Most women shop out of desperation

Target

The alternative title for this post is “But I want it because it has pockets”

Backtrack.

I go to the shops because I need an affordable cosy long line cardi with pockets for around the house. It’s getting cold after all.   

In Target I notice the AW 2015 coatigan version (above in blue) – every colour under the sun in this style. With pockets. Woo Hoo.

I try it on. It fits. The colour is nice. I buy it.

But it’s a disaster. On me.

They eye goes straight down to those pockets and my hips & thighs are the last thing I want to bring attention to.

So why did I buy it? A combination of:

It was affordable

It was functional

It was available & so reasonably on trend

It looked nice on the hanger

It had pockets

It’s late & I needed to buy something otherwise the shopping trip was wasted.

Most importantly though, I was afraid that if I didn’t buy this cardi, I won’t find anything similar within a reasonable amount if time.  

But I have options.

1.    I can buy something more expensive (but on sale) which looks better.

2.    I can buy another style which doesn't have pockets patched at the front. The pockets can be hidden in the side seams or placed vertically.

3.    I can find a colour blocked version where the pockets are almost invisible.

Witchery 

4.    I can hold off until the right thing comes along.

You always have options when you want to avoid having a closet of half baked pieces. If you have even the vaguest doubts, think of your options & pick one. If you can't imagine the possible variations, then go to option #4. Instead of the loot in front of you. 

   

Style is not about money

Negative Nelly reminds me that this look costs a lot of money. Often Negative Nelly doesn’t know the brands featured but she assumes they cost a lot of money. Negative Nelly says she cant achieve this look as she doesn’t have the money for designer duds. Negative Nelly also claims that she doesn't have the time to achieve this look. 

This look has nothing to do with money.

I’ll repeat that. Because it’s important.

This look has nothing to do with money.

So what does this look have to do with?

To name a few qualities,  

Precision

Planning

Attention to detail

Meticulous maintenance

Good grooming including hair colour & style

Intimate knowledge of one’s style preferences, body shape & colouring

Perfect fit

Perfectly invisible foundation garments

Not paying attention to trends (unless they speak to you)

Quality over quantity

Head to toe consistency

I won’t go on about simplicity because that’s about personal preference.

Whether you are into “more is more” or “less is more”, the outcome will be just as chic, as long as you "get" the above list.  

You can do this look at any price point and exude the same image, style, look.

However you do need to invest time to make it happen and that means making your image a priority. If you choose not to make your image a priority, that's OK  too - different folks, different strokes but don't Negative Nelly me simply because it's not your priority.

By the way, the bag & shoes are Valentino and I am sure the dress is reasonably expensive too.

So yes, the individual items may be expensive, but I will insist til the day I go to the grave that this look has nothing to do with money.

CAN YOU SEE IT?

If not, I’d especially love to hear your reply. 

Interview musings with Kirstie Clements

Yesterday I attended the Kirstie Clements book launch. This post in no way attempts to cover what went on there, but there were a few things said about interview clothing which I thought were worth mentioning. And so the scene is set.....

The scene was the posh upper level of the cinemas at Westfield Parramatta.

A white stage with two seats, a Dymocks stand without Dymocks branding and a hand full of small round tables with bar stools.

About 15 women guests were there when I arrived.

Paula Joye was going to be interviewing Kirstie Clements about her new book on working in the fashion industry.  The book covers entry level positions to many rungs above that.

After the interview, three beautiful models, poster girls for the slick pony tail, twirled around for us wearing "interview appropriate" clothing.  The looks were from Veronika Maine, Saba & Witchery.

Paula did commence the session with the comment that the book wasn’t just about fashion jobs – it was about the butcher, the baker & the candlestick maker.

And so my contribution comes into play.....

Those three looks would never get anyone hired in the conservative sectors of law, banking, accounting and finance in general.  I can say that with 100% confidence after many years of hiring in finance in Sydney's CBD.

Kirstie queried whether my reasoning was that the looks were too sexy. No, it’s not that. They are just too fashion forward & their silhouettes are very different to what the other 99% of candidates would be wearing in those industries.

Specifically items like:

·       the flowy cape;

·       the open toe slingback boots (accountants & the like, just do not understand seasonally confused shoes);

·       a deep vee low neckline (perhaps it depends on what job you are going for);

·       a coat placed resting over the shoulders or a blanket coat

First, these three looks are too fashion forward for interviewees in the conservative sectors of law, finance, banking, accounting where they are going for technical or client facing roles. Marketing roles in those firms, yes, fine. 

As for the coat over the shoulders, to “editorialise your look”, they mentioned that it looks fabulous & it’s easy to take off during an interview as you don’t have to mess with sleeves etc.  That’s only part of the story.

Think of it this way – you reach out to shake the interviewer’s hand with your right hand, holding your resume book with your left hand. What are the chances that coat is going to slip off? Pretty high. Pretty embarrassing. 

Secondly, at the very least, in a conservative sector interview, you wear a jacket (not a coat, unless it’s a blizzard day) & YOU NEVER TAKE IT OFF DURING THE INTERVIEW. EVER. 

Why? A jacket not only covers any messiness underneath (blouses, bra straps, boobs, yes that’s a lot of potential messiness), but gives you more presence & authority than ANY other piece of clothing can ever give you. It makes you look smarter, more experienced, more mature and more credible than anyone not wearing a jacket.  

What about executive levels? 

You can add half a zero to the spend on any of these looks and you have appropriate executive looks even in the conservative sectors, although I would qualify that when it comes to seasonally confused boots & low necklines.

CBD girls - image issues

As part of this discussion, Kirstie mentioned how the CBD girls just look horrid (that’s my word; she is far too refined to say it so bluntly). But she specifically mentioned the different shades of black suits & I added the peek-a-boob, the chipped heels & the VPL.  Yes, those girls definitely need image makeovers. We understood each other. 

Unfortunately the stores are too busy pushing product now rather than focusing on relationships by providing wardrobe building blocks to customers. Sad but true.