NPCER - Boring Clothes and Shoes Time?

[wawa]

I know we did this fairly recently, but I need feedback...

Do I need a pair or two of slim cut ankle pants for work?

I feel like I do?  I know I'm like a decade behind trend here...

But this look has been growing on me.  Minus the pussy bow - but the blousy kind of woven top plus slim ankle cut pants. 


I've resisted it till now because I have short legs.  
I'm also kinda into the idea of a brightly colored or patterned pair.

Yay or nay?

Also - I've been trying and failing to buy new work flats.  I struck out with my previous go-to for supportive flats because for some godforsaken reason in vionics I need a quarter size suddenly.  (my old ones still fit though)  Anybody have thoughts on similar brands with ACTUAL arch support that aren't ass ugly?  

[2curlydogs]

I have a pair of blue ones that I love. They look like a denim but aren't, so they're easy to dress up or down as appropriate. I've been toying with getting another pair in a different color.

ETA: They're from Banana Republic because 36" inseam. I can't remember if they're the Ryan or the Sloan fit.

I can't help with flats. I usually wear heels.

[raangoli]

The slim ankle pants are the type of pants I've moved on to wearing. I like these from Jcrew:

www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/pants2/slimcrop/cameron-slim-crop-pant-in-fourseason-stretch/G8547?color_name=mahogany

For flats, I can't help. I just wear my orthotics in them.

[glw]

I have these in black and navy and they're really the only pants I wear to work. I have short legs, too.

www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=130046552

(use code PARTY for extra 20% off and free shipping.)

[2curlydogs]

Related, but is it possible to dress up a maxi dress to make it work appropriate? I have the one I wore for the wedding and it's really lovely and comfy and I'd love to wear it for work but part of my brain (the part that wears slacks, camisoles, blazers and heels 90% of the time) wonders if it's too casual.

[bex]

I love the slim ankle pant look. That look you posted - ankle pants with a blouse-y top - is what I wear to work one day a week (the other day I wear a dress. I have a system of sorts.)

[minionkevin]

Outfits like in your OP are what I wear 3/5 days/week (jeans Friday and a dress mixed in here and there). I like the ON Pixie pant and the A New Day version from Target. Both are around $30, but ON has a bunch more colors and prints.
I recently bought a pair of Cobb Hill by Rockport shoes - Hattie gladiator in black suede and I may get them in the brown leather too. Excellent arch support, amazingly comfortable - the first day I wore them to work I walked 8k steps in them, per my Fitbit, and they were perfect. I am not a heel person, at all, and they are easily the most comfortable non-sneaker shoes I own.

[redheadbaker]

I just cannot bring myself to buy ankle pants. They just make me feel like I bought pants that were too short.

[debatethis]

I vote yes. I practically live in them during the summer. Also, I just got some very similar to these that are pull-on (no zipper) www.costco.com/Mario-Serrani-Ladies'-Stretch-Pant.product.100356666.html and you can't beat the price.

[JRo]

Yes to slim ankle pants, and if you are short, make sure you buy in the short length. I have tried to get by with “regular” length several times and I always have to hem to make them look right.

I avoid ones with patterns because I find them to be less versatile. I want to be able to re-wear them without somebody noticing I just wore them last week. If you have lots of pants in rotation, this isn’t a big deal.

[wawa]

May 24, 2018 9:50:45 GMT -5 2curlydogs said:

Related, but is it possible to dress up a maxi dress to make it work appropriate? I have the one I wore for the wedding and it's really lovely and comfy and I'd love to wear it for work but part of my brain (the part that wears slacks, camisoles, blazers and heels 90% of the time) wonders if it's too casual.

I think it depends on how structured the bodice of your maxi is. I just googled around and saw some outfits that were absolutely not work ready despite being billed as such, some that just threw a blazer over a dress and look a little odd, and then others where they pair work accessories (blazer, etc) with a maxi and it looks a little unexpected but good.

[aprilsails]

I work in a client facing role in an engineering office and I wear the Old Navy Pixie Ankle pants a couple times a week with blouses and longer cardigans. I have them in black, navy and a dark olive green and find them very versatile and comfy. They are not as fancy as dress pants, but much more comfortable.

I wear them with Lucky Brand leather and suede flats most of the time, but also with pumps when I’m meeting a client for the first time (I will also wear a nicer blouse). I think it’s a great look for a business casual workplace.

