Oil & Gas style
(Calgary, Canada) Our career path isn't always linear. Sometimes we take pause, go back to school, raise children, and even change careers. We deal with a dynamic and always-changing life, balancing family, health, and career goals.
Michelle Bailey, Business Development Manger at ATCO Pipelines & Liquids, rejoined the workforce after eight years managing the home front. She talked to Boss Babe Style on what drives her, and the styles in her industry.
"I was Home Operations Manager during our family adventures as ex-pats living in Norway and the USA. Today I am a proud mom of two great kids, wife of a super hardworking husband and working full-time at ATCO."
Newfoundland born, and whip-smart, 45 year-old Michelle follows a mantra to "learn or experience something new every day." Somehow she also balances her kids' programs of ice hockey, figure skating, dance, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, and guitar lessons. She and her husband John are also often attending major events in town.
On the fashion side: "My workplace generally still requires quite conservative dress; ties and business suits on most days. I would say that’s a fair statement for much of the Oil and Gas industry. I think, and hope, this is slowly changing as new ways of doing business become more prevalent and new generations enter the workplace."
Heels or flats? "My eyes almost always say heels but some days my feet say flats," said Michelle.
For an important meeting, you'll find her in a well tailored business dress and a killer pair of heels.
Links to shop each piece (Top, left to right)
Calvin Klein Two-Button Blazer
Max Mara Teorema stretch-wool dress
Elie Tahari Vincenza Flyaway Silk Blouse
Helmut Lang Plaid Blazer
Saint Laurent - Shopping Large Textured-leather Tote
Max Mara wide leg tailored trousers
Prada - Glossed Textured-leather Pumps
Louis Vuitton - Charm and key holder
Louis Vuitton - CAPUCINES BB
Hugo Boss - pencil skirt in virgin wool blend
Altuzarra - Women's Minamoto Wool Sweater
Michelle recommends that for an interview: "that simple and comfortable are always the best. Wear what makes you feel confident but remember the context. The outfit needs to demonstrate you’ve got it together but it can’t steal the show. Its the person that has to shine."
For shopping tips, Michelle has an open mind: "I rarely discriminate when it comes to where to shop. I think that a treasure can be found just about anywhere. Having said that, I am most often lured in by a department store with great service, locally Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom, and Saks when I travel. My most recent pieces were a birthday gift, a Louis Vuitton handbag charm and LV monogram laptop case."
More classic, Michelle reflected that she tends to buy less trendy pieces than she would have in her 20s: "I think as you get older you start to understand that not all the trends suit your body type or lifestyle, and that’s okay."
xoxo BossBabe