WASP News

Almost a year ago I wrote about my early tentative  trips out, as Suzanne.

Sitting here now and reflecting over the last year has highlighted just how much has changed.  There remains one constant however…..

( I like the repeated dots, although I recently learned its bad form)

I’m still living in my  Jeans. They may be a different cut, stretchier denim and from a different supplier, but they are Jeans.

In my first few weeks back at work, in  the large and very smart headquarters of my employer, I have been wearing jeans. To render this look more corporate I have mixed it up with very smart jackets, silk scarves, blouses, and a wide variety of, what I like to think, are fabulous boots.

It is worth mentioning at this point, that my current work outfits are considerably smarter, better looked after,  and generally a vast improvement on the ensembles I was turning up in this time last year.

The challenge for me around deciding between Jeans and Skirt/Dress  is two fold. Firstly there is the body image challenge. As much as I love the skirts and dresses purchased with work in mind, I just can’t bring myself to turn up in them, once again it comes back to fear of judgement. “What if people laugh.”  Secondly, and to be honest, of no lesser significance, is the body image challenge. Eagle eyed readers will note that technically this is really only one issue. But its such a major concern for me, it really is worth mentioning twice.

The reason I have chosen to mention this today, relates to two separate conversations that happened in the office ,  around four  hours apart, yesterday…..

Sat having a coffee with a couple of female colleagues, the topic of the chat got round to my work outfits and of course my ever present  Jeans….”You really don’t need to worry !” said one of my friends. “Nobody, but nobody is going to dare to tell you what to wear.” I listened carefully as the other colleague who was nodding her head in agreement added “No, there is no way anyone is going to say anything to you. Just enjoy.” and then went on to conclude  “You could wear Jeans 5 days a week and it will be fine.”

Four hours later, and after an intense, but rewarding  meeting with my line manager I was heading back to my desk to pack up and set off on the long drive  home when I bumped into the General Manager of the Department in which I work, and another very important colleague.

We exchanged  friendly greetings, and before the conversation headed off in a different direction I was very politely asked by the General Manager,  “So when are we going to see you in a Skirt in the office. We all have to wear one, I don’t see why you are different ?”  It made me smile broadly , as I recalled the earlier chat.

It is of course a very fair sentiment.

Challenge accepted…………