What to wear to work

[shoexgal]

That's plastic, I'm so glad I'm not alone in my quest to look fab...

And Katebug..where are these goodies from??

 

[shoexgal]

Found Katebug's site http://www.next.co.uk

I wonder if they deliver to the US?

 

[shoexgal]

Ok I'm soooooo mad I just found their site, and they have great clothes, but they don't deliver outside the UK!

 

[fashionista-ta]

This is a dilemma for me ... my style is not all that buttoned up, and I don't want to dress as someone I'm not. It's also a challenge for me not to show cleavage. Knits fit me well, and could be viewed as inherently sexy.

I have noticed that some of the most successful women I've worked with dress like men in a way--only wearing slacks to work, rarely if ever wearing skirts. This seems to go over well with the men.

So my take is this ... I want people to respect me, but my manner says that too, and very rarely have I experienced disrespect that I thought was related to what I was wearing. As I'm sure is true of many/most of you, clothes are not just a necessity but a hobby for me. At the same time, I don't want to own a huge number of clothes--I want quality rather than quantity. I don't maintain separate wardrobes for work and personal, and don't want to. I also refuse to feel that I must dress like a man to be successful.

Last week I called a large meeting, and that morning I pinned the neckline of my blouse to be sure I wouldn't show cleavage. But thinking about that stuff is just about as far as I'm willing to go.

Women are in the workplace to stay, and the extremely conservative men I work with just need to deal with that reality.

I should also add that I like being an individual contributor, and don't really want to be management. I feel that my management skills would never equal my skills as an IC, no matter how hard I worked. So I don't have my heart set on a promotion, which might only make my life more difficult.

 

[shoexgal]

I really want to know where I can get a pinstriped skirt.

Do you girls think this is too MUCH for the office?

 

[tangerine]

shoexgal, great topic! And thanks for providing the credits for katebug's pics.

Please also provide the credits for all of your pics; I see credits for some, but not all. We must have credits to keep the pics!

Thanks for cooperation, and please continue the discussion!

 

[stilettogirl84]

Do you girls think this is too MUCH for the office?

I think it'd be cute with a fitted white blazer

 

[katebug]

yes sorry, my photos are from Next.com

 

[shoexgal]

Post #20 from Bebe.com

 

[Hipkitten]

I really need help putting together some smart/business casual outfits for my new position at a hospital. Help!

 

[ejc]

Hi Hipkitten! I started working in a law office in January, so I had to figure out what the hell business casual is--it's a lot easier to throw on a suit! But I've become more accustomed to figuring out what looks good on me while still retaining my individuality. For me, I go the banana republic/j-crew route--kind of preppy and plain, like a neutral color skirt or pair of pants, and a button down shirt, or cardigan. Although now that it's getting warmer, I've been wearing more printed flowly skirts with plain tops. But to make myself still feel like myself and not looking like I stepped out of a j-crew catalog, I always wear kick-*** shoes! Because I wear fairly conservative clothes, I can get away with wearing 3.5-4" heals without looking "tarty." I also wear cool accessories and jewelry to give my look some personality.

 

[Hipkitten]

Hi Hipkitten! I started working in a law office in January, so I had to figure out what the hell business casual is--it's a lot easier to throw on a suit! But I've become more accustomed to figuring out what looks good on me while still retaining my individuality. For me, I go the banana republic/j-crew route--kind of preppy and plain, like a neutral color skirt or pair of pants, and a button down shirt, or cardigan. Although now that it's getting warmer, I've been wearing more printed flowly skirts with plain tops. But to make myself still feel like myself and not looking like I stepped out of a j-crew catalog, I always wear kick-*** shoes! Because I wear fairly conservative clothes, I can get away with wearing 3.5-4" heals without looking "tarty." I also wear cool accessories and jewelry to give my look some personality.

Thanks for the tips! I'm going shopping this week and will definitely keep them in mind. Like you, I want to look professional but not lose myself in business casual hell

Welcome to tFS

 

[impossibleprincess]

I've started a thread on this somewhere else but perhaps this is a more appropriate thread. I have an informal meeting with prospective employer from a young, hip PR firm in a few days. Please give me tips! It's 32 degrees in London aswell, which is making the decision harder!

 

[twin star]

a one-piece dress, maybe. i wouldn't play it eccentric when it comes to interview.

 

[twin star]

not the best but i thought i might share.


imaxtree


or a similar Matthew Williamson white dress worn by Sienna Miller.

 

[impossibleprincess]

a one piece dress....off to find one!

 

[criticsdarling]

Well I'm a Visual Merchandiser at Forever 21 and I'm allowed to wear anything pretty much. I tend to wear clothing from there since it fits my budget (I'm a college girl) and it's stylish. I also sew alot of my own clothes. I tend to wear dresses whenever possible and flats (Irregualr Choice ones in particular). I wear dresses as much as possible. For example:
this dress (forever21.com)

(own photo)

plus a white cardigan b/c it's so cold inside...


that's a typical outfit for work.

 

[kissablekae]

im a hostess at a sushi restaurant so i have to look presentable. i like to keep it clean and simple..not too much fru fru..

we have to wear white tops and black bottoms/shoes
all of my tops are from abercrombie because the quality is really really good. i have to wash all of my work clothes every week but a&f tops stay nice, its long and shrinks back after i wash!
vee neck/roundneck/racerback tanks(worn underneath)
vee neck short sleeve ribbed henley
sheer above the elbow top henley
polos!

black slack pants with subtle white pin stripes

& black slim/not stilletto boots

i dont wear flat shoes to work..too me its not dressy enuff..and my boots just tie the whole outfit together

 

[aliceee]

I'm doing work experience at a law firm soon and I'd like to know what sort of dress code I should take up, all i've been told is "strictly no denim"!...so i'm not sure if that includes tighter, well fitted pants or just means no blue denim! I'm thinking of perhaps wearing dresses and/or white shirts with black or grey skirts or pants. But i'm not sure how much colour etc. i'll be allowed to include!

Does anybody have any tips or ideas? Thanks in advance

 

[Diorling]

I'm doing work experience at a law firm soon and I'd like to know what sort of dress code I should take up, all i've been told is "strictly no denim"!...so i'm not sure if that includes tighter, well fitted pants or just means no blue denim! I'm thinking of perhaps wearing dresses and/or white shirts with black or grey skirts or pants. But i'm not sure how much colour etc. i'll be allowed to include!

Does anybody have any tips or ideas? Thanks in advance

They dont mean denim as in blue jeans, they mean denim the fabric. Period.

You can use endless amounts of color, just use it tastefully (read: no flourochic tops). Skirts and dresses are always lovely as are suits, you can always switch that up and pair a suit jacket with a dress, or a skirt with a interestingly mismatched suit jacket.