Do you see any work wardrobe holes? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you see any work wardrobe holes?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ok, a few questions... trying to be concise after the communication thread...
ETA: to clarify, these aren't really all outfits I'd wear to work; just trying to show what bottoms I own. I have plenty of dressier tops so I didn't attach pics of those.

1) K/R Gap khakis?:
As soon as I heard there was no denim allowed at work, I thought, "Oh, man, now I need more dress pants!" But looking at my dressy items below, now I feel like I have an ample amount of bottoms options. Should I still keep the Gap khakis (khakis OKed for work)? (9)

2) Need more flats?:
I have thought maybe I need one more pair of dressy, flat/comfy shoes. I have the ones shown in 6-8. But then I also have the rugged boots that seem to look fine with dresses/skirts. So maybe I don't need more of these, either...?

3) Anything else you see lacking?
I'm dizzy from going back and forth from no-denim to all-denim and back to no-denim dress codes. Any of your fresh eyes spy something that isn't cutting the mustard?

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

MNsara

Veteran

I didn't get to extend my congrats in your OT thread (I never dare log in at work, so I just sneak reads whenever I can Anyway, Congratulations!!!!! I bet you'll love the Narrative!!

I can't spot wardrobe holes even in my own wardrobe, so all I can offer here is that my own Narrative SAs are not terribly casual looking, so I'm not sure if they'd be wearing something as casual as the RH outfit in pic #1, or the scrunch khakis in #9. But, you'll find out soon enough!

This is quite the switch - from mostly denim to no denim. Keeps you on your toes!

Glory

Veteran

I would vote on getting the gap khakis. From the pics you dont have anything like those now and they are so current - quite necessary in your new job. And they look so fantastic on you. I would also consider a leather pair of flats since you are on your feet all day. You can even slip them into your bag and change part way thru the day if your feet are sore and tired. Perhaps something neutral but with a wee bit of edge.

Anonymous

First things first, the outfits you posted are stellar.

To your questions:

1- I am disqualifying myself from the khaki k/r, I cannot seem to be able to get my head out of my-you-know-what, they still look even more casual than jeans. Also, I seem to be the average POV/Narrative customer, and with that said, I am not sure if I would appreciate my SA wearing such casual fare. I do appreciate YOU wearing those, though. I would still keep, just not for work, and I think they look amazing on you. No question there.

2- No, I think you are good to go with flats.

3- To me, everything is cutting the proverbial mustard. My only comment is, how many days a week are you working? On a full 5 day workweek, I think you might be a bit short of variety ( bottoms). For part time, no, you are good to go. I do think you should do some recog first, then consider if you need to refine the work capsule.

I'm so happy for you!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm not qualified at deciding wether you need more work appropriate pieces or not, but I think you have great style, and I can't imagine any holes that need to be filled right now. I think you've got great advice by others here already. I am very happy for you - good luck and congrats!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think everything you have is good for work Rae and your flat footwear looks pretty good. I would hold off getting one more pair of flats of some sort until you see how the ones you have rotate through for you. As Zap has pointed out, your needs depend on how many days you're working.

Love the khakis, especially how you're wearing them in pic #9.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I'm seeing so many great looks in photos 1-4 and they all seem to work fine, with the mention that I agree with Zap and MNSara on staying closer to the dressier continuum side rather than the casual end. I love the grey pants in #1 and as for shoes, I think you've got that covered, as long as they're comfortable. What about wedge heels/boots?

Sara L.

Veteran

You seem to have quite a few bottoms available for dressy outfits. I agree with others about khaki reading pretty casual. I think you are probably right that you need more flats. That could just be me though as I get bored of my shoes easily so would require a little more variety in that department.

Tina.b

Veteran

Rae, you have such a lovely and elegant work wardrobe (with a little bit of edge) that speaks to both your spirit and your style. These pieces can be combined in great ways with your creativity. The only thing I would consider adding (and I wouldn't be in a rush to do so) is the perfect black blazer, something unique that is really you. I cannot tell you how much use I get out of mine. When nothing is working, a black blazer can usually fix it.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

OMG I would die if I couldn't wear denim!! It's like I would have to go out and buy a completely new wardrobe.

Hmmm ... to me the khakis, scrunched up like that, are more casual than everything but distressed bf jeans. I can't get over the wading at the beach vibe of that look. Sorry! If worn full length in a preppy manner, they would be ok to me.

