It is quite often said: "show me how you dress, I will tell you what kind of job you are doing". Since forever, dress code has defined our working environment, the type of job and the nature of our business.

That day, on the way to my current fabulous job, I swing by the new office to sign some HR paperwork. As usual, I wore a dress, a sleeveless blue and purple Armani-look-a-like.

At first, I didn't think it was a problem, as I haven't started work, and only came to meet the HR officer. However, my short stop turned out to be an official introduction to members of the team, followed by a very first orientation - the dress code orientation by my future boss. Very kindly and suggestively, she emphasized how much different the working environment of a new place would be from my current one, and that I should not wear anything too revealing, or fashionable, or extra-ordinary...

The morning incident upset me the whole day and many days after. I was disturbed. Not too much about the fact that I gave my future team members a bad first impression, but mostly about the fact that I am throwing myself into a very strange and different environment without much preparation.

In the fashion world, it's an unwritten rule that we have to wear our best, either to an event or to work, not only a trendy outfit, but also one that could make a fashion AND personal statement. In contrast, living in the corporate world, we are or at least I am told to wear things that would help me "blend-in" with others, sadly, not much about professionalism or corporate image was mentioned.

I have no choice but to admit that I am switching from an environment where ideas and creativity are encouraged to a company where code of conduct and rule of law are needed to abide. Besides my closet, fabulous luncheons will be swapped with regular lunch box. Glossy Mac will be left at home and old Fujitsu is its replacement. The entire habit of dressing up, lunching out, thinking creatively, peer interacting, etc. will have to be adjusted. I can't help but wonder how far and how long one can step out of her comfort zone...

Perhaps, I will never find an answer until I really make an effort. So I will be the person who we always describe in job interviews: adaptive, quick learning and willing to try...

But for now, for my last day at work, I am wearing a pair of ripped jeans and a shredded tee! After all, there's not many place in the world where you can truly stand out and be who you are.