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[redbird]

Since I need a new job, I figured I needed some new-job clothes. (Spare me the Thoreau quote unless you're prepared to support me in idle, epistolary comfort.)

The thing is, I had no idea of what I needed, or how to get it.

Fortunately, I knew who to ask. The ever-wonderful eleanor accepted my request to serve as my guide and advisor for an afternoon.

We met, walked, had lunch, walked some more, and shopped. I followed her, and commented on colors, and she found things on the racks for me. We took a large pile into the changing room, where I tried things on, and she occasionally said useful things like "keep that jacket on, you need to try the skirt with it." She also went out and got things in different sizes, when they didn't fit.

I now have two suits (one with skirt and pants, one just trousers), two nice new silk blouses, an actual honest-to-Tiwaz twinset, another sweater, and assorted accessories. Much money has been spent, and more will be spent: I still need appropriate shoes.

With Ellie as advisor and companion, I was confident of the results, and lasted far longer than I would have been likely to working alone. As far as I can tell, she enjoyed helping me shop, so everyone was happy. Just as well, since I can't think of anything I can do in return that would be as large a favor, in relative terms: I can't think of anything I know that she doesn't, but needs. Then again, that sort of knowledge lurks until needed. Ellie, I owe you one.

Comments

shop 'til you drop

[(Anonymous)]

Tho' I've never met the ever-wonderful eleanor, I've been following her livejournal (and I *do* know you). She impressed me as having a good sense for clothes and such, and a sense of humor about it, too -- sounds like the right person for the job!

I wouldn't have known how to dress you... I tend to have an erratic sense of clothing for other people. Sometimes it's spot-on, and sometimes I haven't a clue (some folks are easy: anything plaid for my Evil Twin, anything for Velma (who would look spectacular in a Hefty sack -- she'd know just how to wear it!), etc. etc.). I know how to put myself together for interviews, but I don't always have a good sense of which rules of conservative dress to break for others. (I hate suits, so I don't own any -- a tech writer can get away with being somewhat artsy. OTOH, I restrain my earrings and put my hair up so that I look somewhat respectable...)

Speaking for myself, tho', it *is* fun to be a consultant (anytime you want to do a makeup run, lemme know -- Origins and/or Body Shop ought to do it!). My sweetie complained briefly that he felt like a Ken doll (but he did like the Panama hat...).

Anyway, as long as you're stuck with jobhunting, may as well find some fun in it. Hang thee in there.

ers
(PS: I do read your lj pretty regularly, even if I never email or call. Thanks for writing it -- it enables the easily-overwhelmed to stay up-to-date...)