Do you still have things from your banking days?

I didn't get to congratulate you, I forget to go to the OT section. So, congratulations! The Narrative collection looks like great work essentials and the POV assortment is filled with cute things that I want to buy RIGHT NOW! How fun. I am so happy for you.

ETA -- sorry I didn't answer your questions (except maybe about the khakis). I would wait and see what your holes are, after working for 1-4 weeks. Especially with footwear.

DonnaF

Veteran

Have you had a chance to scope out the dress culture of *your* particular Nordies branch? My image of their SAs is relatively dressed up, conservative, and very polished. Of course, being in SoCal may bring a twist to that! Hope you kept some of your banking trousers.

Do you have a sense of the average age or age range of *your* department in *your* branch? If in the older range, I would forego khaki as its image is uber casual (and I don't recall seeing that look in Nordies' most recent catalog). For a trendy look, I might go for ankle length pants in a print (which they carry in their Halogen line). JMHO.

Don't forget you are working in Footwear Heaven!!! If what you already have proves to be inadequate, no doubt there will be opportunities to use your employee discount.

Best wishes on this newest of adventures. Hope your co-workers are friendly and helpful and that you can observe whether being a personal shopper would really be your dream job.

JulieJohn

Veteran

All I can think to add will be a summery shoe. I know you were looking for a UWP sandal, so I'm picturing something nude in color, and like a sandal / shoetie in form factor. You certainly have a lot of great bottoms to choose from, the mixing and matching potentials will be endless. And all us YLFers will reap the benefits by seeing your WIWs!!!

Many summer shoe choices will probably present themselves while you are at work. You will be the proverbial "kid in a candy store" ! hee hee

Mo

(website)

Veteran

My first question is how much repetition are you comfortable with for your work wear. It seems it's not quite a uniform, as was the Rack, but not quite a full lease to wear your whole wardrobe either. Kind of a middle ground of sorts? If so, I would decide how many pairs of shoes and bottoms you want to delegate to work wear. I may be off base, because I have some things that I *only* wear to work that do not integrate into my wardrobe otherwise (like my Dansko Veda tennies). If you interchange it all, disregard my questions completely lol!
I would be fine with 3 bottoms and 2 or 3 shoes to mix up throughout the week with different tops. This is essentially the core of my own work uniform, some weeks I will wear a pair of 'normal' pants like my black J brand skinnies for instance, but they are not part of the regular rotation. I depend on 2 pair of jeans and 2 pair of sneakers mostly to get me through the 4 shifts.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! I think my Be Prepared side is sometimes over-active. Looks like I'm plenty prepared. I will probably end up returning the khakis, as much as I love them. DH won't like them, and it sounds like they are too questionable for work. Boo, I do like them a lot!

I will take your advice and see how it goes with the schedule and the variety. I still don't have my hours planned for the month, and it will come down to whether I feel bored, deprived, or sore in the hoof. (Denise, these ARE all the clothes I have left from banking... pretty much o_0).

You all are great! If I do feel deprived, I love the idea of a summery shoe/sandal/gladiator/cutout bootie and a black blazer.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think I'd be wanting a summery shoe or sandal for sure in your climate. But then, you'll be in air con, so it might not matter as much.

Otherwise, I agree so much with Denise's wisdom of waiting for a few weeks to see what holes may appear. You look fantastic in all your outfits and are going to wow them with your communications skills and great attitude!

cciele

Veteran

Perhaps you can hold off on returning the khakis for now. They look cute, but I agree have a casual vibe and that it's best to scope out how other SAs dress. I bet you could amp up the style quotient of those khakis if need be!

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'd forgotten how many great midi skirts and dresses you have! Great to see these again! I think you'll have plenty to get your started. Then you can add to things as you get a feel for your manager's expectations. Best Wishes to you! You'll be terrific!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with cciele about the khakis. You are good to go imo.

rachylou

Veteran

Hej Rae, is there some sort of formal description of what POV/Narrative carry?

Aida

Veteran

Another vote to wait and see how you feel after a few weeks. You've got some good stuff here, at the very least enough to get you through a couple weeks when you'll have a clearer idea of what's missing (if anything). Still love those khakis, but only for casual wear. I will be sad to see them go from your weekend WIWs if they go! And just had to point out that the far right outfit in #2 is one of my most favorites ever. LOVE that topper, and how fab those slim pants look on you!!