is “professionalism” just coded white supremacy?
answering a reader's question in this month's Style AMA
The question:
“My question would be how to juggle personal style in settings where you have to adhere to rules and guidelines. I have to look ‘professional’ at work becaues of the dress code, but also because it makes sense professionally for a lot of career related reasons. Until I get to a certain level of seniority I have to accept that this is what it is. I truly hate professional clothes and they are never made or cut for my body shape. Even though I know the rules I never feel like I can get it right while honoring my personal style. It is truly a struggle to have personal style within the bounds of someone else’s rules (that you don’t agree with), but I spend the majority of the time I am ‘dressed’ in business casual clothes so I also want to be able to express my style and feel confident.”
I have gotten some verison of this question multiple times in my ask me anything threads. It always felt too big to hold, but I’m going to give it my best shot.
As this reader alluded to, first…
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