Does Being Unemployed Change The Way You Dress?
Posted by: Erin Flaherty
Filed in:
style
4:00PM, Friday August 21st 2009
Today the Wall Street Journal supplied a helpful article on how to dress and act after one has been laid off. The advice regarding comportment seemed straightforward enough: Don’t badmouth your former employer, especially via YouTube video. Yeah, um, we kind of guessed that one already. But the sartorial directive, “In the aftermath of a layoff, style is critical,” had us scratching our heads.
Recently laid-off Michael Guarini claims that since he lost his job, he now wears business suits all the time because he considers himself constantly networking. And it is food for thought. If you’re unemployed, as a general rule it’s smart to let both friends and business acquaintances know, so that if they hear of any opportunities they can pass the information along. But we never really considered the fact that it might be wise to start dressing like, well, you are the consummate professional at all times. Not that you can afford to go on a shopping spree.
Then again, the scary statistic quoted in the article—one out of 10 workers is unemployed right now—makes us wonder if it couldn’t hurt to step it up, style-wise. If you’re not currently between jobs, do you remember making any major wardrobe changes last time you were sacked? Or do you just remember the watching soaps all day in your jammies part of getting dressed each day? [WSJ]
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*sam*
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 03:12 pm: [report]
I just recently got hired after being unemployed for about 3months following a move. and no, I never changed my wardrobe for ‘networking’ purposes. I used the time off to break in my new favorite ‘comfy pants’ and wear my favorite jeans (complete with a big whole in the thigh) and t-shirts whenever I would venture out. Not to mention catch up on ALL the sleep I’d been missing since I was about 16 and started my first job.
as glorious as that all was, I also had to stop eating out and lived off of ramen noodles & PB&J sandwiches. I also resorted to only leaving the house if it was *absolutely* necessary—like going to the store for more ramen or a job interview, to save as much gas as possible.
FloraPoste
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 03:13 pm: [report]
I’m self-employed. So should I be in business attire at the grocery store for “networking” purposes in case I bump into a client? This seems like overkill.
Coral
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 03:28 pm: [report]
I have been working mostly continuously since I was 14, and there were 2 months when I didn’t have much of a job job this past year. Since I am going to college soon, I wanted an internship, and so I applied for one at an office. And I really had to change my style even more, although I already had a mature taste, I still had to change my style. And after having a 2 month span of only doing some part time bartending, I knew my lack of professional attire was holding me back a bit.
writergirl
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 03:32 pm: [report]
WEll, if you are going to be some place where you *may* bump into someone who could get you a job—then yeah, wear something more business oriented. But if your doing errands, what’s wrong with jeans and a t-shirt?
Kathls
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 04:53 pm: [report]
I’ve been laid off for two months, and I dress better now than I did at my former laid-back office. I dress up not because I might run into clients, but because it makes me feel better.
If I have to sit on the couch surfing the web for jobs, at least I can look cute doing it. Some of my friends think it’s weird, but if wearing a nice skirt and heels helps me stay out of the unemployment doldrums and keep away the blues, why not?
indiemamacita
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 07:36 pm: [report]
Since I’ve been laid off I rarely ever wear makeup, unless I am meeting former co-workers for lunch or drinks. It’s my one perk.
MarriedWhiteMale
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 08:15 pm: [report]
I’ve been unemployed now for 17 months. All I wear now is Polo shirts, knee length shorts and tennis shoes. I haven’t been in a suit since last October, 2008 when I had my last interview for a position they knew was on permanent hold.
When I do (please soon!!!) somehow get blessed and am granted an interview to the local grocery or pet store I will dust off my suit and play the game.
Until then “WFC”. (Who Friggin’ Cares)