Status Report: Holidays in the Office

Let's wrap up the year with one more status report! And if you have suggestions for 2013 status reports, please drop me a line by email or in the comments.

Subject:  Holidays in the Office. Show what you wear to work to get into a holiday spirit or what you are wearing to the office holiday party. Does your workplace have any holiday decorations, whether tasteful or tacky? Let us see. And while you're it, do you get time off for the winter holidays or are you taking a vacation? Share a few details in your report.

Due Date: Tuesday, December 18 & Wednesday, December 19

How to File Your Report:

1. Post to your blog on or around the due dates.

2. Include the following code in your post so the This Is CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report graphic will display (if you're using Blogger or WordPress, switch to the 'HTML post' setting & then paste this code in):

<a href="http://corpgoth.blogspot.com/search/label/corpgoth status report"><img border="0" src="http://www.trystancraft.com/corpgoth/corpgothstatusreport.jpg" /></a>

3. Comment on my Tuesday night post including your blog link.

4. Read everyone else's reports via their links in the comments!

Suit-Like, but Not

Went into the office for a meeting, but it was cancelled. Considered leaving to go work at home since the office setup (where I don't have a proper keyboard & monitor, just a laptop) is painfully un-ergonomic. But then a different meeting was scheduled, so I stayed. Such is the wacky schedule of my new job!

What I'm wearing:
Dark grey pinstripe jacket, made for me by Donna | Black T-shirt, Target | Plum crushed-velvet tiered skirt, NY & Company | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black & grey pumps, Payless Shoe Source | Silver filigree earrings, Target | Plum flower hair pin, random accessory store

In Praise of the New Tripod

I've often admitted that my photos for this blog are kind of crappy. It's just me & a tripod with five minutes in the morning before I head out to work.

I don't have a fancy studio with lights & a backdrop, & I don't have anyone else to take photos for me & say "honey, remember to stick your neck out so you don't get a double-chin" or to wait until the wind doesn't mess up my hair or scarf. I take pictures outside because the lighting is marginally better there than in the bat-cave of my house. I use the 10-second timer on my camera & hope for the best. I'd been using a cheap old tripod that wasn't exactly steady & was very crooked -- things I'd have to fix in PhotoShop every night.

Well finally, I bought a new tripod, & wow, that sure helped! I still have weak lighting, the timer, solo photoshoots, & minimal time in the morning, but at least the camera is held up sturdy & level. Every little bit helps.

What I'm wearing:
Black & white stripe sweater, Chadwicks
Black long-sleeve knit top, Old Navy
Black skirt, NY & Company
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Burgundy faux-suede boots, DSW
Black skull-print scarf, gift from my husband
Pewter square earrings, local artist

How do you take photos for your blog? What equipment do you use? Does anyone help you out?

Short Week

This is a short work week due to Thursday being the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S. Plus I'm working from home Monday & Wednesday (which will probably be a short day as my boss has said that most people log off early, again, for the holiday). So Tuesday was my only office outfit -- and I'm even posting that late, sorry! Rainy mornings also forced me to take photos on the porch.

What I'm wearing:
Pink cardigan, MetroStyle | Black & white damask print knit top, Spiegel | Black corduroy skirt, H&M | Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black laced-top flats, Miz Mooz | Black & pink crystal Victorian-esque earrings, random accessory store

 

November CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report: Winter at Work

The report subject this month is: What do you wear to work in winter?

Now, I don't live in a very cold climate -- winters in Silicon Valley are mild but can be wet. Still, I love sweaters, boots, scarves, & coats because I get cold rather easily. So I have a lot of winter-appropriate office wear. And as I've mentioned, the building at my new job is a little chilly inside!

So this outfit is a standard Trystan CorpGoth winter work outfit: a cardigan layered over a top (just in case I get too warm, I can remove the sweater), a scarf to fill in the neckline, a skirt, & boots in case of puddles. For my commute, I add my classic trenchcoat which is water-repellant & has stood up to some mighty strong storms. Plus some black leather gloves to keep my hands warm.

I'm looking forward to seeing what those of you with harsher winters wear to the office!

What I'm wearing:
Black wool ruffled bolero sweater, Kohl's
Black long-sleeve knit top, Old Navy
Black & white striped knit maxi skirt, Nordstrom
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black tall boots, Clarks
Red scarf, thrift store
Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store
Silver & garnet ring, bought in India

The Most Expensive Jacket

As a companion to the Most Expensive Sweater, this jacket stands as the most I've spent on a jacket ever, at least one that isn't leather (& I don't count full coats; I mean jackets here). But isn't it gorgeous??? I couldn't help but pay full price for it in the store. And it fits beautifully, aside from the sleeves being a little long -- I should take it for alterations, but it's wearable right now, & I couldn't wait.

