Upgrading Style - YouLookFab Forum

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Upgrading Style

christie

I've been inspired of late by several things to upgrade my work style. For the most part, my position allows me the freedom to dress as I wish, so long as I dress up in appropriate circumstances (e.g. when going to Court or meetings). I normally go "smart casual" with jeans/jean skirt or wear a dress. This has been convenient for me because that's what I have in my closet.

But I feel like this style is lacking a little for my career, and I"d like to take my style up a notch. I would like to wear more business/business formal wear, but I am finding it difficult for two reasons. 1. I only have one suit, so this means starting from scratch on a limited budget; 2. I'm worried about giving up my style. I'm not interested in the traditional suit per-se. I really love classic styles a la Mad Men or even the professional woman look from the 1940's. I feel like I lose my soul in a suit.

I would love to have advice or comments/insight on how to do this. First, how can I increase my wardrobe on my budget (I can't go out and buy all new clothes at once, so separates is best), and how can I do it without losing my modern/artsy edge?

And how can I look professional and still walk to work? (as of late, I've been wearing my Brulees out, but I just don't think gladiators will go well with a more dressed-up style).

Thanks for any help

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Is it possible to wear athletic shoes for the walk, and change into your work shoes at the office? I have seen a lot of profesional women doing this.
I think you need to do some soul searching to get a big picture idea of where you are going with your style- color/style wise, take an inventory to see which pieces are immediate needs, etc. You will just have to do it one piece at a time. Probably investing some time in really shopping and figuring out what stores fit your body/budget/style and then making regular trips there until you find your perfect pieces.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I think if you are at smart casual now and you want to step it up a notch, go to business casual (at the higher end of the scale) instead of straight to suits and forma business attire. I wear high-end business casual all the time, and it's not hard to do.

I wear a lot of dresses (work-style, not casual -- took me a bit to figure out the difference), and non-denim fabric pants and skirts. Get neutrals in a range of colors -- browns, black, tans, grey, oyster, taupe, etc -- and steer away from khakis and chinos. You want something that can drape, sort of like suit pants without the jacket. You can probably use many of the tops you wear now with your smart casual outfits, or you can start collecting ones in dressier fabrics: silks, no-iron cotton, good knits, etc.

Also consider investing in separate jackets instead of suits; get ones in unique fabrics or patterns that will then "go" with your work bottoms instead of "matching" them. You can carry a tote with your work shoes in it and wear more comfortable ones on your commute to the office.

Khris also had some great advice; it definitely takes time and trying on a LOT of pieces before you find what you want, especially on a limited budget. But it's awfully fun, too!

rute

Veteran

I worked in very formal company years ago and they had strict rules regarding work clothes.. it's difficult to be creative when all you can wear is dark suits.

My advice is.. choose suits with a good cut, you can use nice feminine blouses with feminine colors to contrast with a suit which is more masculine, you can also add your personal touch with shoes and bags.

Alecia

Veteran

Christie, my work requires business/business formal and I struggle with it sometimes, too. But I'm learning there are ways to personalize it that make it fun.

As for foundational pieces, Kristen's suggestion about the jackets is really good. I am wishing I had more of these in my closet right now. They allow lots of flexibility. You can also split suits up to work as separates. I've been toying with this some lately. You mentioned going to court. I think it is in your best interest to have a jacket in that setting as it adds an air of authority. Maybe it doesn't make a difference for anyone else, but I find that it helps me to feel authoritative.

When wearing suits, it so much comes down to accessorizing and fun shirts. Scarves, necklaces, rings, watches, etc. They can bring the "you" back to what can easily become a uniform.

Good luck!

Edit - I forgot to mention about the plan for walking to work. I really think the goal should be to find shoes that you can use for both walking and working. But if that's not an option, I'd offer that you'd be better off getting a flat that is comfortable than wearing tennies. This works best with skirts because if you have ppl for heels in pants, you can't really wear flats.

Anonymous

Without investing a lot, accessories can take your outfits up a notch. You may also find some great pieces like unique jackets for less at consignment shops, although retail has sales that are just as low if you shop carefully.
For walking to work I'd suggest finding comfortable wedge heels you can walk in. To me they are dressier than flats but have their comfort and stability, and there are lots of choices out there now. I like wedge heels in every style of shoe including boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Christie, I’ll come back to this thread later, but keep an open mind wrt suits. They *can* be totally funky, arty AND professional. I LOVE suits. In fact, I think I should wear more. Okay. Thanks for the inspiration. Note to self: make suits part of your style evolution.

