by Hope
“Elevated” business casual is the description my boss gave me this week when he spoke to me about my clothes since the weather has turned warmer. (Via a text message.)
And I had to agree that my “summer” wardrobe for work is lacking. The colder months were fine as I have a good 4-5 sweaters that I just rotate through. And I have 4 pairs of the same pair of slacks that I rotate through. But shirts…well, I’ve lived in tank tops the last several years. And tank tops are not acceptable, which I concur, in a fast food restaurant.
I’ve been on the hunt for a short sleeve shawl of some sort so that I can elevate, ie cover my tank tops, and make them acceptable. But all I’m finding are bathing suit cover ups which are not right.
So this past week, as we had to make a mid-week run to Walmart, I found a solution for $11!
While I’d prefer not to wear a dress to work, this will tide me over for a little while and give me time to find a “shawl” that is acceptable. (I’m only there a 2-4 hours, 3-4 days a week. I don’t mind wearing the thing multiple days in a row.)
And the best part is that after work on Friday, I changed shoes, added some jewelry and was ready for a night out. (Pictured.)
I avoid clothes shopping unless absolutely necessary. I am perfectly content with the wardrobe I own. It’s been kept quite minimalist since we moved from our house to the 900 square foot apartment, then to the camper some years back. And, of course, I am the queen of purging!
Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.
But life has a way of rewriting your plans.
A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.
Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.
Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.
She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.
If they have specific expectations about your dress, I would have asked for them to provide you a uniform.
That looks terrible for work. It’s too short, for one thing. And a shawl with tank tops? No. Just buy some plain, good quality T shirts (not from WalMart) and a couple of knee length pencil skirts and some ballet flats.
I don’t know what year you were born in, but a dress that reaches a womans knees is not too short!! as far as I know, Hope isn’t a nun or belong to the Amish community, her dress looks nice.
It ends a couple inches above her knee and it’s not a good look.
That is definitely not elevated business casual. That is more preschool teacher. You can get some iron-free tailored button downs in a few colors and a few nice pairs of slacks, try Lands End or Kohls, etc. Easy work “uniform” and you will always look professional. A shawl over a tank top is not going to do it either. Unless you are a lifeguard a tank is never an acceptable work top. You want to look put together.
You showed a picture wearing a red polo shirt on Instagram, your not allowed to wear that?
That dress looks more like beach casual than business casual. Get some button down shirts or even some nice T-shirts with a cardigan.
It was a “t-shirt-ish” shirt that he had issue with.
I think you look great! And the best thing?… you look happy!
What about polo shirts and khakis? I think pants would be easier to move around a restaurant in than a dress.
I have pants. It’s the short sleeve business casual shirts that I don’t have.
I don’t like WalMart – but I think they are your best bet for pants / tops. Marshall’s is my other recommendation – OR you go to the local thrift store and thrift some stuff. Half my work stuff is from friends who have given away clothing. $30 can grab some pants/tops from Walmart or the thrift store.
Beauty works at the local thrift shop, I’m in there regularly but this just isn’t a great area for larger sizes, business attire.
I’ve got pants covered, I bought 4 of the same pair some time back to make my life easier. It’s just the short sleeve business casual tops I was struggling with. I appreciate the suggestions. I’ll have to find a Marshalls or TJ Maxx when I’m out of town again, there are none within an hour of me.
Even a Target will probably work, or in a pinch I have looked up clothes on FB marketplace – I hear you, plus size clothing is not abundant. Do you know anyone with Amazon prime? They probably have decent shirts!
Buy online.
I want to add, I think that dress is cute on you for non-work! Can’t the restaurant give you their branded polos to wear with your pants? Seems the easiest animist budget friendly solution.