Do you wear a uniform?
I was recently introduced to this term. No, it is not a mid-calf, plaid skirt with white top aka catholic school like you might be picturing.
I don’t particularly wear a uniform but I would say that I wear a pretty standard style of dress. In general, you can find me in a neutral pair of pants or jeans, a sleeveless blouse and a cardigan or blazer.
Oh.
Ummm...is that a uniform?
“Personal Uniform:
a standardized wardrobe cultivated autonomously by the wearer/user. A personal uniform promotes consistency and commitment to ownership of clothing and wear, reducing waste of material, energy and time.”
In all my years of employment, I have experienced different budgets and styles. When I first entered the workforce I can’t remember what I was wearing. The earliest I can remember what I was wearing was at my first job in Illinois. I wore jeans or trousers and a nice top during the work week and casual during the weekend.
From that job and beyond, it became clear what the standard, yet, different BCBA styles were…
Business Casual
Jeans and Nice Top/Button-down
Loungewear somehow dressed up or disguised
Which BCBA are you?
I have been each of the above at some point in my career. And by some time, I mean I can recall across the last 10 years that each in their own way passed as professional...to a point.
Business Casual
It’s hard to go wrong with a business casual wardrobe. It's versatile, if you style it right. If occasions arise to look more professional, its likely you can pull together a few different outfits from your wardrobe. I currently have a business casual dress code at work. Business casual to me means that I am wearing trousers, not jeans, and I am more likely to wear a blazer. It's a simple swap on the shopping list.
Update, I now feel confident to wear a blazer outside of work thanks to Stitchfix! I still would not pair it with trousers on a weekend or social event but that is besides the point.
Sometimes, business casual is too much for the workplace you are at. Once upon at time, I worked at a very casual place where nearly everyone wore casual but professional dress unless you were one of the executives. Everyone that is except one fella. He wore trousers, a button down and a tie every single day. Although I understood why he did it (dress for the job you want), and could slightly admire it at the time I can now see it as a barrier to a rapport with BTs.
If you are primarily in-homes doing supervision and parent trainings, a strict business casual wardrobe probably isn't for you. If your dressing in your nicest clothes during all home visits you might develop a rapport with the family, but it will not go as far with the RBT. This might be appropriate for an IEP meeting but those clothes will also wear out much more due to the high use AND its hard on us when we get them soiled.
Jeans and Nice Shirt
This is what my dear husband gets to wear to work every single day of the week. He has worn this uniform since as early as 2011. In many workplaces this is a professional way to dress to come to work. This was a nice way for me to enter the professional world. I was able to buy a few pairs of dress pants and trousers at a time rather than needing an entire wardrobe overnight. I wore a mixture of jeans and dress pants throughout my two year employment.
If you are with an employer or in a workplace where the dress prohibits jeans, this is not an appropriate professional dress for you. Pay attention to the dress code of the different establishments that you need to enter and follow suit. If you are going on a job interview, a professional development event or to a meeting, you will want to follow the applicable dress code. A failure to do so will call extra attention to you when you may already be more uncomfortable that you might normally be. This can lead to awkward conversations and even more increased chance of being late. The extra attention may not make you memorable in a desirable way.
Loungewear Somehow Dressed up or Disguised
Yes, I am said disguised. Did you forgot about reading it in the list above? I don’t blame you. Now that I called attention to it you can’t help it though. You’re wondering how this is passed off as professional because deep down, this is the underlying theme of the post, right?
Well, see, here’s the thing I have discovered. Somehow, loungewear, leggings, etc can be considered professional if you are in a professional role, and that is your...style? I knew a very great supervisor who wore nothing but leggings and shirts every day. She eventually moved up to be a regional director and was always regarded as a professional individual.
I can also state that at some point in my career, I was perpetrator of the lounge wear dressed up. At least one season of life included a pregnancy and my yoga pants that I wore every single day ( mixed in with a pair of maternity jeans) were a staple. I did my best to dress in a nice top each day. I also will brag that NO one seemed to notice that I was wearing yoga pants until I told them. They were shocked. Maybe, they were in disguise. It was also hard to see past the pregnancy.
If you are trying to pass off loungewear in a business or professional setting, this will likely be problematic. It is also likely to result in dismissal to go change your clothes. Besides, that will likely call great attention to you if that is not your traditional style.
Have you found another BCBA style uniform?
Find Your Style
I have settled into each season of style that I am in. I found that it has been helpful to never try to push myself from the expectation. Either way, I still have my own particular style...or uniform. This is so helpful in my morning routine and completing a Sunday Prep Checklist. Most recently, I rearranged my closet to be in rainbow color order. It is SO relaxing to know where every single thing is and to see what will more match in a monochromatic way.
What is your personal style or uniform?
Is there something that you could do to your current wardrobe that would simplify or more deeply align with a current or ongoing routine?