Lots of women at my work have mini wardrobes stashed in their offices. You have probably gleaned that I work in a large legal organisation. This means the great majority of employees are regularly in court. Ergo - lots of charcoal, grey, strict structure and high heels. These clothes look great but they aren't always comfortable. You can't go for a walk at lunch time in vertiginous heels. You can't go for a big girly lunch down at the excellent cheap provincial Chinese cafe in a tight pencil skirt and white silk blouse. (Well, I can't. I would come back with a skirt that resembled a too-tight bandage and a bouquet of audible chili stains spattered over my bosom.)
So there are lots of little satellite wardrobes throughout the building. Under some desks you'll find a selection of heels because the occupant wears runners to and from work. In others you can open the cupboard to find a barrister's gown and three suits. One very active person runs to and from work with a trip in the gym in between - they have a full rack of their work clothes just behind the door.
I love the organic work wardrobes. Mine's limited to a shawl (our inconsistent air conditioning causes a lot of penguin temperatures in my corner of the floor) and some shoes because I love heels at work ...
...and I really like to walk home too.
I keep a pair of simple black clogs in my desk drawer, to address any shoe emergencies that may arise, and a crocheted shawl over the back of my desk chair, because my desk is beside a drafty window. So far as I can remember, I've never used either!
ReplyDeleteBut it's nice to know they're there - just in case. And a crocheted shawl would look very pretty, draped over chair, just waiting.
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