Designing Your 9 to Life Wardrobe
Change Clothes, and Go
I grew up in a home where my grandmother took pride in appearances. Like her, and her mother before her, they were women of presence and style between hard work and raising children. I would run my fingers down the rows of closets filled with sequined dresses and furs for everything from dinner to casual strolls at the grocery store. Allegra’s jeans and t-shirts were limited to being used when we were out in the garden picking tomatoes to be fried for supper or cleaning greens on the porch to take to church. She would take me to the fabric store for discarded scraps to sit at her sewing machine and make my own gowns for my numerous dolls. Now in my adulthood I have my own rows of sequin dresses and furs to mix and match with my favorite sneakers and more mixing and matching them for occasions like my grandmother did.
The busy lives we lead often mean that we are juggling full schedules during the day and heading to happy hour and events after. Over the past few years, my closet started to expand due to looking for clothes for the cubicle and clothes for cocktails after. Taking a new role in the tech field drastically changed my everyday attire. I left behind the blazers and pencil skirts for Air Max 270s and over-sized sweaters due to the more relaxed atmosphere. What was also attached to this was a new office outside of Dallas, sitting in an office until 6 pm or later and a longer drive to getting anywhere in the city leaving no time to stop at home.
Part of work-life integration is not limited to bringing our passions and projects inside of work but also our attire. It has changed the dynamic in the way that I shop and look for clothes that easily transition throughout the different demands of my 9 to Life. At times I am known to as over dress however I am a firm believer in not dressing for the occasion but most importantly how I feel which now also makes its way into the corporate office. Learning to mix patterns and textures but more importantly dressing for my body type.
I’ve been also able to learn helpful tips from several other stylish people around the Dallas area to help maximize my coins, the usage of my clothes and own personal style who are also working their own full time roles and chasing passions while being stylishly social.
TAMRA BYRD, @TAMRANICOLE
Fashion Stylist & Custom Specialist at the Trunk Club
How has your current 9 to 5 molded your style?
I'm a Fashion Stylist & Custom Specialist at Trunk Club, a personal shopping service owned by Nordstrom. I style all body types for both men and women and make custom clothing for men. I'm able to express myself fully with my fashion sense at work. I know that's not the norm and I'm extremely thankful that I'm able to do this.
What are major mistakes you have made with your closet that you now try to avoid now?
Buying items that are just not meant for my body. It's super important to dress for your body type. I'm a curvy woman and am heavy on the top, as much as I love slip dresses that style doesn't look good on my body. Dressing for your body is the most important thing one should be thinking about when shopping!
Who taught you about what to wear and how to wear it?
My mother! I actually learned most of my tips from her. I always tell her I paid all that money to go to Parsons, study abroad in London and work for celebrities to learn so much about styling but in reality my Mom taught me the basics many years ago. Growing up about twice a year we would go through our closets to get rid of items we were no longer wearing. She taught me how to organize my closet, how to style and from her teachings combined with my other experiences I made it my own.
Re-wearing clothes is a thing that sometimes terrifies people, especially if they have taken a picture of it and it’s went on the gram. In what ways do you remix your clothing to re-wear it again or are you a one and done type of person?
I definitely wear my clothes over and over and over again! I'm not trying to front for the gram. I push myself to try and wear an outfit differently the next time I wear it. I think it's good for my followers and clients to see that I do wear my clothes & provide inspiration for them when styling their own looks!
To contact Tamra for styling or other services, feel free to email her at tamranicole33@gmail.com
Brian Millage, @mister_millage
Director of Fundraising, The United Way Dallas & Stylist
How do you define your 9 to Life style?
Over the past 10 years, I’ve actually decided to dress appropriate for my daily occurrences: meetings with donors, luncheons, dinners, networking events, etc… I would say that I’m more proper than anything.
What helped you to learn to make that transition between your 9 to 5 and 5 to 9 style?
I prefer to dress for the day: 9-5 business, 5-9 events, and everything else in between. In college, I would change 5 times a day to dress appropriately for class, the midday turn ups, meetings, kickbacks, and etc. Now, it’s just easier to get dressed in the morning not just for the next few hours but for the entire day, and not worry about having to change. I’d much rather be overdressed than under dressed.
We are all trying to stack our coins and save. For me personally, even if I have it, spending hundreds of dollars on a shirt or another trendy item that I’m probably won’t wear more than a few times isn’t feasible. Do you have a budget for new clothing or a price range you like to stay in?
