https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:25:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280346 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:53:21 +0000 Suja 1280346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A couple years ago, I actually tried to find fit and flare dresses because I thought they were professional. &nbsp;Marissa Mayer wears them often and I think she looks great. &nbsp;However, I have learned that this silhouette isn't the best on me. &nbsp;Fit and flare is fitted where I am largest and flared where I am the most slim. &nbsp;It also has a very girly vibe and can easily feel too young if the flare is too much. &nbsp;But Marissa Mayer looks great and professional IMO. &nbsp;So I think F&amp;F is trickier than sheaths but it's all about your confidence. &nbsp;If you feel confident, then you can pull it off. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280314 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:16:08 +0000 lyn* 1280314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh; I should add I don't wear a floofy petticoat under my fit and flares either; they really don't flare that much :p</p> <p>In one stock photo, this dress looks more poofy than the one on ModCloth; so it's hard to tell when you're shopping online sometimes </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280308 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:01:11 +0000 Sunita 1280308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is something I was pondering recently. I tried on the Boden Amelie dress in a petite size and returned it because I thought it looked too girlish. I have re-ordered it in a regular so that it hits below the knee. Hopefully that will make it look professional enough for my business casual office. &nbsp;Other than dress length, I also look for a modest neckline and straps that are wide enough not to show bra-straps or too much skin under the arm. Sometimes, I'll add a cropped jacket or cardigan for more coverage.</p> <p>I have a few cotton (woven, not knit)&nbsp;fit-and-flares similar to the dresses Lyn wears, and I only wear them at the height of summer when the office drops the "business" and&nbsp;goes really casual...</p> <p>Fit-and-flares usually fit me better than sheaths or even most A-lines&nbsp;because they accomodate my pearish tendencies, but I generally gravitate to dresses that aren't too full on the bottom...</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280301 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:54:57 +0000 unfrumped 1280301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sometimes I think it is in the details of the fit and the flare.</p> <p>The bodice can be <u>very</u> fitted and that reads a certain way to me--Claire Underwood's&nbsp;highly tailored&nbsp;clothing notwithstanding; as opposed to a more fluid or easy tailored fit. A dress can have a definite waist and a skirt that is not straight, but the skirt style&nbsp;&nbsp;may vary from what I think of as a more prominent or "flirty" flare &nbsp;or can have some pleats and softness. The latter, in the dress skirt, actually gives more modesty than a sheath dress because it doesn't ride up. Think of dresses such as wraps, or shirtdress, or other styles, not sure all have names, that give some softness and camoflage but are not stand-out flare styles. I'd like to find some more dresses in that vein.</p> <p>A lot of very tailored "power" pencil skirts and sheath dresses show a lot of leg when you sit down, especially if the length is above the knee when standing. That's partly my beef with the length that many people think&nbsp;looks great but is about 2 " or so above the knee when standing.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a straight fitted style, or tapered pencil,&nbsp;the sitting view&nbsp;may&nbsp; not be&nbsp;"indecent," but&nbsp;it is not very covered, either, and I&nbsp;usually do&nbsp; not have a&nbsp;table or desk between me and the patient or colleague.&nbsp;So a lot of things that look fine standing up do not pass the sit test. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280259 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 15:39:55 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 1280259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear both straight and flared skirts and dresses to work.&nbsp; I work in a fairly casually dressed office&nbsp;and&nbsp;there are only about 3&nbsp;of us&nbsp;who don't&nbsp;wear pants every day.&nbsp; I don't wear materials and lengths that say "party dress", always wear a cami if the neckline is questionable, keep my arms covered because it's cold in my office (cropped jackets so as not to ruin the line of the dress), and my hairstyle is rather strict and short and non-girly.&nbsp; It does help that I'm short and a lot of dresses that would be inappropriate lengths on an average sized person are knee length on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280230 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 15:06:26 +0000 froggiebecky 1280230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am on the fence. I haven't voiced my opinions yet on the sleeveless and professional thread (because I"m at work and I think it's going to take me a while to put together something thoughtful), but for now…</p> <p>1. Yes, I'll wear fit and flare/gathered skirt to the office. Most of my professional working life has been in a casual/smart casual environment.&nbsp;</p> <p>2. I don't wear straight dresses much at all, because of my tummy/butt/hip ratio. I look like I'm about 4 months pregnant, and I get some serious butt-tracing elements going on in most off the rack garments. It's not just unattractive, I think it's inappropriate.&nbsp;I do have a pencil skirt or 2, but it's just that--1 or 2. And I looked high and low for them. I've also made some that got heavy use.</p> <p>That being said, my preferred fit and flare is more "fit and A-line". A giant circle skirt, no matter how fun, isn't really my office persona. Neither are the overly-sweet looks. &nbsp;But it's just like a pencil skirt--you can make it office-appropriate or bombshell it. You can sweeten/twee/party up a F&amp;F, or you can pick the right patterns, add some structure and be set to go.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280213 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 14:47:17 +0000 lyn* 1280213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was thinking about this last night why I liked fit and flare so much more than a straight dress, so I tried on a straight dress.