Pull It Together

A friend relayed a conversation to me the other day. It was just a snippet of a conversation whose topic happened to be me, or to include me, and I was told in the main that I’m frumpy. Now this is no surprise to me… I am casual in attire and attitude but like to think that I can pull it together at least for an afternoon or something important. But my friends have intuited that this “hippie” nature is in my DNA; even when I make an effort to primp and wear clothes with shape and buttons, my bohemian spirit still shines. Well, I say it shines… others might say it’s just there as a nuisance. Still, it felt like a bit of a criticism to hear that even when I’d tried to look professional, folks still see frumpy. I feel like I’m playing dress up when I wear anything other than business casual, and now it’s confirmed that I LOOK like I’m playing dress up too. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not overly concerned with fashion and the like. It’s a difficult subject for anyone in the Plus Sized category. Still, I removed piercings long ago, and per my Husband’s request have no tattoos. My hair is the color nature intended and I don’t paint my face with toxins. I don’t care for shoes and hosiery; I can’t tolerate having my toes pinched. But does all that exclude me from being at least presentable?
I’m job-hunting these days. Corporate America squashed my bohemian spirit and nearly drove me to drink so we had to go our separate ways. Job-hunting leads to (hopefully) interviews. Interviews mean First Impressions and just HOW am I to walk in and convince them I can do the job if I reek of Hippie from my very DNA? I had a modicum of confidence in my ability to get my point across. I have to admit that it’s been dashed just the slightest bit by my friend’s criticism. Perhaps not dashed, but it’s given me pause. It’s been on my mind for a number of days surprisingly. I don’t want to give the impression that I dislike my Hippie nature. I like that I’m open and casual; I just hope that I can fake Professional enough to get hired somewhere. I’ve done it before; no reason I can’t do it again.
Ok, so each bump is a lesson and each lesson needs an activity. So I’ve decided I’ll put together an Interview Outfit. One nice, classic, ironed and crisp ensemble that’ll be my go-to should I ever get another call-back. I thought I had one but I suspect that it was said ensemble that these friends saw and critiqued. I need some tights. I should put some newspaper in my “good” shoes to help them keep a nice shape. I think I’ll switch out one black skirt for another. Try to make-do with what I’ve got. Try to shake the self-doubt off my frumpy frame.