Shopping Help - Work Wardrobe

[Pilsy]

Good morning!

I have a confession: I don't enjoy clothes shopping, and I don't remember the last time I bought a new outfit.

Does anyone feel like helping me shop for some new wardrobe staples?

Despite having thrown out a ton in the past couple months, I have more clothes than any one person should own, and I still have nothing to wear! Some of it has been with me since college (Class of 2001) or shortly thereafter. Gulp. I don't like any of it. Beyond that, most of it fits poorly, as I'm sort of between sizes. At my max weight, I was about 10 pounds heavier than I am now; and at my lowest adult weight, I was about 12 pounds lighter than I am now.

It's unlikely I will get back down to the low weight, but I am losing a little, so I don't want to go nuts (yet). I need basics so I can show up to my new job and feel confident, and I can build from there once my weight is stable.

So, does anyone feel like suggesting items for me? I can answer any questions you may have, but for the most part, I'm looking for basics/must-haves that will be the foundation for a whole new wardrobe. The new office is business casual, and I need things that will suffice away from work, too.

ETA: I am self-conscious about my legs and will post a pic if I can find my camera. As people suggest dresses and skirts, I am wondering if they have mixed feelings about people with heavy legs wearing them...

[Deleted]

Get a black pencil skirt--it will work nicely even if you gain or lose a little weight.

If you want pants that are inexpensive but nice for work, I highly recommend Worthington brand from JC Penney.

One of my favorite work basics are the charming cardis from Talbots, but wait for a sale--you should be able to find at least 40% off closer to Christmas. I like the 3/4 length, so I usually buy in the spring, but that's up to your preference:)

[Pilsy]

Oct 9, 2012 6:43:19 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

Get a black pencil skirt--it will work nicely even if you gain or lose a little weight.

If you want pants that are inexpensive but nice for work, I highly recommend Worthington brand from JC Penney.

One of my favorite work basics are the charming cardis from Talbots, but wait for a sale--you should be able to find at least 40% off closer to Christmas. I like the 3/4 length, so I usually buy in the spring, but that's up to your preference:)

Thank you, kc!

I have heavy legs. Am I still allowed to wear pencil skirts? As a person with "bad" legs, I have always assumed I should not wear skirts, but I don't know what the rest of the world thinks.

[Deleted]

Buy for your current size, not your I wish I was 5lbs lighter size.

I would go some place like AT Loft and pick up some pieces on sales. They regularly have very good sales.

[ssmjlm]

If you think you may still lose weight, dresses will work best for fluctuations.

[Deleted]

I would say that you need a pair of black pants, a pair of charcoal pants (for business casual days, I like Gap's modern boot cut pant, but it may take a bit of trying on to find what you like best), some sort of black skirt (I think you should try pencil, but if that doesn't work, a-line or something), a very basic black cardigan, a basic wrap dress, and if you'll wear button-downs, a basic white one. And a pair of basic but great black pumps. I think those are the work basics, and are the things that are worth investing in because you'll be able to wear them forever (so if you think you're going to lose some weight, maybe hold off on the ones where your size will change?).

From there, you can start adding more stuff to add interest/color/etc.

[Deleted]

Note: I am not particularly fashionable. I think most of my stuff looks nice though, I'm not frumpy or anything

I work in a business casual office and have 2-3 main pairs of pants - right now I rotate charcoal grey pants and a pair that is black with very thin white stripes. They are both from the Gap, I think they are the kind V recommended (I think I bought them at her recommendation, actually!). I also have a pair of khakis but I haven't worn them yet this year (I don't like them much but they go better with brown tops than either of my other pairs of pants). I don't wear skirts and dresses much in the colder months, but I do have a black pencil skirt, a black A line skirt, and a grey A line that I wore all summer and could be worn with tights. The skirts are from JC Penny, Target, and Costco.

I have heavy legs too, btw, and don't worry about it. There is no rule against anyone wearing most types of clothes - you just need to wear something you feel confident in. If you are going to be self conscious maybe skirts aren't for you.

For tops, I almost always layer some sort of cardigan with either a cami, cute blouse, or patterned/solid cotton top. I do have a few sweaters for the colder months. I like cardigans because I can mix and match them with what I wear underneath, so they don't feel like wearing the same thing all the time. I have probably 20+ cardigans so I don't run into that problem anyway, lol, but they make many more "outfits" since I don't often wear them with the same shirt underneath. Most of my cardigans are from Loft, a few are from places like Target or Old Navy. Basically anywhere has cardigans.

