I go shopping for something new.

Jeans and a jacket would be great! With high heeled sexy boots and a cute tank top or shirt underneath with an interesting neckline or fun details like ruffles or spangles. Just don't go too high on the neck of the underneath shirt or you could look stuffy.

Also, a lightweight scarf in a complementary color makes everyone seem polished

Jeans (or plain trousers) and a jacket can be varied endlessly; it doesn't have to feel masculine unless you want it to be. When I want to dress up jeans and jacket, I wear a pop of color underneath, like rmless2 suggests, and a soft scarf as in a complementary or contrasting color and, ideally, a luxurious fabric. Also like rmless2 suggests. Listen to rmless2!

One way to soften the jeans-and-jacket look: I wear a pretty or chic pin on the lapel (or on the upper chest of a lapel-less jacket), or if I'm wearing a hat, I might wear my pin on the crown or brim instead. It's a quick, painless way to look polished.

Jeans and jacket pending having a good shoe available in my closet. That would have to be a tee shirt under, I'm afraid. I did think of a possible blouse with more structured pants, and I have shoes for that, but I'd be cold. I might just have to be. Unfortunately the time for buying something is passed/not in the budget.

I'm not a scarf person. Isn't it funny how we define ourselves? But I'm not. Hmm. I'm not a pin person either, but I could definately browse through my Mom's funky jewelry. All kinds of costume sets. There is a thought!

Someone told me today that they had a dream of their dead father. He never says anything, just lets her know he's watching out for her, and she woke refreshed. Either one of my dead parents show up in my dreams and I'm in for some kind of wicked ride.

Perhaps this is why I place too much of an emphasis on appearances sometimes.

yea jeans + heels and a cute top is my default go-to for this sort of thing. And even tho you're not a scarf person, maybe consider that it is a great way to keep your neck/chest warm while looking a bit more dressy / put together. I almost always use a nice Thai silk scarf gifted by a prior boss to keep the jeans/jacket/t-shirt thing from being too cold in fall/winter, and keeping me warm enough that I can avoid dealing with a heavy overcoat on shopping trips and/or any other sorts of events where my indoors:outdoors time ratio is going to be something like 50:1. yea, okay, I know, but it's a thought.

Just wear your default outfit again.
They won't care...

Yeah, ok, I know, you're looking for female advice.

I'm not a scarf person. Isn't it funny how we define ourselves?

I get that --- I'm not a barrette person, even though so many of my friends wear various kinds of hair accessories and look smashing. Over the years, I learned that I am absolutely NOT a hair-accessories person because they feel so weird to me. (Ack! There's something in my HAIR! Oh, right...)

What I really mean isn't "Wear a pin! Wear a scarf! Make it so!" but "If there's a category of little accessories you do like, that's an easy way to polish a simple outfit." What do you have and/or like to wear? A great bag? A hat? A really cool barrette or hairpin?

I'm no style maven now, but back in my posh boutique days, more than one not-a-scarf-person customer told me that I had converted them by example. Whenever a customer admired my outfit, I would point out that I was inevitably wearing a simple top, simple skirt or trousers, comfortable shoes, and a FANTASTIC scarf. Whatever your equivalent accessory is, it makes a huge difference.

have seen my default outfits already.

Wow, I totally skimmed over that. Is your default outfit one of those comfortable things that makes you feel absolutely bulletproof? Wear that! If you want to, add whatever little accessory to freshen it, but WEAR IT. You'll feel great!

Funky skirt, colored tights, and a jacket?

I am worried that you say you have no good shoes. Go buy some! Fun colorful ones! And a new camisole, and then your default outfits will be brand new again.

rmless2, you should worry, as I AM a shoe person. I have good shoes, but not for the jacket and jeans look, I don't think. I'll have to check. Don't want to teeter, as alcohol will be involved. I think I'm gonna be ok.

Just checked your aura via the astral plane. Made a couple simple tweaks. You should be good to go regardless of your sartorial choices tonight.

(You're welcome.)

danf has a point: it's hard to imagine a less-than-awesome rainbaby, whatever you're wearing.

Thanks, danf and Elsa. I'll take the tweaks as the difficulty factor just increased by one point two. It's raining.

Accessorize. I don't wear scarves either but I like how some fun jewelry can really spiff up a jeans and t-shirt outfit. Choose one piece to be the main thing (like a fun necklace with big chunky beads or a bunch of gold chains in different lengths) and then match bracelets and earrings accordingly.

Post a picture when you're ready to go!

I have exactly one scarf that I wear with exactly one sweater. I LOVE the way I look and feel with it (something to fiddle with AND camouflage the ol' fat neck!), but I can't seem to put other things together with either another scarf or another sweater. I think I'm too scared that that will become a "signature" look or something.

Which is silly, because if anything's a signature look, it's the fact that I wear a stupid-looking, ultra-plain pair of saggity jeans and sneakers to work every day. Le sigh.

Think I got this thanks to you guys. Wouldn't have done the necklace without you. Cruel tight hushpupies of awesomeness on feet.

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You look great!

Looking good, rb!

You look great! Snazzy shoes!

Well, it's great. You look cool and put together and a little funky and relaxed and just very good. Hope you're out having a blast and feeling no pain.

Mission Accomplished, looks like.

You. Look. Terrific!

Really, all you need is that great hair and a smile.