Salute to Spandex

Forget the bike shorts and the bad rap that the fabric got from overuse in the 80’s, spandex is a life saver when you’re looking for a job. Not just spandex but similar materials and blends like nylon, lycra, rayon and acetate can be the best choices for your work wardrobe.

There are many pluses to oil and plastic based clothing over organic materials like cotton and linen especially if you’re typically on the sloppy side. Consider these pros to polyester and the like:

Wrinkle Free – If you store your clothes in a pile on the floor, crammed in an overly cluttered closet, or stuffed in a drawer then you will appreciate the grab and go benefits of cloth that doesn’t crease. No last minute ironing needed just shake it out and toss it on.

Room to Grow – Everyone fluctuates a size or two once in a while. Clothes that fit no matter what time of the month it is can be a better value and keep more you comfortable than a starched suit.

Just Breathes – Air flows well through the stretchy stuff, that’s why it’s commonly used in sportswear. This helps regulate body temperatures and just feels better than an outfit that suffocates your skin.

Drier – Sportswear also relies on spandex and similar materials to maintain moisture. It pulls sweat away from the skin and quickly dries. This can be a life saver for job seekers that are extremely anxious or tend to spill things. After a few moments the fabric will dry and no one will know you were sweating it or notice where you had to wipe off the blob of toothpaste that slopped on your shirt.

and Dryer – Aside from drying quickly in the moment, materials like these are best air dried, skipping the dryer and saving you time, energy and money.

Don’t get me wrong I’m a cotton girl through and through. Nothing beats a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. However, when it comes to work I’d rather focus on making the sale than worrying about whether my skirt will wrinkle if I sit wrong.

I’m not suggesting you show up looking like you’re ready to luge or dressing up skin tight pants with a blazer a la Milli Vanilli. I am saying a couple of stretchy stylish options could save you in a pinch so don’t let the stigma of spandex stop you from buying a blouse you never need to straighten.


By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer with experience in web, film, photography and animation as well as traditional fine arts like painting and sculpting. In addition to writing for RetailGigsBlog.com, she is co-founder of design and promotion company, BlackChip Solutions with fellow Nexxt blogger, Staci Dennis. Heather’s spare time consists of making puppets, teaching Sunday School, building Legos and doing science experiments with her children.