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New wardrobe holes

catgirl

Veteran

So in prepping for my new job, I'm realizing that I'm lacking some obvious items.

1. A professional looking spring/summer/fall coat. I just don't have one - I've been wearing the Burberry up until this week due to snow, but it's warm enough for a trench now and I don't have one. Instead I have my RATE Gap army parka - not exactly work appropriate for my new environment. As much as I'd love to splurge on another Burberry, with my current lack of work while in transition, that is not an option.

Do you think I could wear this color?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....ersonalize

2. PANTS! I have very few professional trousers - have gotten away with my own style over the years but now it's not going to fly. Am planning to try the Theory pants that match my blazer, but any other suggestions? Express did not work for me though I may shop there in person in Hawai'i and see if there's anything better.

3. A professional looking bag. I have my RATE Coach, but nothing that can function as a briefcase/tote. Well, maybe my Steve Madden bright blue tote, but that's pretty casual.

Not sure how I've been a lawyer for 20 years and avoided these work basics!

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from Nadya

Anonymous

You'll have to try the trench -- the neon is a nice touch!

No suggestions on pants or bags I am afraid!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

So, you're now RATE Corporate? Love it and congratulations on the new position. Now, I must go back and read your posts to fill in the blanks.

This is a nice-looking trench coat, with the trim, and I think your blue tote would add another bright touch as would any fun-colored bag to keep the less-fashionable attorneys on their toes and taking notice.

You can't beat going with the Theory theory for pants due to the quality and your already well-chosen jacket.

ETA: Just reread something. How casual is the tote? Perhaps investing a little something in a great-looking tote (or whatever style functions best for you) would be a good investment. You do need to be carrying things to and from work which is all part of making this new transition work for you.

catgirl

Veteran

Vicki, I think you just invented a new term - corpo-RATE!

Sadly, this trench is not available in my size!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I hate when life changes produce new holes. Just when you think you have it all worked out . . .
I like the idea of Theory pants. Some have tried BR Martin's with success, too, if I recall.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

OMG. You did. That's too funny

Anonymous

Re. Pants, I bought these pants from BR and I love them. They should come to full length on you. Rae has the cobalt blue. I do have them in red, cobalt blue and black.
These are super easy to transition to. A more dressy version of skinny jeans.
http://m.bananarepublic.gap.co.....dn=bc67595

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I bet you can find a great trench is a more fun color. This one doesn't strike me as terribly Una.

Anonymous

I do like the trench. I posted a K/R on something very similar but I don't know, it does not look too Una to me.
... And I am definitely adding corpoRATE as one of my style goals jeje.

Re, tote: Do you have to carry a laptop?

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, finding a trench or light dressy jacket that is ME is a problem! Argh.

Zap, the link isn't working - which pants are they?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Una, you've got an olive complexion, right? I've had *really* hard times trying to find a tan/camel/mushroom/whatever trench because it makes me look green.

I think you can get a fun tote, so long as the shape is conservative.

Sona

Veteran

I would suggest BR martins or the limited for work pants as well.

catgirl

Veteran

Not a laptop but files...

rachylou

Veteran

No, I don't think that khaki trench with the neon trim has enough power. You're UWP. And a lawyer. You kick bu##!

I say, has anybody been to Brooks Brother's lately? Have they got anything? I think you *need* to go have a look at Brooks and Ralph Lauren.

ETA: What about one of the Italian Max & Co and related stores for a coat?

K. Period.

Veteran

Una, your files are probably going to be too big for a regular tote. I'd hold off on any tote purchase for now until you get a better idea of what you are going to be lugging around.

I went through with the link from Zapotee and they are the BR Sloan pants. I wear those too. You've seen them a bunch of times in my WIWs in cobalt and black (see below for cobalt example). They are a basic slim cut. They barely work for me at ankle length and I always have to wear them with heels to make them feel like a flattering length. However, I'm 5'5". I think you are a little shorter than me, right? They might work. Sloans work better for me than Martins do anymore. Sloans seem to have a less pronounced waist, i.e., they are a straighter cut than Martins anymore.

I wear a lot of BR and JCrew trousers. We're both rectangles with IT shapes, so what works for me might work for you. However, I know you've had fit challenges with both BR and JCrew. What have they been? (It'll help me nail down what advice I can give that would be helpful!)

K.

Sorry, that is "The K."

The K.

