A large number of women work in an office environment. Jobs in this area can be very rewarding but they can also be pretty dull. To be fair, working in an office is much more comfortable than other jobs you could have and often the pay is reasonable if not good.
However having a cross section of people working in close proximity with each other for a long period of time day after day brings its own challenges: in particular personality clashes and competitions or, as it is termed, 'office politics.'
One area this can be a particular problem, especially for women, is with regard to appearance. Ensuring you wear the correct clothes and look right is pretty important - especially if you are new to the job. Most companies are vague on the standards they expect of their staff but it is not that hard to predict what the expectations are, particularly if you take a look at the appearance of other members of staff. It is safe to assume that short skirts and outrageously bright clothing are to avoided, certainly before you are settled in the company.
If there is any doubt, of course you can consult your superior on the subject to check the standard expected. It is always better to be over cautious initially and to be aware of what your clothing says about you.
You may be in the position of liaising with clients or customers and this means how you look is especially important as to those people you represent the company. How you look this reflects the image of the business.
Many people will not take a woman seriously if she is wearing revealing and short clothing. You may be of the opinion that you should not be judged by how you look but, as Richard Branson once remarked, "Never judge another person's appearance but be aware that everyone else does."
In many ways men have it easy as their look is more defined. In business, a good dark suit always works and other professions have their own uniforms too. For ladies the look is more complicated.
There is a lot to be said for appearing business-like if you want to do business. Think how you would react to someone dressed inappropriately and you will understand how others might feel.
Stating your individuality is all very well but if it affects the way you do your job then maybe your style is better kept for leisure time.
In the same way, it would be wise to try to understand how your appearance will seem to your fellow workers. Hopefully it will not be long before you are friendly with other workers and the gossip will tell you what is good and what is not good. Once again analyze your own reactions to the clothes other people wear and you will begin to understand what works and what is best avoided.
Being conservative in your appearance is also a good idea if you want to avoid being the subject of the office gossip yourself!
It is still very true that men hold sway in many companies and it is useful to understand how they react to inappropriate clothing too. Short dresses and skirts can be seen as trashy or even provocative by many men so they present a risk to your prospects at work.
The Internet is so useful in many ways and that is the case here too. Find yourself a good quality clothing store online and have a look at their business attire. You may well find there is indeed a great deal of leeway within the standards you have identified and that you can indeed have your own style within the restrictions set.
Of course you are not restricted to buying from the stores you find online but you can certainly get some ideas about what you want. Doing research in this way helps you get a grasp on what clothing you can wear at work and still be fashionable.