I'm starting another new project soon and it struck me that many an aspiring tomboy might not know what to wear when getting ready to go into an industrial career for the first time. This is Part 1 of a list I have compiled of things to keep in mind and prepare for when getting ready for an industrial project.
It's important to make sure who you are working for knows you are serious about what you are there to do. I find the best way to manage that is by showing up in real work clothes. Not new clothes that are specifically purchased to be "work clothes", but clothes that have been worked in.
1. Pants
I have a pair of jeans that I have had since I was 17 years old. I have patched and tailored them so there are no holes and they fit properly, but the defining characteristic is that they have paint, epoxy, latex and acrylic all over them. I wear them every time I work on something messy.
You can steel an old pair of your dad's/brother's/boyfriend's/best friend's work pants and tailor them or go ahead and designate a pair of jeans or other pants that fit well and do a project at home to break them in.
Either way, make sure you are covered waist to boots and that you can move easily, but aren't wearing anything loose enough that it can get caught in machines. Take care to be covered in case something toxic splatters on you. It's better that your work clothes get damaged rather than your skin.
2. Shirts
I wear a fitted, short sleeve, black t-shirt that I don't mind getting dirty. I wear black because I sweat like a pig when working and the black helps to hide the sweat marks. In the winter I wear a long sleeved black T-shirt.
Over top of the t-shirt I wear an old dress I've modified to be a work apron and I also wear a light, long sleeve, fitted, hoodie or cardigan over that. During winter I usually bring a warm wool sweater and leave the hoodie at home. The key here is layers and that my arms can ultimately be covered down to my wrists.
3. Smocks and Aprons
There are many things you can use as a smock or apron, there are professional leather aprons, dentists smocks, and art smocks of all kinds out there.
A home made smock or apron often works just as well as one of the above. I have seen people use everything from old button down shirts to table cloths with holes cut in them. They important point here is that if has to be easy to move around in, and can't be so big that it gets in the way.
Tomboy tip: I think it's super cute to wear a paint splattered old dress as a work apron. I pick out one that hits above the knees and I usually cut the sleeves off of it to make it easy to move around in. If you don't have one you want to give up go to the Salvation Army and pick one out. It should have a little stretch, easy to slip on and off, with a breathable fabric and not too loose. If it has pockets great!
4. Shoes
I have several pairs of work shoes. All of them are closed toe, not all of them are boots. I have two pairs of high top chucks that are simply to paint in. I love them because they are expendable and comfortable. You want high tops to keep stuff off of your skin and out of your shoes. Your pants and the tops of your shoes should overlap. I have more than one pair in case one of them gets wet.
Some of my friends swear by Danner, other's think it's all about the Dr. Martens. I have a pair of John Fluevog classic Angels because they are classy looking and comfortable, along with a standard pair of black Dr. Martins. I find it's important to rotate new boots in and old boots out otherwise you end up with sore feet by the end of the work week.
The most important thing you should think about when putting your work wardrobe together is safety. You can still look attractive it just takes a little effort to either tailor your work pants or get some Dr. Martins that are a pretty color. In Part 2 of "The Tomboy at Work, I will go into Hair, Nails and appropriate Makeup for the industrial work place. Thanks for reading and if I missed something feel free to put it in the comments.
Tomboys unite!
<3 Tiger
My current line of work is that of an industrial nature. I make hand crafted stop motion puppets, props and sets. I use power tools and work in an environment with toxic materials. Even early in life when I did my best to have "girlish" careers they where the "skilled behind the scenes type of job". My first paying job at the tender age of 14 was that of a seamstress. I worked with industrial machines, made patterns, and designed clothing. I started out as a swim suit model for the company I ultimately ended up making clothing for.
It's important to make sure who you are working for knows you are serious about what you are there to do. I find the best way to manage that is by showing up in real work clothes. Not new clothes that are specifically purchased to be "work clothes", but clothes that have been worked in.
Tomboy tip: If you show up in brand new Carhartts you will look like a tool.
1. Pants
I have a pair of jeans that I have had since I was 17 years old. I have patched and tailored them so there are no holes and they fit properly, but the defining characteristic is that they have paint, epoxy, latex and acrylic all over them. I wear them every time I work on something messy.
Either way, make sure you are covered waist to boots and that you can move easily, but aren't wearing anything loose enough that it can get caught in machines. Take care to be covered in case something toxic splatters on you. It's better that your work clothes get damaged rather than your skin.
2. Shirts
I wear a fitted, short sleeve, black t-shirt that I don't mind getting dirty. I wear black because I sweat like a pig when working and the black helps to hide the sweat marks. In the winter I wear a long sleeved black T-shirt.
Over top of the t-shirt I wear an old dress I've modified to be a work apron and I also wear a light, long sleeve, fitted, hoodie or cardigan over that. During winter I usually bring a warm wool sweater and leave the hoodie at home. The key here is layers and that my arms can ultimately be covered down to my wrists.
3. Smocks and Aprons
There are many things you can use as a smock or apron, there are professional leather aprons, dentists smocks, and art smocks of all kinds out there.
A home made smock or apron often works just as well as one of the above. I have seen people use everything from old button down shirts to table cloths with holes cut in them. They important point here is that if has to be easy to move around in, and can't be so big that it gets in the way.
Tomboy tip: I think it's super cute to wear a paint splattered old dress as a work apron. I pick out one that hits above the knees and I usually cut the sleeves off of it to make it easy to move around in. If you don't have one you want to give up go to the Salvation Army and pick one out. It should have a little stretch, easy to slip on and off, with a breathable fabric and not too loose. If it has pockets great!
4. Shoes
If I have to do some heavy duty industrial stuff, I ALWAYS wear a good pair of work boots. I'm not one who's fond of steel toed boots, but it depends on what you are comfortable with and the level of safety you need. I find that a good comfortable pair of work boots saves my back and feet during a long day.
Some of my friends swear by Danner, other's think it's all about the Dr. Martens. I have a pair of John Fluevog classic Angels because they are classy looking and comfortable, along with a standard pair of black Dr. Martins. I find it's important to rotate new boots in and old boots out otherwise you end up with sore feet by the end of the work week.
The most important thing you should think about when putting your work wardrobe together is safety. You can still look attractive it just takes a little effort to either tailor your work pants or get some Dr. Martins that are a pretty color. In Part 2 of "The Tomboy at Work, I will go into Hair, Nails and appropriate Makeup for the industrial work place. Thanks for reading and if I missed something feel free to put it in the comments.
Tomboys unite!
<3 Tiger
My current line of work is that of an industrial nature. I make hand crafted stop motion puppets, props and sets. I use power tools and work in an environment with toxic materials. Even early in life when I did my best to have "girlish" careers they where the "skilled behind the scenes type of job". My first paying job at the tender age of 14 was that of a seamstress. I worked with industrial machines, made patterns, and designed clothing. I started out as a swim suit model for the company I ultimately ended up making clothing for.
