Business wear

[sunnysideup488]

Normally my work office is considered business casual. Casual skirts, cardigans, slacks, t-shirts and jeans on Fridays are allowed. Next month I have a big three week long review and my boss wants me to be dressed as business as possible. People from our corporate offices will be here.

What should I wear? What does 'business' entail?

[Deleted]

Suits

Or dressy, plain sheath dresses with blazers.

[sunnysideup488]

Jul 24, 2014 13:20:09 GMT -5 v said:

Suits

Or dressy, plain sheath dresses with blazers.

Oh dear.

I'm weirdly shaped. I am going to look ridiculous.

Fun Times!!

[sunnysideup488]

Jul 24, 2014 13:23:44 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Ditto v.

Does a sheath dress exist that doesn't make it look like a whale is strapped to my hips/ass?

[shortstax]

It seems like your environment is more on the casual side of business casual. I'd bet wrap dresses could be your friend to dress it up a little, without going full-on suit.

[glynn]

I nice dress with a blazer. I find the blazer covers by bad. I wear all kids of dresses with blazers that I think would be fine.

[illgetthere]

I'd go more business side of business casual since you are currently on the casual side. Sheath dress with blazer. Dress pants or pencil skirts with button up tops. No tees or cardigans

[Susie]

"Business" to me is an incomplete dress code definition.

"Business casual":

Sorry for the half-body photos. Working with what Ann Taylor's got.

"Business formal" = suits

[lasagnasshole]

Jul 24, 2014 13:26:31 GMT -5 sunnysideup488 said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:23:44 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Ditto v.

Does a sheath dress exist that doesn't make it look like a whale is strapped to my hips/ass?

Lands End has a ponte knit sheath that is great for pear shapes. I cannot wear any non-knit sheaths without MAJOR alterations due to the enormous size discrepancy between my boobs and my ass. I used to wear the LE ponte knit sheath + jacket to court all the time (conferences and motion hearings, not trials).

Or....if you're a size Large, I have a few nice knit sheath dresses (from Target, but in great condition) in my eBay store.  Very reasonable prices.

[Deleted]

A dark blazer that hits just below the hips is probably your best bet, blazer-wise

Something like: www.lanebryant.com/plus-size-tops/plus-size-coats-jackets-vests/tailored-stretch-seamed-jacket/4019c4034p211288/index.pro

[h]

Jul 24, 2014 13:26:31 GMT -5 sunnysideup488 said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:23:44 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Ditto v.

Does a sheath dress exist that doesn't make it look like a whale is strapped to my hips/ass?

What silhouettes do you normally wear? If you are more comfortable in pants, wear a pant suit. If you like a-line skirts, you can find skirt suits or professional dresses that can go with blazers that fit the bill. You don't have to do sheaths and pencil skirts if they are unflattering on you.

[Deleted]

Jul 24, 2014 13:43:43 GMT -5 Susie said:

"Business" to me is an incomplete dress code definition.

Business attire means business formal attire.

I don't think there's much ambiguity in this context (she works in a business casual environment, and the boss is asking her to dress more businessy, which means that the normal business casual stuff won't cut it)

[sunnysideup488]

Jul 24, 2014 13:46:01 GMT -5 h said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:26:31 GMT -5 sunnysideup488 said:

Does a sheath dress exist that doesn't make it look like a whale is strapped to my hips/ass?

What silhouettes do you normally wear? If you are more comfortable in pants, wear a pant suit. If you like a-line skirts, you can find skirt suits or professional dresses that can go with blazers that fit the bill. You don't have to do sheaths and pencil skirts if they are unflattering on you.

Um. What do you mean by silhouette? Right now I am wearing a maxi skirt and a v-neck Tshirt.

Sometimes I wear dress pants with a loose fitting shirt. All weight gain goes to my stomach and hips. So, if I wear anything even a tiny snug, people ask me how pregnant I am. I don't like that.

[sunnysideup488]

Jul 24, 2014 13:44:42 GMT -5 lasagnasshole said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:26:31 GMT -5 sunnysideup488 said:

Does a sheath dress exist that doesn't make it look like a whale is strapped to my hips/ass?

