The Only Black Guy in the Office
The Subtle Flex of Being the Fashionable Guy in the Office
Am I the only one having withdrawals from wearing my fall fashion work wardrobe?
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Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.
I don’t know about you, but head-to-toe loungewear has officially lost its appeal. The home office perks of all-day PJs, pantless video calls (no Toobin), and sporting the same sweatshirt three days straight don’t hit like they used to now that cooler temperatures have become the norm. Autumn, my friends, is where I thrive. I don’t love fall only because of the balmy weather and omnipresence of pumpkin spice (don’t knock it ’til you try it) — it’s also the season when I get my best ’fits off. And I’m bummed that I’m missing out on it this year.
Even the idea of planning a work outfit is something I high-key long for. Waking up in the morning, having my breakfast, and thinking, Hmm, what will I wear to stunt on my colleagues as I make a fashionably late arrival to work? Because if we take the whole paycheck thing out of the picture for a second, getting first-day-of-school fresh for work is half the fun of the job — especially if you work in a city. Fall is peak office-style season; when sweat stain worries and full-blast air conditioning are a thing of the past, it’s safe to break out the layers, textures, and colors waiting patiently in the back of the closet.
This year, I was emotionally ready to throw on my best cashmere, my cardigans, and to channel Lenny Kravitz via oversize wool scarves. I had plans to bring the drama in my long wool coats, flex in my collection of turtleneck sweaters, and add a drop of sophistication with my Chelsea boots. They’ve been collecting dust for so long that sometimes I just want to wear them while I’m taking out the trash. Sure, I’m aware of how silly I’ll look on the curb with my Air Brunch 1s, sweatpants, and a robe, but they come on, they need some face time. And I’m not even a huge sneakerhead, but I’m good for slipping on a crisp pair of Nikes or Adidas to top off my tech dad starter pack ’fit — clean kicks, patterned wool socks, rolled-up chinos, a beanie, a Casio watch, and a pair of…
