Epiphany--- long-term transitional period, How to dress?

Elly

Initially when I graduated and started looking full-time employment and working I expected there to be some sort of quick transition from student to working professional, especially when it came to wardrobe.

As time has gone on and I've worked a little in my field, I think I'm beginning to realize that this is indeed a transitory time in my life, but perhaps not a quick one that is the kind of thing you can rush.

More than likely I will be working one or more temporary jobs in my field over the next couple years, trying to gain experience, nail down what I want to specialize in, and probably with other work and plenty of schmoozing and travel in-between. Then I hope to get back into a graduate program, which is also part of this transitional period, I think.

I've decided to take the perspective that I'm going to enjoy this time and gain as much experience as possible until I am satisfied I'm ready to move on and quit waiting around for my life to begin and/or attempting to push things forward too quickly. That said, I do need some clothes to have my adventures in.

I'm thinking I need to build a small wardrobe of mostly casual smart casual clothes that can be dressed up or down, but still maintain ways to add interest and make my look memorable without being outrageous and make it look like I made an effort either way.

Therein lies the question:

How do I begin assembling small, versatile wardrobe of casual and smart casual yet visually interesting things that can take me from schmoozing with gallery and museum donors and academic professionals to a day at work on the casual side where I might work up a sweat, have to kneel on dirty floors and handle dusty objects? Casual, smart casual but respectful and interesting with the option to dress things up when called for?

Of course, I also need to cover a similarly casual personal life with lots of days around home, day trips, casual dining, ect while looking put together but appropriate.

How to start? What would fellow YLFers do, or have done? Please share your insights and experiences!

13 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Prudence

Anonymous

Heh, welcome to my job! I'll try and distill my thoughts and come back later.

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I've probably got the fabric wrong - but my first thought was cotton twills in bright colors, fine gauge sweaters, silk scarves, and a small collection of interesting shoes. Patents to fancy things up, hipster kicks. Kinda preppy, but it does the trick.

13 years ago

moira

Veteran

Trouser jeans in a dark wash
Skinny cords, maybe in taupe or olive
A good black skirt
A white button down
A bunch of T shirts
Two fitted jackets
At least one very nice cardigan, cashmere maybe
Scarves
Two belts, one skinny, one thick
All the shoes you want.

I think you could make a dozen or more outfits for almost any occasion with this list.

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

You haven't perhaps said what are some good "looks" for you, but I approach your question from that angle--you need to know what looks "smart" on your body type, as that may aim you toward slacks vs dresses, for example. I'm not saying anyone is super limited or that we can't find the right jean, or dress, or whatever, for any body type, but at least think about that--in terms of the types of clothes you can find more easily at your price point.

moira's ideas are great and include items that can cross over from one outfit to the other. For meeting with profs and donors, you may want a true grown-up blazer ( or another style jacket, but not too casual) with great fit, and you might want real dress slacks or a great dress for it; then wear with T and jeans and fun accessories for other occasions. Of course I don't know whether in your field you could wear dressy jeans for the professional wear.

I don't wear any white button downs in my professional attire so that's one of the things you would be able to tell is a goal or not, from your "style"--maybe you're a silk blouse and cardigan person. Again, in theory any item can be found that has the right drape and fit if you shop enough, but some people do better with crisp fabrics, some with softer drapey looks, can you look good tucked in, do you need to tuck out, all that contributes to the look and has to be taken into account for your wardrobe essentials. (Alert--Read post on Wardrobe Essentials !) Hence, looking professional and sharp is more about what really works on you, of the more upscale basic items.

I would review Angie's dress code posts for some of the "looks". She also posted a few great "work" capsules earlier this year that were more professional than smart casual and I really liked those for inspiration, and any of her posts on actual capsules, from casual beach upward, give good ideas about small collections of clothing items for the kind of flexibility you're aiming for.

T shirts do work well in casual outfits, but if you can aim for the "knit top" that is not exactly a typical T shirt-- a dressier rayon-blend top--again, thank you Angie--there are one or more blog posts on that--these are more versatile as can dress down or up. That's because people in professional settings I've worked in do not read the magazine hype on how a white T from the Gap can go from the gym to the office. I like the look of a simple knit top with the most flattering neckline for the person (jewel, ballet, mild scoop, V etc) but if too casual---that includes the hems and seaming and material--I don't think it translates as well to more professional settings. Again, if one is in a fashion or theater field, one might get more points for being hip than "professional".

