Office appropriateness: tight fitting clothes

Patience

In the past we've talked about cleavage and short skirts in the work place. What are your views on body hugging styles in the work place? Assuming that we're talking about clothes that are the correct size, I'm talking about pencil skirts that are cut to be quite tapered, body hugging knits and any other items you can think of that qualify. Where do you draw the line not in revealing skin but in highlighting curves?

16 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Kristen

Chris

Active Member

By nature, a pencil skirt will be cut to reveal the outline of a curve. So would a knit or sweater.
I think they are fine unless there are religious objections. Assuming by the way that they fit in a proper way (not straining the seams).

What not to do - remember that Carol Burnett sketch where she played Tim Conway' secretary Mrs. Wiggans? That was too tight.
I may have just dated myself

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Yeah, what Chris said. A pencil skirt is meant to highlight curves, and it has been an office staple since the early part of last century, so I can't see why that would cause any offense. Assuming it's just a matter of fitting properly and not being too tight (tight enough to show that you're a woman, but loose enough to show that you're a lady), I can' t see any problems with this.

I think we have to be reasonable here. Women look like women. They have curves. One can't expect women to hide all the time, and pretend that they are just one of the guys. That is utterly degrading and sad. If that's the case, then let's all show up to work in burqas. Cleavage is one thing--I mean, it's basically showing bits of your bare breasts. I'll stick up for busty girls since we can't really help it, but otherwise I just don't think you're doing yourself any favors.

I think this is a very American thing, and a very unhealthy thing. We're so disturbed by a bit of nudity that ANY hints of a human body result in undue excitement. It's like how, during Victorian times, the sight of a woman's ankle was considered arousing.

Wasn't the whole point of the original "power suit" that it gave women more masculine proportions? Sorry, but I think I will pass. I can't be bothered worrying about what men are going to find alluring and making my wardrobe revolve around it. I am a modest person by nature, but I'm not prudish.

16 years ago

kimlee

Veteran

I have a butt and hips, so I often struggle with this when choosing my office wardrobe. If I try to wear clothing that is loose around my bum/hip area it is too big in the waist - and even after alteration is just doesn't look right. I am learning that it is okay for my pencil skirts to fit my curves, but they should never look painted on or skin tight.

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't work in an office, so it's just a theory for me. I would probably wear one close fitting garment with one looser garment- but this is what I usually do, anyway.

16 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I've never given it any thought, probably because I'm entirely of Maya's opinion; we have curves, and if we downplay them too much we're not doing ourselves any favours aesthetically or psychologically. I'm also very busty and curvy everywhere, so it would literally be impossible for me to wear something loose without violating every fashion tenet in the book. Take today, for instance. I set up a meeting with my editor in chief to discuss some future job opportunities, and I wanted to project confidence and sophistication. I wore the black and white dress, which I admit would probably not be totally office appropriate, but covered it with a high-hip-length white jacket (red necklace and shoes as accessories). I felt totally appropriate and in fact got a bunch of compliments on my outfit.

Good point from others re. the pencil skirt. Perhaps tight pants would be less appropriate (just thinking out loud here), but skirts by definition leave less to the imagination and are considered the height of professionalism when worn right.

16 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Thanks for your opinions ladies. I forgot to add skinny jeans to the list of potential items.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Isn't everything just a question of how you wear it? I can't see anything wrong with skinnies, a tunic, and some nice flats. If you're not all that curvy, I think they are passable even with a regular length shirt. If you're not curvy, wearing skinnies will make you as curvy as someone who is naturally curvy....uhh, I don't know if that made sense.

Actually, this reminds me of a comment on one of Angie's blog posts from a long time ago. I remember it well because it was the first time I ever saw a man comment! It was on a post about wide leg jeans, and the man wrote something about how widelegs "turn [him] on" because they highlight a woman's shape...or something of that nature.

So you see, it really doesn't matter what you wear. Men are men. Even something as voluminous as widelegs is going to get someone's beans jumping.

That doesn't mean wearing a bikini to work is okay. I'm just saying...it's one thing to show a lot of skin, and another thing to show your shape. The first is pretty easy to avoid and doesn't really limit you too much, but the latter is inevitable if you're wearing clothes that FIT (not too tight or too loose).

16 years ago

Vani

Veteran

I'm all for showing off your curves, or rather not hiding the fact you are a woman. I find a pencil skirt might even be better than a "power suit", because it conveys that you are in tune with yourself, are confident and in control. Anything that can be worn tastefully is completely appropriate, in my opinion.

16 years ago

Patience

Veteran

It sounds like everyone is pretty much on the same page. Call me obtuse, but I'm curious about what constitutes "painted on" for you? Maya makes a good point about the amount of curves you have to start off with. I'm a rectangle and a lot of the flattering silhouettes are designed to accentuate curves. I have no problem with this but I do want to be appropriate. I don't feel like it's appropriate to go to work in a knit dress that hugs every inch. But if I throw on a jacket or loose cardi so only the bottom half of me shows every curve, is that sufficient in your book or not?

16 years ago

kimlee

Veteran

Patience, I try to pair a more form fitting bottom with a looser top. I will pair a pencil skirt with a blouse and a cardigan/jacket that is still fitted but not as tight as the skirt.

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I work at the Nun Hospital, so my work environment is pretty conservative. I am trying to find the right balance now for myself for what is too curvy/revealing for my new bod, and it really comes down to outfit by outfit choices. If the skirt feels short, I compensate with a longer or looser top. If the top feels too low or open, I wear a camisole or a belt to pull the eye away. If the dress is too curvy, I wear a cardigan or jacket over it. If the shoe is high and open, I wear longer pants or a more demure dress.

There isn't one simple rule, I alternate based on what else I'm wearing. But it is a struggle, particularly because there are only a few nice dressers that I work with. Everyone else is either a slob or overweight and worried more about hiding than showing off. So I don't have many role models.

16 years ago

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