Six years in the Navy (denim uniforms), five years of graduate school in math (so I understand the geek school reference), and then twenty, count ‘em, twenty years as a college professor. When you’re in math, that means that it’s a point of pride to dress like you’re homeless. I had a six year string of hiking shorts and T-shirts during that time. I found myself fifty years old, in a corporate job (finally, $$) with no idea on how to dress (and how to spend that $$). But after a year of watching people and studying blogs like this, I have actually been getting some compliments from my coworkers. So it’s possible.

I do agree that it takes some confidence to let yourself come through, though. The posts about how the off the rack outfits go over speak to that.

I’m the poster “jamie” over at The Thoughtful Dresser. (I suppose I should get my TypePad and Blogger IDs coordinated.) I’m an engineer by trade, and like others of my tribe, have the innate fashion sense God gave a goat. Combine a private high school (when you wear uniforms, you don’t have to worry about dressing yourself), geek college (T-shirt and jeans were the New Uniform) and many years of graduate school (What real job?) and you have a twenty-seven-year old woman who has no idea how to apply foundation, can’t walk in heels, and doesn’t understand that turtlenecks turn short-waisted, large-chested women into giant torso-boobs.

In the past four years, a helping of self-awareness, advice from friends and online sources like the Manolo and his new blogs (this one included) have raised my consciousness about how I dress. I still don’t fully have it ironed out (I can ramble at length at the challenges I have calibrating my work wardrobe as a female engineer) but I’m learning how to dress in ways that flatter me and suit my personal style.

I still can’t walk in heels, but now it’s because I’ve made a personal decision that anything higher than 2″ just isn’t me, rather than because sneakers and jeans are the easy default option.