Fashion Do or Don't

Before I open my big fat mouth, I must say, I did my research. It's a good thing too or I would have sounded like an even bigger idiot. That being said, here's what I was going to write about.

Someone I work with recently came up to me and said, "don't you just love this blazer I'm wearing?" It was a nice blazer so I said, "yes, where did you get it?" She then proceeded to tell me how she bought it for $10 at this place called Image for Success. For those of you who are not familiar with this local organization, it is similar to the national non-profit called Dress for Success. Dress for Success provides professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to disenfranchised women. Image for Success is a bit different in that they only provide the clothes. Basically they provide clothes to women and men who are working towards self-reliance. I think they are both great organizations however I was a bit confused as to why this co-worker was obtaining clothes from them. She did not appear "disenfranchised". She already has a presumably well-paying job. She then told me that she likes shopping at the Image for Success store because they have really nice work clothes at inexpensive prices.

I was immediately appalled. I had nothing further to say. This woman can clearly afford to buy clothes at places other than second-hand stores. But that's not what was shocking to me. I really don't care if she shops at second-hand stores. I actually encourage it. But this store provides clothes to women who really need it for interviews, etc. And now you're taking away their good clothes because you can afford to?

This is where my research enters the picture and I have to eat my words, somewhat. I looked up the Image for Success website to find out more about their retail store. The website says that the retail store provides them "with a revenue stream directly applied to their operational overhead while making affordable, quality clothes available to their clients and the general public". OK, fine. The clothes are available to the general public and help to support the cause. Maybe I was wrong to criticize. Or was I? I'm still conflicted. I just keep picturing the young single mom who is job hunting and needs a nice blazer to wear for her upcoming interview. Maybe she will find one there or maybe she won't because all of the cheap ass but rich women have bought up all the clothes because they wouldn't be caught dead in a Good Will. Here's my final stance. If you want to support the cause, donate your $10 and leave the blazer for someone who really needs it.

Fabulous Friday

One of my good (straight) friends went to a birthday party last weekend for her older lesbian friend. When I say older, I mean, like 70's. Prior to the party, she consulted with me regarding what to wear. I was honored that she sought my advice. Although, if there are two things that I know, it's fashion and lesbians.

My advice to her was to dress casually-jeans, plain shirt, and simple necklace. My rationale behind my recommendation was that, one, the party was for someone old and two, she's a lesbian. It is rare that you would attend a birthday party for a lesbian whether young or old where something dressier than jeans is required. And it turns out that I was right. My friend said that she was a bit over dressed even wearing her nicest jeans.

This made me think again about the stereotype of lesbians as bad dressers. I am doing my damnedest to break this stereotype. However, I am at the same time guilty of stereotyping. Hence the fashion advice given to my friend going to the lesbian shindig. In light of my new found optimism, I am vowing to change my ways. I will assume that all lesbians are savvy dressers until proven wrong. I will make it my mission to showcase lesbians as being stylish. Maybe then my fantasy of my 80th birthday celebration will come true. Fast forward 50 years. All of the invitees will converse prior to the event about what to wear. They will all know that the most stylish attire is required because it is a lesbian birthday party they are going to.

Results from Friday

The results are in. (Drum roll sounding in the background) I did not get canned on Friday. And I have to take the next moment to publicly say that sometimes it's better to be an optimist and my friend/co-worker was right. There, now that I said that, here's what happened.

On Friday morning, my pessimistic side got the best of me and I wore the "I'm going to get fired outfit". Although, if I must say so myself, I totally rocked the turquoise jacket. And much to my surprise, myself and my co-worker were honored at a managers' meeting for being the awesome social workers that we are. It was a very surprising, humbling moment. I was thrilled that I wasn't getting fired but disappointed that I had wasted so much time and energy stressing about it that I wasn't able to fully enjoy what had just happened. This experience has again emphasized to me that you can't live life in a plastic bubble, trying to protect yourself from the worst happening by always planning for it. Even if you think you're prepared, it's still gonna hurt the same amount if the worst happens.

On a lighter note, I got many compliments on my outfit so I'm going to conclude that it wasn't too flashy and appropriate for the occasion. I think it's good for people to see that social workers got style too!

Maybe Fabulous Friday

First, I would like to apologize for not writing anything since last week. Sometimes life just takes over and you have to focus on things that may not be fun but necessary. This brings me to tomorrow. It's not just Friday. It could also be the last day of my current employment. The pessimist in me says I'm getting fired. I may be catastrophizing the situation just a bit. My partner and my co-worker/good friend think I'm being dramatic. However, my boss said she needs me to go to a "meeting" with her tomorrow morning but is not telling me what kind of meeting. She is being very vague and, shall I say, weird about it. I'm very suspicious. My co-worker, who has also been mandated to the meeting, is much more of an optimist. She keeps telling me that it is a meeting to honor our achievements and present us with roses and candy. Either way, it begs the question as to what I shall wear. What do you wear when you know you're getting canned? What do you wear when you know you're getting some kind of acknowledgment but not supposed to know about it?

If I'm getting fired, I decided I want to look very professional and assertive. This will make them realize that they've made a huge mistake by getting rid of someone so competent and capable. So how do I accomplish this? I would wear my black dress trousers, black or gray camisole, and turquoise silk knee length jacket. Then I will top it off with black heels and minimal accessories. The jacket is killer and will definitely make them remember who they just let walk out the door.

If I'm getting some kind of award or being recognized for my contributions to the company, I will probably go for something much less flashy. I don't want them to think I'm cocky or that I'm assuming they're going to honor me. I'll still wear the black pants but instead go with a bright, short sleeve, pink button-down collared shirt. I will finish that off with the black Steve Madden heels and a pink beaded necklace.

So, which outfit will I wear? Will the pessimist or optimist in me win? Stay tuned to find out.

Fabulous Friday

I know what you're thinking, you chose Katie Holmes as your pick for Fabulous Friday? Yes, I did. And I'm prepared to defend my choice. I used to find Katie Holmes very annoying. I cringed every time I saw the standard pout that she put on for photos. It always looked like she was trying too hard to look sexy or cute. And don't even get me started about her choice in husbands, her constant state of happiness, and so-called perfect heterosexual, Scientology loving lifestyle. I really have to use my social worker skills to look past all of these qualities and find the real beauty in this woman.

So you're asking, "what changed"? It was Posh Spice. When Katie became friends with Victoria, she transformed into this more striking, stylish, edgy version of herself. VB definitely helped to step up her style factor. The recent photos of her in Glamour magazine were "fabulous". I actually found myself wanting to copy her hair and makeup. Could this be true? Katie wants to be Posh Spice and I want to be Joey Potter from Dawson's Creek? Well, no not really. I just want the top designer clothes that she's been sporting. And if I may go so far to say, it's inspiring to see a young woman about my age transform from girl-next-door to chic. There's still hope for me! Now, if only I had Katie's clothing allowance to fund my new look.