Like the sweater, this is also from White House Black Market. It's a stretch velveteen with princess seams, making the fit perfectly snug without being tight. It has beautiful details like a notched collar & tiny inset ruffles that add subtle texture (which were impossible to photograph). And I shockingly did not have a black velvet/een jacket in my closet anymore (after having gotten rid of ones that didn't fit or were an unappealing style). I foresee a low cost-per-wear for this beauty.

What I'm wearing:
Black velveteen jacket, White House Black Market
Black & blue print knit dress, Target
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black ribbon-tie pumps, Clarks
Black & gold disk earrings, Forever 21

Sweater Season

Well now it's not just cold inside the office -- it's cold outside! This weekend, the temperatures started dropping noticeably. OK, cold for Silicon Valley, not like there's snow or even frost in the mornings. But we had to turn on the heater in the house at night, & I'm wearing a coat to work. Which is a good reminder that the next CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report is about winter office wear, & reports are due later this week on Thursday & Friday!

What I'm wearing:
Black & grey stripe sweater, Target | Burgundy skirt, NY & Company | Black tights, unknown brand | Black lace-up, spool-heel boots, Target | Silver filigree earrings, Target | Silver & garnet ring, bought in India

How cold is autumn where you live? Have you been wearing sweaters & coats for weeks now?

Forgetful Pants

I seem to forget about wearing pants. I have two pairs of black trousers like this, plus several pairs of black jeans. They all fit well & are the correct length -- quite an achievement when you're a petite plus size gal. Yet I gravitate towards wearing skirts & dresses the vast majority of the time.

A lot of the reason is that I think skirts & dresses look more flattering to my figure. If you're a bit curvy, pants can emphasize your curves in unappealing ways (no matter how well they fit). Pants make my butt & gut look bigger, whereas skirts & dresses, especially A-lines & straight skirts, gracefully skim over those areas & draw attention to my small waist or shapely calves. Always play to your assets!

Still, pants can be comfortable & even warmer (see previous post). And they're not horribly unattractive on me, I think. Just have to remember to wear them.

What I'm wearing:
Purple & black striped cardigan, Old Navy
Black embellished T-shirt, Macy's
Black trousers, Target
Black trouser socks, Target
Purple pumps, Aldo
Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store

Chilly

I realized that the cubicle I sit in at my new job is directly underneath an air vent -- no wonder I've been so cold at work, despite the Bay Area experiencing an unseasonable heatwave! So today, I dressed for inside temps, not outside. And I felt much more comfortable.

What I'm wearing:
Black sweater with ruched sleeves, H&M | Grey sleeveless sheath dress, Target | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black kitten-heel pumps, Payless Shoe Source | Purple & grey floral scarf, Old Navy | Silver cameo earrings, vintage

It was amusing when a coworker said, upon noticing my pointy shoes in the elevator, "I wouldn't want to get kicked with those."  I laughed & replied, "Well let's make sure I don't have to!" Yeah, I think I'm going to get along with this team.

Does the temperature inside your office vary greatly from the temps outside? How do you cope?

Blue State

I live in California, one of the bluest of blue states when it comes to American presidential politics. I even live in that most liberal enclave of the San Francisco Bay Area (altho' Silicon Valley can be more conservative & libertarian than San Fran or my college alum Berkeley). So on this Election Day, I wore my blue dress. And of course, I voted right after work. Before that, I flashed a "V" for "victory" or at least a peace sign, because we can all use that.

What I'm wearing:
Blue knit dress, Ruche.com | Black camisole, Old Navy | Black & white floral sweater, White House Black Market | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black patent square-toed pumps, unknown brand
Silver filigree necklace, vintage | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store

New Job & Blogoversary in One

This week marks the second year anniversary of me starting This Is CorpGoth, & I also started a new job today. Quite a momentous occasion! My first outfit on the blog was November 3, 2010, & I celebrated my first blogoversary on November 7, 2011.

The past two years have seen the peak and fall of my satisfaction at my previous job, & sometimes it felt like this blog was the only thing that kept me getting up & going to the office in the mornings. When I was dragging & feeling totally uninspired by what my career offered, I knew I could at least put on a snazzy outfit, post it, & maybe someone would comment. *You* really helped me get through the tough times, all of you, each & every one of your comments. I may not always have the time to reply, & I wish I could go comment on all of your blogs (I do read them, oh yes, I do, religiously!). But knowing you're out there in BlogLand really means a lot to me.