Lands End has a ponte knit sheath that is great for pear shapes. I cannot wear any non-knit sheaths without MAJOR alterations due to the enormous size discrepancy between my boobs and my ass. I used to wear the LE ponte knit sheath + jacket to court all the time (conferences and motion hearings, not trials).

Or....if you're a size Large, I have a few nice knit sheath dresses (from Target, but in great condition) in my eBay store.  Very reasonable prices.

Want to PM it to me? I wear between a large and an extra large usually.

[sunnysideup488]

Jul 24, 2014 13:48:03 GMT -5 v said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:43:43 GMT -5 Susie said:

"Business" to me is an incomplete dress code definition.

Business attire means business formal attire.

I don't think there's much ambiguity in this context (she works in a business casual environment, and the boss is asking her to dress more businessy, which means that the normal business casual stuff won't cut it)

Yes. They want men to wear dress shirts and ties... and suit coats if it isn't blazing hot. So, I guess whatever the equivalent of that is for a woman.

[h]

Jul 24, 2014 13:51:43 GMT -5 sunnysideup488 said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:46:01 GMT -5 h said:

What silhouettes do you normally wear? If you are more comfortable in pants, wear a pant suit. If you like a-line skirts, you can find skirt suits or professional dresses that can go with blazers that fit the bill. You don't have to do sheaths and pencil skirts if they are unflattering on you.

Um. What do you mean by silhouette? Right now I am wearing a maxi skirt and a v-neck Tshirt.

Sometimes I wear dress pants with a loose fitting shirt. All weight gain goes to my stomach and hips. So, if I wear anything even a tiny snug, people ask me how pregnant I am. I don't like that.

When I was post-partum and trying to hide my belly, I wore pant suits with somewhat loose-fitting shells in forgiving fabrics. I think that is the easiest way to camouflage tummy issues while looking professional. That or an a-line dress that fits just right. Avoid sheaths, pencil skirts, and tops that have to be tucked in.

[h]

Jul 24, 2014 13:55:17 GMT -5 sunnysideup488 said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:48:03 GMT -5 v said:

Business attire means business formal attire.

I don't think there's much ambiguity in this context (she works in a business casual environment, and the boss is asking her to dress more businessy, which means that the normal business casual stuff won't cut it)

Yes. They want men to wear dress shirts and ties... and suit coats if it isn't blazing hot. So, I guess whatever the equivalent of that is for a woman.

The female equivalent is a suit or a professional looking dress and blazer. Wearing anything less while all the men are in suits is not a good idea, IMO.

[iamali]

Just FYI - Talbot's is having a big sale on their website!

[cheezer]

I wear a lot of dresses and blazers. I rarely wear the full-on matching suit (and neither do other senior women) but I will wear a dress made of suit material from J.Crew and some sort of jacket.

When I dress down I wear wrap dresses, cardigans, and cotton dresses with a blazer. I would steer clear of all of these.

[sunnysideup488]

Are colored blazers acceptable? Or should I stick to black and Grey?

[Deleted]

Other colored blazers should be fine as long as they are nice, conservative cut.

[y4m]

Jul 24, 2014 13:53:31 GMT -5 sunnysideup488 said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:44:42 GMT -5 lasagnasshole said:

Lands End has a ponte knit sheath that is great for pear shapes. I cannot wear any non-knit sheaths without MAJOR alterations due to the enormous size discrepancy between my boobs and my ass. I used to wear the LE ponte knit sheath + jacket to court all the time (conferences and motion hearings, not trials).

Or....if you're a size Large, I have a few nice knit sheath dresses (from Target, but in great condition) in my eBay store.  Very reasonable prices.

Want to PM it to me? I wear between a large and an extra large usually.

Ebay store filled with stretchy dresses for pears?  Please send this to me immediately!  Think of the convenience!

[lasagnasshole]

Jul 24, 2014 18:28:28 GMT -5 y4m said:

Jul 24, 2014 13:53:31 GMT -5 sunnysideup488 said:

Want to PM it to me? I wear between a large and an extra large usually.

Ebay store filled with stretchy dresses for pears?  Please send this to me immediately!  Think of the convenience!