Looking for Formal Clothes for a meeting, need help ASAP

[Guest ENPAndrogyne]

Hi, I need some help. Good news is that I think I'm getting my dream job, I spoke to some nice people on the phone. The bad news is that they never meet me or seen me in person before (I do animation, I sent them (a company) a tape and it's possible that they might like it). Though my worry isn't that they would reject me if I'm androgynous because androgyny plays a big part in my art, my worry is that well, let me breifly introduce myself...

I am a queer heterosexual (there's a wiki article), I might think of myself as a male lesbian I'm not sure yet. Though I do identify mostly being androgyne. But lately I've been more liking my feminine side. I don't mind my male body, I just need to lose weight at the gym more to get skinny.

Basicly put it, I want to look more like Andrej Pejic but with a more 80s curl to my hair (when I grow it longer, it's at medium legnth now)

So far I dyed my hair blonde and loving it, I've been going out my door wearing make up and never questioned about it yet, so that's going all well and good for me.

But here's my problem. I don't have much of a wardrobe that fits to how I feel, androgynous / feminine. All I have is a pirate style shirt that's turquise which I love. Unfortatly I'm kind of in a rough spot in terms of money so I'm worried that I will be asked to dress formal or well dressed, blah blah blah. But I don't want to wear a suit and tye and get a buzzcut and conform. You know what I mean?

I want to get a woman's business suit but they are so pricy. I tried to look at the Salvation Army but nothing was there nor anything that could fit me. I'm a 2X and like I said, I work out at the gym every single day.

The only thing I can think if is my pirate shirt. I did buy a suit set at Salvation Army that actually fits me or close to it. But it looks way too masculine, I tried to wear my pirate shirt underneigh it like a Dress shirt but it just looks kind of messy.

I've been told before that either I conform to formal dress and get a job, or be androgynously happy and not have one. Bull, I feel that I have the stregnth to accomplish everything I want in life at the same time 100% freedom to be myself.

Sorry about the rambling, but I need to figure out what to wear that is formal ladies that could fit for a 2X male body that's slightly androgynous like hips, etc.That's under $50.

I've seen some nice tops for $62.00 at Koels but again, it's kind of expensive.

Any advice?

I was thinking of making my own clothes somehow, I know how to sew my hand a little bit but that's it.

[Guest Roux]

FYI, I went to the Kohl's in Seekonk, MA on Sunday, and everything is on sale right now--I bought a ton of work clothes for 30% to 50% off. I doubt the sale is over yet.

JCPenney might be another good choice; they have women's work clothes for a decent price, though a pants/blazer set will probably cost you closer to $60 or $65 than $50. Shirts are less expensive than at Kohl's, too.

Can't speak to the sizing, though; I think I've kind of got the opposite of you going on in the body department.

Good luck! =)

[Guest]

Just as a shot in the dark. In my area we have many thrift stores that are sponsored by churches. They usually have way more dressy stuff that casual stuff. The prices are right in line with Goodwill and Savers, if they are in your area too. Bell's Outlet is nation wide I think too. You might check there. I have found the coolest dress clothes at yard sales too. If one of the ladies standing outside is about your size wheel in, it may save you a lot of digging. Don't be afraid to ask questions about anything.

Sorry Hun, but the pirate shirt needs to hang in the closet for this gig. Also ask other women if they can help. We swap clothes and borrow stuff all the time. Keep it nice and return it clean.

Hug. Jody

[Michelle 2010]

I agree with Jody... You're just shopping the wrong thrifts. 80% of my wardrobe is female and half of it is androgenous pullovers, button downs etc. A close eye can tell the difference but most don't notice. Less masculine but not overtly femme. Shop the thrifts in the swankier parts of town or go to a city with a higher property value and make a day of fun. I pay $4.00 each for nice things, maybe 6.99 for Chico's or Talberts. Enjoy the hunt! Thats what women do

Hugs

Michelle

[Guest Annabelle Anders]

Maybe you should ask yourself purely as a woman, what you'd wear, and then work your way back to the center line.

Good luck! Hope you get the job!

[Guest ENPAndrogyne]

It's kind of rough because I mostly invest my money on my hopes and dreams and I get so little every month. I personally love my pirate shirt, I got a teal one. I want to wear turquise jewllery clip ons because I don't want to get my ears pearced. I did buy a suit, yellowish tan, but when I wore it...It looked too masculine looking, I tried to return it to the salvation army and they wouldn't take it. Rats. I'm thinking of altering it but don't know how to do it, I never worked a sowing machine before nor do I have enough for one right now. lol Hopefully when my interview or meeting thing comes up, I hope there not going to be too judgmental and picky.

[Guest Chrysee]

Ummm, you're an animator, which would tell me that you're an artist (or at the very least artistic.) Therefore, I don't believe that you'd roll into a business meeting dressed like 'The Devil Wore Prada'. Don't be afraid to give 'em some flare, Sweetie.

And by the way, there's certainly a bit of Rhode Island on this thread. I've lived in Portland, Oregon for the past 30 years, but was born and raised in Newport, R.I.

So Hi!