What would you wear if dressy jeans were not an option?

AJ

Dressy corduroy pants or skirts, tights, boots, feminine blouse and blazer. I'd add fun accessories: colorful or feminine or quirky.

16 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I would probably stick with dresses and skirts if I couldn't wear jeans. For days when I felt like being more casual, I would probably go with microcheck or some other subtly printed or brightly colored pants.

16 years ago

Christie

Active Member

I watched a rerun of What Not To Wear today, and Stacy and Clinton recommended tweed pants to their makeover subject. She looked great!

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I have to leave my jeans in my closet every day. I go with dresses and skirts instead, but lately I have been hankering for some pants again. I have a couple of pairs of black but they're boring me. So I may look for a few tweeds, greys or browns this weekend.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I was thinking about this too today April. I'm allowed to wear jeans since I'm an intern (actually a volunteer...long story...). But I want to make a better impression so I'm trying to dress more like the staff, who only wears jeans on Fridays (and I don't work on Fridays).

The part that perplexes me is the fact that even though jeans are not allowed (presumably due to the outdated idea that they are casual), everyone still dresses REALLY casually anyway. Polo shirts and corduroys don't cut it for me, personally. I think jeans and a sweet blazer looks MUCH sharper. But it's not up to me, I suppose.

Like Ana, I'm mostly gravitating towards skirts and dresses. Not even "fancy" or professional dresses since, as I said, the rest of the staff isn't exactly dressy...but nicer and dressier than a lot of the other gals in the office. Today I wore my purple geo print mod dress with black cascarding cardi, black sheer hose, black boots, white watch, and citron necklace (bless Angie for donating the last two items).

If I were working 5 days a week, I would need to do some serious shopping as I don't have enough biz casual stuff. I wonder if dressed up leggings are okay? I feel like they are on YLF but probably not "the real world" (stupid real world).

I'll also wear my MC pants, but somehow I just don't feel as fab in pants. I just feel frumpy and old. I think a lot of that is because I don't usually wear heels. I'm going to take my MC's to the tailor to let out the hems for the few heels I do have and I think I'll feel better in them.

Also, I know this isn't totally relevant since we were talking about bottoms, but I love waistcoats!

Can you wear a dark denim skirt? I think I could get away with it where I am. Not sure if it's the same with you.

16 years ago

marianna

Veteran

I wear jeans pretty much every single day. If I couldn't wear them, I'd probably stock up on fun trousers -- microcheck, tweed, houndstooth, etc.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dresses most of the time.

Skirts with shirts some of the time.

Pinstripe or checked pants with blouses the other times.

A few suits too.

(I wear a lot of business casual attire!)

16 years ago

Ele

(website)

Active Member

Commiserations, April. I love my jeans and hate being separated from them When I absolutely must be, I like dresses or my microcheck pants. I used to be very much a skirt girl, but I don't have many right now that I'm crazy about, and I find dresses more comfortable/easier to wear anyway.

16 years ago

rute

Veteran

There are lots of options, dresses, skirts (I wear skirts at my work all the time, with opaque tights) and black classic pants. I always have pencil skirts in black, brown, beije, black classic pants and a LBD, these are my basics, they go with everything, silk blouses, cardigans..

16 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Dresses and skirts x

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Maya -- you have expressed one of my major problems: no heels. I find that it's hard for dress pants not to look frumpy with flats, especially during weather when some sort of sock is needed. Dresses and skirts too. They can easily look little-girl-ish or dowdy when paired with winter hose and flats.

This is making me realize that what I absolutely need is a fabulous pair of flat, black riding boots that fit correctly.

Any other winter footwear suggestions for the non-jeans wardrobe?

16 years ago

April

Veteran

P.S. Maya, I think a denim skirt would be okay as long as it's not too casual. I hit upon this one from J. Crew: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../19326.jsp

When it arrived, the petite version's proportions were nothing like the photo. It was about 4 inches above the knee (much too short for me), and almost as wide as it is long. Ugh. I am planning to return it for the non-petite version and have it altered.

16 years ago

garmenta

Active Member

I've given up jeans for the season--can't fit into the old ones and can't fit into any new ones--and I alternate between skirts (knit and lined wool); gray flannel trousers; and jersey dresses. I'm more comfortable in a sweater in the winter than a jacket, but I do occasionally wear jackets.

16 years ago

Anonymous

I'd wear microcheck pants. You can pair them with a blazer or cardi or just about anything. Skirts, especially denim or cord if you are allowed to wear them. Sweater dresses. Leggings or black skinny pants and tunics. Footwear...have you tried the flat slouchy boot?

16 years ago

cciele

Veteran

Have you tried ponte pants? Shiny has some awesome combos with hers. Skinny or bootcut plaid/check pants would work too.

16 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I love jeans. I have no dress code at work since I'm the only female here, but I do try to save jeans for Fridays, with the exception of super dark wash trouser jeans.
I wear a lot of skirts and dresses, but some days are just "pants" days, so I'll wear textured or patterned trousers for some interest.
I have the YLF-famous Club Monaco check trousers (I'm wearing them today!) and I just got these from Piperlime:
http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....cale=en_US
and I'm in loooove. They are denim, I think, but you wouldn't be able to tell because of the colour/texture.
I like these with black button down and black leather jacket, but the color seems fairly versatile to me, and best of all, they're super flattering.

