I would never sit across from a client wearing cut-offs and a muscle T. At the same time, I would never sit across from a client wearing a polyester, double-breasted, four-button suit, but for different reasons. On one hand, most would be in agreement that the first example would not be professional; however, I think its safe to say that most would say that a suit is appropriate attire for the workplace, and I would agree, there is just one problem – it’s not me. There are many styles of clothing of dress that are appropriate for the workplace, and I have found a style that works for me, and is professional.

Moving on beyond what I wear to work, there are many aspects of who I am as a person that I navigate across my personal and professional life. For example, even as I write for this blog, I am intentional of what aspects of my life that I share in a public way, such as race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religious and spiritual practices, etc. I cannot speak for others, I can only speak from my own experiences, but for me what I chose and what I do not choose to discuss, disclose, or share in a professional setting does not feel like a denial of who I am that I cannot tolerate. At the same time, there are aspects of myself that are salient and important to me, and I cannot – or choose not to – keep completely separated from my professional life. Again, I would like to reemphasizes is that this is what works for me, and the balance between personal and professional identity works for me – only you can know what works best for you.

While some might say that I may not be your typical professional – and I intentionally say that in a vague sense we all are unique individuals and in our own beautiful way are uniquely atypical – and at the same time I can walk side by side with my colleagues in the same professional settings – I just do it in purple suede Oxfords, and it works for me.