Dress codes

I live in Luxembourg, corporate Luxembourg. Everybody wears a suit - man and woman alike - except me...for very good reasons; 1) my shoulders are too wide to fit in a female jacket. A male jacket will fit nicely except for 2) my breasts are too big. So I don't wear suits. If I could, I probably would, just to fit in. As it is, I tend to swing the other way. I love clothes, I love outrageous and, as every girl, I do enjoy a dress-up. Don't need much of an occasion for that!

Yesterday was American Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Dinner. I was there, dressed in my pretty black cocktail dress and outrageously high silver heels. With pink eye-make-up, pink orchideae in my hair and pink schal...I was so there.
I was the only one....so.....there.....everybody came from work. Now this is a potentially VERY embarassing situation. I felt slightly uncomfortable until I realized that there was not much I could do about it, so I enjoyed my evening, made new friends, exchanged business-cards and was hugged by the ambassador (who probably loved my shoes...). During the dinner I actually told my fellow table-mates of how to raise pigs!!! (as opposed to turkey...national differences)

Tonight was a presentation about media in Luxembourg. I had a lovely time. The speaker is an acquaintance of mine whom I always liked. (Tonight he became my friend) After the talk some of us hung out in the bar till the wee hours, discussing whatever happened to come along. I met new people who told me their interesting stories. I was told by one young woman that I always look like a moviestar (she loves my outfits) and another woman told me I am interesting for my style and accomplished listening.

I felt honoured and humble and great! I have stopped playing games. I wear my style no matter if it fits or not. I am personal, my whole make-up - including what I do for business - is personal. And no matter what one might think of my slightly unconventional style...people remember me and that is valuable when networking.