YOUR BRAIN ON SUMMER BUSINESS CASUAL

by Rachel Loring

Look at the sleeveless shirt in your closet. It’s not a tank top…right? Check the straps. Sigh with relief: the straps are at least two fingers wide. Is that still considered business casual? Cue PTSD from high school dress codes. Consider putting sleeveless shirt back in closet. Wait. What even is business casual? Is this just another way of restricting women from entering the work force comfortably? Plus, it’s a thousand degrees. Plus, sexual liberation.

Women! We shouldn’t fear our shoulders. They’re just shoulders. Yeah! Reclaim shoulders! Take sleeveless shirt back out of closet and reflect on the patriarchy.

Consider that NOT wearing sleeveless shirt is actually giving into the patriarchy. Think that you deserve to be comfortable at work. Women burned bras for this. Put sleeveless shirt on. Realize you didn’t shave your armpits. Reflect on patriarchy again. This time, give in and shave armpits. Consider adding flowy skirt. Too far. Put trousers on. Back to sleeveless shirt. Leave house feeling cool, literally and figuratively.

It’s summer. You’re a free spirit corporate girl. Panic momentarily outside of office that sleeveless shirt is actually tank top. Does that make you a slut by office standards? Is that misogynistic? Reflect on patriarchy for third time this morning.

Decide that you need to go for it. Who’s gonna do anything. Who cares? It’s just clothes. Burst through the doors. Confidently stroll to your desk. Feel good. This is fashion. You love the sleeveless shirt. Dare you say it: blouse? This is amazing. Sleeveless shirts every day. This! This business CASUAL!

…end up wearing sweater all day because AC in office is set to -50 degrees. Reflect on patriarchy.