workplace & what-to-wear woes #2
wedding guest dresses and how to discuss a layoff in interviews
Happy Thursday! Writing this newsletter from a Revel on the way to Newark Airport. Have a full day of travel ahead—going to a wedding in the Bahamas this weekend.
If you invite me to a destination wedding, I will be there. I’ve been to weddings in New Delhi, Jordan, France…with more on the horizon. Travel is always something I’ve prioritized (and budgeted for) even early in my career. Like in 2018, when I tore my MCL two days before a trip to Bali with friends. I pushed off medical attention and limped my way through Southeast Asia. I couldn’t be stopped.
So an excuse to get dressed up and experience a new culture? I’m in.
Please enjoy the stages of getting my makeup done for a wedding in Jordan. It was a trust-the-process moment. I made a TikTok about my experience that ended up going viral.
If you’re new around here, welcome to workplace and what-to-wear woes! Every week, I’ll be diving into a work question and a fashion question—with a few other goodies thrown in too. You can find the last edition here.
Let’s get to it!
A workplace woe
Q: How do I explain being laid off in a job interview?
First of all, I’m so sorry!
If you’re concerned about how a layoff will impact your perception in a job interview, don’t.
Layoffs are very common—especially in fickle industries like tech. Recruiters and hiring managers get it. A layoff is not in any way indicative of poor performance or your value add to an organization.
When explaining your layoff, keep it short and sweet. Prepare a script about your layoff that speaks to your accomplishments. You don’t want to ramble about the situation—it will make it seem like something is amiss.
A script template to leverage:
“I was part of [company] for [#] years. In [month & year], I was unfortunately part of a layoff alongside [%] of our workforce. Prior to the layoff, I [had just been promoted / had a track record of high performance] and [list two major accomplishments in your role].”
Once you share this script, the focus shifts from your layoff to your accomplishments.
If you approach a situation with confidence, you’ll be perceived with confidence. Good luck—and I know you’ll ace your interviews!
P.S. Both of the questions I tackle in this edition were submitted via my weekly Instagram AMA. You can always DM me on IG to share your very own question!
A what-to-wear woe
Q: What do I wear to an upcoming wedding? I don’t want to spend a ton—and want to make sure it’s a dress I can rewear.
My rule about dressing for a wedding?
It’s not about you. It’s not your day. While you want to look chic and put together, wedding season is a great time for rewears. I’d much rather invest in pieces I can wear again and again (bags, shoes, coats) vs. dresses I only wear at special events.
Thus, solid-colored, versatile gowns are my go-tos for weddings.
My #1 wedding guest dress pick. I have it in blue and black, and it looks way more $$$ than $190. I took it to the tailor to get hemmed, and asked her how much she thought it cost after she complimented the fit. She said $1500!
More color options can be found here, but this site is a bit pricier ($248).
Me in the gown. I have a larger chest, and the crepe fabric holds you in (so opting for boob tape vs. a bra is the move here).
The following two dresses are from the same brand—an excellent, well-priced destination for wedding guest dresses!
The ruffle detail offers a bit of edge yet remains classic. $198.
One-shoulder gowns are a staple! $288, and comes in multiple colors.
I’ve vetted many beloved wedding guest dress brands, and many of them are cheap…and look cheap. That’s because there’s telltale finishes that reveal their low price—ruching at the back, cheap zippers, and messy seaming. This brand is at a lower price point, but the finishes are very clean. That’s why they can pass for $$$!
For more casual weddings, this dress is my go-to. It’s a Zara find from a few seasons ago, but I’m always reaching for it. I’ve worn it to summer weddings, my fiancé’s MBA graduation, a 90th birthday party…the list goes on. I’m also wearing it this weekend.
Since it’s an older piece, there are still a few sizes available on eBay. For reference, I’m wearing a size medium.
I scoured the Internet for a long-sleeve floral dress I loved just as much as this one, and came up empty. If you have a floral dress you love, please share in the comments!
The weekly grab bag
Four products, articles, and people you need to know
Packed lots of better-for-you gummies for my four days away. The ultimate late-night snack! 90 calories per bag vs. 250 calories for a mere handful. The better-for-you gummy space is *very* hit or miss. I’ve tried a ton of them, and many taste artificial or medicinal. But these two picks are excellent:
These gummies offer the perfect punch of sour. And I’m not usually a sour person. Love the flavors too (guava, plum, apricot, calamansi, and more!) And it’s a female-owned, minority-owned brand.
These are also excellent, and are the gummy flavors you know and love (orange, peach, pineapple).
Interesting piece via
about the rise of siblings going to therapy together. Great that people are leaning into those relationships, but I can hear the snark from my brother now if I ever proposed this. If you don’t already subscribe to , I highly recommend—lots of article roundups and knowledge straight to your inbox every day!This caned tote is adorable. At $35, it looks way more $$$. I have the tan color and love it, and the black colorway was just released! The perfect summer carry-all.
These glass water bottles were a recent purchase, and one I’m thrilled with. I fill them up at the beginning of every week, and they visually signal how much water I’m drinking. I know people love their Stanleys, but I never got into the craze!
In case you missed it
Why you should throw an appetizer dinner party for your friends
The app that will instantly give you $ for your unwanted clothes
A personal plug
If you need one-to-one support with your career or content strategy, reach out. Book a free, fifteen-minute discovery call here.
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Thanks so much for all the love for Talk of the Internet. Right back at ya 😊 Hope you have a great trip!