What to Wear (to #BlogHer12) Without Looking Like A “Good Time Charlie!”

Wife of a Dairyman and Yours Truly (An Authentic Life!) California Raisin Party BlogHer11

It’s getting to be that time again. The time of year when bloggers from every corner of the globe converge in one location for a few days of brainstorming, boogieing, and of course, building fodder for blogs!

This is also the time when bloggers are offering advice on what to wear and what NOT to wear to the upcoming God-Mother of all events – BlogHer12.

All of this banter makes me smile. Not because the advice in unheeded, but because none of these bloggers have the distinct pleasure of living with Sexy Hubby – my own personal “mirror of reason.”

Back Story:

Recently rehired by my former company, I went to Sonoma, California for a round of brainstorming and planning sessions. I was meeting with three former colleagues, my manager, the owner of the company  and a few other high-rollers.

In a word – I was a wreck.

I wanted to make the “right” first (for a few – second – since they haven’t seen me in 7 years) impression. Also, it should be noted, we are in the magnet business (www.DowlingMagnets.com) , not running Wall Street. And the kicker, the meetings are in the heart of quaint wine-country where you’d be hard-pressed to find a suit in the entire county.

I wanted to look appropriate without appearing that I was “trying too hard.” My professional wardrobe had certainly fallen into “relaxed” mode especially after living in Big Sky Country for the better part of a decade. I spent days pouring over my current wardrobe, trying to find pieces I already own that would work if paired with a single new, updated piece.

It was torturous.

I spent some time at the mall earlier in the week, and thought I had nailed the “professional” image without looking like an overzealous insurance salesman or stuffy banker.

Then, I made the vile mistake of asking Sexy Hubby what he thought.

I paraded out to show him the first ensemble – a short-sleeved jacket with long shorts, and a splashy top. He looked up at me and said, “Well, it’s fine if you want to look like “Good Time Charlie” but it’s not professional.”

Good time Charlie?

I’m not exactly sure what that meant, but I was certain of one thing. Every stitch of clothing on my person went directly back into the shopping bag and was prompted returned. {It was compounded by the fact Sexy Hubby said, “That shirt looks like something Dannon would wear.” Dannon is his mother’s best friend and is currently in her 80′s. She’s a darling woman, but I don’t want to dress like her.}

So, while everyone I knew (and likely all of you) were out enjoying our nation’s birthday, I was back and forth to the mall, purchasing, coming home and trying on all the new pieces mixed with my own pieces, and returning everything that didn’t work. It was a “back to the drawing board” day – all day.

The long and short of trying to find the perfect professional wardrobe is this, in the end, it worked out perfectly. If anything, my wardrobe selections leaned towards being “over-dressed,” if only slightly. Yet, of the pieces I did purchase, much of it I didn’t wear. It’s the same old story, I ended up wearing one pair of pants three times with various tops/sweaters/jackets. In essence, I wore what was comfortable and what I felt good in.

When I returned home from the week of brainstorming meetings, I promptly returned the rest of the stuff I didn’t wear.

What to Wear to BlogHer12?

Since I’ve been through the hell of organizing a professional wardrobe only a few weeks ago, my advice is simple:

1. Stick to styles that compliment your body type.
2. Select clothes that you are comfortable in – most likely, they are the ones you already own!
3. Choose ensembles that don’t make you look like you’re trying too hard, like you’re about to enter the Miss America pageant (I read this in a blog recently and cracked-up!) and lastly – and most importantly – do not choose items that make you look like a “Good Time Charlie!”