Baked Potato Blues

Don’t get me wrong. I like baked potatoes. In fact I LOVE baked potatoes. I just don’t like LOOKING like a baked potato.

At work, we are required to wear uniforms. Most airport employees are required to wear a uniform. In my little bookstore we are required to wear black on the bottom with black shoes and a khaki brown shirt. But it’s not JUST a khaki brown shirt. It’s a man’s khaki brown shirt. Get my drift? With a pocket. Ugliest uniform in the terminal. It’s embarrassing to look like that. Makes us feel less than invisible. And by the way? We are six employees. Six WOMEN.

As you can see from the stunning photos of me, it doesn’t fit. Not only does it not fit, but it’s hideously unattractive. I look like a prison matron. We are required to wear it tucked in. Not happening. I haven’t worn a shirt tucked in since I was 12, so I’ve been wearing a three-quarter sleeved black cardigan over the potato. The company issues us short sleeved and long sleeved potato shirts. I have to roll up all sets of sleeves or else the shorts sleeves are almost to my wrists and the long sleeves can sweep the floor. The problem will be in a few months when the airport reaches tropical temperatures. Then what??

Women over 40 do not wear their shirts tucked in unless it’s part of a suit or a layered look. Let’s face it…it’s just not a good look. When women get to a certain age we take extra pains to put ourselves together. To look good.  To feel good. We use moisturizer religiously. We don’t leave the house with out makeup.  We color our hair. We wear jewelry. We work hard to look good.

Retail is selling not only the product, but a little of yourself as well. I flirt with my customers. Men and women alike. I want them to know they are buying something that is so wonderful. 40 plus hours a week I put my whole being into selling books. It’s my passion. Sometimes it’s difficult to be so passionate when you look like a baked potato.

We need to look as good as we feel, but we would feel better if we looked good.

Feelin’ so homely

Don’t know what I can do

 Yeah I’m feelin’ so homely

Don’t know what I can do

Need a shirt that will fit

Got the baked potato blues…..