WTW: conference edition, part 2

Okay, this question is really about shapes and proportions. On top is the required conference shirt. I'm supposed to wear it with Chinos, but have permission to wear it with anything that's reasonably business-casual. Even the white jeans.

#1 bootleg black
#2 Gray pleated baggy slouchy tapered pants (enough adjectives?) Tucked in.
#3 Gray pants from #2, untucked - is the shape or the pants too unconventional?
#4 Lighter gray wide-let pants
#5 Skinny black
#6 Skirt, tucked in (see? I look weird in skirts...)
#7 Skirt, untucked
#8 Navy chinos - the recommended wear
#9 White jeans - probably too casual, as much as I love them.

ETA: #10, a smaller size shirt, with an undershirt and the chinos. Would this combo be better than the larger-size shirt that's a bit longer?

Questions: Which ones look the best proportionally and shape-wise? I can't do anything about the shirt or it's length, but I could add a topper, as long as said topper doesn't cover the logo.

I'd like to think that with long underwear, I'll be able to go without a topper, but I'll probably take a topper along just in case. Something that "coordinates", since none of these have "matching" toppers.

Thanks for your input and patience - I know it's boring.

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11 years ago

amiable

Veteran

And a few toppers. I think #4 is the winner shape-wise here - right?

#1 black knit boyfriend blazer
#2 3/4 sleeve cardi
#3 black blazer
#4 charcoal blazer

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Liz A.

That top is killing me! What if you wore a coordinating layer underneath that mimicked the shape so it would appear a little longer. It is really too short and boxy for you.

Yeah - I know. I don't think I have anything longer in a similar color, but it might warrant a trip to the store....

I do have the shirt one size smaller also - but it's even shorter....

Would white under it work? Or gray? I'll give gray try.

Here's the smaller shirt, with a gray shirt underneath. Better?

(It is better, isn't it - It just shows my muffin top in these pants, so I'd have to be more careful in my pants selection. These are the chinos that I'm not planning to take.)

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The smaller might be better as long as you're comfortable and you can find a pant combo with no muffin top issues The larger size looks better when partially tucked; that much I can see from the pictures. Maybe others will chime in with some good ideas.

DonnaF

The gray wide leg pants are my least favorite, I think, because they are the most masculine. Sometimes masculine can be cute and edgy, like if you were wearing a crisp white shirt, but not with this polo. I much prefer the slimmer legs. I also like the smaller shirt. Do you have a striped or polka dot tank top you could wear underneath?

I admire your determination to make the best of your conference shirt!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

I like the smaller shirt much better, and I like the idea of layering underneath if necessary, even a long sleeved t could work. i I can imagine the pants in 5 and jacket 1 working well for a long over slim look.

Jules

This isn't boring, actually very interesting to me how different the looks can be. I like #5 and #10 best (great suggestions about layering underneath). #1 is okay. Can you wear a scarf at all? Might help mix things up a bit.
I think polo shirt and skirt is a pretty hard look to pull off, seems very Land's End or Connecticut preppy to me.

Tanya

Among the bottoms, I like options #1, 5 and 9 best. among the jackets I actually prefer the long one in #1. An I also vote for the more fitted shirt. The color of the shirt is actually quite pretty on you, so don't feel too bad about having to wear it.

Deborah

Amy, I am smiling to myself as I have this same dilemma in a few weeks:). Can I tell you how much I dislike work polo shirts! My advice for what it's worth is ;

1.
Don't stress too much because you have made each option look pretty good.

2.
I definitely like the semi tuck option.

3.
Do you have a long sleeve tee you can layer under it?

4.
jacket in 4 looks great.

Here's what I did last time, but like you, this year I hope to inject a bit more of my style into the ensemble

Good luck

Suz

Deb's visual is great!

You are not the only one who struggles with this. I guess it is just a question of grinning and bearing it, and trying to put together a fab ensemble or two for the evening events.

Looking at all of these together, I think I prefer #1. The safest option, I guess (other than the chinos) and yet it seems to work best to my eye. You could also bring the white jeans to switch things up.

Thank you Deb - That helps me a lot (and I like knowing that indeed, I'm not the only one in this quandry!)

If I were to get a long sleeve tee to wear under the shirt - what color? Should I try to match it, or just go with a neutral, like white or gray!

Thank you all so much for your help. Off to see which, if any of these, don't cause muffin top (that 5 lbs. I gained really shows up there....)

Rambling Ann

I know you asked about bottoms, but can you get some color around your neck? A rolled scarf tied kerchief-style? A wide set of beads? If you can put a white collared shirt on underneath and then tuck a scarf in, that would be memorable, at least compared to everyone else in the booth. I am getting it that you want to stand out a little, right? Something that says I am friendly and approachable and fun to talk to. Do a different something every day (thrift store!) and your coworkers will look so bland in comparison.

Aida

I like #9 with a longer blazer for the topper (sorry can't be specific but the details of the black toppers are lost on my monitor).

Thanks all! I stopped at Walmart this afternoon and got some camis that will work under to lengthen the top visually. I think it'll work lots better. Your suggestions have all been so helpful! Ann - I'm going to give that scarf idea a try!

Mander

Actually I rather like the white jeans version, after that I think 1 and 5. I'd forgotten how hard it can be to wear a polo shirt!

CocoLion

I think these look best:
#5, 8, 9, 10, 1 and 4. I put them in order of my favorites.

Does that help?

Jaime

My favorites are #5 (maybe with the two tone shoes) and #9 - hope that helps!

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