Self: "My, what an impressive group of women we've found ourselves amongst! How fortunate we are to find ourselves in their proximity."
Response (also self, but clarified for dramatic purpose here): "Um, hello! These ladies are the rock stars of your profession. You don't belong on the playing field, in the stadium, in the zip code of the oxygen you breathe. Slouch down in your chair now, and just pray that no one notices you."
Self: "Actually, we consider ourselves happy to be here with the opportunity to learn from these pioneers. Besides, we have the very same professional degree they do."
Response: "Oh, get over yourself - uh, Self. Not only are these other women light years beyond you professionally, they also look it. And, PS, I notice they don't speak to themselves in the third person."
Self: "What are you saying? I see your point on the experience, but don't I at least look the part?"
Response: "Duh! Look to your left, then look to your right - zero of these other women are in designer jeans, even if said jeans are accompanied by a dressy blouse and 30 years of bluffing your way through above-your-level situations."
Self: (puzzled, struggles to look around room and spot a non Ann Taylor-ite. Fails.) "Hmm, uh . . you may have a point . . . " (muttered while slouching down in seat, hiding behind conference binder).
Aside from legitimately learning some valuable substantive points at this event, I left with the question - how to dress "business casual" to blend with a group of older, seasoned professionals, such that you fit in, but not to the extent that you're slavishly imitating a 45-year-old in the requisite Talbots pleated chinos (which are second only to skinny jeans on the Conspiracy To Make My Hips Resemble Alaska List) and sweater with jaunty cat appliques?
I've set to work on investigating some classic, business-casual wardrobe additions for my Christmas list, not so age-inappropriate and boring as to put me in the Cat Sweater set (hopefully), but tailored and traditional and, frankly, above-Target-level enough to blend with the ladies who have officially Made It. Given that I work in a "casual casual" office at best, I'm a bit rusty at this & therefore would love some Readerly Assistance. What do you think of the following?
(credit: Tory Burch)
Yes, everyone and their aunt's sister's gardener's babysitter now has a pair of Revas, but the unusual colors / patterns on these make these a younger take on a soon-to-be-classic, no?
(credit: Saks)
The Tod's driving moc has been a longtime Pretty favorite, but am I 20 years and 5 cats short of being able to pull this off?
Work Tote
I have a dressy, structured black Furla tote for suit-level business occasions, but what about this for the more casual event:
(credit: Longchamp)
Again, this is a bread-and-butter tote, but does the of-the-moment color make it age and trend appropriate?
(credit: Longchamp)
Less budget-friendly, but also less ubiquitous. Conservative, but love the color & barely there but interesting hardware . . .
Pants (ie, The Wardrobe Area in Which Upgrade Items Most Urgently Sought, But Most Difficult To Find As All Secretly Designed To Make Figure Resemble Hippopotami)
(credit: J. Crew)
Lovelies, it's important that you know that We Are Cold. All of the time. No, really, even - or especially, given the AC situation here - in Texas, we're reaching for our under-the-table heater. So pants are most often a professional way of life for moi, despite our love and purchasing habits with dresses.
(credit: Ann Taylor LOFT)
Forget the (completely inappropriate for my line of work) shoes here - do these pants say to you, "I trust this woman with my money and livelihood?" Or do I really need to just dive in and Talbots it out already?
Response (also self, but clarified for dramatic purpose here): "Um, hello! These ladies are the rock stars of your profession. You don't belong on the playing field, in the stadium, in the zip code of the oxygen you breathe. Slouch down in your chair now, and just pray that no one notices you."
Self: "Actually, we consider ourselves happy to be here with the opportunity to learn from these pioneers. Besides, we have the very same professional degree they do."
Response: "Oh, get over yourself - uh, Self. Not only are these other women light years beyond you professionally, they also look it. And, PS, I notice they don't speak to themselves in the third person."
Self: "What are you saying? I see your point on the experience, but don't I at least look the part?"
Response: "Duh! Look to your left, then look to your right - zero of these other women are in designer jeans, even if said jeans are accompanied by a dressy blouse and 30 years of bluffing your way through above-your-level situations."
Self: (puzzled, struggles to look around room and spot a non Ann Taylor-ite. Fails.) "Hmm, uh . . you may have a point . . . " (muttered while slouching down in seat, hiding behind conference binder).
Aside from legitimately learning some valuable substantive points at this event, I left with the question - how to dress "business casual" to blend with a group of older, seasoned professionals, such that you fit in, but not to the extent that you're slavishly imitating a 45-year-old in the requisite Talbots pleated chinos (which are second only to skinny jeans on the Conspiracy To Make My Hips Resemble Alaska List) and sweater with jaunty cat appliques?
I've set to work on investigating some classic, business-casual wardrobe additions for my Christmas list, not so age-inappropriate and boring as to put me in the Cat Sweater set (hopefully), but tailored and traditional and, frankly, above-Target-level enough to blend with the ladies who have officially Made It. Given that I work in a "casual casual" office at best, I'm a bit rusty at this & therefore would love some Readerly Assistance. What do you think of the following?