Also check out the recent post on the Vivienne minimalist vs Banana Republic core wardrobe items--again, just a way to be thinking, do these pieces speak to me as ones I could mix and match in different settings?

13 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I work only part time, so most of the time I need to look casual or smart casual. I have figured out that I tend to avoid wearing garments that are dry clean only, so to the extent possible, my dressier stuff is machine washable on delicate, at least the tops and pants. I also try to have pieces that can be dressed up or dressed down. From your description, it sounds like top quality but machine washable ponte pants might be in order!

I don't work in Big Law and I'm no longer young, so I don't feel the need for a navy power suit. I got rid of my outdated blazers, bought some new buttondown shirts, then realized that my artsy interesting jackets don't work over shirts. Oops! So as a compromise for the part of me that hates conservatively cut blazers, I just bought a knit tipped blazer that has enough structure for a shirt yet is casual enough and machine washable to fit most of the life I lead. I also have a blue work shirt and a blue buttondown which are fairly interchangeable in terms of color and can dress down or dress up an outfit.

I think I made a mistake with my Express Editor trousers; they are just too wide for me to want to wear much outside work since the hems will drag unless I wear my highest shoes. I think my black Gap Real Straights slacks are better for cross-over. The latter pants can also handle a wider variety of shoe styles which is good for double duty clothing.

I also own more scarves than one would think is humanly possible. I mostly wear those purchased within the last two years or so, but still!!! I use them to change up a look and/or add polish. If footwear were cheaper, I would have more shoes/booties --and a different type of polish.

13 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Ceit--- actually I think you and I are roughly in the same profession. I'm an anthropologist, currently working in museums but also with repatriation-- so trying to decide which direction for grad school. Working outside the university currently, which sometimes means I can look more homeless than at a lot of colleges, and sometimes means I have to look less homeless and actually presentable to the people that fund such things.

Unfrumped-- thanks for the informative post. I am fairly tall, an decently curvy hourglass, but also muscular and with a strong shoulder line. I look good in both slacks, jeans, and skirts but unless I know I have to be "really dressed up" or on a day off running errands I like to stick to slacks and jeans since I'm often crawling around on the floor or climbing ladders. Likewise I need sturdy footwear. Jeans are usually a-ok for work, so long as they are nice and paired with other decent clothing and nice shoes. I like a bit of a menswear/boyish vibe but do need some figure showing structure or drape because I don't have an androgynous figure. I also enjoy incorporating my love of culture art and nature into my clothes. I currently have a couple of nice button downs, a pencil skirt, heeled oxfords, and two pair of slacks I bought for interview purposes and to wear to funerals. I don't have any professional toppers, but can get through most occasions ok--- I just don't have the pieces that I need to mix with those professional clothes to get me through various semi-dressy professional but more personal events where I need to show a little personality and character. I also am largely starting from scratch with casual and smart casual stuff just because most of my casual clothes have been the last item to replace on my agenda and are badly worn.

Basically, I need ways to add personality and dress down business clothes for other events, and also ways to personalize and dress for work and weekends and take the "knit top and jeans" combo to the next level, without overdressing.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Elly, congrats on your job! Since you can wear jeans, I'd wear those or other washable slacks, a knit top, scarf and some sort of casual jacket that works with your curves--like a safari jacket, an unlined corduroy blazer or a tweed blazer if it's cold. Maybe those items could be mixed in with your other business clothes when you need to be a bit more dressy. A handmade arty necklace would be a nice touch. Good luck!

13 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I think I'd go about this a bit differently. Instead of following another person's list of recommended items, I'd start by listing some of the events and activities that I could foresee happening in my life in the next few years. You've mentioned some of them above: schmoozing with gallery and museum donors, meeting academic professionals, working in on the floor in a dusty environment, casual dining with friends, and so on.

