help! (work outfits) - YouLookFab Forum

This has been slowly bothering me for awhile, moreso now that I've been seeing all your fantastic outfits on this forum =/

I work as an engineer at a company that designs, builds and tests satellites. My days are typically 8-10+ hours and most of that is usually spent on my feet. I love my job....but I am saddened by the fact that I used to dress better for school than I do right now.

I'm the only female in my group, and at 24, I'm the youngest by about 10 years. There is no dress code, per se. A couple guys wear dress shirts and khakis but most wear casual T's, polos, and slightly torn up jeans. The only die-hard rule is that all shoes must be closed toe for safety reasons. And no long or loose accessories that can get tangled up in equipment, etc. I pretty much stick to a watch, a small necklace and earrings.

For about a year now, my work outfits have consisted of jeans, a simple t-shirt and sneakers. About once a week or so (usually on fridays) I get so fed up with 'bumming' it all week that I'll slip into slacks and low heels and a nicer top. But I'd like to not have such a disparency between the two 'styles'...

I'm not sure what I'm really asking for here...except that I need suggestions for how to look polished and pulled together and still be comfortable enough to last all day. I've read the blog posts on smart-casual dressing...and think they might be a little too smart for this environment. I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard, especially since everyone else is so casual, but I don't want my clothes to make me look younger than I am, as its hard enough to get taken seriously when I'm the only girl and fresh out of school. But now that the summer heat is here....I'm finding I don't have very many tops that are work appropriate and still feminine and summery. Any tips would be greatly appreciated...and I'm sorry for this being so long-winded....

16 years ago

rute

Veteran

Hi! Welcome! I work in the Marketing Department of a construction portuguese grup and I know what you are talking about, most of the collegues are men, and the dress code is bussiness casual, but of course that the engineers wear t-shirts, jeans and safety boots all day.

You must rise above that and assume your style, you can use jeans and instead of a t-shirt use, for exemple a button down white shirt, a nice bag and nice confortable shoes (no sneakers please!), it is still casual but more polished!

Sarah

(website)

Ah yes. I used to work as a technician for Verizon Wireless. I had to wear black pants, a long sleeve (men's sizes only) tan polo with the company name, logos, etc, and black steel toe shoes.
The only way I could feel funky and feminine was through my hair and makeup. Do you have a fun, fresh hairstyle?

Srujana

Rute- thanks for the suggestions! My purses are always cute, but stay stashed in my desk all day =) I have a few button down shirts that don't gape at the bust, but I'm always iffy about wearing them...they seem so formal to me somehow...I've only worn them under suit type jackets. But I'll try layering one over a cami perhaps...or rolling up the sleeves a bit? hmm...

Sarah- I do play it up with eyeliner and light eyeshadow, though its against the rules (we work in clean rooms, so powdery makeup is technically not allowed) and i'm growing my hair out...its almost to the small of my back right now...but that's a moot point since its always up under a hair cover when i'm around the satellites. Thats where the earrings come into play...since everything else is covered up by a clean suit.... =)

Srujana,
Great! Take baby steps, you can roll the sleeves up.. perfect!
You can also use a nice blouse instead of a simple t-shirt like this one:

http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=5441

Simple and yet more feminine.

Inge

Moderator

I was going to suggest the same thing as Rute, Srujana. How about wearing blousy tops (light and airy for hot days) with a nice pair of jeans and cute wedge sandals or funky pumps?
Or a (short-sleeved) cardigan in a fun colour, paired with a cami or a cowl neck top?

Or you could mix it up and try clamdiggers, walk shorts, a (denim) pencil skirt (white or a dark wash) too... Or you could try a dress over leggings? And how about a button-down shirt with a vest? That can be fun too. The cascading cardigans Angie has been writing about are fabulous too.

If you like belts, they can spice things up as well.

I don't know what styles of tops you look, so these are just examples:
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=629260092

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....0&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....0&P=4

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=18
(I think Devin has this one, she looks great in it!)

http://www.nyandcompany.com/ny.....Acat350008

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../14834.jsp

shiny

My first job was for a manufacturer and like you I was 10 years younger than my colleagues, and also the only woman in management. The men in the front office (the engineers) wore short-sleeve collared shirts (with pocket protectors!) and khakis. The men in the back (the mfring floor) wore jeans, steel-toed boots, tee shirts and hard hats. This was the late 80s-early 90s so I overdressed every single day in hose, pumps, and skirt suits.

Flash forward and I'm now in high-tech marketing and office casual is the norm. It sounds like my coworkers dress similar (sans the closed shoes requirement). Most people dress pretty sloppy! I love the smart-casual formula and yes I am still overdressed, but it is what makes me comfortable.

So... what would make you comfortable? Sounds like you want to dress up more, but not too much. I think you can find the right balance here.

Let's start with your jeans. Upgrade them to dark wash denim with no whiskering, fading, etc.

Instead of a simple t-shirt, be choosy about your knitwear and find something more interesting than the regulation v-neck/scoop-neck from the gap. A sweet pea top might work for you too. Hang in there with us and you'll learn some options to help you take this up just a notch.

Add a cami underneath in a contrasting color to add interest and work-appropriate modesty. That gives you a layer which is part of the smart-casual formula. If you don't want to add on a jacket or cardi because you think that will be too dressy (or it's just too hot), how about a vest?

For shoes you need closed toed flats. How about ballet flats?

And for jewelry, how about a statement necklace that's not dangly?

Thank you all for your help! I can't wait to get off work so I can scour the web and head to the mall this weekend =)

Inge- Thanks for the links...I especially like the nordstrom tops! I've always felt that I couldn't pull off belts, or vests or pencil skirts especially since I carry most of my weight around my stomach...but this forum has me itching to try these styles out =) Have you any idea where I can find a white short sleeved cardigan? I got one from The Limited but its cropped and I feel that over emphasizes my chest...and thought I found a perfect one at AT...but its not there anymore..

Shiny- I did the cami look for awhile but felt like they were squishing me. Looks like its time to find some sans the shelf bra. I'm going to keep your tips in mind...and will hopefully be able to post some progress pictures soon. Thanks!

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