</p> <p>Oh yeah, I see why now. Belly issues. I feel like I'm 3 months preggers when I wear a straight dress. Definitely not confident enough to be fabulous. Nooooo for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280149 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 13:01:11 +0000 Alassë 1280149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd wear them in business casual environments, like Lyn*, since I prefer that style. Modest neckline &amp; length, sleeves or modest sleeveless, not a ridiculously wild/large print = fine with me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280142 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:50:59 +0000 Janet 1280142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Meredith, we cross-posted. To your last point, yes, I believe there is. When I was 22 I started working in a very conservative private school in the administrative offices. No one there realized how young I was, and that was (partially) because I dressed in a professional manner that did not push the environmental boundaries. </p> <p>I didn't particularly care whether it was "fair" or I could express myself creatively -- I had after-hours for that. But I did not want anyone looking at what I wore and having any reason at all to shake their heads. I wanted to inspire confidence and convey competence at all times. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280141 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:46:16 +0000 Janet 1280141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with them in a work environment, but in combination with other elements of a look, they can skew girlish. It's hard to find a f&amp;f that projects a sophisticated look. It just so happens that it's a flattering style on my body type, but I pretty much gave them up a few years ago because they just felt too girly to me and not sophisticated enough. And I don't even work for anyone else (I am nearly 50 though). </p> <p>I wouldn't rule it out if the overall look is sophisticated. Simple print or a solid, knee length, appropriate accessories, a modern hair style... Then it can work. I think my issues with f&amp;f's for a professional look are when the silhouette is combined with other elements that also project "girly" or "garden party." </p> <p>The first photo that Lyn posted looks perfectly appropriate to me (as long as sleeveless is ok in the environment). The next two start to veer a bit too sweet -- I'm not sure I'd take the person seriously. The last two are too short. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280140 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:45:40 +0000 Meredith 1280140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many&nbsp;thoughtful responses and a timely blog post from Angie. &nbsp;&nbsp;Whether you wear a fit and flare (at the&nbsp;office or otherwise) is going to depend on the work you do, your emotional&nbsp;reaction to the silhouette, and your personality.&nbsp; These factors all need to be right for you&nbsp;even to consider wearing this type of dress in the first place.</p> <p>Then,&nbsp;there’s the issue of what makes you feel good vs what makes others feel good.&nbsp; Even if fit and flares make sense for your workplace and personality, should what makes other people feel comfortable take precedence over your own happiness level?&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/member/ekbelsher/">Aziraphale</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/member/donna1953/">DonnaF</a> raise excellent points about how “we don't equate <i>youthful&nbsp;</i>and feminine with professional."&nbsp; If you’re young is there an extra burden of responsibility to appear competent and professional through dress?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280128 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:22:39 +0000 Anonymous 1280128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely wear fit and flare dresses to work. I'd obviously avoid anything that's too short or has too much of a party dress vibe, but I guess I don't see anything inherently unprofessional about the silhouette. I do work in a fairly casual office, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280118 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:59:43 +0000 lyn67 1280118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nowadays, I don't! (wearF&amp;Fs, neither much of sleeveless)all my skirts and dresses are kind of pencil, only a very few A-line. </p> <p>I&nbsp;seldom&nbsp;did it when I was younger and worked the same smart casual proffessional setting (and was the same only&nbsp;executive for&nbsp;kind &nbsp;of a creative field) but only if was the right length(usually midcalf lengths-as am also tall and well endowed:-)) and not so striking pattern(avoiding&nbsp;florals)&nbsp;or color. </p> <p>If sleeveless(very rare), usually had an aditional&nbsp;topper(for the big heat I do have some short sleeve jackets-which are very functional-but I wear all my long sleeve&nbsp;jackets cuffed, anyway), and I love to dress down my dresses with denim jackets:-). </p> <p>For shoes, I always loved wedges, flatforms, and platforms, but avoided open toes (except the very big summer heats) and, as a &nbsp;rule, I buy &nbsp;pumps only if can "walk" in them. As per Suz said in the other thread-this is one very important thing when trying to look proffessional:-).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280105 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:42:38 +0000 April 1280105@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I personally feel too much like a little girl in F&amp;F silhouettes, because I'm short and I don't usually wear heels. &nbsp;They *look* fine on me, but I *feel* uncomfortable.</p> <p>I prefer a sleeker silhouette for myself, but I'm not sure I have strong feelings about whether F&amp;F is a professional look on others. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1280099 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:38:28 +0000 T 1280099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd wear fit &amp; flare dresses a lot! I do wear them a lot over the weekend for my casual events, and also&nbsp;wear them to office if it checked all the other appropriateness boxes like&nbsp;<br />length - till knees<br />color - deep &amp;&nbsp;dark<br />pattern - subdued &amp;&nbsp;small </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279974 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 03:54:36 +0000 lyn* 1279974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OH yes, I always balance my fit and flares with the Pumps of Power!!! *CLICK CLICK CLICK* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279972 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 03:52:01 +0000 Aziraphale 1279972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DonnaF, I'd amend your statement "we don't equate feminine with professional" to "we don't equate <i>youthful</i> and feminine with professional". For example, high heeled pumps&nbsp;scream "feminine", and at the same time suggest power and professionalism. You can just as easily imagine a mature, silver-haired lawyer wearing them as a fresh-faced intern.&nbsp;</p> <p>Fit-and-flare dresses, on the other hand, generally suggest girlishness.