Oh my goodness, you guys! Halloween is almost here, and I am getting way too excited! If you know me, you already know I love a good excuse to dress up, add a little sparkle, and channel my inner princess! But this year, Halloween comes with a fun little twist, and I have to admit, it’s got me scratching my head just a bit! Lol!
Some of you may already know that in addition to blogging and attending fabulous events, I also work a full-time corporate job. Well, my office is hosting a Halloween costume contest, and of course, my girly little heart immediately started thinking about what I could wear!
We received an email announcing that employees can dress up this Friday, but there’s one little catch. Our costumes have to be professional and workplace-appropriate!
Wait a minute now… a professional Halloween costume? What exactly does that even mean? Lol!
Naturally, there are guidelines. Nothing offensive, nothing political, and nothing inappropriate for the workplace. Pretty standard stuff! But it definitely got my wheels turning because I’ve never really thought about combining Halloween costumes with corporate fashion!
We’re also required to submit a full-length photo of ourselves wearing our costumes, and then our fellow employees will vote for their favorites. So not only do I have to look cute, but I have to make sure my outfit photographs well, too! You know I love a good photo opportunity!
Princess Tiana Goes Corporate!
Now, if you’ve been following Talking With Tami for a while, you already know that Princess Tiana from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog holds a very special place in my heart. She’s beautiful, ambitious, hardworking, fashionable, and knows how to make her dreams come true. What’s not to love?
So naturally, my first thought was, why not create a Princess Tiana-inspired Halloween costume for the office?
Sounds simple enough, right? Well, not exactly!
I started looking through my closet, wondering how I could turn a princess-inspired outfit into something polished enough to wear to work. Maybe a cute suit with a whimsical hat? A pretty dress with sparkling jewelry? Perhaps a little cape for some added drama?
Then I remembered that I already own the prettiest green swing dress from Unique Vintage! The shade of green is actually pretty close to Princess Tiana’s signature color palette, so I thought that might be the perfect starting point.
And guess what? I already have a tiara, some sparkling jewels, and even a little frog accessory to complete the look!
Now we’re getting somewhere! Ribbit, ribbit! Lol!
Finding the Perfect Balance Between Princess and Professional
Here’s where things get a little tricky, though.
At my job, I interact with clients throughout the day, which means I’m constantly walking around, sitting down, getting back up, and moving from one appointment to another.
As much as I would love to show up in a gorgeous, full-blown princess gown with layers of tulle and a dramatic train, that simply wouldn’t be practical. Can you imagine me trying to maneuver around the office in a giant ball gown? Absolutely not! Lol!
I need something that’s comfortable, classy, professional, and still gives that magical princess vibe.
I’m thinking a pretty green dress, a delicate sparkling crown, elegant accessories, and maybe a little nod to Tiana’s fairytale story. Nothing too over-the-top, but just enough that everyone immediately understands the inspiration.
After all, who says you can’t bring a little Disney magic into the corporate world?
My Halloween Office Costume Contest Dilemma
The funny thing is, I’ve attended plenty of costume parties and dressed up for Halloween over the years, but creating a costume that’s both fun and office-appropriate is a whole new challenge for me!
I want to look festive without looking like I’m headed to a children’s birthday party. I want to feel like a princess without looking like I’m about to walk down Main Street at Magic Kingdom. And most importantly, I want to be able to sit comfortably at my desk without worrying about crushing a giant petticoat! Lol!
It’s definitely going to require a little creativity, but that’s part of the fun!
And let’s not forget, there’s a costume contest involved! I may have a little friendly competition on my hands, so naturally, I want my look to be cute, memorable, and just whimsical enough to stand out!
Tami’s Take: A Little Princess Magic Never Hurt Anybody!
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that getting older, working in a professional environment, or having a busy schedule doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun with fashion.
I’ve always loved beautiful dresses, tiaras, sparkly accessories, and anything that makes me feel feminine and fabulous. That’s just who I am!
And while I absolutely enjoy dressing professionally for work, I think it’s perfectly fine to let a little of your personality shine through, especially during a fun holiday like Halloween.
Besides, Princess Tiana is practically the ultimate working girl! She’s ambitious, determined, business-minded, and knows how to handle her responsibilities while still looking fabulous. If anyone can inspire a corporate princess moment, it’s her!
So, wish me luck, you guys! I’m going to play around with a few ideas, try on some accessories, and see if I can pull together the perfect professional Princess Tiana Halloween costume.
Will I end up looking like a sophisticated princess heading to a board meeting? Or will my outfit need a little more pixie dust? Only time will tell! Lol!
Stay tuned and check back to see what I finally decide to wear! I’ll be sure to share my finished look, and hopefully, I’ll have some good news to report from our office Halloween costume contest!
In the meantime, I’d love to know: Have you ever participated in an office Halloween costume contest? What would you consider a professional Halloween costume?
