If
you were to do no more than glance over this blog, you'd probably
figure out pretty quickly that I love to dress to be noticed. Splashy
designs, unusual silhouettes, and bright colors galore, that's the name
of my game!
But even I have to trade in my flashy attire for something a little more subtle at times. Times like meetings!
Last week,
I was invited to attend a meeting at work. I actually hardly ever have
formal meetings, but when I do, I prefer to wear my most businesslike
clothing and save the experimental stuff for another more solitary day.
This meeting was not just any meeting, though. It was a large gathering
of influential people, all brought together to share opinions which
would ultimately determine the fate of our collective website—which is my
livelihood. I didn't have an active role at this meeting, as I was only
there to observe and learn, but as the entire agenda centered around my
life's work, I wanted to make a good showing.
That
meant looking professional and presentable, but not standing out like a
sore thumb. My aim was to be a fly on the wall, not a fly buzzing
incessantly around people's eyeballs. So I very reluctantly planned my
outfit to go under the radar. A classic silhouette was paramount. I
settled on this wrap dress, which I have never featured in my blog,
despite owning it for longer than I can remember. It's a little plain for my usual tastes, but it's still indisputably one of
my most useful dresses. The knee length walks that perfect line between
revealing and dowdy. The wrapped waist gives it a little dimensionality,
and also means I can make it fit me to a tee or loosen it up depending
on my mood. The small black and white pattern looks like a neutral solid
from a distance, but it is a pattern, which means it's
slightly less boring. And lastly, the very low neckline makes it ideal
for layering.
Yes, in spite of initially aiming more for pea hen than peacock, I could not resist adding a few flourishes.
The secret to dressing unobtrusively while simultaneously not
dying of boardroom boredom is to wear fun shoes. They won't distract
anyone while hidden under the conference table, but there they are,
ready to steal the show only when you're standing (i.e. social hour has begun).
Since the weather's too cold for bare legs, and I can't stand the thought of
wearing tights, I was limited to knee-high boots, and I only own two
pairs of colored knee high boots. I decided on the blue ones.
Naturally, I that meant that the pop of color under my collar also had to be blue.
Yes, a pop of color. As
you can see, I was completely unsuccessful in silencing my inner
peacock, and even after adding the blue shoes and the blue camisole, I
still needed more. I needed...a brooch! It just so happened that my
two-toned blue floral pin went perfectly with the rest of my outfit, and
it was the ideal type of accessory for the look I was going for. It's
small and somewhat old-fashioned but still quirky and fun—a
non-threatening way to add just a hint of flair. What better way to show
that you mean business, but you don't really mean business? Hmmm...there might be other ways.
I
was pleased as punch with my sartorial choices for the meeting, but I
soon realized the error of my ways. I had neglected to consider the
physics of a wrap skirt. The whole time I
was at the table, I was constantly adjusting my skirt to keep the
layers from gaping open.
Unless you're keen on showing a lot of thigh, a wrap skirt is best saved for occasions when you'll be mostly standing or have something covering your lap.
Lesson learned.
Unless you're keen on showing a lot of thigh, a wrap skirt is best saved for occasions when you'll be mostly standing or have something covering your lap.
Lesson learned.
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