Bright Floral

I always spend extra time picking outfits I am going to wear when I give client presentations, the question being, of course: who do I want to (appear to) be? The answer really depends on the audience. Sometimes, “quietly polished” is the best way to go; other times, “in your face florals” is more the ticket. In this outfit, I’m easy to spot in the crowd (all the better for post-presentation client schmoozing) and, hopefully, cheerfully approachable. This particular client group is a fun, easy-going bunch, and I think my (style) vibe matched the mood of the room fairly well.

While I kept my blazer on throughout the day’s professional activities, I did take it off during the 3 hr road trip there and back. Although it’s made from a ponte-like knit, it’s still a blazer; even with my extensive blazer collection, and my love of the blazer aesthetic, I’m still a take-it-off-to-get-comfortable kind of person. I rarely wear cardigans anymore, but I still do miss their comfort level. Speaking of which, the nice thing about not having had this dress tailored is that there is plenty of extra hip room — a big plus when it comes to comfort on a long-ish car ride. A wide belt can always be counted upon to cinch things in where it counts. This particular belt might well be one of the oldest accessories in my closet — possible circa 2007 or earlier. It had been “lost” for the last few years, so I was thrilled to re-discover it; when you’re a dress-loving hourglass, one can never have enough stretchy belts.