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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

In stitches


{needle and thread, originally uploaded by Thru Jenn's Eyes.}

I am a girl who wears skirts. And dresses. Mumsie always said "Dress for the position to which you aspire," and I'm sticking with that rule, even though I am always "overdressed" compared to some of my co-workers. I like getting dressed up for work every day and I curse whoever invented "casual" dress code. I have a thing for heels and handbags. And accessories. I'm a girly girl, and not ashamed to say it.

I tore the hem of my skirt today during a run-in with an unruly file cabinet. I mended it at my desk (while wearing it) and it wasn't until I was threading the needle that I really took a good look at the sewing kit. It's a little plastic box with 7 spools of colored thread (there were 8 but I lost one). Of course the black thread is almost gone, followed closely by the navy. There's a plastic thimble, safety pins, a threader and a couple of needles. And then I realized: I have had this sewing kit in every desk I've ever sat at, at every job I've ever had, since graduating college. That's almost twenty years.


I'm sure the gals at Basket of Kisses would agree that "Joan" would be proud.

{Christina Hendricks as "Joan Holloway" in AMC's "MadMen"}

Joan Holloway dresses like the hot ticket she is, and keeps aspirin, a sweater, safety pins and a fifth of something in her desk. For emergencies.

What do you wear to work? Does anyone like getting dressed up anymore?

Sorry for the long absence. Thanksgiving melted right into a non-stop 10 days of work and travel that I only recently surfaced from. Just in time for Christmas shopping!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hate business casual. Put on a shirt with a collar, some pants that aren't cotton, and shoes without rubber on the bottom. In short, grow up and wear big boy clothes.

Unknown said...

I've gone through phases with dressing for work. Sometimes I'm into skirts, sometimes I'm into dresses, right now I'm into anything that will still fit. Most of the girls I work with are young (mid-20's) and they all are very city-chic.

I do wish I could pull off the flawlessness that is Joan.

Alicia B. Designs said...

Robin, thanks so much for the kind words! I'm def going to bookmark your blog as I love a good update on my favorite place (Connecticut)! Thanks!
Alicia B.

My Castle in Spain said...

i'm with you regards overdressing...!

would love to see some pics of you or your heels and handbags!
:-)

knitseashore said...

I love to get dressed up too, and much prefer skirts to pants. Working at home doesn't lend itself to skirts, though, except in the summer, where I wear my little cotton ones every day. With accessories! :) So I have to be satisfied this time of year with dressing up for church on Sundays. I long for a good dress-up dinner party.

I wish the stylishness of The Big Three would come back: Grace, Jackie, and Audrey. Then I would have an excuse to wear elbow length gloves.

Glad to have you back!

Anonymous said...

That's my girl!!!!!

hello gorgeous said...

I saw you at If The Lampshade Fits and had to come over and comment.

I'm a SAHM so my wardrobe is pitiful these days. I loved dressing up. I'm going back to work just for the wardrobe.

benson said...

I have one of those sewing kits as well :) I'm a teacher--but may I say, a teacher with style. Yes, I deal with people 4 feet and under but I truly believe they appreciate that atleast one of the teachers they see at their school knows what's stylish, fun, and fashionable. Truth be told, I love it when a third grade girl tells me "you look like a rock star" (wide leg pants and anthropologie sweater--quite basic I thought!)

Fifi Flowers said...

I mostly work from home and do a lot of painting so I wear clothing with paint on it. BUT... recently I started marketing for a skin care shop... I have to go to Chamber meeting/mixers,other community events and events in the Shop... I ADORE getting dressed up... heels, jewelry, makeup, hair done... FUN to be a girly girl! Always best to be OVERDRESSED than underdressed!

Anonymous said...

ROBIN! How are you? Hope all is well! ♥

Raina Cox said...

My last job was as the head visual merchandiser for a furniture store (the New Zealand version of Crate & Barrel). I wore a black tee shirt and jeans every day.

Now that I mostly a stay-at-home mom, it's a black tee shirt and yoga pants.

Scintillating, huh?

Marnie said...

still have not worn pants to the office yet - prefer skirts and dresses too

Lynne said...

I almost always wear skirts and dresses. I'm so glad dresses have been in fashion for the last few years - there are lots I love in the shops.