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279949 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 03:26:11 +0000 DonnaF 1279949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sadly, most of the female docs I've seen (and keep in mind that I've never met Lyn or Parsley IRL) have been dressed pretty frumpy.&nbsp; Actually, the male docs, too.&nbsp; :(&nbsp; I think the hesitation with F&amp;Fs is that they are a very feminine silhouette, and the shorter ones are quite girly, and we don't equate feminine with professional.&nbsp; Pretty sad, isn't it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279916 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 02:53:57 +0000 Sal 1279916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Of Lyn's pics I would definitely wear No 2 to work, and probably No 1.<br />I work mostly at home, but when I do go to to the office&nbsp;it is male dominated. &nbsp;So I feel best in something plainer, something that is&nbsp;not too overtly feminine.<br />l love the silhouette though and think in lots of workplaces it could work. &nbsp;As with a sheath or wrap or any other dress the deciding factor is often the length, the fabric, the neckline - too short, shiny or with cleavage make any dress less work appropriate.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279908 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 02:40:24 +0000 Aziraphale 1279908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do I wear fit and flare? Occasionally. I have a couple of dresses that are technically fit-and-flare, I guess, but the flare is subtle, not poufy, and they are not short. One is knee length, and one is slightly below the knee. They are flattering, but&nbsp;have a vaguely vintage look to them, and thus get worn only for evenings out or parties.&nbsp;</p> <p>Are fit and flare dresses OK for work? Like Suz says, they are tricky. They look girlish, and they look festive.&nbsp;If you work in a corporate environment, I'd give it a flat no. I can't think of a way to make even the most subdued fit-and-flare dress look serious, in 2014, for a corporate&nbsp;office. If you're a psychiatrist like Lyn, the answer might be maybe. I've noticed that psychologists wear pretty much whatever they want, and by extension I suspect psychiatrists have more freedom than most.&nbsp;I'd still rather see my GP&nbsp;wearing trousers or a more businesslike skirt to the office, and I'd be horrified if my OBGYN looked dressed for a party, but psychiatry might be an exception. A fit-and-flare with a sufficiently modest neckline and a knee-length hem, in a colour not suitable for flagging down airplanes (so, not orange or shocking pink), would probably be fine, especially if it had sleeves.</p> <p>You'd also probably be able to get away with it if you have a casual work environment, like if you're a teacher or work in the entertainment industry.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279887 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 02:13:00 +0000 Marley 1279887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I very seldom wear a fit and flare. To me they skew young (in general) and I've never figured out a way for me to feel like myself in them. If I were to wear one it would be for a party, wedding, etc. - not a work day or work related event. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279883 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 02:08:06 +0000 Anonymous 1279883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a dress about 4x a year, and usually a sheath or wrap. I lean to pear tendencies and I am busty so fit and flare make the girls too obvious for my comfort. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279878 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 02:01:08 +0000 Meredith 1279878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear fit and flare but I've never worked in an environment where professional dressing was very standardized or defined. I like the defined waist, patterns, and colors often found in these dresses and usually just make sure the length is appropriate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279877 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 02:01:02 +0000 Kristin L 1279877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear fit &amp; flares to work. I make sure they come down to about my knee and throw a topper over it if I need to (I know, it's a no-no).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279850 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:42:06 +0000 lyn* 1279850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>1. Do I wear F&amp;F? ... Yes.<br />2. Okay for work? ... Pic 1 to 3<br />3. Okay for party? ... Pic 4 and 5</p> <p>Haha; I know it's really controversial. I think we could all agree that #1 is the most professional of the bunch, but I'd totally wear 2 and 3 to work. Teehee. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279828 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:30:52 +0000 Suz 1279828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think they are incredibly tricky to professionalize. Not impossible, but tricky.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279819 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:27:33 +0000 Thistle 1279819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will add that many, many, many fit and flares were far too short for me to even consider. Hence why so many of my pieces came from Talbots. I require work skirts to be at the knee or lower. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279815 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:26:09 +0000 Thistle 1279815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear fit and flare dresses and skirts to work all last year. As I am pregnant and carrying high (so I have no waist) I can't fit them this year. If I could, I would still wear them. </p> <p>I bought most of mine from Talbots. The store runs conservative and professional, and I found them totally appropriate for my business casual workplace. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279805 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:21:49 +0000 deb 1279805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think 'party dress'. At least those with gathered skirts. I have seen dresses labeled as fit and&nbsp;flair that looked more A-line and think these would be professional. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fit-flare-professional#post-1279798 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:17:30 +0000 Meredith 1279798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was surprised by the strong feelings about fit and fare dresses in the thread about going sleeveless. A topic that perhaps deserves its own thread?<br /> Two questions:<br /> Do you wear f&amp;f dresses?<br /> Are they ok for work or are they better as party dresses? </p>