I'd like to thank a couple people specifically:

Shelia of Ephemera -- Your blog is a delight to behold! Every outfit is something creative & unusual, even if it's not something I might wear. I admire your style so much. And I enjoy the appearances of your kitty & sidelines into the beautiful Canadian landscape. Thank you for your comments on my blog, & thank you for being such a great inspiration to keep it colorful & rockin'!

Franny of The Professor's Various Blogspots -- Hee, I can't help it, I make fun because I love! Your transformation over this past year has been awe-inspiring & lovely to behold. I adore your posts about gardening & cooking & camping, even tho' I only comment on fashion. I want to read your dissertation as soon as it's done! I wish we weren't on opposite sides of the country because I'd love to sit over coffee & talk literature & old-school goth music with you for hours.

And also my champion regular commenters, particularly from Lennea pa Landet & Cuz I Said Sew -- showing up with a kind word or clever insight, time & again! And with fantastic blogs of their own -- go read them :-)

Oh yeah, what did I wear for my first day at a new job, the first new job I've had in 11 years? Something gothy but with color so as not to freak the mundanes too much. Gotta ease my way in, y'know.

What I'm wearing:
Burgundy boyfriend cardigan, Chadwicks
Black knit top with floral ruching, NY & Company
Grey striped skirt, Nordstroms
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black pointy kitten-heel pumps, Aldo
Silver filigree earrings, Target
Silver & garnet ring, bought in India
"Raisin Rage" lipstick by Revlon

November CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report Subject

It's time for the next Status Report!

Subject: What do you wear to work in winter? Showcase a cold-weather office-worthy outfit, either for a chilly commute or to bundle up in a breezy workplace. Do you have a fabulous coat & scarf? Do you rock sweaters & boots? How do you fend off the rain or snow while still looking appropriate for work? Show & tell! (And if you're currently experiencing summer where you live, why not show your summer office style? Then next year, we can reverse it :)

Due Date: Thursday, November 14, through Friday, November 16.

***

How to File Your Report:

1. Post to your blog on the due date(s).

2. Include the following code in your post so the This Is CorpGoth Mid-Month Status Report graphic will display:

<a href="http://corpgoth.blogspot.com/search/label/corpgoth status report"><img border="0" src="http://www.trystancraft.com/corpgoth/corpgothstatusreport.jpg" /></a>

3. Comment on my Thursday post including your blog link.

4. Read everyone else's reports via their links in the comments!

Sophistique Noir November Theme: Hosiery

This month's theme is a great one: Hosiery! From fishnets to stripeys to spiderweb tights, every goth gal loves some legwear. I have one & a half drawers full of different kinds of stockings, & I couldn't pick just one to feature, so here's a rundown of my faves.

1. Black tights by Calvin Klein -- These are my absolute favorite everyday hose. I buy a dozen, & they last two or three years before any pairs get holes, stretch out, or anything. Nearly indestructible. Plus, they come in a slightly wider range of sizes than most brands, meaning they fit my petite-plus self quite well. Call me one satisfied customer!

2. Colored tights -- I really like soft colors for tights. The purple & grey get worn most often because I think they add a sophisticated touch to an otherwise dark outfit. These ones are also a great contrast to an occasional pop of color.

 

3. Fishnets, especially colorful ones -- Black fishnets are classic & are even acceptable in many not-super-conservative workplaces now. But color fishnets are even better for work, imo, because they read less "sexy" & more "fun" & "hip." They're a little unexpected, yet they can blend in at the same time, if you choose shoes & skirt carefully.

4. Stripes -- Of course, I have stripey tights, tho' I don't tend to wear them to the office that much. I mostly save them for weekends & party time. But if I can tone them down in an outfit, the stripeys come to the office. I like 'em in lots of colors (sensing a theme here?) & even vertical.

5. Spiderweb tights -- Oh yes, the spiderwebs can work at work! They're subtly spooky.

6. Lace stockings -- I love lacy tights! But these seem to be the most prone to snagging, tearing, & generally not lasting very long. So I never have more than one pair available at a time, foo. But I'm always on the lookout for more, & they can't be very expensive because I know they'll rip up (even the pricey brands). Ah well, they are so pretty.

What is your favorite kind of hosiery? Best brands? Where do you shop? Let me know in the comments!