Even George is mesmerized by it!
Angie at YLF posed a great question on Thursday: what types of clothes make you feel powerful? She and I have a similar problem with suits; I know they are supposed to women's power garb, but they usually make me feel stifled and ordinary. I feel like a cog in a machine in a suit, and they tend to make me squirm and fuss all day.
Put me in a sheath dress, heels and a cuff bracelet, and it's a whole other story. I stand taller and prouder, I feel strong as a woman and a professional, and my confidence blooms. I'm not hiding my light under a bushel like I am in a suit; I am consciously confirming that yes I am a woman, and I am capable and unafraid.
That's what Friday's outfit was all about. I had to attend a morning meeting with someone who has been treating me outrageously rudely and condescendingly, so much so people in the meeting are looking at her with dropped jaws, and her behavior is getting talked about by everyone in her department. The last time we met, she literally *dismissed me* from the room at the end of the meeting, and I was so flabbergasted I complied. On Friday, I wanted to be prepared for her onslaught, so I put on my best power armor: sheath dress, cuff bracelet, and heels.
It worked. She treated me like something not worth wiping off her shoe, and I remained unfazed and calm. I got the points I need to make made, and I didn't kill her in the process. She tried to pretend she didn't remember my name when I arrived at the meeting, and the disbelieving guffaws and open comments to her from everyone else in the room about the impossibility of that made me guffaw quietly to myself.
Let that be a lesson to everyone: don't fuck with me when I am dressed like this.
:)
The second thing I wanted to mention about this outfit is that it made me realize I am slowly transitioning into spring. The base dresses, shoes, skirts and pants, sweaters etc, are remaining the same -- it is after all still in the 30s -- but the layers are shifting. My puffer coat has been cleaned and put away for the season already, and I rarely am using an outside scarf anymore. Tights are moving into sheer hose (I will be shopping for patterned hose now), and my turtlenecks are getting pushed aside for long-sleeved layering tees. I prefer a short-sleeved over-sweater like the one today, and my patent belts are coming out to play. We are nowhere near the point of bare arms or spring colors yet, but like the snow line slowly creeping further north in this awesome picture from NASA, spring is steadily making its way into my wardrobe.
The outfit details:
Dress: Suzi Chin by Maggie Boutique, Nordstrom Rack
Cardigan: pointelle cascading, Target
Layering tee: dark grey 3/4-sleeve scoopneck, J Crew Outlet
Necklace: black dangling beads, Kohls (?)
bracelet: pewter mesh braid, Banana Republic
hose: sheer high-waist Spanx
belt: black patent and elastic, part of a dress from Ann Taylor
shoes: Bandolino pumps, DSW
That dress is so beautiful! Such a rich color and great neckline! Love it
ReplyDeleteROCK ON WOMAN!! I'm so glad you showed her! How dare she treat you like that! I'm pissed for you - how f'ing rude. You do look fantastic today. That's a gorgeous color and you rocked it.
ReplyDeleteYou are killing it in this outfit today. (I have the same cardi; just bought it a few weeks ago and have yet to wear it!) I actually wore a suit yesterday (my job NEVER calls for one so it's a rarity when I have to sport one) and I *did* feel powerful. Then again I feel powerful in a skirt/dress and knee-high boots or a skirt/dress and towering stilettos, whatever the weather may be. I work in a group with three other women and about 70 men and anything that makes me taller than them (I'm 5'7" in bare feet) makes me feel ass-kickety!
ReplyDeleteThat is a super awesome pic from NASA! Like your super awesome dress! Way to get the good attention in your meeting!
ReplyDeleteThe cardigan and dress look so beautiful together--good for you for not sinking to her level.
ReplyDeleteI love your POWER!!! Crazy how that woman is behaving...I am so glad for your sake that everyone else has noticed. Good on ya for staying cool in the midst of her craziness.
ReplyDeleteThe royal blue color is amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou look amazingly fabulous in this outfit! The dress is made for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a kickass outfit! I'm glad you felt powerful and able to rise above her pettiness - what a cow. I'm happy that other people notice - that kind of behaviour is just not acceptable.
ReplyDeleteI love George. Can I keep him?
Oh, yes indeed, a favorite dress for good reason. That is such a divine color on you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you've experienced such nasty treatment from a co-worker. How awful! Since your colleagues have obviously noticed that her behavior is inappropriate, can you call them in for support - or perhaps your boss?
Hey you look great in this dress and way to go- taking the high road and for finding confidence in the face of coworker crazy.
ReplyDeleteGood ole' Iowa, still covered in snow. I do miss it, though. I DO love that dress, too -- I'm glad you feel powerful in it, because you LOOK powerful. That dress also looks majorly expensive and chic. Hmm... I feel powerful in huge boots, in massive coats. I'm recently discovering that having huge hair also makes me feel powerful. I think it's about gaining height. For me, I think it's also about wearing what other people are not. A fascinating question and I will have to give this much more thought!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you look DIVINE. One of my very favorite outfits so far.
xx
Yes, this is indeed my favorite sheath dress.
ReplyDeleteGood work on taking care of your problem. ;-)
You look great. Powerful and feminine and like you know just what you want. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteThat color is the essence of power on you. But I agree with Kari - no one should have to put up with that kind of treatment from a colleague (as in "collegial"). Kick her with your pointy shoes and then file a complaint with her supervisor. Chances are excellent you are not the only one.
ReplyDeleteWow Kristen, you rock this dress! I have the same one and would never have thought to belt it like this! I'll be copying your look come winter if that's ok? :) So glad you showed such composure to teach that woman a lesson!
ReplyDelete