In the dressing room—career clothes - YouLookFab Forum

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In the dressing room—career clothes

Stagiaire Fash

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ETA: final verdict. I walked out of there with only the blue tweedy jacket. Neither dress passed the sit test. I may go back for the blackberry blazer.
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Looking for things to upgrade my über casual style, especially blazers/toppers, because I see them here a lot, and have none (other than soft cotton cardigans). I need something to wear for interviews, and also a few items to work in with what I’ve got already. I was looking for items I posted last night, but haven’t found them.

So, up first, a blazer vaguely similar to the red one from last night. I like the cut, think it looks good. But I don’t like the fabric, doubt I’d want to wear it. Unfortunate.

Navy dress also posted last night. Fits perfectly, nice fabric. Really shows why I’m a “dress” person more than pants. Beyond my budget. I’ll have to keep an eye on it. Sales seem to work differently now than 10 years ago.

#3 Dress also posted online. Good fabric and in my price range. But what about that extra fabric on the side? Does that kill the deal? I can’t decide. I have dresses, but I’m not sure how many are work wear. This one tics all the boxes except “love it”.

I’m off to look for blazers/toppers in my price range, will post periodically during my search.

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26 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Pretty sure this one’s a yes—my colors, my price range, fabric so comfy I don’t want to take it off now! The finds show things I think I can wear it with. Is a short jacket good for a fit n flare dress?

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Stagiaire Fash

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These jackets aren’t at “take it now” prices, though I might come back for the berry one at this price. I’d want the grey to come down in price before buying.

Questions for both:
Do they fit me correctly?
Do they work with the dress?
Would they work for an interview?

If I got the berry to wear with the black pants, idk what I’d wear underneath.

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Katerina

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I like the burgundy blazer in your third post, the colour is very nice on you. I think it would work very well for interviews and it could be quite versatile. I also like the jacket in your first post on you - like that colour too. Why don´t you like the fabric?
I am not very fond of the polka dot dress, but it is more about my personal taste, so please take that comment for what it is. The blue dress looks good, a work-wear classic.
The light blue jacket in your second post is nice on you, but it is more like a cardigan, not as structured shape as the burgundy. Depends on what look you are going for, or if you want to buy more a couple of pieces later. For interview though, I would choose the burgundy or the grey blazers. The grey would need some colour to lighten up a little (again - personal taste here :-)).

ETA - I have missed your final result ETA...

rachylou

Veteran

The first jacket is beautiful on you, likewise the navy dress. The tweed jacket - that’s that blue grey I was talking about, I think it’s good (in your other thread, I mention that colour as being the ultimate one for work in my mind, esp for Europe... my experience being working at a Swiss multinational and for an English banker... mind, the banker was really in the marketing division).

The burgundy jacket is nice, but it wouldn’t be the first thing I bought and not for interviews. Don’t like the hang of that collared grey jacket at all.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Americans are awake and Germans are at lunch. I’m not alone. Hooray!

Katerina, thanks for your comments. You are a master at blazers, so I appreciate hearing from you. I hope I can get the berry one later for a little less. It’s 140€, which is not extreme, but is high for my budget right now. I wore the blue one out of the store and have made a discovery—it has snaps! One more thing to love.
It hurt to think the blue dress was too expensive—until I sat down in the dressing room to post! I’m glad I wasn’t in a chair at an interview!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Rachylou. Swiss Banker, eh? I guess I could be a spy. Not sure why I thought the grey might work, now that I look at pictures. You might be right about that color for interviews, but do you remember my fall challenge? Tons of berry colors, some of which would coordinate and some of which would set your teeth on edge when paired with the blazer. Still, I like that color for me, and know I have things I could pair the jacket with.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Katerina and Rachylou, the fabric in the first jacket was thin and mostly polyester. I’d probably wear it a couple times while it was new, but not like the feel of it, and give it up after a few wears. 3 years later I’d try it again, with similar result.

rachylou

Veteran

The berry is a great colour for you, and I quite like the hang of the berry jacket and the fact that it’s a plain woven solid. But for interviews, in more business oriented environments, I feel burgundy is... quirky. My MO is Solidarity first, Quirky later. Lol.

rachylou

Veteran

... And now I want something in a greyish blue of my own. I miss my old suit...

