So, I don't usually talk about this kind of thing because I don't — in general, but especially (!) at work — think of myself as being a woman, but this came up today as I was headed out the door to a meeting, so I thought I'd toss it out there and see if anyone has thoughts.

I came in to work today without makeup on, my hair up in a bun, and wearing shorts, a tank top, and flip flops—VERY casual by any standard and, thanks to some launch-induced dark circles, looking a little bit a mess. But I also happened to have a meeting this afternoon with a few (older and very senior-to-me) editors from a well-known newspaper to talk about Branch, and so in my bag to work, I brought along the outfit I have on in this photo:

It's one of my go-to meeting outfits now that I'm in this weird world that's half hanging out with engineers and half meeting with pretty senior media editors: a pretty casual though covered-up cotton dress and low tan espadrilles. It's (seriously) nothing fancy, but it's also a little more pulled together than shorts/tank/flip flops.

Funny thing, though: This photo was featured pretty prominently on Monday on our company page, TechCrunch, etc., and I had a large handful of (mostly female) friends ping me privately to comment on what I was wearing. Stuff like "that dress looks so official compared to what all the guys are wearing," and — paradoxically — the fact that I was "showing a little leg on a tech blog." Haha.

As I was walking out the door today, I said under my breath that I wished I could just go to the meeting in what I was wearing, and Josh immediately said, "Why? You work at a startup now! You're allowed!"

But the thing is I'm *not* really allowed. Granted, this one particular dress is on the dressier end of what I wear, but I don't think anyone would argue that I could've shown up to that (or any other) meeting in wrinkled shorts and a tank top and have it be fine — even though guys get to do the "scruffy entrepreneur thing" all the time.

There's no real bottom line here, I guess I just feel like I haven't quite nailed how to dress for this kind of job. What do you guys think? Thoughts, ideas and/or reality checks are all welcome.

Is this private?

Nope. All branches are public.

Any plans to ever make it so that people can make certain branches private?

Everything depends on what we hear from users—which is to say, no plans now but... maybe!

I think clothes are all about perception. If you were the newspaper veteran meeting with the girl from the startup and you wore wrinkled shorts, it'd be, "Hey, it's a summer Friday." But from your standpoint, there's more to prove, you know? For me, a lot of it is about not wanting to look a) unprofessional and b) young. I want to counter both of those things, which is why I dress up more.

I generally try to look somewhat professional the first time I meet other professionals, but after the first meeting (after I've hopefully proven my credibility) I wear whatever I want to wear. First impressions stick. People are used to the 'startup look' (sweatshirt-tshirt-flip flops) on boys but since there are fewer girls in tech, it may look sloppier on girls to an outsider. I know I look like I'm 13-years-old if I'm in shorts and a t-shirt, which probably isn't the best look to go for if I want people to take me seriously. Being comfortable is fine, but looking good can never hurt you.

Libby you always look lovely.

Hahaha. I wish Branch had a heart button. Thanks!

I think that also falls into the reality check category... ;)