by Solange Lopes | May 15, 2014 | Career
Crepe seam fron tunic dress – $90 – topshop.com
Hello again…For our fashion lunch interlude today, we are erring on the brighter side of corporate fashion with this crepe textured seam from tunic dress from Topshop.
Loving the boxy (read forgiving) shape of the dress, and the unique color, which can easily be paired with a navy or even lighter blue blazer or cardigan to change from the usual black. I find this dress very versatile as it can be worn cinched with a skinny belt, or flowing loose with some elegant low or wedge heels for work. And for the week, it can easily be merchandised with some dark leggings, funky vintage jewelry and sky high colored heels.
This dress is $92 at Topshop, and yes, we know it’s making you smile already…
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? please post a comment below or email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 15, 2014 | Career
madamenoire.com
Happy Thursday!
In life as in work, attitude is everything! A good one can take you far, and a bad one, well, can take you further..in the opposite direction, that is! But how about the stereotypical negative attitude that is so often (and so often mistakenly) attributed to Black and minority women, without them even being allowed to participate in this perceptions game that so unfairly labels them?
As Black and minority women in the corporate world, our stereotypical, media-induced, and culturally inaccurate reputation very often precedes us. And more often than not, it includes the word “attitude” in its most derogatory form. “She has way too much attitude!” “Black woman at work? Watch the attitude!”
You’d think all Black and minority women are enlisted in some form of finger-wagging, neck-twisting and eye rolling contest 24/7!
Truth is, many a times, it’s this same negative attitude we are expected to have, that pushes us to put our guards up and be on the defensive on an almost permanent basis. And many a times, when others expect you to behave badly, you end up feeling cornered and like a wounded beast, you just react instead of acting!
I remember my first job out of college in Big Corporate, and struggling to hide under my fear to be seen as the stereotypical, attitude-filled Black woman. Instead of being assertive and defending my otherwise hard work and brilliant ideas, I hid behind excessive compliance. For fear of being judged as being too aggressive, I kept silent and let others lay claim to my work and ideas. Instead of defending myself against faulty allegations, I walked away. And while I succeeded at not being perceived as having too much attitude, I failed at living up to my own potential.
Fast-forward a few years, and I’m still struggling with the power of perceptions in the workplace. Yet I’ve come to understand (and pay the price for understanding this ) that the problem is not being perceived as having too much attitude, but lacking the right attitude to succeed in the workplace. And that the right attitude is not to react out of fear of being misjudged (even if the fear is legitimate and the misjudging real), but rather to act out of a calm, cool and collected place of confidence and assertiveness.
Your thoughts?
The Corporate Sister
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2014 | Career
bet.com
We’ve talked before about fitting exercise in at lunchtime. Yet most corporate sisters I have spoken to admit to trying to fit in exercise before or after work.
I’ve tried both and personally think exercising before work is better, both for the fact that you get it over with before your day gets started, and the much-needed boost of energy you get. Fast forward two kids and dear hubby, and I can barely fit in exercise at all, let alone first thing in the morning. So now I fit in exercise after work. And when I say after work, I mean straight after work, no stop, no skipping a turn, straight! And while it’s challenging to find the motivation to head to the gym after 8± hours at work, it kinda works for me….for now…right before I head to my second shift at home…
When is your favorite time to exercise?
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2014 | Career
Closet at work – marieclaire.com
So yes, you have your overflowing closet at home…and if you’re like myself and most of the corporate sisters out there, you have your own, customized for work, well…work closet.
As for myself, I keep extra heels, a couple of extra blazers and cardigans, and a blanket for those cold days. Not to forget some essentials such as a lint brush, extra stockings (I know, I know), my beloved Tide stain remover pen, and an extra pair of flip-flops when I’m ready to leave in the summer.
What do you keep in your work closet?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2014 | Career
Theory shirt – $190 – bloomingdales.com[/caption]
For our late lunch break, we are loving this Theory shirt from Bloomingdale’s. The simple yet structured slanted cut of the shirt, the impeccable classic white color, and it’s fluid design make it perfect for work, play and pretty much anything in between.
It’s $190 at Bloomingdale’s, and would look great alone (please know your office) or under a linen blazer this summer.
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please post a comment or email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
