[LMB] Advice Please

[Nora Bombay]

Zoe Brain wrote:
> Now... I'm going to ask for some advice.
> When I was doing the "Boy Act", knowing what to wear was relatively 
> simple..........suit, it adds street cred.
I can give an answer to the question, as to what to wear now.  And you 
have two options:

Option 1: Throw Money at It.

First: Find a local specialty bra shop, and get properly fitted for a 
good bra. Buy two. (optional for some, but good for most). Than go to 
Target/Walmart and pick up a slip, and some other supportive under 
garments (I find the "thigh shapers" to be perfect to resolve all of the 
leg chafing needs)

Next: Go to the nearest big department store that carries suits in your 
size, and seems reasonably decent. Nordstroms is a good option for this 
one. Find out if they have a personal shopper. Call shopper. Explain 
that you have $1000, and need two suits, four blouses, and two pairs of 
shoes.

Set the shopper on it. Purchase whatever is in the budget and doesn't 
drive you insane.

Is it plesant? Not really. Pricy? Sure. A nice, off the rack woman's 
suit in the Washington DC area that isn't on sale will run you about 
$250. Shoes are oh, $70.  And this is for the non-designer stuff. But it 
gets it done, and you can always just go and buy replacements of the 
item chosen, with limited trouble.

Option 2a: Not throwing money, hate shopping.

First: Get a new, decent bra, and a new set of undergarments. It is 
never really a bad idea.

Second: Look at the local department stores. Determine who has a decent 
selection of suits/professional clothing in your size. This is much less 
of an issue for those who are not in plus sizes.

Third: Find a friend. Preferably a friend with a professional job, who 
sees the needed clothing on a semi regular basis. Friend can have a 
completely opposite sense of style from you- it's a good thing.

Fourth: Put on good underwear, and go to mall with friend. Try on things 
until you find clothing. Spend far more money than you want to.

Fifth: Drink Heavily/Indulge in favored food. Because you will be 
misserable.

Option3: Don't hate shopping.

Get good underwear. Know your size- in pants, skirts, sweaters, 
everything. Become friends with local department stores, TJMaxx, etc. 
Find a brand you like, that suits your body type- I have tons of Tahari 
& Jones New York, as they cut for the shortwaisted with thin legs. I own 
very little by Baby Phat, as the clothing is cut for people six inches 
taller.

Repeat process with footwear- figure out what reliably fits, and styles 
you just can't wear.

And hit the stores often- know that when you pay $25 for a suit jacket 
that started life at $300, you have a good deal- but you have to know 
what the $300 looked like, so you don't pay $25 for one that started at 
$30.

Less of a $$$ outlay, but far far more involving of your time.

Picking a professional costume is a part of the job.

Nora, who can spot a pair of Doc Martins or Simples across a crowded 
room. And has never turned down a $25 Tahari suit jacket. However, in 
the name of full disclosure, I own 8 pairs of basically flat mary janes. 
And 0 pairs of heeled boots.