Dressing Up, Dressing Down

I had a conversation with JJ yesterday about dressing up for work. Because of the current state of the economy and the real estate market, our office is downsizing. I'm pretty sure that along with the employees that are being downsized, our corporate dress code and image are going as well. I told JJ about a dress I wanted but since we won't have to "dress up" for work soon, I feel like I didn't need to buy it. She told me that if I like the dress, I should just buy it and just because people aren't "dressing up" doesn't mean I have to "dress down".

She brings up a great point. In most women studies classes, it has been brought up that women dress for other women. JJ said that she wears what she wears because it makes her feel good. I wear what I wear depending on my mood, where I'm going, who I'm seeing. I guess I like to complicate my choices. It's no wonder it takes me almost an hour to get ready in the morning. Back to my point, I guess I have to learn to dress for me. When I was younger, I went to a Catholic school where we wore uniforms and makeup wasn't allowed. I was brought up in a fairly conservative environment where I wasn't allowed to really nurture my "girly" side. I didn't really wear makeup until college and to this day, I still feel a little guilty if I'm dressed better than someone else in the room. It is empowering to know that you look good, but my upbringing dictates otherwise.

Deciding to dress for me will likely alter the way I shop. I don't know if that's necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. I have to take school into consideration too. If I keep buying clothes/shoes/purses that I like and feel good in, how will school affect that? See what I mean about complicating my choices? There's always something else...