clothing speaks
I have to go shopping. Period.
I noticed today that my old trusty power pumps are looking older and less trusty. I need new stockings. I want nicer clothes. I want better versatility and variety. I hate spending money, but if I want to make more money, I’ve got to look good.
I looked good at work today on my first day. But picking out the right outfit last night was like pulling teeth, more because of my options than because of indecision. It’s dressy casual, and I don’t have to wear matching suit coordinates. But my closet screams, "I put the least amount of investment possible into doing just enough to get by," and that is not the message I want to reinforce in my own mind when I’m preparing outfits for work, let alone what I want people to judge from what they see me wear in a given week. For example, there’s a girl I met at work today, and I’m convinced that she has low ambition and low self-esteem, even though I don’t know her at all, just based on her appearance at work today. She had plain hair with a blunt cut, no makeup, eyebrows in dire need of a manicure, nondescript shoes, an oversized, ill-fitting suit, and a shirt that ballooned out of where it was supposed to be tucked into her pants, which weren’t belted. I couldn’t help but to contrast her with another girl who wore a great, well-made suit, had a cute haircut, stylish glasses, and manicured nails. The difference was like night and day, not only on the little details, but especially in the choice of clothing.
I’m doing okay on the little details (I need more shoes and more professional jewelry), and I’m getting by on the clothes, but I’m making more money right now and I should do better. Mind you, I’m not spending my entire raise on upgrading my appearance, because it needs to be spent on debt reduction, savings, and retirement. All I’m saying is that I will fight my urge to put it ALL on the debt, savings, and retirement so that I can make a sensible investment in my professional appearance. I’ve already revisited this necessary expenditure twice on this blog with very few results, and this time, I need to put my money where my mouth is and start dressing the part. I think Single Ma and Mapgirl should take a roadtrip and do their shopping in Philly so a certain PF blogger can come along, watch, learn, and take suggestions… LOL!
