Wearing luxury to work? Would you do it? Does it depend?

[lill_canele]

Wanted to add again to this discussion since I just had a conversation with a coworker from a different division (sales) about luxury goods. She said that as with all client-facing positions, appearances are important and closely scrutinized, so the right bag can go a long way.

To paraphrase, you want to have some designer pieces on you so that clients will trust you with big-ticket spendings, but not too much that they think you don't need their business. Bottega Veneta was mentioned numerous times during this conversation, so perhaps the direction leans towards "subtle yet recognizable", if that makes sense.

I also heard from the reporter with the Chanel Boy that her peers find her designer items to be a sign of privilege, so she felt that she wasn't taken seriously because of that.

That makes sense. I have a friend who's a real estate agent for multi-million dollar houses in Beverly Hills and she always has a Chanel CF when touring houses with clients. I've talked about it with her before and in her case as well, appearance is also very important. She always dresses professionally, tailored suit jacket and skirt set, nice makeup (but not overdone).
She's one of top sellers in her group so I'm sure she's doing something right.

I wear my designer bags to work. I work in healthcare at a medical center. I see both staff and patients wear LV, Gucci and even Hermes around the facility.

Wow! That's so nice! I also work in healthcare, but my workplace is very conservative and more old school. Probably a difference in work culture.

 

[SpicyTuna13]

Healthcare.

I used to have a rule of not carrying luxury items to work as I didn’t want my clients to feel they were overpaying me — as of recently, I’m getting old, and I feel the older I get, the less I care (being in your 40s and not giving a sh*t feels awesome, been waiting on this transition all my life lol).

I have neutral B35s for work — just two that I rotate on a 1-2 year basis though. No room for more. That is the compromise I made with myself.

Luckily, H bags are not easily recognizable in my area, so I rarely ever get a double-take or a look for that matter; however, given my boss-like status, no one would say anything to my face though.

 

[Amazona]

Healthcare.

I used to have a rule of not carrying luxury items to work as I didn’t want my clients to feel they were overpaying me — as of recently, I’m getting old, and I feel the older I get, the less I care (being in your 40s and not giving a sh*t feels awesome, been waiting on this transition all my life lol).

I have neutral B35s for work — just two that I rotate on a 1-2 year basis though. No room for more. That is the compromise I made with myself.

Luckily, H bags are not easily recognizable in my area, so I rarely ever get a double-take or a look for that matter; however, given my boss-like status, no one would say anything to my face though.

YAAAAH! Exactly and totally this!

 

[Strep2031]

I work as an EA in a corporate environment (background is Finance and now Sales) and I have seen all types of styles from Forever 21 to Chanel RTW. It’s not uncommon for the C level execs to wear Rolex or AP watches, to LV and Goyard handbags. Even the EAs wear red bottoms, which was my choice of footwear around the office.

Now that I work 100% remote, what I wear isn’t a factor. I will share a few funny stories. When I moved to Sales and went on a business trip, we went to a 5 star restaurant for dinner and one of my Account Execs was so enamored with my style of dress that she kept telling everyone ‘we got the flyest assistant in the whole company’. I believe I carried my Chanel classic flap with a pair of red bottom stilletos. I thought to myself ‘this is a 5 star restaurant, this is usual attire for me’. She was sweet, we spent the rest of the night talking about fashion and we have a trip planned to visit a few luxury consignment store the next time we are in town together. Second story, I hosted a dinner for about 125 coworkers and I noticed a gentlemen whispering something to another EA about me. So when I ask what he said the EA said ‘absolutely nothing but ignorant talk’. He smiled and said ‘We must be paying her well’. I was wearing a pair of LV earrings, yes LV statement earrings that cost $750. I just smiled and said ‘my husband does very well for himself’.

So you just never know. Someone is always going to have an opinion whether good or foolish about how you present yourself in the workplace. My advice is to know your audience but at the same time be free to do you if you could care less about what others think.

 

[Midge Maisel]

For me, working in entertainment, it's a mixed bag. I don't like logos, so that's never really an issue. Obviously, right now, given how contentious things are, I'm more careful with what I choose to wear. Really, my priority is wearing/owning well-made items. I don't care anywhere nearly as much about the brand as I do about the quality of the item itself!

That makes sense. I have a friend who's a real estate agent for multi-million dollar houses in Beverly Hills and she always has a Chanel CF when touring houses with clients. I've talked about it with her before and in her case as well, appearance is also very important. She always dresses professionally, tailored suit jacket and skirt set, nice makeup (but not overdone).
She's one of top sellers in her group so I'm sure she's doing something right.

There are at least three women I'm thinking of off the top of my head who fit this description! Gotta love LA real estate.

 

[GraffS]

I’m the boss and I wear what I want, brands and luxury and all. And even when I wear something inexpensive it looks super rich on me, it’s just my personality. My clothes can be $50 total and jewelry $50K. Even when I was in the entry level during my university years, I would dress very well and wear diamonds.

But never loud logos, I find it it’s both unprofessional and bad taste. I do have a very loud absurd taste in your face colorful LV on the go but it’s mostly my vacation bag. The only well known luxury bags I wear to work are birkins, they don’t have logos but we’ll known to people.

 

[lenarmc]

I’m a teacher.
I wear (clothes, belts, jewelry) and carry (handbags) luxury. I drive a luxury car. I can’t help it if my husband makes more than I do, and I can treat myself ever so often. It’s not like I’m walking around with my bag on my shoulders.

Besides, what people consider expensive/designer/luxury is all relative. My Coach bags get more side eyes than my Chanel.

 

[Minimalist_Chic]

I don’t wear luxury to work. My main reason is due to judgement, mostly women getting judged far more then men. Few things I see at work.

1. Both men and women wear luxury
2. I see some luxury, but not too often, nice handbags, jewellery, watches, belts and shoes, never over the top or with a lot of logos
3. I have seen both men and women wear nice things, however it is women that are judged more on their luxury items
4. I’ve heard both men and women talk positively where other male colleagues have luxury items, but it’s more negative or with a judgemental tone with women

Another reason why I don’t wear luxury to work is due to salary transparency

1. Men are more open with one another on salary
2. In my experience women are less so, if I am being judged on luxury and it’s already not openly discussed I don’t want my luxury purchases to deter being open with salaries as luxury items are considered frivolous spending or that you have money vs holidays as your colleagues cannot see this
3. I also don’t bring luxury in so that male colleagues I am close with are also willing to share salary information, unfortunately most men like to see themselves as earning more than women and if they think they earn more they’re more willing to share and pass on advice

I do like seeing luxury at work and do think it is a positive thing that people can dress how they want whether it is with luxury or non luxury items without fear of judgement, comments or looks. I hope this changes over time.