Crazy enough, I do not have a budget on clothing for myself. As a stylist, I’m always asking my clients of their budget, but for myself, if I like what I see, and they way it fits, I BUY IT! Quality and comfort are important when purchasing pieces, so as long as it fits those two, I’ll take it.
Do you have any tips for sales, sites, and stores that are your favorites to shop for while looking at items to wear in and outside of the office?
I love local businesses! I usually shop through my friends brands as they have unique and one of a kind pieces. As a stylist, I typically refer clients to local business first, to find their needs, then department stores after. I constantly shop from Be Great Brand, Ten Minutes Late, Thirty Fifty Company, Humble Flourish Brand, and JC Scott, just to name a few.
To contact Brian for styling service, please email him at mistermillage@gmail.com or schedule a style consultation here
Gabrielle Kirven, @iam.gabrielle_
Social Media Specialist & Influencer/Blogger
How do you define your 9 to Life style?
My current 9 to 5 is working as a social media specialist. It has modeled my fashion choices as far as what I wear to work. My job doesn’t require me to come dressed up everyday; my co-workers come dressed more casually in jeans and sneakers. I have adopted this same look vs when I was in college working at Dillards where at any given time you would see me dressed up. I think for more it just depends on the type of atmosphere I’m in to where I am able to adapt.
Is your style prioritized for your day?
Right now I actually don’t feel the need to prioritize what I wear but I keep telling myself that I would like to start. I am not a morning person so I often throw on whatever and go. It helps having a job in an easy-going atmosphere for me not to have to always think about what to wear.
What do you keep in mind when shopping for pieces for your closet?
I always look for quality and pricing. I ask myself do I already have something like this? But if it is both quality and a good price its an easy answer. My closet is a mix of expensive and lower cost items. For example, if its my birthday or an occasion such as a gala you I am shopping at a higher end store or brand. However I am definitely a Fashion Nova girl for my everyday wear. I think I can my clothes look expensive by the way I wear them and my personal style touches.
Who is your style inspiration?
My mom plays a major role in how I dress today. I have a more classy style because of her. Growing up I wasn’t allowed to wear pants to church. To this day if I’m with her I can’t wear pants to church. She taught to be a lady, which to her was was wearing heels, purses, all of those things. It’s one of the reasons that dresses are my go-to for anything. As I continue to explore my own style, I am trying to mix it up now and get into the different looks with pants, tops, and more.
To contact Gabrielle, for more styling tips email her info.gabriellekirven@gmail.com
Christian McDuffey, @jeanscuffed
Suit designer & Stylist
How has your current 9 to 5 molded your style?
I am in the business of Ready-to-Wear suits with a concentration on custom Made-to-Measure suiting. My position literally has me surrounded by helping others discover their perfect fit. This transitions into my personal style where I focus on what flatters my body frame and overall look. I preach almost everyday about getting your essential suiting choices like your grey/navy suits first then having fun with other bolder colors and/or textures and patterns
Being that style is your 9 to 5, what do you to integrate it into your off work hours?
That’s the beauty of having a well-balanced wardrobe. It is your ability to go from office to drinks within no time. Being in the suiting industry I have had the chance to experience many styles. One that I’ve gravitated towards is deconstructing a suit for after hours where you don’t appear too stuffy in a relaxed and casual environment. I believe my exposure to media, film, and peers opened my mind to experiment with transitioning styles.
What do you want someone to see when they look at your personal style, especially in the work place?
I used to be the guy in the office where I would get teased (in good fun) about my style in the office. I dressed for myself but also I wanted others in the office to see there’s more to office style than just a blue dress shirt and khakis. It gets boring and mundane. At that point you’re looking like the other “drones”. The major takeaway is that having clothes that fit you and flatter you will speak volumes. The fact that I was the only one teased in the office about the fit of my clothes says something.
We live in a very digital/social media heavy world. With that comes a lot of pressure. Do you feel a sense of need to prioritize what you wear often or daily?
There is a big stigma about social media that you can’t wear and post things multiple times which is sickening to some degree. I think we need to slow down and dress for themselves rather than running out and buying the newest and greatest. I don’t feel like I need to keep up just for an Instagram post. Don’t get me wrong, at times I feel like my wardrobe may need a refresh, but understand I’m buying for me, not for a following.
What is your favorite quote about fashion or style?
“The better you dress, the worse you can behave”.
To contact Christan for your suit needs, email him at christianmcduffey@gmail.com