I really appreciate the good, sound advice on taking things slow and the location-specific advice. I have a couple additional end-of-season tops already on order but I'm glad I don't have to worry about rushing out to buy the summer wardrobe I don't have!
I'm extremely excited and trying to hold myself back in regards to find a place, the logistics of a move, shopping, etc. I've been waiting for a job like this for several years and hope I will be very happy there-- plus, it comes with the bonus of being able to finally combine households with the SO after 4 years.
The SO is originally from southern Arizona and I think he is the one who has me freaked out about casual wear. He wears a uniform to work and runs hot and is the guy that wears shorts and sandals year-around down there. I, on the other hand, wear the same pair of shorts every weekend once it hits the 80+ mark and wear the leather thongs on my weekends most of the summer but otherwise am content to wear my jeans and switch from layers to short sleeves. He has been teasing me about what I'm going to do in the heat.
I think I will be fine for work. I might replace my navy cardi, since I know it will be chilly in the office itself. Possibly a pair of cropped pants.
Casually, a sporty skirt or a dress and a pair of supportive sandals might be worth purchasing.
Angie-- you've put my mind at ease!
Anna-- good point, I miss Claire.
SWAnn-- thanks for the advice. Luckily I'm coming from a really casual area of the country and it sounds like my new workplace will be the same-- my "new boss" laughed when I asked if there was a dress code! Still, I know there is a different style down there-- good advice.
Bonnie-- good advice.
Marianna-- thanks for stopping by, I remember you living in AZ for awhile-- good advice as well, although the SO insists that Tucson and the area he wants to move to just outside the city is considerably cooler than Phoenix- thank god!
Rambling Ann-- cowgirl, eh? Luckily I won't have to pretend-- I grew up on a cattle ranch. I'm so glad to hear that there are Aspens in the Catalinas-- it is one of the things I will miss the most about home.
Aliona-- thank you for the sincere compliments, they mean a lot. It has taken me some time, but I feel like I'm finally growing into my skin, style-wise. YLF is wonderful for that.
Suz-- thank you! I agree, I might want real sandals, esp. since I CAN wear them to work. I love Denise's looks, but I think she and I have opposite foot types.
Maneera-- really good suggestions. I may end up buying a skirt or dress for casual wear, and I think sandals are in order. Luckily, I have two pairs of old lightweight cotton cargo shorts in a now unfashionably long length that I can wear around the house and on trips to the home depot and grocery store and such as we try to get a place set up.
E-- thanks for stopping by. You made a most excellent point! I love my madewell shirt for just the things you describe and I will have to remember that, esp. for next summer.
Lucy-- really glad you added your experience. I don't think that this is going to be a problem, having visited the place I will be working and having worked with some of the employees before but it is a really really good thing to remember because I would be SO irritated with myself. I think it is probably smart to wait, although my inclination is to shop while the end of season sales are on. I'm so used to living somewhere where you can't buy flip flops (not even for the gym shower) in the winter. And good point about washability--- I am a bit worried about that factor since I'm a sweaty betty and often have to wash clothes after one wear in the summer. Luckily, I only own one DCO item--- wool pants that probably won't get much wear in Tucson.
