For those of you who don't know, I've been volunteering one day a week at DFS:
http://www.dressforsuccess.org/
as a personal shopper. Well, we don't really go shopping, but we shop the free boutique for interview and career suiting for women who need a little help.

So I just wanted to let you know how it's been going. I'm getting to know the staff, and some of the volunteers have Tuesday as their regular day too. Turns out, since it's a non-profit, everyone there is pretty much on a budget and they all thrift like I do, so there's no shame! I wore my new sheath dress with my long sleeved blue shirt underneath because we had a unseasonably cold day today. It was perfect and I felt so... bulletproof in it, confidence-wise. I just didn't have to worry about my shirt coming untucked from a skirt, or my neckline gaping open when I bent over. It was great! Except I think I'll take it to a tailor and have is slimmed in the hips a bit and get the hem fixed. Someone let it all the way out and it's fraying in some places where the hem tape isn't secure. That might mean the length comes up a tad, but that's fine.

Anyway! Where was I? Oh yes...well usually I outfit a client with her interview suit outfit, 1 suit, a top, shoes, bag and accessories. Well, once a client gets *hired* by a company, she can come back and get an entire week's worth of career wear free! And today I got one of those clients. Her name was June and she starts work on Monday and had nothing to wear (she had not come to us for an interview outfit for some reason). What a blast we had! I was allowed to give her 1 suit+ 5 bottoms+5 tops + a pair of shoes and any accessories I deemed appropriate.

Our intern had gotten started with her, but let me take over when I arrived. June was a little younger than me and have been laid off a while back. She was really excited to start working again as a recruiter. She wore a size 8P and we found her the most beautiful pants suit, black with white tipping. She chose some rounded toe mid-heels in black with a low T-strap. Then came a couple of black skirts, one a midi with a kicky little flare and one straight and to the knee. Two pair of slacks came next, one pale grey and one textured light brown. Then we settled on some tops for her, an animal print shell that went with all of the bottoms, a black and white sleeveless zig-zag print button front, a bright red long sleeved button front and a white one. I can't remember what the fifth top looked like.

As she was trying things on, I could tell she didn't know how to mix and match or how to accessorize, so I started coming up with all these great combos and she got SO excited! I found a scarf with a bunch of the colors in it and a great belt that had black and white polka dot scarf-like ends to tie. The belt looked so good over the red shirt. Sans belt, with the scarf looked completely different. We discussed tucking and not tucking and how to wear each top different ways. then I was digging around in the jewelry armoire and found this tribal looking statement necklace that had not only the black and white that went with her suit, but also different tans and browns and silver beads so it also went with her animal print top and the brown pants. It even made the black blazer work with the brown pants. I found some simple silver earrings and a bracelet to give her too. I must say I am constantly amazed at the way accessories can make just a few pieces do double and triple duty! She looked so amazing and had such a cute little figure. The flippy midi skirt and curvy shoes were giving her a retro 40's kind of vibe.

We were almost finished when I realized she was in desperate need of a bag. She was carrying this sad little light pink fabric number and it was dirty. We don't usually get very good bags in, and often the clients decline them because they have a better one than we can provide. But I went in the back to look anyway. I couldn't believe my eyes! I found out later than there had been a conference in Phoenix that had a suit drive for us and dontated some really good stuff, bags included! I was able to give her a choice of pewter, bronze, a black bag with white trim and two red bags, one moc croc and one patent. You should have seen her face when she saw the red croc bag. It was a long east-west doctor's satchel with little pockets on each end. She was in love. And I understood that bag-love completely!

It was all I could do to hold it togther as I finished her paperwork and wrapped up her complete business wardrobe. I got her hooked up with our Professional Women's Group (mentoring network that meets once a month--also free) and walked her out to her car. We had a big hug after I helped her load in all of her goodies and wished her luck. I just know she's going to knock 'em dead on Monday. Clothes can make such a differnce, but what am I telling you that for? You already know. Thanks for reading!