Shoes
(credit: Tory Burch)
Yes, everyone and their aunt's sister's gardener's babysitter now has a pair of Revas, but the unusual colors / patterns on these make these a younger take on a soon-to-be-classic, no?
(credit: Saks)The Tod's driving moc has been a longtime Pretty favorite, but am I 20 years and 5 cats short of being able to pull this off?
Work Tote
I have a dressy, structured black Furla tote for suit-level business occasions, but what about this for the more casual event:
(credit: Longchamp)Again, this is a bread-and-butter tote, but does the of-the-moment color make it age and trend appropriate?
(credit: Longchamp)Less budget-friendly, but also less ubiquitous. Conservative, but love the color & barely there but interesting hardware . . .
Pants (ie, The Wardrobe Area in Which Upgrade Items Most Urgently Sought, But Most Difficult To Find As All Secretly Designed To Make Figure Resemble Hippopotami)
(credit: J. Crew)Lovelies, it's important that you know that We Are Cold. All of the time. No, really, even - or especially, given the AC situation here - in Texas, we're reaching for our under-the-table heater. So pants are most often a professional way of life for moi, despite our love and purchasing habits with dresses.
(credit: Ann Taylor LOFT)Forget the (completely inappropriate for my line of work) shoes here - do these pants say to you, "I trust this woman with my money and livelihood?" Or do I really need to just dive in and Talbots it out already?
Readers, any hints for good business casual wear? Or do I just need to finagle a personal shopper at Needless Markups and fork over dignity & credit card in short order?
6 comments:
I say eff it all. I am basically the only woman in the universe in my given field, and I recently decided that I was just going to dress as I wish. Of course, my given area of practice is slightly more acceptable of all types than perhaps yours is. The only other woman I regularly see at my hearings? Sometimes wears capri pants. In situations of doubt, I say "At least you aren't her."
Regardless, do NOT simply disregard your style to fit in. Just buy a bunch of Tory Burch shift dresses and be done with it. True to your style, and respectable for your profession. And you can never go wrong with DVF.
I think of it like this--if I were to poll the other women I encounter in a professional setting and ask about their style choices would they be proud of their Talbots choices? Or would they say "oh I just buy any old thing when there's a sale" or "I've had this for years I don't even remember where I got it" or even worse, "I started buying women's wear because it fit better" (translation, I'm not an 8 in designer-wear anymore, but I am in Talbots AND with their hidden elastic waist, I will be forever!). I'm pretty sure most of the polyester lovers would give responses similar to the above--so not who I want to be.
I wear what I want and am only conservative in the amount of skin I'm revealing. As long as I'm appropriately covered up, bright yellow tops and patent cobalt shoes looks super cute with a pair of box leg charcoal or white pants. And purple suede guess stilettos are adorable to dress up a belted sweater dress.
I'm 32 and refuse to succumb. The biggest concession I'll make is that most of my formal suits are from Ann Taylor. They're not show stoppers, but they do try to keep the cuts contemporary and they're way more affordable than designer options.
I like those pants from Ann Taylor Loft, they're cute!! I am also in desperate need of new pants--work and casual variety... I'm sure I am not much help, I always look like the semi business casual it's evident that she's very young person.... Because I refuse to wear a suit to work every day... But am panicking as to what to wear on possible British Business Trip next month!! Oh the humanity!
I haven't even started my internship but I feel like everything I find makes me look like a frumpy old lady! I guess that's a good thing since I am working with criminal offenders!
I really like those Tory shoes with all the colors
Avoid the pleated pants!!! I'm also in a conservative field (I'm a CPA), and I'm almost 40. The interesting thing about getting older and progressing at work is that you can get away with edgier, more trendy clothes. (Getting older coupled with frumpy clothes can cause one to be perceived as "not current" or "out of the loop".) Your colleagues are at a point when they could have fun with their work wardrobe. (I used to dress more conservatively to be taken more seriously by clients. I've noticed in the last few years that I can have a little more fun.)
I refuse to buy pants with pleats or elastic anywhere in the waistband. I'll buy blouses at Brooks Brothers and Talbots - then take them to a tailor to have them fitted to me. I have my share of "body flaws" due to aging and the fact that I had twins in my mid-thirties. (I carried them 37 weeks - great for the girls, but not so great for my abs.) However, I'm not overweight, and as long as I avoid pleated pants, I don't look like I had twins a few years ago.
I still have "suits and heels" situations, and therefore, I sometimes buy the jacket, but I wear a lot of fitted cardigans and crew-neck sweaters with slacks or a skirt. (Cashmere is awesome - so easy and looks great. Dresses up or down.) I'll often layer with a tee on casual days or on most days, a very tailored crisp broadcloth shirt. These can be paired with casual pants and ballet flats for "business casual". (I love J. Crew and Ann Taylor Loft for casual slacks.)
I have an agreement with several other friends that there will be a wardrobe intervention if anyone starts wearing clothes with appliques.
Good luck!!
OOH! I love your office picks! You'll totally look the part with these goods!
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