Clarice & Illyana | Wardrobe Shopping

[xp_magik]

(backdated) After agreeing to work with Warren, Illyana needs a shopping trip for proper clothes. Luckily, Clarice is just the woman to guide and indulge her slightly more ridiculous wants.


Illyana's mental commentary as she got ready for her shopping trip with Clarice went something like this:

'Outfit must be easy to get in and out of for try on, good undergarments, less scruffy but comfortable shoes. Cannot just wear many layers, will look unkempt in summer weather. Some stores are too hot or cold. Dress is easy, short leggings, slip-on shoes? Yes. Good plan, self. No makeup, hair in low ponytail, hard to mess up with shirt going on and off.'

Finally ready, she headed up the stairs and tapped politely on Clarice's door, mentally steeling herself for a foray into a world where her wardrobe wasn't simply scraped together from whatever she could find or was gifted.

If Clarice had known what Illyana was thinking, she would have advised for shorts and a button up shirt or easy tank top. Nothing fancy. They would be judged at the shops they were going to anyways, but she had at least called ahead and booked them a personal shopper. Normally, Clarice would have done the shopping herself, but she doubted Illyana's patience and shopping tolerance.

Opening her door when Illyana knocked, she was clad in her own easy-to-shop outfit, a pair of boucle trouser cut shorts and matching blazer with a cute crop top underneath. Instead of wearing the required heels with it though, she wore a pair of simple platform slides. They were almost the same height when she wore them. "Hey! Ready?" she asked, grabbing her crossbody purse.

"As ready as I can be? Am not used to doing much shopping. Last time was necessity, buying boots and warm coat. Do not remember ever shopping for more than practical." Illyana gave her a small shrug. "No budget is also... well. There is budget, but budget is outside comprehension, yes?"

"You don't worry about cost. I'll veto anything prohibitive if the quality isn't there with it," Clarice reassured, "I'm thinking a lot of wardrobe staples, pieces you can mix and match that don't go out of style. And a few pieces you love to make it unique."

"I like that. Warren said could look as homeless as liked, as long as designer label, but I am thinking levels? Start fairly proper, save outlandish for once I know lay of land, who deserves pissing off, yes? Was told to dress like I gave zero fucks, decided to dress like I gave one fuck instead. Showed up to interview in one of Pyotr's dress shirts, pair of leggings. Was very effective on weak security."

Laughing, Clarice opened a portal, "That's exactly right," she agreed, "but we gotta get you some fuck-you heels. Because everyone looks better in heels and you would look absolutely merciless. And that's a good look for you." Illyana had the temperament and European aesthetic that said that she had 0 fucks no matter how many fucks she actually had.

On the other side of the portal, they emerged in an out of the way area by a high end department store, before using the doors to enter and head to the personal shopper offices.

"Maybe boot with heel? Little chunky, better stability. Save tall spiky for limited walking. This store has so much." Illyana followed Clarice, a little wide-eyed as she took in the absolute excess crammed into the corners of the store. A pass by the perfume counter had her wrinkling her nose, turning it into the sleeve covering her elbow as she sneezed. "I think skip that area, is too much. Maybe find subtle scent elsewhere, nothing that will overpower noses. Just leave hints."

"Hey you some 'apple bottom jeans and some boots with the fur,'" Clarice joked, not expecting Illyana to get it. "We'll do shoes last, because we can get everything altered on site, and we need shoes for that.

Leading Illyana up the escalator to the offices, they were met by a professional looking older lady that was immaculately put together. "You must be Clarice and....Ill-yana? Am I saying that correctly? I've got a dressing room already set up and some pieces pulled, but tell me what you're thinking?"

"Illyana, yes. May call 'Yana if easier." It came out sounding almost like "Ana." She thought for a moment. "Boss is not conventional, am allowed to wear almost anything as long as presenting correct image for guests. Need range from more casual to..." she turned to Clarice. "What is polite word for stuffy boardroom? I forget. Also pieces that mix and match. Like pretty blouse with jeans, casual top with skirt and blazer."

"Business attire and business casual," Clarice answered.

"Wonderful. I'm Hazel. Would ladies like something to drink?"

She definitely worked on commission, Clarice thought, requesting Arnold Palmer's for them both. Fancy enough, but not alcoholic. It wasn't quite that sort of place.

Soon enough, Illyana was ensconced in a dressing room with a slew of outfits as Clarice sat in an overly plush chair, giving opinions.