For shoes, I'm really basic because I'm tall and have big feet so I don't wear heels much and don't enjoy shoe shopping since size 11 is hard to find. I have a pair of flats that I wear most days and they are a dark grey with a silver buckle. I also have black heels, red heels, nude heels, and a few other misc shoes that I wear on occasion (heels are more popular for me in the summer since I wear more dresses when it is hot).

For me, the key is lots of things I can mix and match, so I rarely buy an "outfit" unless it is something I can break apart and use with other pieces I already own. I also find that cardigans are nice because I can wear them year-round (it is always freezing in my office in the summer so I wear them then, too). Most of the tops I wear could be paired with jeans, too, so they work for the weekend. I do admit that this has gotten me into a rut where I rarely buy things I can't wear to work, so when I'm going somewhere fancy or more "fun" on the weekend I struggle to find something to wear that isn't (office) boring. But if you are looking to maximize your spending right now, I think it would be ok to buy stuff like that that you can wear both at work and at home.

Hope that helps, sorry it turned into a book!

[Pilsy]

Thank you all very much. V, great list. And Bucky, books are good! I need all the help I can get. You make a good point about "outfits." What you do is what I want to do. I can't say I've been doing anything drastically different, but only because I haven't been doing anything. I'm really appalled when I look in my closet, and I'm having trouble remembering what I wore to work last year at this time. Ugh.

I wish someone would nominate me for What Not to Wear. I think I have some fashion sense deep inside me, but I am too frugal and self-conscious. This week, in order to have something for next week, I'm probably on my own. But after that, maybe I'll ask a friend whose clothes I admire if she'd like to join me.

[lys]

Pick no more than 3 colors and work with those. Buy dress slacks, pencil skirt, tops (blouses, camis, knit tops) that mix and match the 3 colors. I would start with solid color tops and then add prints. Cardigan sweaters, jackets. Don't forget a nice crisp white blouse!
Jewelery and scarves .
Everything should be able to be worn with any pair of pants or skirts.

[Pilsy]

Does anyone have strong feelings about outlet malls? I mean, great idea or no better than the mall? Like I said, I'm not much of a clothes shopper, so I have no clue whether their stuff is in season.

I have a big mall about 10 minutes away and outlets about 30 minutes away. Are the outlets worth the additional distance?

[pugz]

outlets can be a good deal but not always. I have had good luck at BR outlet and Gap outlet when they have 30-40% off.

Loft regularly has 40% off sales so I wait for those then stock up.

[Pilsy]

Pugz, I had been waiting for Gretchen's 3-month pic. I meant to tell you yesterday that I love it.

Thanks for the outlet thoughts, too.

[AAM2012]

We just went to an outlet plaza the other day and loved it. If I had the patience I could have found everything I needed (I.E. Pants, tops, cardigans, dresses, etc) at JCrew and Ann Taylor.

If you have the patience I say go for the outlet.

[pugz]

thanks pilsy

[Deleted]

I have large legs and have always worn skirts. I often wear heels with them which helps. And I avoid shoes with ankle straps.

I also don't wear skirts shorter than right at the top of my knee

[ssmjlm]

Oct 9, 2012 8:16:13 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Does anyone have strong feelings about outlet malls? I mean, great idea or no better than the mall? Like I said, I'm not much of a clothes shopper, so I have no clue whether their stuff is in season.

I have a big mall about 10 minutes away and outlets about 30 minutes away. Are the outlets worth the additional distance?

I have several pairs of dress pants from the ann taylor outlet that were around $50. They all have held up very well. Just make sure you get the lined ones vs. unlined.

[w2w]

I dislike outlets - many stores have clothes that are for their outlets only - worse quality.

If I was starting a wardrobe, I would buy a couple pairs of dressier pants (black and charcoal), a black skirt, a fairly plain work-appropriate dress, a few light-weight sweaters, 2 cardigans, a few shells, a dress shirt (if you like them, I personally hate them), a pair of black heels and a pair of black flats.

[Deleted]

I like our outlet mall. I would say if my regular mall is having a sale, I could find things for similar prices there - but the outlet is like everything is on sale. We have a Loft outlet and some things are similar prices to what I'd pay on sale at the regular Loft store, but outlet clearance there is REALLY cheap (think $5 tops) and I have a Loft outlet CC so I've gotten an additional discount on clearance items there in the past too. We also have BR, Gap, and J Crew that have been good outlet deals for me - I got a pair of J Crew pants for $30 a month or so ago and I love them.

