I was a bit amused -- and somewhat disconcerted -- to realize recently that I'm starting to show the signs of hanging out with nearly only guys at work. These guys are all really good pals whom I've known now for anywhere from two to five-plus years (one of them was my office mate for four years), and are all about my age and married. It's not as if there are a ton of ladies on my team to begin with, but for some reason, though said ladies and I are friendly around the halls, we don't actually spend much social time during the work day (i.e., going to lunch together). Of my three closest guy pals at work, only one of them and I hang out occasionally outside the office, and that's often with his awesome wife too (hey, Dr. Pistachio!). You'd think that it'd be a wealth of knowledge being imparted to me, the single girl, on a daily basis by these guys, but though they always gamely listen to my whines or ravings about this guy or that guy, they're sort of lacking in the advice department. When I was heading to an event one night where a guy I was kinda interested in would be there, E said "Don't dress like a tramp." D's advice in general to me was, "Dress sluttier." I've also been advised to randomly sit in Anti-Bac Boy's lap (which made me think of your constant advice, Julie!!), go up to him and take off my shirt, and all other manner of eye-roll-inducing suggestions. I really should write these nuggets down as the guys hand them out!
Getting to my earlier point, though, I've realized that I've started using the word "dude" a lot, and dressing even more casually. My standard uniform these days is a T-shirt, zip-up hoodie, blue jeans and Converse sneakers. Of course, bear in mind here that my entire work day is spent mostly at my desk, working on my computer. Plus, I take the bus, and walk to and from the bus stop. So it's not really logical to wear anything with heels or even anything dressy. I'm always a little cold around the office, so I need some layers, and pretty much all Microsoftees dress just as casually as I do. However, after my little revelation, I'm trying to make more of an effort to dress a little more flatteringly (if that's a word) once or twice a week. That may mean wearing flats and a nice shirt instead of Chuck Taylor's and a tee, or longer jeans with low-ish heeled, comfortable boots. One just never knows whom one might run into 'round the halls ... I actually got hit on (in my opinion) by a random cute guy in the elevator earlier this week! I was hoping it was a sign that my luck in the love department was finally turning the tide, but life is quickly beating me back to reality. Argh. (That's another whole post's-worth rant about that other certain situation, which I promised to write less about. Those in the know....you know.)
This whole sock thing came into my mind because yesterday, I wore some high-top Converse boots with knee-high socks, and then realized once I got to the gym and started changing that I'd forgotten to pack gym socks -- oops! I was tempted to make a fashion statement and wear my knee-highs anyway (see picture, which I took after I got home; and yes, I don't really have any calf muscles!!), but in the end, I just went commando. That set up wasn't very comfortable right off, and was even less comfortable 15 minutes into my 40-minute turn on the elliptical, but I usually wear "no-show" socks to the gym, so I at least didn't feel self-conscious about being obviously sock-less.