Once upon a time, I was sitting in the lobby of a temp agency, and overheard a conversation between a very well-qualified applicant and the employment consultant who was about to send the applicant out for an interview.
“Why are the legs of your trousers safety-pinned?”
“I want to wear these pants later with high-heels…”
“Go home and change; I’ll try to reschedule your interview.”
Was everybody dying to know how I was going to handle the letter X? I’ve sort of cobbled together a word which is the opposite of xenophobic – frightened of unfamiliar people, places or things. Chic should have about it some sense of embracing the unusual, the different, and the just plain weird. Not necessarily going to work dressed like a Samurai from the 16th Century (although there used to be a guy in downtown Chicago who wore a Samurai outfit!); maybe it’s just the look in your eyes…
Costumes are never chic.
Attentive to detail. Tidy, in good repair, well-brushed, and polished.
You are the ABC Queen, Janice.
Been reading on my iPhone all week, and it's a pain to post, so you are getting a barrage of comments from me today…
After a previous post you wrote about enduring style, I googled pictures of Jackie O. and Audrey Hepburn. You are right… their style is very unfussy, tailored, and well kept. There was one picture in particular that I studied of Audrey Hepburn sitting in a stadium. It was interesting because it really helped me see what sets her apart as a style icon from others around her. There was a pretty girl in the background; she had nice clothes and could have been stylish… if it wasn't for the glaring large holed fishnet stockings she was wearing. Audrey was also wearing stockings… they were a lace (no large holes) in the color of her outfit. An older lady also behind her gave a different sort of contrast. Her jacket was frumpy- it could have been the fabric style, but it came off as looking unpressed. Also, she had a tiny collar on her shirt that had managed to have one side flipped up over the coat, and to top it off, she had the most sensible, "old lady" in any time period shoes that left a bland taste in your mouth instead of something with any sort of interest. I think I need to go press my clothes… I am guilty.
The temp agency exchange is great. I think the consultant was correct in having the applicant change into something more appropriate. Even though I think it's a shame that the way one looks has such a big impact with first impressions, it's simply part of human nature. How one presents oneself is even more important in the current job market. The prospective employee that looks pulled together gives the impression that his/her work will be thorough as well. Conversely, the applicant in your story would give the impression of someone who produces haphazard, incomplete work.
Hello Janice! I have enjoyed viewing all the letters of the alphabet, with their timely ideas. Is there ever a chance where you would be willing to put all 26 together into a list we could print and keep posted? I'd sure enjoy it.
Thank you,
Kirsten