I don’t dress fancy at work generally and I don’t wear makeup at all anymore (I have bad eczema and allergy issues so I figure a plain face is better than a made up face with angry red blotches). So boring clothes and shoes are right up my alley. Besides, every guy in my office has a standard uniform of nice jeans or chinos and plaid or gingham button down shirt.

[ESF]

I loooove ankle length pants. The hem work both with heels and flats, and thus are perfect for that reason.

I think maxi dresses are very hard to make work appropriate. The pictures I've seen trying to professionalize them all make them look like the outfit equivalent of a mullet.

[picksthemusic]

May 24, 2018 10:29:47 GMT -5 @tooshort said:

I don’t go into an office so feel free to ignore me but I think it’s cute. I’m only 5 feet but I love a good ankle length pant.

Being 5' tall and wearing ankle pants only make it look like I have a bad tailor. LOL I have a 27" inseam so it's so hard to find pants that actually fit! Add that to being a size 16 makes it extra hard.

[wawa]

May 24, 2018 10:54:08 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

I work in a client facing role in an engineering office and I wear the Old Navy Pixie Ankle pants a couple times a week with blouses and longer cardigans. I have them in black, navy and a dark olive green and find them very versatile and comfy. They are not as fancy as dress pants, but much more comfortable.

I wear them with Lucky Brand leather and suede flats most of the time, but also with pumps when I’m meeting a client for the first time (I will also wear a nicer blouse). I think it’s a great look for a business casual workplace.

I don’t dress fancy at work generally and I don’t wear makeup at all anymore (I have bad eczema and allergy issues so I figure a plain face is better than a made up face with angry red blotches). So boring clothes and shoes are right up my alley. Besides, every guy in my office has a standard uniform of nice jeans or chinos and plaid or gingham button down shirt.

Ahh, the uniform.  Every.single.one of them.  MH is also an engineer - so all day I spend with men dressed like this. MH is fancy though and wears a slightly higher grade of patterned shirt with a TIE.  ooohhh.  

[aprilsails]

May 24, 2018 11:25:05 GMT -5 wawa said:

May 24, 2018 10:54:08 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

I work in a client facing role in an engineering office and I wear the Old Navy Pixie Ankle pants a couple times a week with blouses and longer cardigans. I have them in black, navy and a dark olive green and find them very versatile and comfy. They are not as fancy as dress pants, but much more comfortable.

I wear them with Lucky Brand leather and suede flats most of the time, but also with pumps when I’m meeting a client for the first time (I will also wear a nicer blouse). I think it’s a great look for a business casual workplace.

I don’t dress fancy at work generally and I don’t wear makeup at all anymore (I have bad eczema and allergy issues so I figure a plain face is better than a made up face with angry red blotches). So boring clothes and shoes are right up my alley. Besides, every guy in my office has a standard uniform of nice jeans or chinos and plaid or gingham button down shirt.

Ahh, the uniform.  Every.single.one of them.  MH is also an engineer - so all day I spend with men dressed like this. MH is fancy though and wears a slightly higher grade of patterned shirt with a TIE.  ooohhh.  

The guys in my office celebrate Tie Tuesday’s. Fancy. My DH works in high tech with software engineers and he wears chinos with dress shirts (he doesn’t do plaid) and people ask him all the time why he is dressed up.

[minionkevin]

May 24, 2018 11:25:05 GMT -5 wawa said:

May 24, 2018 10:54:08 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

I work in a client facing role in an engineering office and I wear the Old Navy Pixie Ankle pants a couple times a week with blouses and longer cardigans. I have them in black, navy and a dark olive green and find them very versatile and comfy. They are not as fancy as dress pants, but much more comfortable.

I wear them with Lucky Brand leather and suede flats most of the time, but also with pumps when I’m meeting a client for the first time (I will also wear a nicer blouse). I think it’s a great look for a business casual workplace.

I don’t dress fancy at work generally and I don’t wear makeup at all anymore (I have bad eczema and allergy issues so I figure a plain face is better than a made up face with angry red blotches). So boring clothes and shoes are right up my alley. Besides, every guy in my office has a standard uniform of nice jeans or chinos and plaid or gingham button down shirt.

Ahh, the uniform.  Every.single.one of them.  MH is also an engineer - so all day I spend with men dressed like this. MH is fancy though and wears a slightly higher grade of patterned shirt with a TIE.  ooohhh.  

I also work with engineers and most of the women in my office (who are around my age and younger) dress like me. But yes, the men definitely have a uniform, even the mid-late 20somethings that think they are fashionable. I came in today and one guy had on a (subtle grey/white) floral print shirt. 😂😂😂

[katieinthecity]

Yes. I wear slim ankle pants and a blousey/tunic type top at least twice a week in a business casual environment. I just got a new pair that are stretchy ponte and it's like wearing pajamas to work.

[StrawberryBlondie]

I wesr maxi dresses and cardigans and flats all the time. I work at a tech company, though, so that may influence.

The cardigan is mostly so I don't get cold.

[madDawg228]

May 24, 2018 11:15:14 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

May 24, 2018 10:29:47 GMT -5 @tooshort said:

I don’t go into an office so feel free to ignore me but I think it’s cute. I’m only 5 feet but I love a good ankle length pant.

Being 5' tall and wearing ankle pants only make it look like I have a bad tailor. LOL I have a 27" inseam so it's so hard to find pants that actually fit! Add that to being a size 16 makes it extra hard.

I'm 5'3" and ankle pants have become my go-to for work pants.  I especially enjoy them in the PNW, since it means the bottoms won't be wet on rainy days!

Give them a try!

[ESF]

May 24, 2018 11:44:40 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I wesr maxi dresses and cardigans and flats all the time. I work at a tech company, though, so that may influence.

The cardigan is mostly so I don't get cold.

FWIW, these are the kinds of pictures I think of when I hear "take the maxi to the office!!!"

Business up top, parrrrrry down below.

[Deleted]

May 24, 2018 11:57:34 GMT -5 ESF said:

May 24, 2018 11:44:40 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I wesr maxi dresses and cardigans and flats all the time. I work at a tech company, though, so that may influence.

The cardigan is mostly so I don't get cold.

FWIW, these are the kinds of pictures I think of when I hear "take the maxi to the office!!!"

Business up top, parrrrrry down below.

These are (nice) casual Friday outfits.  Probably could get away with them in a more casual, business casual office, but I agree these aren't really the typical business casual outfit.

[StrawberryBlondie]

May 24, 2018 11:57:34 GMT -5 ESF said:

May 24, 2018 11:44:40 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I wesr maxi dresses and cardigans and flats all the time. I work at a tech company, though, so that may influence.

The cardigan is mostly so I don't get cold.

FWIW, these are the kinds of pictures I think of when I hear "take the maxi to the office!!!"

Business up top, parrrrrry down below.

More like this:

But again - tech company. The two you posted would be too dressy here.

[secretlyevil]

BR Sloans (ankle pants) are one of my favorite pants, they tend to have some give in the waist band and hold up amazingly well.

[ESF]

StrawberryBlondie - those are really cute, esp the first one!

Both of the women in my pictures look like they got cold at a wedding and borrowed their husband's jackets.'

[lilibet]

I'm actually wearing black ankle pants today. I also own them in Navy. I love them. Mine are from JCPenney.

And I definitely think you can add a necklace or cardigan to a maxi for work.

[secretlyevil]

May 24, 2018 11:31:55 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

May 24, 2018 11:25:05 GMT -5 wawa said:

Ahh, the uniform.  Every.single.one of them.  MH is also an engineer - so all day I spend with men dressed like this. MH is fancy though and wears a slightly higher grade of patterned shirt with a TIE.  ooohhh.  

The guys in my office celebrate Tie Tuesday’s. Fancy. My DH works in high tech with software engineers and he wears chinos with dress shirts (he doesn’t do plaid) and people ask him all the time why he is dressed up.

We have Tie Tuesday as well. The babies and olds both really get into it.

[oregonpachey]

I want to try ankle pants but I am plus-sized and think I would look ridiculous.

[ESF]

May 24, 2018 12:14:49 GMT -5 oregonpachey said:

I want to try ankle pants but I am plus-sized and think I would look ridiculous.

Size 20 ankle pant lover signing in. 
 
You can do it!

[StrawberryBlondie]

I have short legs and a really long torso so regular length ankle pants are just pants to me. Short length usually is also short in the torso so I look like I have really low-waisted pants.

I bought a pair of pants once and didn't realize they were supposed to be capri pants until I looked at the receipt.