Q for the day! Keeping up appearances?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Q for the day! Keeping up appearances?
14
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 11:53am

I have a question that I would like opinions on:


Keeping up appearances: When is it ever essential? Is it ever essential?


My sister and I were back in our hometown which has a reputation for being rich and snobby (note, we are not either . . . well I hope, lol).


We went to the mall on Friday because my sister forgot underwear for the weekend (who does that??) Anyways, in one store alone, I counted 8 pairs of UGGS boots (8 individuals wearing UGGS!!! - to anyone who may not know, these are $170 - $300 boots!) So I kept counting. In the 5 minutes it took up to pay and leave the mall, I counted 17 pairs! AND they were mostly on 15 year olds!


I said something to my sister and she said "welcome home Bex . . . you're not in Ottawa anymore".


The next day I commented about this to my Dad at lunch to which he replied


"You know, if you get this new job, you really need to factor in some new clothes into the budget"


My first instinct was to yell at him for judging people by their clothes, but then I thought about it. Could he be right? Part of this job will be meeting with potential clients and convincing them to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on company services.


Bex -

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2008
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 12:18pm

YES!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 12:49pm

"Yes", replied the office assistant, who is currently dressed in jeans and a sweat shirt with the company logo.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 1:19pm
Yes I think it is very important that you dress to fit your job. I get to wear jeans in my office because we are very casual, but my daughter who is a paralegal wears suits, skirts, and jackets, and usually heels. She shops Ricki's and Suzy Shier(and similar stores) at end of season and picks up the timeless/classic pieces to wear. She will budget for a more expensive piece that will last. Also check out your local consignment stores you can get some nice classic pieces for reasonable.


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 3:13pm

I think it is important but nothing that can't be built slowly. You could ask for gift certs at birthdays and things to your fav stores from family. Just because you only have 3 suits doesn't mean the people at the new job have seen them! Add a skirt and mix and match the pieces. It will be fine.







iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2009
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 3:55pm

It is probably essential and necessary for the "look" of the

Lila
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2009
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 6:23pm

Bex...first of all congratulations...it sounds like you have the job...


Now do you want to hear from Duke (the clothes horse) or Duke the business consultant...lol...


In the business world...appearance is very important...and so you should emulate people you respect in your new office....


There are lots of consignment stores that sell gently used business wear and there are lots of great outlet stores....


You only need a few good pieces (black pants, neutral pants, grey pants and some nice business skirts (gosh i love business skirts..sorry i digress lol) and then a few nice jackets (women have lots of choice in this and I envy them...lol)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2008
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 7:56pm

Thrift/consignment shops have great finds if you are willing to spend a bit of time going through the racks.


Like others have stated, stick with neutral colors that easily mix & match.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2009
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 8:18pm

Wow

Lila
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 9:10pm

Thanks for all the advice! Hopefully I get the job and can put it to good use!


Sadly, I cannot take the manicure advice, lol. I play sports where I have to cut my nails short (flag football actually . . . its damn hard to catch a long ball with nails!), but I will be able to at least keep them looking nice. I guess now is the time to start acting like a girl again (I'm a bit of a tomboy with 0 fashion sense . . . I wear the same earings everyday, and I wear one ring, a silver band my dad gave me at highschool graduation).


Again, ahead of myself. Need to get job first, lol!



Bex -

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2009
Mon, 03-08-2010 - 10:35pm

Just had to laugh at your statement--- I also never change earrings --- leave same small hoops in all the time.

Lila

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