It was too big, but luckily it does come in a smaller size, so I have sent it back for an exchange. I suspect I will still have to shorten the sleeves, but hopefully the body will fit. In a size 10 (the "right" size according to my measurements) it was like an overcoat and hung off my shoulders. It is made of the most beautiful Yorkshire wool from Abraham Moon's mill. Gorgeous. I hope size 8 fits!
And meantime, your super-helpful comments filled my in-box. I knew that you would not let me down!
Some people seem to know my wardrobe better than I do myself! (Wave to Jessica.)
Some doubt was expressed about the patch pockets. How funny - that was one of things that drew me to the pattern! I will need to wait and see how long the jacket is. If it is as short as I think it might be, the pockets would fall below it, and add a bit of... interest?
Because as I read your comments, I had a rising feeling of panic. No flippy, frilly or gathered? No details? No colour?
And I began to feel like this:
 |
| Image from here |
I realised that I was in danger of going too far down the path of corporate conformity. Particularly since I don't even work in the private sector. Yes, I think I have strayed too far into Dressdown Friday territory on an everyday basis, but my working environment (Education) is one which ought to embrace creativity. If it doesn't, there is something terribly wrong (a debate for another day).
All these thoughts were whirling round my head as I wandered round Superdrug looking for hair conditioner (jacket, shoes, hair...) and I found myself picking up a packet of Cosmic Violet hair dye. My heart was pounding with excitement. I could go purple again! It would be so AMAZING! I could be... ME?
And there's the thing: I have not lived on this earth for 48 years in order to give up my identity the moment I hit middle age. Just because I am expected to blend in with the walls, does not mean I should.
So I won't. That way madness lies. And I don't think I knew how important it was to me until now. So please don't anyone feel bad about the guidance you offered. I needed to be confronted with the reality of what I was trying to do, and the rules and mind-set I was trying to adopt. I would have been a fraud and I simply can't live like that. I can't walk around without an identity, a faceless minion. I didn't survive this long in the workplace by pretending to be someone I am not.
Jacket, shoes, hair? Yes, that's fine. That's GOOD! But the rest will be ME. I just need to tone myself down a bit...
P.S. I didn't buy the dye... yet.
21 comments:
Ruth! If I could reach across the internet and hug you, I would. This is how I feel - I don't want to dress in a bland corporate way. I work in education too and I think we should be bright and creative. So go you! x
Yay!! So glad to hear it!! :-) I often struggle with knowing what I "should" be doing, and just being me. (I err strongly on the "being me" side. Bright pink hair while working in finance? Why not, say I! I've found that if you act confident and professional, quirkiness of appearance is either ignored or seen as a positive, rather than a negative.)
My hair is bright pink and has been (with variations on a not-natural-at-all theme)since I was 16 (erm - that's rather a long time ago).It has never been an issue - if anything it was a talking point at teaching interviews. Plus the children I have taught loved it! Confidence is the key (and being good at your job). Go for it, hair can always be re-dyed. PS - patch pockets with bright, quirky buttons, you know you want to ...
I also work in HE and if I was to wear something remotely smart, I'd be accused of having an interview to go to! At the moment, I have black skinny jeans and I only get a second look because I'm usually in a dress or skirt, all probably a little too short but with tights and because I'm short, it's passable - I hope! RTW dresses in high street shops tend to be getting shorter and shorter these days which is why I'm trying to learn to make my own clothes. Whoops, I think I've gone off on a tangent, anyway, I *really* hope you pick up that purple hair dye soon! Also, I love the white buttoned dress in the New Look pattern!
Go for it Roo, I'm with you! I try to look professional but i always end up looking like a kooky librarian because I just can't do no colour! Today is a key example, my purple cord lisette skirt, charcoal and mustard striped top and beige patterned wooly tights. Embrace who you are. Thats what makes us unique right? :) Big hugs
I envy your strength in refusing to conform. In another life may be I will too.
