WIW: First Dress for Success Challenge

Dress for Success volunteer orientation is today at noon - and yikes, I've already been thrown a style curve ball!

The DFS website warns that there is NO reasonably-priced parking in the area, and they advise to take public transport to their office location. However, if I took public transport all the way there, it would take a solid 2 hours each way. So I'll be driving part way, walking, and taking a bus. In 95 degree weather - no guarantee of a shaded bus stop, no guarantee of an air conditioned bus, and no guarantee I won't get lost and wander the streets on foot for a time. Plus? As you know, all my work clothes are designed to keep me warm in the Arctic Office of Perennial Autumn.

I really had to work to get this outfit together:

black knit midi - for ease of movement and to disguise possible butt sweat
loose silk woven top - to promote airflow
walking boots - to wear from car to bus
blazer - to pop on indoors
pumps - also to pop on indoors

Whew, that outfit was work in itself! I hope it is up to snuff, and I hope I won't have to fight the weather as hard for long!

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11 years ago

TylerAnne

Active Member

You look gorgeous and put together, as usual. Also, cracking up about the "disguise possible butt sweat" comment.

Veteran

But you were so up to the challenge! Gorgeous.

Transcona Shannon

Well your hard work paid off Rae - this outfit is perfection! Totally figure flattering, great soft blouse and that fantastic pop of colour with the jacket. But even if it's hot and the jacket has to come off, the outfit looks fab without it as well.

Suz

(website)

Good luck, Rae! You look gorgeous. And your clients will be so fortunate to work with you.

Love that top!! Good thinking on the loose, airlow design. Carry the jacket with you and don it at the last minute. The blue is a fabulous burst of color against the neutrals. Lookin' goood!

Kari

Rae, that outfit is amazing. I love the cobalt blazer! You were smart to layer up as you'll be walking part of the way.

That's too bad that transportation is inconvenient. Travel safely! I hope that you have lots of fun and can't wait to hear how it goes.

rae

Thanks, ladies, I feel much more confident knowing I don't look all slopped together! I was really worried when I read the parking situation... I haven't taken the bus in about 7 years, because there isn't much that connects the West Side to other areas in any kind of timely manner.

catgirl

You look fantabulous, and I love the way you're thinking of this outfit as if you're wearing gear on an expedition.

MsMary

Rae, you look super awesome! So happy to see that blue blazer in action!!

And where did you find DFS in Los Angeles?

texstyle

Love that pop of blue - you look amazing and you'll be amazing at DFS!

jayne

Gorgeous, how did your first day go?

Jonesy

Wow, you look fab, and what a sartorial challenge! You kicked butt on the challenge :). Can't wait to hear how your day went.

Just left orientation, and it was great! Bus has a/c and is easy to get to. The DFS staff are very personable and organized and told us more about their partners and clients. I was very interested to hear that the avg donor is a 4-6 while the avg client wears 12-14. Makes me want to snap up all the plus size clothes at the flea market! My next step is to shadow a personal shopper... Very excited!! Maryk, the LA office is on hollywood and vine.

Diana

You look great! Welcome to the land of carless commuting. =P It can be a challenge to balance the necessary practicality with stylishness sometimes, especially in rotten weather, but I think you rose to the challenge admirably and I'm sure you impressed everyone at DFS with your fab style!

Debbie

Love your outfit and it sounds like you had a great orientation.

san

You did a good job. You look awesome and ready for the weather and the trip. You will be great at DFS.

kimlee

Rae - Your outfit looks fantastic and it seems it was quite functional for your day. That's always a win!

Inge

Moderator

You passed with flying colours. Good luck today and I'm holding thumbs that the trip to DFS won't be too difficult.

Ariadne

Great outfit, and glad to hear the orientation was good! I'm taking notes because if all goes well, we will be DFS newbie volunteer twins--I'm going to a volunteer orientation on the 29th and was wondering what to wear. I hope they will take me as a volunteer even though I'm not working at the moment (SAHM/freelancer). My sister's been working with them for years and loves it.

I almost forgot! The reason my trip went so smoothly was that a very, very nice man saw me squinting at the route map and helped me find my bus's stop (the internet said it would be on the corner, but it was actually a little way up the street). He even ran back over afterward and let me know of an alternate route to take in case I missed my bus, which only comes every 1/2 hour. Sir, wherever you are, I thank you times infinity! I hope you get some amazing commuter karma.

Una, I missed your comment when reading on my phone - it really did feel like an expedition!

Diana, I felt so URBAN walking on sidewalks, through the big Metro hub, waiting for the bus... kinda fun. I did choose a route that went through Korea Town purposefully, though, because I feel safer there than in other parts of the city.

Ariadne, during my presentation, they said they love SAHMs and retirees, because they tend to stay much longer - I think you're good. I was also worried that they wouldn't take me, but it seemed to be a non-issue.

Anonymous

Woo-hoo! Congratulations on your first day and you did such a good job with your outfit! I can't believe they don't give you a parking voucher or something. Well at any rate, you've just experienced what most of the clients have to go through to get to DFS and how many travel to and from their interviews. Often they have to pack pumps and a blazer in their tote. I think it would have been fine to wear your boots their though, what do you think now that you've been down there?

I'm so happy/proud/glad for you! Yay Rae!

JulieJohn

Great job and you look smashing both ways. Congratulations!

rachylou

Works for me! That WAS a challenge.

fern

Well, your constraints led to a fantastic outfit. And congrats on your first DFS outing!

Freckles

You looked like perfection itself Rae. So glad that your commute was pleasant. the orientation itself was good and that karma shone around you. You have so much to offer here, it seems a match made in heaven.

Echo

You look great, and I am so glad the commute worked out. You will definitely be an asset to their organization.

I looked up DFS in my area, and I am saddened that there are NO affiliates in my state. : ( I'd love to vounteer to help at one, but I have neither the time nor the organizational skills to start one myself!

lyn67

Congrats and you look ever so proffesionnal, no matter what!:-))

Deborah

Rae you look fabulous and I am so excited you are doing this. they have no idea how much you will be able to add

Mona

i dont know what DFS is but you look absolutely gorgeous. Cobalt blazer and pumps take this outfit to a whole new level.

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