Fashion

WHAT DO YOU WEAR TO A BOOK PRESENTATION

And how May-Britt almost had a fashion nightmare

Yesterday was a day entirely dedicated to our wonderful lifestyle editor Jet. Her book (which when translated from Dutch to English is called ‘Jet’s Book’ – very clear and very concise) was released. I was already incredibly proud of her when she had sent me a WeTransfer with the PFD of her book, but being able to finally hold it and skim through the pages, is an even more elated feeling.

It kind of felt like she was going to get married is what I said to her on the phone yesterday morning. Everyone is living up to that one moment, everyone who is important in your life comes together and yes, to come to the moral of this story, everyone gets suited up in their best outfits.

Now I always want to wear something that’ll make people think that I definitely took the time to think about what I should wear, but when Jet, our Jet, my Jet, releases her very first book, then you want to do more than just look good. Especially when you happen to be the lucky one who gets to receive the first copy.

Jet asked me if I would be up for this sometime late last year so you’d think I had plenty of time to come up with what I would wear and I did. Which also resulted in quite the bit of shopping. Whatever the weather, I needed a suitable book presentation slash receive the first copy dress. And I had the week before the presentation off, so plenty of time to shop.

“I had left my razor at the beach house and I could feel the stubbles”

But then suddenly summer weather seemed to be taking over in the Netherlands and I found myself at a beach house for the week. With lots of wine and gin tonics and chips and fried fish. Without a mirror. I couldn’t even checked if I had gained any weight (have you ever seen something to weigh yourself at a beach?) and I found myself unable to sleep at night thinking there was no way I would fit into any of the dresses I had gotten.

As soon as I got home, I immediately checked to see if I was able to close all the zippers and buttons. And luckily, I was. Problem number one was checked off. But then came the shaving dilemma. I had left my razor at the beach house and I could feel the stubbles. Tights was definitely not an option since the temperature was going to be high but thank heavens for the Philips Lumea (my lifesaver) which has helped me get practically hair-less legs on my lower legs. Problem number two tackled.

And to be fair, my closet was already filled with great options of dresses to wear. A beautiful black and white dress from Claes Iverson, a pink 3D-like dress that I wore last year when I was working for Holland’s Next Top Model and a Dolce & Gabbana dress. I dumped them all in a bag in the back of my car, brought along six pairs of shoes, and together with Jet, we decided what I would wear.

“I dumped them all in a bag, brought along six pairs of shoes, and together with Jet, we decided what I would wear”

Once I arrived at the office I was swamped with things to do (because of my week getaway), I apparently had an appointment I knew nothing about, I had to send out a few business proposals and I was supposed to switch our Renault Talisman for a Renault Mégane. The latter I didn’t have to worry about, someone would take care of it for me. And so I was able to breathe again. Until I almost choked on my caffè late (which also happens to be a very bad idea) when I realized that all the clothes I needed for the evening where in the back of the Talisman. And oh my god, that car was now on it’s way to  a travel journalist who would be touring through Italy with it. With My Clothes. And Shoes. And Makeup. Oh guys, this was awful. I called my colleague Theo but ended up getting his voicemail. So I sent him a WhatsApp message, but the Wifi wasn’t working, so the message wouldn’t send. The nerves started kicking in. So I called another colleague who was with Theo. No response.

As soon as Theo showed up back at the office I barricaded him. Where my clothes were? Where the Talisman was? We had to trace it. He had to get it back for me.

“Oh May, I hung up your clothes on the rack in the hall. I took them out while I was cleaning out the car before we would exchange it for the other one.” Theo, my hero.

Alls well, ends well.