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Why can't you wear heels? I think I'd have more trouble with that rule, than the no-jeans rule. Agree dress slacks seem to need a bit of a heel for balance. Can you wear a small wedge? Is this a comfort issue or an actual rule?

Since I'm not really a dress or skirt person in the winter, I'd go with:

- gray flannel slacks - in both light gray, and charcoal gray
- ponte knit skinnies in gray (for Fridays - these are more casual to me than dress slacks)
- tweed - brown and black
- winter white wool slacks - I think they are just so elegant!
- navy pinstripe in a 3-season wool
- camel in a 3-season wool

If I was going to add black dress slacks, I would make sure I purchased a matching suit jacket, so I had the option of wearing the suit to work, interviews, and funerals.

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Hee hee -- shiny, you must be wondering if perhaps I work on an Amish farm. No, there is no rule against heels (though, somewhat bizarrely, there is a longstanding rule against open-toed shoes).

I just personally can't function in most heels. A tiny, stable heel is fine -- I'm good around 1.5 inches. After two inches, unless the shoe is simply amazing, I am unhappy.

16 years ago

Anonymous

Danja has shown us some beautiful outfits with pants that are not jeans and my mind is starting to go in that direction.
Danja, I hope you don't mind that I got this picture of you out of the archives from last July. (Thankyou Angie and Greg for making the website so workable) This picture has stayed with me and I love it. Who needs jeans when you can look like this?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com.....f8d9_o.jpg

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

Back when I was working, I wore only pants (no skirts or dresses allowed in the lab) and had a variety of slacks, mostly from AT since their petite pants used to fit me so well. In the summer, I wore lined linen pants and other lightweight pants with some stretch (oh and the dreaded khakis!). In the winter it was corduroy, tweed and lined wool slacks (textured, houndstooth etc).

I totally agree with on on the heels - can you try some ankle boots with a lower heel or a wedged heel? I personally find ankle boots much more stable & comfy for all day wear than pumps. Last winter I was having so many problems with my feet that I traded in my 3" heeled ankle boots for a 1 1/2 or two inch wedged ankle boot (Nine West) and they worked well.

I hope that when I return to work that it will be in a workplace where I can wear skirts & dresses because it does get boring just wearing pants all the time!

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I wish I knew the answer April! I can wear heels MUCH more easily in winter and fall. For some reason they just work better in a boot format, probably because they have no edges to bite into my foot and I can wear cozy socks. You know how fussy my feet are so if I can find heels that work, I think you can too!

My pinstripe pants were never cut so I'm going to let out the hem completely and hem them for 2" heels. My MC pants have a little bit of length left, just enough to cover a small heel. I don't have too many heels in my closet but I'm thinking of sucking it up and getting more (obviously short) options.

The other option I found that works is a slightly pointy or almond shaped toe. I don't prefer a severe pointed toe personally but I'm sure it works. I have just one pair in cherry patent and they look great with my MC pants.

In the summer, I guess I can just forgo pants completely. I hate wearing anything lined in summer though. As a commuter, I start to sweat and the lining sticks to me skin and leaves it unable to breathe. Both disgusting and uncomfortable. My new LBD is lined so unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to tolerate it once it heats up.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Oh, I also wanted to add: I was looking at the same J Crew skirt (I think) and I noticed the regular length was only 20", which is just barely long enough for me. I actually prefer 21". I have no idea how it hits the model at the knee. She must have really short legs. The petite must be like a mini skirt! I'm glad I went with the ON one at 1/3 the price.

16 years ago

julijuli

Active Member

Lately my go to outfit has been a sweater tunic dress (it's pretty short) with leggings and boots. It's just as comfortable as jeans and you don't have to wear heels. I was always a pants gal, but I'm starting to get into the dress look. So, if I couldn't wear jeans, I would most likely stick wtih skirts/dresses.

16 years ago

JewelryGirl

Active Member

My non-denim go to pants are my BR tweed or light-weight wool pants. I just buy what they have & have my tailor adjust flare & length accordingly.

For more casual, my black ponte knit pants or denim leggings are becoming a casual staple as well. Although I do need a longer top with those as I like something that just covers the hips (not too long).

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

April, 1.5 or 2 inch heels is all I wear. It's so workable for biz casual. I'm trying to understand the challenge?

Also, dressy ballet flats will work too :0)

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Angie, I think the problem is that I have trouble choosing flat or low-heeled shoes that look good with my dress pants, skirts, or dresses, especially when it's cold enough that some sort of hosiery is needed.

I have been thrilled with the go-to shoes I have found through your recommendations (my Brulees, my Swanns) but left to my own devices, I tend to select shoes that I then find not-so-fab.

I blame it on the fact that I can't wear chic, skyscraper heels, but I'm sure I'm just choosing the wrong shoes.

16 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I don't know if its any help, but I found some skinny stretch pants in H+M. I bought 2 pairs - navy and red - in San Francisco earlier this year. They have been my go-to pants at work all year. In November I saw the same pants at H+M in Hong Kong and snapped up a black pair quick smart. I looooove them!

16 years ago

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