A few months ago I made a very low-key commitment to come up to campus of my seminary and be a panelist on a series about the future of great preaching in America. I figured this was a chill thing, just some students and the preachers they’d invite, I’d work up a few brief comments, then go home and attend my board meeting and fly to Florida Wednesday morning.
Well!
Imagine my surprise when I received in the mail at church a large, glossy poster and brochure for the event, noting William Willimon as the preacher for the week preceding my appearance, with two celebrity panelists and a Real Life and much-admired professor (not just an adjunct). Uh-Oh! This is not chill at all — it’s a Big Thing.
Now, a low-key e-mail invitation to participate in an event is one thing, but when they get out the GLOSSY POSTERS with your name on it, it’s time to put some serious thought into your outfit. I have a lot of thoughts ready-at-hand about the future of preaching in America, so organizing them was no problem. I’m not really expected to say much in the first place. But WHAT TO WEAR? Especially knowing that the celebrity panelist of last week is a fabulous 6′ tall glamazon whom I’m sure was outfitted in something elegant and totally right, because she is FABULOUS and also a local television personality.
I figure the men will be in sports jackets. I would like to wear a sweater, blouse and skirt (and may do that), but I want to be sure to project my respect for the art of preaching, for the preacher and other panelists and attendees, and for the event itself. That may require a more structured look, blazer, heels, Serious Bag.
Not that you need to offer me advice, but this is just to share with you that PeaceBang believes that the honor of any invitation is worth dressing carefully for, and that in cases like this, it is far better to over-dress than to under-dress. I won’t be in an evening gown or anything, but I want to visually communicate my profound respect for the preaching ministry.
Comfortably sitting on a panel may be a bit of a problem. I seem to have actually pulled or strained a muscle in my posterior region. We’re not talking lower back, we’re not even talking glutes. We’re talking my actual bottom. Much to his credit, the trainer at the health club didn’t bust out laughing when I said, “I’m really embarrassed to ask this, but is it possible that I strained or pulled a muscle right here way down on my butt?” (me pointing south) He said that yes, it is, and I shouldn’t be embarrassed. I’m sitting on a heating pad right now, kids. My life is incredibly dignified.
[Update on Jan. 13: Someone gave me a claw shaped vibrating neck massager last Christmas which I haven’t used much, but it worked wonders on my literal pain in the … posterior. I leaned against it in bed for about 20 minutes last night and when I got up the next morning, I could actually get up! I only have the merest twinges now. Genius! – PB]
Hey PB!
A word to the wise… If the “panel” you will be sitting on is sitting behind a table, there is a good chance that the audience will be looking right at your knees (and anything in between them). This is an even bigger problem if the table is on a stage. Picture it.
So a well-cut trouser is a better bet than a skirt. And avoid suit jackets — they bunch up when you sit down and make your shoulders look funny. If you DO go with a jacket, remember to pull it down snuggly and SIT on the back of it!
Good luck!
PL
[You’re so cute. Like I didn’t know all that. HONEY, THAT’S WHY YOU ALL PAY ME THE BIG, NON-EXISTENT BUCKS, didn’tchya know that? Kisses, PB]
When I read ParsLife’s comment I started feeling weird, like I was reading a conversation between PB and … PB.
I’m sure you’ll figure out a perfectly suitable outfit for the event, but wanted to say that yes, I have had the butt cramp-or-whatever before, and it is really annoying, but it always goes away after a day or so. If you have access to a hot tub ….
Next time I get mad, I’m going to say, “Oooh, that really cramps my butt!”
I hope your muscle soreness subsides quickly and that you can post a photo of what you decide to wear for the panel.
Well, PB fans, she doesn’t need our advice, but I find myself quite emotionally attached to this panel outfit decision. I say, Let’s vote. Here’s my vote: a monochromatic suit with trousers, instead of a skirt. (Much easier to keep track of one’s jacket than the below-table view.) A non-overwhelming but pretty scarf to add interest. Anyone else care to weigh in?
Cheekily,
I’m partial to skirts myself, Rev. Gidget (likely because I’m “hippy”) – couldn’t she wear something that’s knee length? Like one of those pleated skirts I can’t get away with? Wait, pleated skirts are probably way, way out. Nevermind!
Terrific congratulations on the high-profile gig!
I vote with Rev. Gidget, and REALLY agree with PB that an invitation implies some responsibility to attend to the ways in which our attire communicates our evaluation of the event.
You go girls!
Dawn+
I bet I can guess which local TV glamazon you are referring – and she is always fabulous. Definitely worth a wardrobe review and bringing one’s best to the panel.
Enjoy.