all work and no play makes jack a dull boy

At a chi chi-type dinner last night (food: "haute nouveau chinese", a combination that i have never personally seen warm any appetites) which I attended under the auspices of work, I took in all the suits and cocktailwear around me and reflected on rather out-of-placeness of my own work-to-dinner outfit: a favourite navy linen dress with square neckline loosely belted, and a favourite pair of ballerinas. (I did consider a smarter dress, but considering I didn't want to be there to begin with, I dismissed the notion.)

I was reminded that I have been working in casual and "wear whatever you want" environment, and that I was fortunate to do so.

But since I am contemplating a job switch, I am realising that in the imminent future, there is a strong chance that my wardrobe built entirely around my denim jeans collection will not cut it anymore.

Corporate culture is so alien to me. Work wear-wise, I've always identified strongly with this work wear special in the November issue of British Elle -



I felt depressed at the thought of a non-denim work future, so I re-read the section last night to cheer myself up.

Their regular work wear feature is always a treat for me.

I've always found these pages highly relevant to what I don for work - low-key, chic, interesting details, on the side of casual but still smart enough to look appropriate and professional. But outside of the Elle pages, the corporate look in Singapore seems a lot more conservative to me.

I hope I land a job that's further away from that end of the continuum.