Rock the vote!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:22 pm (Physical)
Edited 2 March 2007:
I bought the black pinstripe suit last night. I went back to the store, tried everything back on, and said to myself, “Oh what were you thinking? It was always the black pinstripe suit.” So, now I have something that feels right and, according to the majority of y’all, looks right. Yes, I caved in and bought the Spanx.
I’ll pair it with a white blouse and maroon shoes and a maroon necklace. Being a therapist is a bit weird… you have to be at once uber professional and also uber approachable. I err on the side of uber professional because, as an art therapist, people are always afraid I’m going to show up in a gypsy skirt with a skarf tied around my purple hair and carrying a tambourine. I’ll compromise today in a black suit but with the hair down and curly. And brunette.
THANK YOU a hundred times for all of the commentary and votes yesterday. It really did help, since I don’t have a good sense for the way I look these days. I’m nearly 25 pounds down and nothing fits the way I expect it to. Your comments really helped seal the deal. I didn’t even have to call it a delurking day or anything!!! We girls do love to shop, and I love that through my cell phone cam, we could all virtually be in the dressing room together!
Thanks again…
I was called today for a sudden, ultra important interview on Friday afternoon and I need your help. Please help me pick an outfit!
I zoomed over to every fat girl’s favorite favorite nemesis, Lane Bryant, to see if they had anything smart and slick. Since I’ve begun to lose weight, I didn’t have any idea what size to grab off the rack. I could no longer just grab The Biggest and assume it would fit better than anything else. Aggrivating.
I’m down nearly 25 pounds now and I must say that nothing I own (mostly 28’s and 30’s) fits me in a way that feels even remotely impressive. On Friday afternoon at 2:00, I need to impress. You can help!
In your comments, please address:
- Which outfit you like best.
- Hair up or down?
- Hair curly or straight?
- Collar inside or outside of jacket?
Random pep talks and nerve-soothing enthusiasm will also be appreciated.
Example A:
I am very tall (6′1) but very long-waisted. It’s hard to find jackets that are long enough for me not to look ridiculous. I liked the jacket (seen here) on the hanger a lot. On my body, though, it sort of looks like I stumbled into the junior’s section and that I think I weigh about 100 pounds less than I really do. Most of the jackets available now are this length. Boo.
Example B:
This cute pinstripe number (seen here) is a pretty hot contender, I think. Unfortunately, the pants only came in a size 24. I was surprised to see that the 24’s almost fit. They will not fit they way I’d like them to by Friday, but the girls in the store all insisted I was being ridiculous and that the pants looked fine. Also, if I buy them in 24, they will surely fit for a while to come, since I’m graduating down from size 28. The jacket is long enough to cover some sins here, too, but I refuse to sink to the Spanx level.
Example C:
I found another jacket that was long enough for my shape (seen here), if a little wrinkled on the hanger. I decided to try the super flared pants (seen here) with them. I think, on me, they look like a skirt. It’s not a bad silhouette, but at the end of the day these are pants, not skirts.
The pants are a 26 and the jacket is a 22. (!!!)
Example D:
Pairing the grey jacket with some normal pants (seen here) helped us re-enter the realm of reality, I think.
But, it doesn’t matter what I think.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? (Please vote in the comments section. I need to make a decision by 9:00 Thursday!)
Don’t forget to vote early and often.
kathy said,
March 1, 2007 at 4:50 am
Definitely B with the hair up!
Congratulations on your weight loss…you look great. ^_^
BK said,
March 1, 2007 at 6:48 am
Down 25 lbs? Wow! You’re going to need a whole new wardrobe sooner, rather than later.
My vote? Your hair from A with the outfit from B. It’s hot (really hot ;) but still says corporate. Also, I would go the Spanx route. There’s no shame in that especially if it’s an important interview. It’ll make all of your 6 foot 1 goodness even hotter with the pinstripes. Break a leg :)
kelly said,
March 1, 2007 at 7:23 am
i vote for B! you look very professional, good luck!!!!! :)
jodi said,
March 1, 2007 at 7:50 am
i’m voting for C - i like the contrasting light jacket with darker pant, what about tucking in the shirt and leaving the jacket unbuttoned? simple earrings, simple necklace, hair up but keep it loosy-goosy… you will totally kick ass! :o)
Sarah said,
March 1, 2007 at 8:31 am
Which outfit you like best. B all the way
Hair up or down? Up
Hair curly or straight?
Collar inside or outside of jacket? Outside
I agree those pants did look like a skirt. Have you tried spanx or anything in the girdle family? They can do great things, I worse some yesterday in fact =)
Good luck with your interview!
Hilly said,
March 1, 2007 at 9:21 am
Definitely B all of the way! If I had to go with a second choice, it would be C.
Hair up, preferrably. If not, down and straightened.
BethK said,
March 1, 2007 at 9:59 am
I’m thinking “B” with a scarf or necklace for some color. Hair up, but I agree with Jody that loose is better. And don’t discount the value of Spanx, a smoother line will help you look more polished. Good Luck!!!!
PastaQueen said,
March 1, 2007 at 11:59 am
I’d go with B. I like your hair down, but I also know curly hair or wearing your hair down can be considered less professional than straightening or wearing it up.
Perhaps more important than what we think is which outfit *you* feel best in. One of the great things about fashion is that an outfit that you feel cute in will make you act more confident, which is a plus on a job interview.
mal said,
March 1, 2007 at 12:06 pm
You have a point as always, PQ. Generally, from day to day, I really can dress myself. But, given the changes in my body I no longer feel that I have a sense for how things look on me. Also, an interview is about feeling comfortable, yes, but also about how other people view you. So, I’m super grateful for the comments so far!
Rachel said,
March 1, 2007 at 12:53 pm
My vote is for A or B. You looked hot and professional in both. And the ladies in the store were right–those 24 pants looked perfect on you. And I think your jackets fit just right.
Good luck!!!!!!!!
metamorphose said,
March 1, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I’m liking B and C. Kick ass!
megan said,
March 1, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I like D
Erin said,
March 1, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I like C with hair up but not pulled super tightly, each outfit looks pretty good though so I don’t think you can go wrong really.
Ali said,
March 1, 2007 at 10:22 pm
I vote for B, especially with the hair up, looks very professional.
You look fantastic, good luck with the interview!
kathy said,
March 2, 2007 at 7:59 pm
If you want to talk image and entering the job market, my daughter is going through the same issues and has also just lost 25 pounds. See her @
http://home.intellagirl.com/
the veggie paparazzo said,
March 4, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I’m late weighing in on this, but you made the right choice!