What would you do, if anything?

[Bertha Venation]

I don't know why but I feel some need to address a certain situation at work. I work with a woman whose wardrobe is, well, less than professional. I am not the world's best dresser, and I don't have many clothes to choose from, so I'm no one to judge. Moreover I'm not on some official dress code committee. Still, this is a law firm, and there is a dress code: business professional.

I work with a woman who style of dress says: "business professional? As long as I'm covered neck to ankles and not wearing jeans, whatever I wear is okay." She seems to have four pairs of pants, and she alternates them. They are all frayed -- literally frayed and ragged -- at the cuffs. She wears one pair of shoes, black Nike slip-on court shoes. She trades off wearing several different polo shirts, or camp shirts, or colorful feminine knit t-shirts under an open button-down (my own personal favorite for myself for going out on the weekend). Yet her clothes are always clean and ironed (except for the camp shirts, which look kinda like they're supposed to be wrinkled, à la natural cotton). The woman herself conducts herself ultra-professionally, and by all accounts is an excellent legal secretary.

I'm sure her manner of dress is acceptable to the firm because, to my knowledge, no one's ever said anything to her. But call me nosy if you will; I feel damn nosy, but I just feel like something must be said. If I had any I might offer her money for clothing because it looks like she needs new clothes. It's not that she doesn't wear sharp business suits with heels & nylons; it's that her clothes seem very well worn and it's clear she doesn't have many.

What would you do? If anything?

And what would you tell me? Probably what I'm telling myself: get over it, it's not your life, mind your own damned business. :shrug: