UPDATE w PIPs: Help dress me for this work event?

[greekypie]

Update:

Red Jacket is no-go.

How does this jacket look with the black dress? It is black boucle/texture with black trim: (thought I'd try this before going all-black)



Also, now I'm concerned that the dress is not long enough. It hits right above my knee. I'd kinda like to to cover my kneecaps. I didn't notice this in the store. They do make a Tall version, maybe I need to try that? I'm going back today to check out the jacket choices.




Just for shits and giggles, this is the red jacket with the dress:



I think it makes my boobs look hawt. Maybe that is why I like it, but also why it is wrong for this event. ;D


_______________

I am presenting as a part of a guest lecture series at an engineering/tech company (very large corp.). Senior leadership, 99% male, will be there, and I am representing my company, also a large corp. It is a huge networking opportunity for me and I need to look SUPER sharp.

Also, I need them to take me seriously (which is sometimes I challenge because I look younger).

I have a red & black tailored jacket SORT OF like this (mine is a dark red where this jacket is gray):


It actually looks awesome paired with black separates, and I bought this dress in black:



Is that ok? Or should I get the matching J Crew jacket in black, to go with the dress? I feel like I'll be dressed for a funeral at that point.

I have suits, but they all need tailoring (I've lost a lot of weight) and I don't know if I have time.

?

[Deleted]

I think you will look great. Red jacket.

[greekypie]

Oct 5, 2012 8:10:33 GMT -5 @songforyou said:

I would prefer the all black. I don't think all black looks funereal, I think it looks chic.

My disclaimer regarding my bias is that red is my absolute least favorite color and I've only ever bought two red items in my life.

Usually I am the same way about red, but for whatever reason this jacket works.

OK - If I were to go all black, what jewelry should I do? What necklaces work with a jacket? Do I go big & bold, or is that too distracting for a work event?

[mbcdefg]

If you have pearls, wear those.

[greekypie]

I do have pearls, though they are small & understated (vs. large and first lady-ish, ha). I can wear those.

[Deleted]

I would wear the red with those two options assuming it is a color that looks great on you.

Do you have a Norstrom in your area? If so you could just go in and have a personal shopper help you pick out something stunning. That is a different outfit for everyone.

I definitely think color is important though. Especially with a team of all men, I don't think black will make as much on an impression. But also nothing super fashion-forward is ideal.

[dr.girlfriend]

Do you have a picture of the actual jacket? Sorry to be the dissenter, but I'm imagining that jacket in solid red with black cuffs and I'm getting a very lounge-lizard vibe. Does yours have the contrasting cuffs also, or did you just mean it was a one-button blazer style? Is that a shadow, or is that black piping in the lapel? Basically, you want to avoid this (and yes, I found it by doing a google image search for "lounge lizard", lol):

[greekypie]

This is a bad pic of the actual jacket.... it doesn't have the black cuffs, you'll notice. It is textured with black stitching and single (black) button. 3/4 sleeves.

[spankswife]

I'd go black jacket. It is more serious. I feel like the other jacket is younger looking.

[dr.girlfriend]

I think the 3/4 sleeves, contrast stitching, rounded lapel, and patch pockets all add up to a juvenile rather than tailored look. Sorry. Plus, maybe it's just the pic but the fabric looks kind of outerwear, like a felted wool or something? Sorry to rag on a jacket you love, I would totally wear it to work for a meeting or something, but not for what you are describing. I would describe that jacket as "fun and comfortable" rather than "super sharp"

[dexteroni]

The red jacket isn't businessy enough - it almost looks like a sweater. Get a real suit jacket. Black is fine but it doesn't have to be (but since you have the choice, stick with a businessy neutral, not red). Go for business rather than fashion - not to stereotype, but for the most part, men in engineering and tech couldn't care less about fashion.

ETA: Also that red jacket is nothing like the gray one you first posted! lol.

[atouchofklasse]

I would make every effort to visit a tailor. Make sure your shoes are great too.

[Deleted]

The red jacket isn't as polished as it needs to be. Red is also a very powerful color and as one of the few women there, I'm not sure red would be the best color.

[atouchofklasse]

Do not wear the colorful jacket.

[Susie]

I'm afraid all black + small pearls will be entirely forgettable. I agree that fashion forward isn't the right move for the audience, and also with pp's who thought the red jacket looks too comfortable/casual for the occasion.

I'd either pick some kind of accessory with color to go with all black, or pick a different jacket to go with the black dress. Or just take one of your suits to the tailor for a rush job.

If you wear the dress, the shoes have to be great.

[atouchofklasse]

I believe what you wear should be classic and forgettable. You want to be remembered for your presentation not your outfit.

[SJ]

I vote for the black jacket and simple/classic jewelry.

[dr.girlfriend]

Black and black can be hard to match, too...the fabrics can have different sheens. I would think about finding a black blazer with a subtle pattern. I keep one in my office that I can throw on if a meeting comes up unexpectedly. I posted a pic before, let me see if I can find it. I think it's from Ann Taylor but it's not on their website.

[mbcdefg]

Oct 5, 2012 9:16:04 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Do you have a picture of the actual jacket? Sorry to be the dissenter, but I'm imagining that jacket in solid red with black cuffs and I'm getting a very lounge-lizard vibe. Does yours have the contrasting cuffs also, or did you just mean it was a one-button blazer style? Is that a shadow, or is that black piping in the lapel? Basically, you want to avoid this (and yes, I found it by doing a google image search for "lounge lizard", lol):

Is that Richard Cheese?

[ijack]

Oct 5, 2012 9:30:54 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

I think the 3/4 sleeves, contrast stitching, rounded lapel, and patch pockets all add up to a juvenile rather than tailored look. Sorry. Plus, maybe it's just the pic but the fabric looks kind of outerwear, like a felted wool or something? Sorry to rag on a jacket you love, I would totally wear it to work for a meeting or something, but not for what you are describing. I would describe that jacket as "fun and comfortable" rather than "super sharp"

I agree, especially about the material. This isn't the look you're going for.

[dr.girlfriend]

Oct 5, 2012 9:57:27 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Is that Richard Cheese?

Apparently so...never heard of him before. :-)

[greekypie]

OK so the red jacket is a bomb. :-) Got it. For some reason I just really like it.

[mbcdefg]

I like the red jacket better than the gray jacket, and I think the dress length is fine. It gives you a very nice figure, but you still look professional and modest.

[Susie]

I like the boucle jacket better than something all black.

I think the dress length is just fine. Only caveat is if it rides up a lot when you sit down, a tall might be better. Otherwise it's fine.

[sa]

The length of the black dress is fine. It skims the top of your knee which is appropriate for work.

I like the boucle jacket much better than the red with that dress, and I like the necklace you showed as well.

I think it looks very professional.

[Deleted]

I like the red jacket and see nothing inappropriate about your boobs in that one. I'm screwed f that's inappropriate -- I'll need to start wearing a tent (it's hard to hide my 34G top).

[LoveTrains]

I really like the dress with the boucle jacket.

[Deleted]

Love the boucle jacket. It looks very nice.

[greekypie]

Ah, what would I do without you guys... it never occurred to me that the red looks "junior" but I see it now. Thanks!

[Deleted]

I think the dress length is fine. The color of the red jacket is what I don't like. If it was a deeper shade, I'd be fine with it. I'd do the other jacket with the pearls.