Once I had my activity/events list more or less in order, I'd then try to visualize exactly what I would like to be wearing in that situation and list the items for that outfit next to the activity. For example, I might envision myself wearing tailored pants, an interesting jacket, and a silk shirt with heeled booties to meet museum donors. On my working days, I might see myself in jeans, a button-down shirt, and a sweater with flat oxfords. If you like images, maybe try using Pinterest or Polyvore to explore possibilities. Or check out Angie's suggestions for possible outfits if you need ideas. As I was doing this, I'd be keeping a look out for items that could work in multiple situations. For example, a leather jacket might work both for the gallery, meetings, and casual lunches.

The final step would be to review what items from my current wardrobe could be used to create some of my imaginary outfits and what items I'd need to buy to fill in the holes.

It seems to me that the above process would help me figure out what I would need to build MY functional wardrobe.

13 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I second Gaylene's approach. I think this calls for much more thinking and planning than pre-written lists offer you. To get a small and versatile mix and match wardrobe for all kinds of events you have to really think about your preferences and needs. I'd stick to a certain silhouette that you know looks good on you for better mixability. Maybe also think about reducing colors? I'm looking forward to seeing how your planning goes. Good luck!

13 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I think it might depend somewhat on the objects you need to move and the amount of gallery refurbishment you need to do on a daily basis! When I was a curator's assistant I was still a grad student, so I usually wore jeans, but I also made sure to wear sturdy shoes to work. Most stuff I dealt with was pretty small but I did once have to help move an enormous Cochiti water jar, and I spent a lot of time with both human remains and digging through the off-site storage looking for misplaced grave goods. And since this was New Mexico, it was very hot and sweaty work!

Based on what you say you have, I'd look for a couple of jackets or blazers, at least one of which could go with your existing trousers to make a sort-of suit. Maybe a dress, a few scarves -- in fact, could the recent BR capsule wardrobe ideas provide a jumping off point? Substituting suitable fabrics and styles for you and your life, but with the same underlying mix-and-match goals, could be a good place to start.

13 years ago

lyn67

Veteran

All kinds and colour jeans with a comfy but stylish flat footwear(oxfords, loafers, equestrian boots) +a leather belt(always elevate an outfit if you can wear one) lots of smarter tees or turtlenecks(short or long sleeved). As for the toppers both a smart casual jacket (think equestrian style checkerred, texturred fabriks, and or elbow patches) and a chunckyer cardi(with a bit of interresting structure and colour, say longer styles even with a self belt will do when dealing with sponsors and other proffesionals.(smart equipment waistcoats with lots of pockets also good)
The ideea is always to have a topper as a 3rd piece with you.

Otherwise, don't you have a work coat to put it over your own clothes instead your own jacket or cardi, when handling dusty things?

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Still on a generic approach instead of specific item rec's, it sounds like you are a candidate for a smallish wardrobe. Not necessarily super-minimalistic, but with the idea that you'll want to the ability to make occasional additions as you change jobs or assignments, and you want to look professional on some occasions, so you may be aiming to have several high-quality items or capsules, some "lower end" items especially for casual wear, and not over-buy or over-invest (money or closet-space-wise) in one area. So being willing to have just the 1 or 2 go-to special outfits for this or that, having enough dual -duty items (the idea of washable ponte pants and dark jeans fits here) so you do have 4-5 "bottoms" for the week no matter what the occasion--that type of approach will give you the flexibilty to add something really sharp here or there if you move into a new situation. Also, I as well as other folks have been surprised at how "classics" may not hold up for as many years as we thought, so again, jeans this year may not be your go-to jeans in 3 years, hence, not buying 5 of the same thing allows you to re-evaluate even your "essentials" every couple of years.

Another comment that was made on another post, that I think is useful for a smallish or "curated" wardrobe, is to identify several different and distinct silhouettes in tops and bottoms--fitted knit, button down, blousy blouse; straight pant, skinny pant, pencil skirt, flippy skirt--that type of thing, tailored for your style--and have items of these different types instead of having the same top in black, red, and blue. Then it is more likely that as you re-mix your pieces you'll look "different", and also they'll adapt differently to accessory changes.

13 years ago

Prudence

Active Member

Unfrumped has a good point. Can you pick up a few items at a lower price point (or even second hand) that wouldn't cause heartache if they were damaged to wear everyday. Then, keep a few nicer pieces in reserve to mix into your wardrobe as needed.

This paradigm may work well for shoes, too.

13 years ago

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