Outfit of the Week | Clockwatchers (1997, dir. by Jill Sprecher)
hi? hello? is this Office Space? okay, yeah, SIR, we’re going to need to ask you to move your car. it’s blocking a highly superior deadbeat workplace comedy from being able to back out of her driveway and proceed into the limelight.
this week’s all about the indie sleeper, Clockwatchers. i’m late to the game on this one, only seeing it for the first time a couple months ago. i came across it on the Criterion Channel and was absolutely shook upon realizing it had both Parker Posey and Toni Collette in it - how in the ACTUAL F had i not even heard of this perfectly cast movie?? it’s incredible - go watch immediately.
Iris, played by Toni Collette, has just been hired as a temp at a generic corporate office (AKA hellscape). she’s shy and timid at first, but quickly befriends the three other office temps - all of whom are excited to have someone new around and happily take her under their wings.
just four gals, tryna make it in this rough and tumble world….all with their unique problems and desires. it’s a beautiful little slice-of-life flick exploring the mundanity of life, while also celebrating what it means to be a human with stupid little dreams.
not to mention, a good reminder that baking surprise cupcakes for your work friends is never a bad idea (even if you accidentally drop the one you made for yourself)!
alright, heads up to you all: the Outfit of the Week is honestly more of an Article of Clothing of the Week. i am coming clean. i am unapologetic. *humble brag*
Iris is out shopping with the girls. they’re in a ritzy lil’ boutique with quite the sassy salesperson giving them the side-eye (they give the sass right back, don’t worry). it doesn’t take long for a blue beaded cardigan to catch Iris’s eye, but the price is a bit high for her budget, unfortch.
cue Margaret (Parker Posey), Iris’s take-no-sh*t fellow temp, who really doesn’t believe in following the “rules”. she switches the tag of a nearby discounted cardigan with Iris’s beaded beauty and Iris is totally scandalized (but also very much down with the naughty behavior)!
Iris is so stoked about her new piece that she basically wears it to bed. we love to see this. i always say that if you buy a new item of clothing and you don’t want to wear it immediately upon leaving the store, you’re in actual DEEP trouble. why? because you secretly don’t like what you just bought as much as you thought you did in the dressing room.
so, this beaded cardigan…it’s cute! it’s a lovely light blue and the beads are kind of in spiral-y patterns all around the collar and down the sides. plus, there’s some nice cuff detailing, ya know, to really take the whole look home.
it’s an homage to the grannies of the world! the eccentric aunties with no kids and lots of hobbies in fabric arts! the 16-year-olds who wanna personalize their prom look by adding a quirky cardigan that screams “i’m only here because my friends made me - i’d rather be beading”!
Iris loved what she saw and couldn’t wait to wear that thing to work, but sadly, a fellow co-worker seemed to have the exact same thought…right down to the styling (white collared button-down underneath). it’s a funny moment in the movie and also somewhat sad because Iris immediately shoves her new cardi underneath her desk and pretends she didn’t wear it.
i am currently in a “statement cardigan” phase (yes, i know, it’s very exciting). i’ve purchased the two shown below in the past year and i really haven’t looked back. *don’t worry, both were found majorly discounted…i would never drop $495 on a cardigan*
here are some cardigans you can shop if you’d like. all are very affordable and vintage!
Honorable Mention of the Week | i think we could all learn a thing or two from Parker Posey’s rainy day look. i think this is the energy i want to channel for the rest of my life: ill-prepared for rain? throw a goddamn plastic bag over your head and tuck that sh*t behind your ears. protect that straightened hair and walk through the world with confidence.