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Carla

Veteran

Teenflo?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'd get to BR to try pants too - agreeing with what K said. It might be a little early though - wait for the Autumn Collections. Same with Theory. Retailers are all about beach wear for the next couple of months, and forget that some of us have to work!

Not sure about the trench colour. You'd have to try it on.

Anonymous

Sloan Slim Fit Ankle Pants ... And you are going to think that I am getting a commision from BR but they had some really nice work totes too, that included a laptop padded compartment, that I guess you might not need but check them out.

Eliza

Veteran

Una- I see you in a trench that both meets corporate expectations and gives a subtle nod to your well-defined sense of personal style. Perhaps leather sleeves, an interesting zipper or color, something a bit different. You could also take a more traditional trench and add your own touch with a belt of your choice.

I also find that BR can have well tailored pants with a bit more "now" and slimmer cuts than some other stores.

I think that once you know what you need to carry, you will not have trouble with a versatile bag. Cole Haan has some simple black leather ones last I knew and if you need to carry things in a larger format, I have found Tumi to have a huge number of options. Tumi also has smaller bags that function like a briefcase/tote. I have found their products very durable. Where I am, TJMaxx sometimes carries the brand and there are also Tumi outlets. They also have a website.

Congrats on your new position.

Adelfa

Veteran

Congratulations!!!!!

And... since I've been gone and not following... what is it? thanks!

rae

(website)

Veteran

BR sloans and Gap really skinnies are both good skinny jeans alternatives. I also really like my Hugo Boss (below).

I don't think the VC trench is the ticket, though. I'm picturing it over your Theory stuff, and it feels too Kate Spade-ish. What about going for a traditional trench? Maybe even a midi-length like the long coats that were just showing on runway? Those feel the most menswear-y to me - and also more militant, since that style was worn in the trenches.
http://www.toryburch.com/RILEY.....?CAMPID=SH

http://www.theoutnet.com/produ.....&site

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/lo.....liner-nord

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/lo.....tiveSearch

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rae

(website)

Veteran

One more.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008T.....n&cre

kkards

Veteran

definitely try the theory pants, and almost any pant for BR. i also recommend tahari and rachel zoe.

for totes, i recommend mz wallace. http://mzwallace.com/mzwshop/c.....p?c=shapes
they have a choice of shapes and colors, which can work with any style. best of all though, they are designed by women who really seem to understand what is needed and what works in a bag.

sarah

Veteran

Una, did you try the Express pants in both petites and regular sizing? The petites didn't work for me at all. I ended up getting regulars, remaking them into straights, and hemming them. Just a thought...

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Looks like you've got great suggestions for trousers - BR Sloans and Theory. I would also try Gap - a couple of different cuts potentially could work.

I'm not sure the trench has enough color in it for you - what about something with a bit more oooomph color wise but still in a traditional style?

Tote....I agree with K, you might want to wait until you see exactly what you'll be carrying on a regular basis and size. Once you have that figured out, I would invest in a sleek, streamlined leather one in a color like navy or burgundy - it will never go out of style. Love this one http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/di.....rch-person

See this as a great opportunity to try some new things - "corp-o-RATE" - LOVE IT!!!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Una --

Have you told us how conservative you think you need to go for this job in terms of basics that you then Una-up?

I think that would help set some parameters (at least for me)...for instance:

-- even suiting-material skinny and/or cropped pants are pretty noticeable in a more conservative place, so I'd recommend straight or trouser-leg styles in darker neutrals etc etc

-- if you need to wear a blazer but not a matched suit every day I'd think carefully about how colors, textures, and proportions work together so it's going to be hard to buy things one at at time *AND* get your work wardrobe ready quickly

I think the more info the better, here.

rachylou

Veteran

I like Rachel Zoe too.

bj1111

Veteran

what vix said.

what activities are you going to do, how much public contact will you have, will you appear in more "serious" trials, like criminal cases vs family court?

i think this will dictate how "corpo" vs how "RATE" you want to be on the spectrum.

Anonymous

One thing about Rachel Zoe, if you think Theory runs small, you have not seen anything yet. I am one before the biggest size she makes on tops, and I am a size S consistently.

Nadya

Veteran

Here are some posts about good tote bags for professional environments
http://corporette.com/2012/11/.....ful-totes/
http://corporette.com/2013/04/.....ther-tote/

http://caphillstyle.com/capito.....uates.html

The comments will have more suggestions, as well.