"I want this." Illyana stepped out in a cute dress with bright florals, giving a twirl in front of Clarice and the mirrors. "Need good shoes to go with. Did not think I would like, but comfortable, do not think it looks bad. Does not make me look like child. Although..." her lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Maybe some dresses that make me look very young. Play up dumb girl just off farm, does not know evils of American man yet. Then give the terror."

"I mean, you're working for Warren, that should indicate you're not what you seem," Clarice pointed out, but Illyana was correct. People were dumb. "Definitely that dress. And those wide legged trousers with that Caroline Herrera blouse, though definitely tailor the pants to go with a chunky heel."

"Yes, like that idea. Humans are very blind. See pretty woman in office of man known for sex, obviously she is idiot kept for easy sex. Dress up, down, get different reaction." She ran her fingers over a vivid blue wool moto style jacket. "Know it is still summer, but like style of this coat."

"It'll be fall soon enough," Clarice pointed out. Sure, Illyana could simply use her portals to go wherever making jackets superfluous, just like she could, but that was boring and also, fashion. Jackets were awesome. "And you need clothes for more than just one season."

"This is true." She added it to the pile of yes clothing, then disappeared back into the dressing room.

A few hours later, her willingness to try on new things was flagging. "Is it time for shoes yet? Am tired of dress, undress, dress again. Can do again in few months, maybe."

"Hmmm.... we have undergarments, pants, shirts, dresses.... sure, shoes!" Clarice supervised. Hazel was in charge of separating and packaging everything they could take today and the tailor was off to the side already making notes on the different tickets for things they'd have to pick up later.

Once they were ready, Hazel led them downstairs to the shoe department, where once again a selection had already been pulled in Illyana's size smh Clarice wandered off to go find more options.

Illyana was immediately drawn to a gleaming pair of black patent leather heels with a bright red sole. "Clarice. I need these." She slipped on the thin hosiery she'd wear with a shoe like that and quickly had them strapped around her ankles, smiling proudly when she didn't wobble as she stood. "So tall." She walked across the carpet a few times, adjusting her normal slouching shuffle for something with intent, chin high and eyes forward as she figured out the best stride for moving comfortably.

"Of course," there was absolutely no doubt that they were practically made for Illyana. She had that perfect combination of Eastern European that made those shoes look deadly on her feet. "But get something practical too, for when your feet hurt and you're sitting a lot," Clarice wore crocs at work. She wasn't proud of that, but that were excellent shoes for medical professionals.

"Have some flats and low-heel boots with Hazel, they will work. Also loafer? Not prettiest, but will be nice for day with much walking. Am told more professional than tennis shoe, although new ones also in pile. Very bright, will wear them and put feet on desk. Have tried on, fit is correct with good sock."

Ew, loafers. Like yes, they were a solid fashion choice depending on your style and the like, but they weren't Clarice's style. They always seemed classic on men, but very... specific on women. Possibly because there was so much variety in women's fashion. More choices. "You've got a solid start to your shoe game then. I recommend getting at least one pair that you love regardless of whether you have an outfit for them. You'll find that you'll have lots of outfits if they make you feel good."

"Wait, how are these? Look similar to loafer, but sparkle." Illyana had found the section dedicated to Betsey Johnson, and was holding up a chunk black shoe with glitter and colored stones in the shape of small flowers in one hand, and dangling a black sandal with an enormous velvet rose in the other. "Think I like this designer, is full of ridiculous things."

"Always pick sparkle," Clarice agreed, "And I love chunky shoes. Big ones. That is Betsey Johnson, I have loved her stuff for years. It's so ridiculous and fun."

"Chunky shoes I can walk in, also this bag that is giant gummy bear shape. Excellent. Now food?"

Illyana was going to be a fashion menace. Clarice loved it. "Now food," she agreed. "Anywhere in particular? We have the world at our fingers. Except North Korea."

"Do not eat meat much," she replied. "Am willing to try new things, but must have good vegetable and bread option. Meat minced with vegetable also fine, like in dumpling. Seafood fine too."

Thinking for a moment, Clarice grinned, "It's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?" she joked. It was relatively early for dinner where they were, but they could easily have a late lunch on the west coast. "How about we get ceviche in Peru? It's considered a cultural delicacy there, even though it's made all up and down the Pacific coast."

"I am willing to try this, yes. Drop bags, go to Peru. Good plan."