Help- I need to rework my image quickly for work event!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am very curious about what type of industry and event this is where so much seems to ride on your appearance instead of performance. Pharma sales? Has your job performance otherwise been at risk?

Honestly a lot of image and appearance at your age (or any age honestly) is being thin or at least not overweight. I'm sorry as I know this isn't helpful but it is true and the way it is.

I am also a winter in appearance and it sounds like you know what colors work for you, so you should stick with them. I'm also much larger on the bottom than on top and find that always wearing a blazer or jacket is usually a flattering look.

Look online for the return options of stores where you like to shop for free return shipping. Order several things in multiple sizes and return what doesn't work.

This is 100% wrong and super narrow-minded. A person with a flattering haircut and make-up, nice accessories and clothes that suit they body type and fit them well can look great at any size. These are all things that are manageable in the timeframe OP set out and to dump on her with this attitude is really unhelpful given the scope of the questions. Pipe down.

Yeah look at oprah, she's beautiful. Lots of larger put together ladies that look better than the stock hallowed out types who loom like they are trying to roll back the clock and relive the glory days. Their hair usually looms dry and lifeless too.

[Anonymous]

Op, you sound like a really great person. Don’t be so hard on yourself. From your post, I really like you (and I’m a snooty, skinny, millineal PITA!). You’ll do great, and you will land on your feet even if you don’t.

[Anonymous]

NP-I love the idea of the jardigan. So expensive though! For those who have one, is it worth the investment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP-I love the idea of the jardigan. So expensive though! For those who have one, is it worth the investment?

Jardigan is totally worth it. I leave it on my desk chair and it looks good with everything and instantly dresses up pants and a blouse when I get pulled into a meeting with VIPs at the last minute.

I stay away from the MM clingy stuff due to my saddle bags but the structured stuff is flattering for my pear shape.

[Anonymous]

OP, how did it go?? I remember this thread--hope you are well!

[Anonymous]

OP here finally reporting back. I really can't thank you all enough for all of your help.

We ended up doing a round of layoffs before this meeting happened (and the meeting got pushed back a couple of weeks which worked for me). Then they changed the dress code to all business casual. So I actually went into it thinking, well I might as well focus on spending some time with the people I know and don't get to see often and also try to meet some of our newer/ younger associates.

But thanks to you guys I had really dialed in my outfits.

Shoes
-I ended up getting these Frye black flats. They were actually pretty good for my plantar fascitis. I got a larger size than usual to accommodate my Vionic insoles and used lambswool to fill in the toe. I alternated these with my Vionic low black boots. I took along my tide flip flops to wear in my room to recover.
https://www.zappos.com/p/frye-sienna-ballet-black-polished-soft-full-grain/product/8710726/color/660782?ef_id=W7VaOAAAAXlHqVMm:20181004000928:s
https://www.zappos.com/p/vionic-trinity-black/product/9068504/color/3

Rent the Runway really disn't work out for me. I think I have to get better at knowing how the different designers fit me. Many of the options just looked lumpy or odd in my size. So I ended up adding a few pieces to my existing wardrobe.

Mme LeFleur- I really, really wanted to love the jardigan It felt so nice. But it hit me at a weird spot and flared out at the hip- not the look I was going for. So I headed to the mall during lunch and found a tiny Eileen Fisher section in a local department store. They had a very similar heavy weight cardigan that hit me well, so I bought it. I had explained to the sales associate my challenge and she brought me another Eileen Fisher jacket that was on sale that was really flattering that I never would have tried on. Plus it feels amazing so I was really comfortable in it.

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/eileen-fisher-ridged-high-collar-jacket-plus-size-prod211630152?ecid=NMCS__GooglePLA&utm_source=google_shopping&adpos=1o3&scid=scplpsku179610759&sc_intid=sku179610759&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgqauhMLr3QIVEMZkCh0rhwh4EAQYAyABEgJJr_D_BwE

Jeans/ Pants
I stuck with my Talbots dark wash jeans which have a bit of stretch. I also took a couple of pairs of heavy weight almost canvas stretch black pants, also from Talbots. This way I wasn't messing with tights etc

Blouses
I got a couple of fitted shells with shirring/ assymetrical details to put under my jackets/ jardigan. I tried the Mme LeFleur ones, and they were ok, but I ended up liking some Michael Kors and Eileen Fisher I got locally more.

Jackets
So I took a chance and on the day I had to get on stage I wore on of my Talbots bright solid jackets in turquoise. I know that was one of the looks I was trying to get away from, but the color is really flattering for me.And I wore it over a black shell and jeans, where I usually wear a coordinating shell and black pants. So i felt like that looked a little younger.

Teeth- I did the white strips and that made a big difference.

Eyes- I got contacts and I did wear them for the first day. I also tried the Acuvue colored contacts in sparkle to see if they would have an effect, but those were so subtle I am going to use them when I am hosting webinars with webcam closeups.

Hair- I wanted to love that Revlon thing, but it was just ok. So I focused on taking time to carefully roll my hair and then use products that allowed for more movement versus a more sprayed hairstyle.

At the end of the second day there was a video presentation of casual photos from the event. I had ended up sitting at a table with a group of new employees who were all millenials from different functions and we had a fabulous time doing our group projects. And in the video there were so many pictures of me I was cringing at my turqouise jacket when almost everyone else was in black and other dark colors.

So I went to the videographer guy (a friend of the millenials at my table) and was teasing him about not taking any more pictures of me or at least warning me. And he said that he included them because I was one of the few people who seemed to be having a genuinely good time no matter who I was speaking with and that really lights up the screen so he needed more of it.

And then a colleague came up to me and told me that they really loved my jacket, that the color really pops in such a good and flattering way.

And finally our new ceo asked me to sit with him at dinner to catch up on my feelings about all of the changes. And that probably wouldn't have happened if my face hadn't been all over that video.

So when I reflected on what made the biggest positive impact- it was the teeth whitening, the more natural hairstyle, good foundation and actually enjoying myself.

So once again- thanks to everyone who chimed in with help!!

[Anonymous]

Wie! Fantastic recap! I loved following your story.

[Anonymous]

Wow, great recap OP!!! You Rock!

[Anonymous]

Yay!!! Thanks for writing back.

[Anonymous]

Excellent update!

[Anonymous]

Great recap - glad it went so well OP!

[Anonymous]

Yay you! Well done.

[Anonymous]

Excellent result! And thanks for the update.

[Anonymous]

Yay, OP! Thanks for the awesome recap and so happy for you that it went well! What a wonderful compliment the videographer paid you, and good for you for going into it with such a positive attitude.

[Anonymous]

This might be the best dcum beauty/fashion thread ever.