy polo shirt and khaki pants. But, when this guy friend saw a glimpse of my mysterious work self he found it surprisingly attractive. And the same thing happens when Ryan sees me in a suit or I see him in scrubs. What a strange and interesting phenomenon.

Oh, the power of clothing.

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What I wore today 09/21/2011 (Rain)

So, I went to Nordstrom Rack again yesterday and bought a few investment pieces (cashmere lined gloves for the upcoming winter, the Sperry top-siders I've been wanting forever, a long string of false pearls) as well as these incredibly cute shoes (which definitely fall into the indulgement file, rather than the investment one). I had to get them because they reminded me so much of the shoes I salivated over in February when I saw the new Philisophy di Alberta Ferretti collection. With they're sqaurish toes and clunky heels, they're a dream come true.

Raining today. I had a work thing, so here's what I wore...

Mock-blouse-and-tweed-skirt dress: Target

Studded belt: Forever 21

Mary Janes - Nordstrom Rack

Umbrella: Some website

P.S. I went to Anthropologie the other day (because my mom and I had to show our friend Barb, who'd never been), and while I didn't get anything (flexing that will-power muscle!) I did try on a pair of heelless heels. Lucy Hale was right; they're not as hard to walk in as they look. Still a bit scary, though.

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What I wore today: 07/06/2011

Shoes: Madden Girl, TJ Maxx

Jeans: The Gap

Tank: Target

Blazer: Anthropologie

Peal earrings: gift

Diamond watch: Citizen, Macy's

Ohio necklace: Etsy

Nail polish: American Apparel nail laquer in "Butter"

I am so obsessed with my new blazer from Anthropologie (my favorite store ever.) It has such a soft look to it because the inside of the fabric is used as the right side.

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Fashion in the News: Japanese businessmen try to beat the heat with Hawaiian shirts

I hope you enjoy my repeating Fictional Fashion Icon segments. Here's a new segment for you: Fashion in the News.

NPR reported an interesting story a few days ago. Since Japan has been suffering power shortages following the nuclear crisis, companies are coming up with inventive ways to help office workers survive the heat. Many offices in Tokyo, for example are having workers come in an hour earlier to take advantage of colder morning temperatures.

But now, and idea with the adorably Japanese name Super Cool Biz, is advocating for more casual heat-friendly dress codes. Ties and jackets are out, Hawaiian shirts are it.

(Photo credit: Louisa Lim/NPR)

This kind of sartorial revolution would shake things up in any office, but Japan's famously buttoned up business men are reacting in a variety of ways. Some are happy to wear more casual clothes, but many feel it's disrespectful and unnecessary.

One thing I noticed about Japanese culture when I was an exchange student there in 2003 is that people know how to work hard and play hard and they way they do both so successfully is by keeping them separate. A dress code like this threatens such ideas.

Still, in an 82 degree (F) office, working hard may not be so easy without a more relaxed dress code. What do you think?

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What I wore today: 06/13/2011

I woke up early the Monday morning and, stumbling around to get ready for work, I just wasn't feeling it. But, remarkably, I was able to put together an outfit that worked with my newly discovered saddles oxies (hidden in the back of my car for months), was warm weather appropriate, and also work appropriate (enough). How do you like it?

Saddle Oxfords - Ebay

Thrifted '90s floral mini skirt - Goodwill

Ruffled wrap shirt - The Limited

Necklace - Seventh Street Gifts

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