"I'm the lady sippin' Bailey's while I strut like a model... If the girls wanna hate me I just send 'em a bottle"

Okay, so I'm not ghetto fabulous like Beyonce, but I did do some serious shopping yesterday. I'm on a quest for tops for work. My wardrobe is decent. It didn't jump off the pages of In Style, but I'm generally a fashion forward individual. In Prague there were more days when I dressed down than I dressed up. So I could get away with a modest professional wardrobe and never really get sick of my clothes.

It's been 3 weeks at the new job and I'm just dying for some new stuff. I work in a professional place, but I'm not a manager and I'm not 40 years old. I need to look polished, but at the same time want to look my age. This makes shopping a challenge. Hip and professional on a coordinators salary means I have to focus all my shopping superpowers for a retail battle.

I'm also tall. And I have curves (that's a lady-like way of saying that I'm packing heat on top and behind). Beyond the Herculean challenge that is finding clothes with long enough pant legs and arm lengths, I'm also fighting the assumption that all tall girls are sticks. Statuesque, I am, willowy, I'm not. There was a point last night when I'd tried on my 5th shirt that fit everywhere except the most obvious place when I had to wonder if it is indeed possible to wear a button up shirt and not look like a tramp. This also makes shopping a challenge. Button up shirts are so versatile and add a touch of crispness to your day. Am I not allowed to be crisp? Huh?

So I went out last night on a quest for tops. And what did I come back with? Two pairs of pants (which are just perfect I have to say), tights and make-up. I tried on top after top, scoured the store and came up with nothing. Boo-urns I say to that. I looked in the low end stuff, I looked in the high end stuff and seemed to to be trapped between the option of dressing like I'm in a music video or dressing like somebody's mother.

What is it with career wear anyway? All sweaters are turtlenecks now? All button up tops have to be made of cheap shiny fabric that makes me look like a cougar in training? Totally disheartening. I'm walking into stores, more than willing to hand over my money, boost the economy and give someone a healthy commission, but they have nothing for me. I'm standing right here. A market just begging to be tapped. Make shirts that fit me and I will be so loyal to you. I will seek out other women like me and send them your way. I'm a good customer and worthy of your goods. Please help me. If you don't I will have to go through life top-less.

But I will not be discouraged. I will prevail. I will triumph over dowdy clothes and remain tasteful without completely plunging myself into credit card debt (I work about a block from a very, very, very well equipped mall and shopping area). It can and will be done and I will do it. Excelsior!

Today's sing-a-long song: "Dress You Up" By Madonna.

HRH