You can't look good (or feel good) if you are wearing bland clothes. That's a lesson I've only just started to learn. It makes me feel like a bland person. Looking smart is different I think, it doesn't have to be bland but it can be - easily!
I get my hair dyed a fairly bright red & it makes me feel happy. I even like the way the grey bits go pink when I top up the roots - I'm sure my hairdresser would like me to point out that this doesn't happen when she does it....
That was an interesting blog post, but I do confess that for some reason the thought of faceless dolls makes me sad.
Sometime in the early two-thousandsies I read an a fashion article that touted a "startling but surprisingly wearable" violet lipstick. I bought a (drugstore version, I am not insane) stick of violet lipstick, and loved it! The color went off the market before I could buy another tube. I say to you, "Go thou forth and dye thy hair violet, woman!" You can always over-dye it if you don't like the result. The absolute worst that can happen is that all your hair falls out, which will be an excuse to wear a lot of darling hats. Next-to-worst is that you have to shave off your hair, which will grow back: more sweet hats.
Well, I think you should go back and buy it - or maybe a new colour - one you haven't tried before. What have you got to lose? - and it won't affect how you do your job.
Ah, a kindred spirit. We share 'the age', and I'm so glad to hear you resist bland as well. I keep Boden sale going buying up the brights. Having done the corporate, and now back in education, all I can say is 'go lady!' Not sure I could wear violet hair with my pale celtic skin, but I'll hold the box whilst you do yours. Oh, and there's no way I'd put you at the age you say you are. Fab style! Thanks for making my day!
Cate
Well, you read my blog so you've seen what I wear for a middle-management role in higher education! And I think there's definitely a big difference between tweaking your look from smart casual to business casual and becoming a corporate clone. I've abandoned clumpy shoes, mismatched separates and cardigans, by and large, but you will prise my bright colours, patterns and handknitted shawls out of my cold dead hands. And the only comments I get about my clothes are compliments, often spoken somewhat wistfully as if the black-clad woman speaking wishes she was wearing purple and fuchsia instead. So, go for it!
I am sure you can find a way to combine your real personality and work personality. (a bold violet streak?!)
Absolutely brilliant that all this has provoked you into understanding better what isn't acceptable to you. It's great !! I'd love to see you with violet hair rocking colour , creativity and showing off roo, whether at work or at home. I love that no one else does corporate the way that I do corporate at my place of work, and that's what sewing gives me...you're doing the same....evaluating your work look and deciding what makes you feel right in your role, but more importantly, what just feels right. Hurrah!!
You can still be you...it all depends if you wear purple on the outside where the world can see it or on the inside where you know it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_81l4DXlwM
Hurrah for you! In reading your previous post musing on this, I'd thought you shouldn't change your style because that would be BORING. If you dress as "you" I imagine you'll be brightening peoples' days more often than raising eyebrows.
Don't go for too toned down! :) Personally, I think the patch pockets would work great for you.
I am fairly new to your blog and I'm really enjoying it! Your projects are wonderful. I am glad you have chosen not to conform completely. I love the work outfit you posted! Your clothes are wonderful and I really admire your style. I work in an environment where I can wear my made-by-me clothes and I'm thankful. It makes work a little more fun and who wants everyone to look the same anyhow?!
I worked pretty high up Ina corporate environment and you know what. In the end it is how good you are and the strength of personality you bring. Which should be reflected in how you look. So go for it Roobeedoo - believing in yourself is far more important than playing the corporate game.
Christine
What a good post Roo, I've always loved your choice of clothes and I say go for the violet hair! As for the patch pockets, you'd be crazy not too and you know it! I think it's quite common to forget who you are and dress how you think your expected to dress, I do it much to my own bemusement, so thank you for making me wake up a bit. x
There is absolutely a way to be you and be corporate friendly at the same time. It's obvious you're thinking about this very deeply and I have complete faith that you will find the set of styling methods that work for you.
And you'd look great with violet hair. I've always wanted bright blue or candy pink but haven't because of the work thing so understand the dilemma.
Whatever you settle on, I have complete faith you'll do it well!
Post a Comment