[ladygrey]

Layers are your friend! 90% of the time, I wear a patterened blouse or cami with solid color cardigan or blazer over it. I also have a few nice cashmere and merino sweaters that are great for colder months.

For pants, I have 4 pairs of nice dress pants that I rotate through: black, dark grey, camel, and dark brown. On Fridays, I wear dark trouser jeans.

Shoes: black pumps, chocolate-brown slingbacks, red pumps, nude pumps, silver flats, and both black and brown boots.

I don't usually wear skirts unless I have a big event or meeting, but ditto others on the black pencil skirt - it's like a blank canvas for dressing! I also have a wrap dress from BR that is awesome for my fluctuating weight (very flattering for an hourglass shape).

Stores that work well for me: Loft, Banana Republic, The Limited, and sometimes Ann Taylor.

[evans]

I saw this on pinterest and think it is pretty helpful for getting the basics going: www.blaaablaaa.com/2012/02/07/shopbop-workwear-edition-14-pieces-10-looks/



I kept this in mind when updating this year and it was nice to have a visual in place.

[Pilsy]

I warned you. (Please excuse the poor lighting and lack of tights/hose/whatever and shoes.)

I'm baring it all here, folks.

Two more pics to follow. The first skirt pic shows how that particular one is meant to be worn. I think that length is absolutely awful on me. In the past, I have only ever worn skirts with tall boots. Is the length I adjusted it to in the next pic any better? Am I allowed to wear skirts with heels or should I just stick to pants so nobody in the office snickers?

[Pilsy]

This is where this skirt hits if I put the waistband where it belongs. Gag!

[Pilsy]

If I pull the skirt up a little and it hits here, is that any better? Is this length acceptable at work with heels? I desperately want to wear skirts, because I think they're feminine and pretty, but I don't want to look like a moron who doesn't realize she has bad legs.

[Deleted]

Oct 9, 2012 10:30:43 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

If I pull the skirt up a little and it hits here, is that any better? Is this length acceptable at work with heels? I desperately want to wear skirts, because I think they're feminine and pretty, but I don't want to look like a moron who doesn't realize she has bad legs.

Yes, and yes, and you do not have bad legs at all!

ETA: that maybe didn't come out as as much of a compliment as I intended. You have very nice legs. They are not something you should think about hiding!

[fuddyduddy]

Your legs are about a million times thinner and more attractive than mine and I wear skirts and dresses regularly. They look great, so show them off!

[glynn2009]

I would do a skirt right above your knee or at your ankles if you do not like your legs. I think they are fine. I love long skirts with flats in the summer and boots in the winter.

[Pilsy]

Ok, thank you so much, ladies.

I have a lot of cellulite that doesn't show in pics like this, and my calves are bigger than my husband's, so it's just one of those things for me. When I wear his socks, I stretch them out, and they no longer fit him.

Thank you for the tips and whatnot. I really think I will look for some that hit just above the knee when I hit the stores later today and tomorrow. Glynn, long skirts have been my go-to, but the few I have are pretty outdated and look more Amish than fashionable. I will look for some that were made in this decade.

I am excited to be heading to a new office where I can sort of reinvent myself.

[aurora]

Oct 9, 2012 10:41:43 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

...and my calves are bigger than my husband's, so it's just one of those things for me. When I wear his socks, I stretch them out, and they no longer fit him. ...

I can't offer you advice on the wardrobe part (I am reading the thread to get good advice for myself!) but about this statement: did you know that women's calf muscles typically come down lower toward our ankles than men's? So as a result the bottom of a woman's leg is often bigger than the bottom of a man's because there is still muscle there for a woman but mostly tendon/skin for a man. So, maybe that will offer you some comfort next time you stretch out his socks.

Also, your legs are fine for wearing skirts. Really.

[Deleted]

You have nice legs. I should PIP mine so you can see how nice yours are. Really, they seem very normal and not large at all. If you are comparing yourself to women (or men) with very straight or chicken legs then that is the only way I could see yours as "large". I think they are very shapely actually.

The second skirt pic is better, the first is acceptable but looks kind of old-lady. I wouldn't laugh or think you are being inappropriate, but it is more frumpy than when you pull the skirt up (in your 2nd pic). I wear skirts about that length all the time. I don't go shorter for work. Cellulite can't be seen when your skirt is down to your knee unless you have it on your calves!

[Deleted]

I have super huge calves and my good friend who sees me all the time didn't even notice until I showed her as compared to her own leg. I don't think people care.