I’d absolutely change out my shoes when I got to the office, Christie. I used to do that when I was a buyer.

Maya

Veteran

I also have negative feelings towards suits so I can't be much help there, but as for commuting, I would just fold your pant hems under (pin them if necessary) and wear some dressy flats. It doesn't look as terrible as it sounds.

If the pants are a slightly stiffer material (not drapey), they will stay folded on their own without any need for a pin, and no one can really tell that they were folded unless they look VERY closely and with great concentration. In my experience, it doesn't cause any wrinkling or unsightly creases.

I have heard a few fashion blogs lash out at women who wear sneakers on their commute, but I think it's a legitimate solution. Even walking around in an office in heels all day can make your feet tired and achey, and flimsy ballet flats aren't supportive enough. It depends how tired your feet get and how long your walk is. The other option is a more "athletic" ballet flat. They will offer more support without being as indiscreet as a clunky sneaker.

christie

Thanks for your responses. Angie, I did review your piece on wearing suits, but I just feel torn. I would love to hear more of your inspiration and ways to still be funky and professional.

Regarding tennies, I know that JCrew has one of its photos of pants shown with converse-style shoes. It's definitely a twist on the traditional athletic shoes with pants.

Those of you who wear professional clothes (Suits funky or not), where do you shop?

christie

Though I really should be working, I did find some outfits that I love (what I could see as my style), but are completely beyond my pocketbook. What do you guys think? Professional? Where to get these styles in less-expensive form?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....4&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....4&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....4&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....4&P=1

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I shop most regularly at AT, ATL, BR, outlet stores for all of those, Target, Kohls, Gap, and Nordstroms. I am trying to check out other stores as I can now fit into their sizes, but I usually end up thinking the cuts are too young or too cheap for my style. But I do try new ones all the time; that's how Loft ended up being such a big part of my current wardrobe.

Anonymous

Christie,

What about something like this, which you could wear alone or accessorize in your "style" by changing the feel or look of it with different necklaces, shoes, and jackets or cardigans:

http://tinyurl.com/c2e2kn

Or looking for details in suit separates (to wear together or with other tops/bottoms) like contrasting trim color, pinstripe or patterned fabrics, ruffles, etc? I think you're going in the right direction with what you posted at Nordstroms! Good luck!

Anonymous

I love suits and agree that they can be fun anf funky. If you love beautiful fabrics and great structure and fit you surley will be able to find a work wardrobe that does not cause you to lose yourself. That would be a terrible thing.
The things you have link to are drool worthy. I can't wait to see how this proffessional look evolves. I say lucky you that you work in an enviroment where you get to wear fantastic clothes.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Christie- those all look very appropriate for work to me. I think that style wise, it looks closest to Banana Republic. If there is a Banana Republic outlet near you- be sure to check it out!

Melody

I lost 20 lbs a couple years ago and had to start over on the work wardrobe with a budget. I used a black suit for the base, and kind of went with a white/black/gray theme. I picked up three pair of trousers in charcoal gray, light gray, and a black/white herringbone pattern, plus a gray pencil skirt & a burgundy wrap dress. And then I built up 8-10 tops (classic white button down, purple twinset, red silk top, gray cashmere sweater, etc.) that would go with *any* of my bottoms. I stuck to black pumps and a red bag that also went with any outfit. Then as I could afford it, I branched out into other neutrals, colors, accessories and purchased investment pieces during season-end sales.

I didn't consider myself a suit wearer until I got a really well-cut stylish suit that made me feel fabulous. My favorites are jcrew suits, with Banana Republic running a close second. Calvin Klein suits are cool too and are on sale at macys.com right now. I also like Antonio Melani suit separates at dillards.com. Suits from Anne Klein and Jones New York do make me feel frumpy and I stay away from those. I don't like how Ann Taylor or Loft suits fit me either. If I'm going to spend that much money on a set of clothes, they absolutely are going to make me feel confident and powerful.

Check out whitehouseblackmarket.com for some cool white/black graphic prints that remind me a little of the outfits you linked to.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ooooh! Those ensembles are beautiful, Christie. And I too would wear all of them. Totally work appropriate. It’s a question of trying to find the look for less. Wait for the NAS.