https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:36:31 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-14122 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:01:00 +0000 Angie 14122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bravo Colleen. You are ready! Have a good trip and let us know how you felt once you’re back and settled. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-14119 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:36:02 +0000 Colleen 14119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Swirl - thanks for that advice! Especially about the staffers that are dressed down. </p> <p>I found a nice Ralph Lauren black linen jacket today at Macy's and a beige linen at Talbots. I should be good to go! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-14112 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:38:50 +0000 swirl 14112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Colleen--Best of luck with your issue before Congress! I hope that your meetings go well and generate some support.</p> <p>I have worked in DC with Congress for over 10 years. I totally agree with the comments on wearing a jacket. Wear a nice, light top underneath and take your jacket off as you go from building to building. If you have a sophisticated shoe that is good for walking, do wear it. Sandals don't do well on all the stairs and the subway's esclators will chew them!</p> <p>Two jackets will be fine--you'll be meeting with different people every day, I'd bet. </p> <p>Conservative is good, but do not be afraid of a little pattern or color. We're not as boring as everyone thinks I have followed Angie's advice at work and I fit in just fine. </p> <p>One little suggestion: In July, the Members are often in their home districts, so the staffers dress down a bit. Don't be fooled by their casual appearance. The young lady in khakis and a short sleeved shirt who greets you at the office door may be in charge of your program's funding! </p> <p>Again, best wishes for a successful trip. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13783 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:19:49 +0000 Colleen 13783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks to all of you for your advice. I am heading for Ann Taylor and Talbots on Tuesday to look for a couple of jackets that I can use to create 4 different outfits. </p> <p>Christie - Your advice is great, but I don't own a dress or skirt or pumps. I live in the desert - Phoenix, where it is currently 113 degrees. I have sneakers, dress sandals, flip-flops, Birkenstocks and boots for winter. However, your light weight fabric idea is what I have chosen for slacks and sleeveless blouses to go under the jacket!</p> <p>This is a great website and a new discovery for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13765 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:52:54 +0000 christie 13765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've done lobbying on Capitol Hill for a couple of days (also in the summer). You will want to wear comfortable flats, especially if you will be traveling to different offices. I love sheath, suit dresses, but if that isn't your style, then a skirt and blouse combo would work best. It gets hot out there, and I would stick to lighter colors if I were you (i.e. not black or navy, but another suitable color). Or, if you are going to do darker, then stick with a lighter fabric. I really like J Crew suiting: <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/suiting.jsp" rel="nofollow">http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows.....uiting.jsp</a><br /> but you'll probably need to get it tailored a big if you are small. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13762 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:14:16 +0000 Sihaya 13762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One thing to mitigate the pants length if you wear flats to walk and then pumps - use masking tape to temporarily pick up the length and then just take off the masking tape once you switch to the pumps - I have done this and it works like a charm. </p> <p>On the jackets - I also found some good ones (on sale at a good price) at Express and they look quite polished. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13698 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:38:08 +0000 Becky 13698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>AT is Ann Taylor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13697 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:30:36 +0000 Colleen 13697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie - Yea, I knew better than to wear the same jacket 4 days in a row! I was thinking two, as suggested by Shiny. Question - what is AT?? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13695 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:50:29 +0000 shiny 13695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You might be able to get away with just two jackets though, if you mix-and-match. I've done that on business trips. For example:</p> <p>Day 1: black jacket with black pants<br /> Day 2: white jacket with black pants<br /> Day 3: black jacket with grey pants or a skirt<br /> Day 4: white jacket over camel pants or sheath dress</p> <p>This is just an example... and you'd need a different blouse every day. Red or black pumps would probably go with all 4 days worth of outfits. </p> <p>With this idea, you just pack two jackets, three bottoms, 4 blouses, one pair pumps. </p> <p>Since you're meeting with congress, I would err on the side of conservative, and go with a traditional, basic pump with no toes showing. Unfortunately, if you wear only pants, you will not be able to swap out flat shoes when you are walking (your pants will drag on the street). Skirts and sheath dresses would solve that dilemma. But that means all new clothes for this trip, since you don't own any!</p> <p>Ann Taylor is a must, but do also check out Banana Republic and the petite section of your department store. Actually, check the suit section - often the petite suits are in that section, on a rack or two that says "petites." You may also want to hit Marshall's or TJ Maxx or discount places like that. </p> <p>If you are going to be calling on Congress often, and you have need to invest in good quality suits and this isn't a one-time thing, then you may want to try Jcrew and the Theory line. Their suits are more expensive, but from what I hear, are well worth it. </p> <p>If you are looking for an investment, a three piece suit would be a good idea - matching jacket, pants, skirts, or even a sheath dress (making it a 4 piece suit), all in the same fabric. Just make sure all the pieces fit and flatter you - they aren't worth it if they don't. And you will still need another jacket to mix and match for this trip though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13688 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:21:29 +0000 Angie 13688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great! But you shouldn't wear the same jacket 4 days in a row. </p> <p>I head straight for AT. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13687 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:00:13 +0000 Colleen 13687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks! I like the jacket idea. I will try to find something that will go with all 4 days worth of outfits! As for body-type, I am 5'3" and 115 lbs . . . always have to buy petite sizes and don't own a dress or skirt! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13683 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:20:47 +0000 Nicole 13683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you're going for "professional" and "polished" then you may want to rethink the sandal. Unless I'm picturing something different than what you are describing, a sandal might not pack enough polish.</p> <p>I'd also consider wearing a skirt, if you are worried about the heat. I find skirts so much cooler than pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13674 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:25:58 +0000 Angie 13674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The ladies are spot on. It’s essential to wear a tailored jacket. Much more polished that way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13663 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:47:06 +0000 Antje 13663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I, too, recommend a jacket, to create a more professional/dressy look. Check out some of the short sleeved jackets at Ann Taylor or Ann Taylor Loft, something like this might work:<br /> <a href="http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=12779&#038;N=1200006&#038;pCategoryId=199&#038;categoryId=205&#038;Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_205&#038;showAll=Y&#038;defaultColorNameFromCategory=White&#038;defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses" rel="nofollow">http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13658 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:39:42 +0000 Sihaya 13658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree, sounds like some sort of jacket is in order. There are half sleeve and capped sleeve jackets that you can play around with that will be more comfortable in the hot weather and of course a white jacket could be really dressy depending on the slacks you pair them up with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13652 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:25:45 +0000 judy 13652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your instincts sound right, but maybe a jacket too...a suit with a lightweight short sleeved or sleeveless blouse underneath...like these that Angie posted about the other day:</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2008/07/03/naughty-necktie-blouses/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2008/07/.....e-blouses/</a> </p> <p>You could take the jacket of the suit off when you are outside and be cooler...but still dressy...and have the jacket over it when you are in air-conditioned offices and need to look pulled together and official. If it were me, I'd have to wear nice flats... but if you can walk in heels, it does make the pants look nicer. Depending on your body type, a nice skirt that would also go with the jacket might be a nice alternative. What body type are you? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-to-congress#post-13639 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:27:06 +0000 Colleen 13639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will be lobbying in Washington, DC later this month. With the hot, humid weather of July I am wondering. . . . What is the appropriate attire for meeting with members of congress? Please keep in mind the walking and public transportation factor from appointment to appointment. My male colleague will be wearing slacks, jacket and tie. My first thoughts for myself go towards dress slacks with blouse and moderately-heeled dress sandals. </p>