Ugh. It's snowing here and I have to pack for 75 degree weather.

shiny

Another business trip. Dress code: "casual." We're in the midst of a major snowstorm. It's really hard to wrap my head around what to wear middle of February for 70-75 degree weather. I really can't remember what those temps are like right now! Add on top of that, the "casual" part. But for business. Grrr.

Let's start with footwear: I suppose booties are out? At least, not with cashmere socks. I suppose I could wear ballet flats? But for work I like to wear heels to give me more "presence" cuz I'm so darn short. I did recently get a pedicure so I could go with strappy/toe-bearing heels I suppose.

Last year I pretty much lived in dresses. Dresses + jean jacket. But dress seems to read too dressy for work? I dunno.

Dress slacks + blouse seems too dressy for "casual."

Which leaves jeans + dressy blouse?

I have a feeling I'm going to wind up over-packing for this one.

11 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ugh. I sympathize. And those medium temps can weirdly be the toughest to dress for, in some ways. At least until you get into the swing of it.

Sounds like jeans and with light topper weather to me. Or other pants with a topper.

For footwear, I think a light coloured lightweight bootie could work. Or how about a wedge pump of some kind? It would give you the height but also read as more casual than heeled pumps might.

11 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I don't have any light colored booties, unless you count the suede leopard print booties. Those work rather well in high 60's/borderline 70 weather, with lightweight socks, bare legs and a dress. Toss on a jean jacket and it totally reads smart casual to me - but I don't know if a dress will read too dressy for a casual business function. I suspect dark wash jeans are called for.

I do have wedge pumps the thing is to my eye they don't look right with skinny pants/jeans, which is pretty much my casual pants option if I'm not going to wear dress slacks.

I'll figure it out tomorrow with a try-on -- I may just pack dresses because that is comfortable to me and that's what I do wear for "casual" in my real life in temps like that. It just always throws me off... "casual" for business. Not business casual, but casual. I've got options if it was going to be cooler or colder temps. But warmer? Then throw in the wild card of potential AC in the meeting room.

This would be a lot easier if the dress code was "business casual" because I'd simply pack dress slacks & long sleeve silk button downs and pumps, and I'm done, easy peasy, formula style.

11 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Okay who am I fooling? I don't really do "casual" anyway. The AG Nikki's are casual, yes, but not business appropriate. And even if I could get away with them for this, I haven't hemmed them yet.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I'd think dresses with jean jackets would be fine, especially if you can skew earthier rather than more delicate with the shoes and accessories. It sounds like you'd be more comfortable in the dresses too.

I do sympathize because I hate wondering whether a situation calls for faking a "normal" person's idea of casual rather than just throwing on an easy dress and being done with it.

11 years ago

shiny

Veteran

EXACTLY, Aubergine! Exactly!

Casual for me might mean black knit dress, sleek pointy toed suede 2-inch heel leopard booties, bare legs, and a white or blue jean jacket. Which is not exactly earthy. Last spring I posted here some WIW attempts at "casual" and it just didn't work. Well, some outfits/items did... toss an army jacket over a lace navy shift dress with cowboy boots and that works, but can I wear that for a business function? I don't think so.

Actually I suspect the Laundry shirt dress paired with cowboy boots might be perfect for this (I'm going to Dallas), but those boots take up a lot of room in my luggage. We shall see.

11 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I think dresses with jean jacket and simple shoes can be very casual and remember it needs to fit your comfort zone... I would love the idea of packing for warmer temps right now!!!

11 years ago

shiny

Veteran

If anyone is in Dallas, please reply within the next two hours and let me know what the weather is really like. The weather sites are contradictory - some say 80s, some say more like 73.

Meanwhile, it's amazing what you can fit into a carry on! I managed to pack an array of options, just in case, and so I can figure it out when I get there. I packed:

Bottoms-- dark wash AG skinny jeans, black ponte knit ankle pants, black lightweight AT slim trousers. I am wearing the AG Nikki's on the plane.

Tops -- three long-sleeve AT Legacy blouses (blush, B&W animal print, navy print); a short sleeve flow-y BR blouse (Black with tan oversized polka dots); 3/4 sleeve VC striped top; 3/4 sleeve lightweight rayon black sweater.

Dress -- Laundry 3/4 sleeve shirt dress.

Toppers -- jean jacket; lightweight black cropped cardi; long sleeve black cardigan.

Shoes-- uber-comfy red wedge aersole maryjane's; bandolino round toe nude patent pumps; SW giveable's chanel-like tan&black ballet flat; cream lace up flat oxfords.

Scarves-- red pashmina; lightweight black & white abstract scarf.

Bag -- black coach cross body satchel with gold hardware.

If it's really closer to 80s, and humid, I know I'd be miserable in jeans, so I packed AT black slim trouser dress slacks. The slim version, to my eye, looks more casual, but still might be overdressed, but they are light weight. Jean jacket dresses them down too.

The packing process has made me realize I have a desperate lack of sleeveless tops right now. Or at least, sleeveless tops that fit me in the dead of winter, when I tend to gain weight! I have options but at the moment they aren't fitting me very well.

11 years ago

Sunee

(website)

Active Member

First of all, take deep breath....

Then remember that you should be packing and dressing for yourself, not others.
Make sure you are comfortable and happy with what you look like. If it's more dressy than everyone else, so what?!? You just worry about being your fantastic self.
Your packing list sounds appropriate and like you'll have some variety, which is so important for travel.

When you are there though, it would be great to report back to the forum with photos and maybe you can tell us what "casual" looks like in Dallas. I'm curious myself.

11 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Thanks Sunee! I will report back. If this was vacation rather than business, I'd have packed totally differently. I'd have just taken some slouchy cotton tees, boyfriend jeans, and casual dresses. For shoes I'd pack sandals, flats and cowboy boots (to wear with the dresses), and for toppers I'd bring my faded light blue jean jacket and army jacket. Easy. But that's where I get confused -- those are clothes I would not think to wear for work. Work casual seems to require smart casual, no? So instead of light blue jean jacket, a darker one; no army jacket; no cowboy boots + dress, no faded boyfriend jeans....

11 years ago

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