The Tree Speaks

 

1) Sodalite earrings, $20, local fair

2) Dot scarf, $5, Old Navy

3) Green lace cami, $3, Charlotte Russe

4) Green cashmere sweater, $10, eBay

5) Tan pants, $5, Harold's via Goodwill

6) Knee high black leather boots, $60, JCPenny

Yes, the Texan is actually wearing a sweater.  Yes, it's 50 someodd degrees out there.  In my defense, it was in the 30s this morning, which is frigid here.  

Can you tell I was born and raised here?  I spent a winter in Pennsylvania as a kidlet, and at the tender age of 3 or 4, I decided that there was no way in hell I'd live somewhere winter tries to kill you when you breathe. I have kept that promise to this day. Winter tried to kill me at my college graduation, too, come to think of it.  I think I pissed it off by swearing to stay out of it's reach.

These pants look and feel kinda like khakis and pinstripe slacks had a bastard love child, complete with the beyond faint, bordering on nonexistent, darker tan pinstripe.  They're relatively comfortable (more so in the summer), but look just professional enough I can get away with them during the week.

I warned you that I wear these boots a lot in the autumn and winter.  They are my flip flop equivalent in winter: sock on, stuff foot in boot, zip, and run out the door.  No wrestling with laces, tucking in pant legs, or any of that mess.

(By the way, Doc Marten 60 eyes are apparently sized in guy sizes.  I found out the hard way and now own a pair of 3 year old knee high Docs that are too big.  Great in the winter with thick socks, not so much any time else.)

As to the title, I have a very difficult time wearing brown on bottom and green on top without feeling like I dressed up as the lame version of a tree.

Purple Majesty

 1) Celtic knot amethyst earrings, $20, local fair
2) Scarf, $0.50, Goodwill
3) Purple button up, $20, Express
4) Pin stripe trousers, $30, Express
5) Purple ballet flats, $5, Charlotte Russe

Yes, I know.  "It's Friday, why aren't you casual?!" 
Because I'm new and I love this job.  I'd really rather not fuck it up 3 days in by wearing the wrong clothes.  I generally try to play it safe and dress more formally until I know the office dress better than "business casual."  In today's climate, that could mean anything from a golf polo and good jeans to pants and a button up to a suit with a good tee.  I strike the middle ground and go with business slacks and a less casual tee.

Suits Me

Wearing that same suit again.  No need for a photo shoot.
One thing I will say is that every person needs a suit of some sort.  Skirt suit, dress suit, pantsuit, any combination of the above. You will get your money's worth out of it. Not just for funerals, interviews, and business formal attire.  Split it up and wear the components separately, too. BAM! Not just a suit, but a blazer and slacks/ skirt/ dress.  I would honestly recommend the pants or skirt over the dress, just because the dress severely limits wearability.
I would also recommend you suit being one of the things you spend a  bit more money on.  I'm not talking "go out and blow a paycheck on it," but I am saying you'll look better if you don't buy the trash in the juniors department.  Here's what you should look for:
Blazer

• A lining.  Jackets without linings tend to either be very casual, crappily made, or hang funny, none of which you want to be the impression you give.
• Avoid shine, intentional or not.  Some cheap fabrics tend to have a sheen to them, making them look even cheaper. Avoid those.
• Obvious shoulderpads or trendy detailing.  You want this jacket to be something you can wear for many more years than just this season.  Huge shoulderpads make you look like an 80s reject, and trends mark it as a one time use jacket.
• A dark color.  It doesn't hafta be black, but black, navy, or charcoal are your best bets for versatility.
• Buttons that stop just under the tits and button all the way down.  They should also close. without pulling. This is the best fit for a professional blazer.  It doesn't need to button all the way down, but it should definitely button just under the  chest for the most professional look.
• Fit is everything.  If it pulls ANYWHERE, put it back and grab the next size up.  You can (and should) always get it tailored to match your body, but very rarely can you let a blazer out and still look good
• Check the seams and buttons.  Are the seams well sewn and straight?  Are there loose threads?  Do the buttons look ready to pop off any second?    Check for quality.  If it's crappy sewing, it's a crappy suit.

