STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bex · Chanel

HELP!!!!!!!!! work attire!!!!!

Elle · Hermes

I don't know the exact line of work you're in (ie if you're working with clients/customers on a daily basis) but dressing professionally in a creative industry is MUCH more fun than dressing professionally in a non-creative industry. In your case it will work for you that you have a sense of personal style - I know I respect hair/makeup professionals when they look stylish themselves. Does your environment require suits of some kind? Try to think of it as business professional (or casual), just brighter and bolder, maybe with a bit of an edge?

Christine · Coach

Fun "going out" tops, as long as they are not too revealing, would give you that fashionable yet classy look if you wore a cute blazer over them. That's the kind of formula I follow when dressing for casual fridays at work. I invested in a few blazers and that did the trick for me!

Not sure if you'd want to pair them with pants, or if jeans are acceptable??

bex · Chanel

thanks for your suggestions...

jeans are not okay... i work with clients every day that i am out in the field. i guess i just need to find more blazers and pants...

i am really struggling finding work pants that i feel as good in as i do my jeans. when i am wearing a cami, blazer and jeans i feel like a million dollars, but replace those jeans with some trousers and i just feel dumpy...

its weird... its like not wearing jeans takes away my confidence... are their dress pants that will make me feel as good as my jeans out there?

btw- lmonet- i love the first outfit that you posted! hot hot hot!

Elle · Hermes

quote:
Originally posted by: bex
"btw- lmonet- i love the first outfit that you posted! hot hot hot!"

It's from VS, if you can believe that!

Anyway, what is your body type? How tall are you? What brands fit you best? All these things could help at least point you in the right direction for some nice-fitting trousers. I have found wearing my trousers in a casual way (most recently with a long beater, cropped hoodie, and retro sneakers) helps me to be more comfortable with wearing them in a professional way. I have the same hang-ups as you about them - they have the ability to immediately take the steam out of a once-hot outfit. Let us know if you would like some good suggestions for trousers or other work-type pants.

Good luck!

member · Hermes

quote:
Originally posted by: bex
"i am really struggling finding work pants that i feel as good in as i do my jeans. when i am wearing a cami, blazer and jeans i feel like a million dollars, but replace those jeans with some trousers and i just feel dumpy... its weird... its like not wearing jeans takes away my confidence... are their dress pants that will make me feel as good as my jeans out there?

Have you ever tried any of the Express Editors or Correspondant pants? I used to feel the same way as you - not confident and dumpy in work pants, but then I tried on Express Editors, and I just love them - I feel just as great in those as I do in jeans. I know a lot of girls don't like the Editors, but it's worth a shot!

bex · Chanel

i am 5'3. I have a short inseam (30") so i always wear heels and keep my hem long to help lengthen the look of my leg- if that makes sense- i used to dance, cheer and play basketball and my muscular thighs and behind have stayed with me. i have a little waist though... generally wear a size 4, 6 or 8 in pants depending on the store. i have some pants that are really wide leg that i like... but i wish i could find some trousers that are more streamlined like my jeans are... some that just have a bit of flare at the bottom but don't make me look like i am super pear shaped on the bottom half...

hope that makes sense. i tried on the Express Editors and Correspondants today and didn't like either one of them. some Limited pants are okay... i am willing to spend up to $200 on the right pair though...

bex · Chanel

ok here is an example of something i would put together...

and a white blazer... i couldn't find a picture of what i would really want... but this is close...

is that lame? or am i just in a rut?

Seashells · Dooney & Bourke

I am in the IT industry- no one dresses well. AT ALL.

I wear the express editors. But you might want to try the BR pants also. They are very tailored and BR is very conscious of women's bodies.

Also, Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein and Liz Claiborne make great pants that you might want to give a try. You can find those in any department store.

For business casual, all you have to do is wear the nice pants. I wear anything on top (that is work appropriate, of course).

Also, remember- don't worry about the length. Fit the hips and the rise you can get pants tailored to fit the length.

lsubatgirl · Gucci

I love my br pants. They are awesome and I refuse to buy any others. Definetly check them out. I get the martin fit (sits below waist I think). If you have a BR outlet near you they are always there and on sale. Defintely give them a try.

rlutz · Chanel

for work I have to wear pants and nice tops and or tanks and blazers all the time...for pants I have found that the Drew fit from the Limited fit me well...I am slightly curvy and have muscular thinghs....try those out

DC Shopper · Dooney & Bourke

The Drew pants at the Limited have fit me before, although I don't own a pair.

Also, the Publicist pants at Express are a godsend to curvy women if you can find them. I feel like they try to hide them from me at the back of the store - Express definitely seems to be pushing the Editor and Correspondent pants lately. Anyway, the Publicists have a nice wide waistband, v. flattering and comfy. I don't own a pair yet either but they look good on.