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I did not find those jackets in the second P&C either. I did find a much cheaper—in price and feel—version of the raspberry jacket. This one is Vero Moda. That one is S Oliver. Also found a jacket of sorts from the maker of those two favorites. Surprisingly, it had zero structure, was folded up like a sweater. The SA pointed out that there are free-standing boutiques of that brand. I’m done for today, but it looks like one of them is near the Esprit where I need to return something, so maybe one day soon. Except after comments on Christ987’s post on Massimo Dutti, especially Gretchen’s, I may look there before I go.

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Bijou

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I love the navy dress and burgundy blazer for corporate wear, they are classic pieces that won't date. In terms of what to wear for an interview, you need to feel confident and comfortable. It is good to look at a company's website and annual report to get a feel for how they present their staff to the world. The more that you look like you will fit in the better.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Bijou! The photo on my “hopeful browsing” post is from their website. I hadn’t thought to look up the annual report, should do so before talking to them, for more reasons than fashion. This is the first time I’ve looked for work outside academia in a couple decades. The field I’m hunting for work in might want to present itself as something other than corporate. Or they might want to be as corporate as possible in their outward appearance, so they can be more challenging in other areas. I wish I knew which way they go! I think my best bet is to go traditional with a twist big enough for someone who’s looking for it to see it, but small enough that it doesn’t disturb straight laced types. Just a teeeeeeeny bit of edge.

Bijou

Veteran

Fashintern that sounds like a great strategy, and also will reflect your vibrant personality. Best of luck with your interview.

rachylou

Veteran

Mm. Prefer the first berry jacket.

Also, what is the brand of the tweed one? The more I think about it, the more ideas I have for it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the tweed jacket! Good with jeans and skirts too. Fun to pattern mix with. Glad it followed you home.

LaPed

Veteran

My favorites are the blue tweed jacket and the first solid burgundy/berry blazer. I know it's the pricier one, but the cut and the way it drapes are a step up from the other one. Really nice shape and colour for you. The navy dress looks really good; I hope you can find a similar one that passes the sit test!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My favorite at M Dutti. It is not too big, but I thought it was too shapeless for me.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

It’s nice to have so many eyes on this with me. And it’s really nice that opinions are aligning. Thank you all for looking and commenting. Even if I find something else to wear to an interview, I think the raspberry blazer would slip into my life/wardrobe very easily.

La Ped, the same designer (Taifun) has similarly structured navy dresses in a couple other lengths, but the fabric in the others is more polyester/less cotton. So frustrating! My mother figured out when I was around high school age that there was a max level of polyester beyond which clothing was not comfortable for me & I wouldn’t wear it. I’m still the same (though I do try to figure out new fabrics and manufacturing techniques).

Rachylou, believe it or not, that tweedy blazer is from Esprit. It was marked down to the same price as the ones made of cheaper (flimsier, more poly) fabric.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like the one you picked. It looks really nice and versatile.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Suz! I’ve been thinking of you lately, because my style is coalescing to a point that I can put it in a statement. You sent me a bunch of links last year explaining that, and have such a strong statement of your own, that coming up with my own reminds me of you.

rachylou

Veteran

Can’t believe that’s Esprit! How great!

Anonymous

I like the tweed, both dresses and burgundy blazer, but prefer the dotted dress without the blazer. High necks seem awkward with blazers to me, just too "buttoned up."

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Suntiger! Looking at these again last night, I was realizing how clueless I am about the rules of pairing sheath+blazer. I’ll watch the necklines next time.

Anonymous

When i personally try to pair them, it feels too formal for me with a collared jacket. Maybe a chunky necklace would break it up? Or tweed jacket + sheath like Angie did a long time ago?
Blazers i wear with scoop or v neck tops and dresses. Thinking about it, i generally dont wear high necks with sleeves at all, mostly just sheath dresses/halter tops.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Those sound like good work looks! Trying to figure out formal dressing for an interview is throwing me.

I might be starting too many threads. Did a new one last night about continuing this search online.

lyn67

Veteran

I like the tweed jacket/cardigan and the Vero Moda burgundy jacket! Great dresses, too! Oh, and is the P&C for PeekcCloppenburg? great shop!