Pants/ skirt

• Match the color to the blazer.  There are different colors of everything, even black.  You want them to match exactly, which is why I really, REALLY recommend you buy them as a set.
• Check seams, buttons, hooks, and zippers. Crappy closures mean crappy clothes.
• Check the length.  A skirt should be long enough can sit in it without looking like a street walker.  I'd say stick with knee length or just past the knee, as ankle length tends to look nunnish or dowdy.  For pants, they should be long enough to break across your shoes and hang to within half an inch of the ground in the back.  You don't want high waters, and you don't want to drag your hems out.
• Check the slit on the skirt.  You should be able to walk fairly easily with a natural gait without it being slit up to There.  If you can't, or if it is. put it back.
• Check the pockets. and make sure you can't see the outline when you wear the pants or skirt.
• Check the waist and belt loops.  If it has belt loops, you'll always hafta wear a belt with it. If it has no waistband, make sure it doesn't dig into your waist.

Almost Pajama Pants

 

1) Cameo amethyst necklace, $20, local fair

2) Red lacy cami (under blouse), $5, Goodwill

3) Pink blouse, $3.59, Express via Goodwill

4) Navy wide leg slacks, $7, Ann Taylor via Goodwill

5) Navy with pink polka dot heels, $20, Payless

6) Hoop earrings, $6, Claire's

This is one of my fall back outfits, for days when I need to look good and be confident that what I'm wearing only amplifies what I have, while not being skanky.  As I had a job fair today (freaking lousy job fair), I wanted to make sure I looked good.
The pants are freakishly comfortable for slacks.  I could damn near wear these things for pajamas, they're so comfy.  But they look good and look professional.  These slacks and my wide leg jeans have convinced that wide leg pants are the best thing on the face of the earth, and to hell with the skinny jean trend!
While these heels are on the high side (3.5" without a platform), they are actually fairly comfortable and easy to walk in.  This is in large part to fitting really well (no rubbing or blistering) and being well balanced, for a stiletto.  My weight is relatively evenly distributed through the points of contact with the ground.  That one thing I've noticed about Payless:  If you get the house brand (Fioni), it's well made, solid construction, easy to wear and CHEAP.

Interview Clothing Tips

1) Sodalite earrings, $20, local Scottish- Irish fair
2) Silver heart necklace, gift
3) White chiffon bust tank, $10, Express
4) Teal button up, $20, New York &Company
5) Black blazer, $55, Tahari via Dillard's
6) Black slacks, $40, New York and Company
7) Knee high stacked heel leather boots, $60, JCPenney
8) Leather belt, $20, JCPenney?
9) Fauxligator business tote, $30, Target

An interview for a job is all about putting your best foot forward. Out here, land of the formal jeans, a suit is nearly unheard of, let alone worn.  Most people only own the suit for formal business meetings and to pull apart.  I tend to wear mine as a suit more often than not, mostly because I get cold really easily and tend to keep a black blazer handy for that.
At any rate, for an interview, even if it's not one you where hafta wear a suit, is about looking good and sounding like you already have the job.  Jeans are out.  I don't care if they're your formal jeans, don't wear 'em to the interview.  Low cut, skin tight, or revealing are all kinds of out, unless you're applying for a job with the local gentleman's club.  Polish those shoes.  Iron EVERYTHING  (ok, maybe not the bra and underwear. Understated jewelry, if you wear it: leave the huge, intricate bib necklace at home.  Cover that decolletage, all of it. Make sure your suit isn't still vent stitched.  While most website advocate white, a colored (as in, one solid, contrasting but not neon, color, leave the paisley at home) will stick in their memory.  If it has belt loops, wear a good, simple leather belt, whether you need it or not.  Run a lint roller over it.  Do that twice.  While a black suit is good, any dark colored, matching suit will work  (well, maybe not brown.)