I have also had success with BR pants, although they tend to bag a little at the hips/waist after a while depending on the material. Overall they are great for work though because they don't ride too low and are usually flattering through the leg. I found actually that the high waisted Camden looks good on my curves and falls better than the martin fit. I never tuck my shirts in though, so it hides the high waist.

bex · Chanel

thanks for the suggestions everyone... i already own Limited, BR and have tried the Express (don't like them)

I was thinking about Theory? What is everyone's experience with them?

Also, my best friend told me I might benefit from a personal shopper at Nordstroms. Has anyone ever done this? (actually i am going to post another thread about this...)

Elle · Hermes

Bex - I have a similar body/inseam and have always found Theory to be large in the waist, small in the thighs, and REALLY freakin' long. That might not be true for all of them, though.

Have you tried Old Navy? I know they aren't high-end, but I have a pair of trousers from there that I adore - I was suprised they fit b/c I can't wear any of their jeans. Anyway, I also have another couple pairs from JCPenney that are super comfy as well as flattering. I think they are Worthingon Petites. I feel a big try-on spree coming your way . . . .

bex · Chanel

quote:
Originally posted by: LMonet
"I feel a big try-on spree coming your way . . . ."

grrrr.

i am going to have to go shopping by myself and eat absolutely no carbs for three days prior to feel good enough about myself to try on pants....

i hate hate hate trying on shit... i like buying it, trying at home with what i have and then returning 3/4 of the stuff i buy....

*sigh* its just that i feel like i have tried everything out there... and there just isn't anything that is making me happy. maybe i just need to find something that i kind of like and have a tailor customize it to make me completely happy.

Lilykind · Hermes

When it comes to Theory, the Taras are actually pretty good for curvier figures. Most Theory gaps ridiculously in the waist though.

Also, try to find Alvin Valley on sale if you can, the pants go for $220-$250, but they're REALLY nice, fit really nicely for curvy bodies. I have a large butt and muscular thighs too from being athletic and I can't stop singing the praises of AV.

honey · Gucci

quote:
Originally posted by: bex
"thanks for the suggestions everyone... i already own Limited, BR and have tried the Express (don't like them) I was thinking about Theory? What is everyone's experience with them? Also, my best friend told me I might benefit from a personal shopper at Nordstroms. Has anyone ever done this? (actually i am going to post another thread about this...)"

i've been very happy with theory pants and i have thigh issues, though i don't really have a waist. also i love, love, love alvin valley pants. they're pricey (and a bit hard to find) but imo worth every cent. here's the link from shopbop. also i have a few ideas for you, but i haven't gotten a chance to post them (damn job gets in the way of my forum time). i'll try and do that tonight.

http://store.shopbop.com/category.jsp?category=ALVIN

bex · Chanel

thanks honey- i look forward to your thoughts...

also, honey and lilykind- how does AV run? i noticed their sizing is european... when i lived in paris most everything i bought was 38... and in the states i am a pretty true six except sometimes a 4 and sometimes an 8...

-- Edited by bex at 17:14, 2005-04-14

honey · Gucci

i think a 40 translates to an 8, but if your waist is small you might be able to get a 38 since they are roomy in the thigh.

honey · Gucci

sometimes business casual kind of sucks b/c it's hard to find the right balance b/t cute and professional. i like the outfit that you posted but think it might be a little too cutesy for a client meeting or something like that.

if it makes it easier, i would recommend mixing one conservative piece (usually a bottom) with one more fun piece and then adding cute accessories. also while i love color, when i do color at work i tend to go for monochromatic looks and then add one piece to make it pop. here are some ideas...

all this is from br

you've got a basic pencil skirt (conservative), plus a cute cami, and a sweater so you're office appropriate

i noticed in stylethread that you have a tiered skirt. to make it more work appropriate, i would wear it with a tailored top. since you have a tiny waist, you could wrap a belt around it (very big for spring). however if you go for this it's important to add a structured shoe, like the j.crew kitten heels. even though a flat sandal would be cute, you run the risk of looking like you're headed straight to the beach

i personally like the idea of matching belt and shoes, but if it's too matchy for you this shoe also comes in a nice camel color that would work well

or you could do a full skirt with a sweater and cami in fun colors

Women's Shell Lace-Trim Crinkle Cami fyi the skirt is navy. if you stick to the same color family (blues) it helps the look appear more professional. again the shoes are very structured in style, but the details make them fun.

i think you have these gauchos

again pairing a conservative jacket with the pants helps them look more professional, than just wearing them with a tee or tank.

if you want to do colored pants, make sure the style is still structured. i love the short sleeve jackets this season and will definitely be buying one to wear to work

again note the structured shoe.

or a really pretty blouse with a pencil skirt

or the same skirt with a funky blazer

these are pretty much the types of things i wear to work. i know some of this might not fly in an extremely conservative environment, but i think it's a good mix of fun & professional.