What is the equivalent of jeans or black leather for conservative workwear? - YouLookFab Forum

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What is the equivalent of jeans or black leather for conservative workwear?

unfrumped

Veteran

I don't think I've phrased that correctly, so will try again.

Picking up on Beth Ann's comment on styling my "Chanel- liked" sweater, and how one approach is to play against type and juxtapose. So a very universal approach is to take a classic more formal piece and mix it with a casual piece like jeans.

So... the Chanel jacket over jeans or the Theory blazer over the hoodie or the sweatshirt style top over the pencil skirt.
For my work outfits I've been trying to aim for a fresher look than all classic but i dont have the option of overtly casual items to keep things a bit off center. Now, trying to recognize " modern classic" helps, but still, if an outfit is all modern classic pieces, like a midern trouser with a modern silk blouse or sweater, does that still read
as a snoozer? I think it might, so am still looking for what takes it to the next level, but is neither too casual nor too wacky. A tough order, I know. And preferably have a formula( note to self: re- read all the formula blog posts).

So, at times when on furlough from the Ann Taylor mother ship, I will cruise around other brands looking for... a top that is unusual but still refined, to jazz up classic pants. Or the reverse. And shoes. But it can be hard to find that bridge item that is interesting without being too unusual to fit in.

Well, no one said it was easy! But, I wonder if there are more options right under my nose, that maybe use even simpler or more available solutions? Such as:
--unexpected color or pattern combinations, including more colored/ patterned footwear? ( working on the footwear) ;
--unusual jewelry or belts or scarves ?(have done some of that).
----Unusual shape or cut-- had luck with an EF oversized sweater , Vince
hi- low sweater; Pleione wrap blouse - these were items that look" different" but still work- appropriate.

So... Have you found a way to get that pop of interest in a conservative workplacewithout resorting to jeans, combat boots, laser- cut black leather T 's ( I'd consider that one if it fit, though)

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from L'Abeille

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I'd go for fabulous jackets, like the ones I linked to in your Pendleton jacket post. After the jacket modern looking shoes - they really alter a classic look, & everything else just falls into place around them imo.

cciele

Veteran

I like your idea of playing with color, pattern and cut. I particularly admire how MaryK adds pizzazz to what could be classic looks.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

One thing leapt to mind when I read your title: a non-leather moto jacket. That is a tough style that has been reinterpreted in so many different fabrics, many of the interpretations quite refined and great for a professional look. With the right cut, color, and fabric, you could wear it as a blazer alternative with skirts, pants, dresses, to add an instant dose of modern.

I think you have some great ideas here. The moto jacket falls into your category of "unusual shape or cut."

Unexpected footwear might be wearing refined booties or boots with a dress and blazer, rather than pumps.

An unexpected accessory might be a metallic or animal print belt rather than the plain black one. Here on YLF we see these things so often that they are not so "unexpected" to us anymore, but they are in fact an alternative to the plain, solid versions.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Yes to shoes, patterned footwear is great. I even think the flash of colour from a bright or patterned jacket lining is an awesome start.

How about mixed media - so the silk blouse with a leather trimmed collar?

Archer

Veteran

Until about a year ago I was in this exact same situation and had been so for 20+ years.
I love your 'Mother Ship' term for it - the suit.

I think my general preference is not to have anything extraneous on. So if I find myself thinking I have to add more it tells me that the outfit is not going to work.
So read on with that in mind.

Here are a couple of my guiding pearls:

Your shoes gorgeous and up to date - extra quality and design preferred.
Shape and height of heels - not good, if wrong.

The overall shape of the outfit - e.g. a forward change of hem line can be conservative at the same time.

Be aware what the 'colours' of the season e.g. emerald and look for it in a darker shade, or unusual pattern and not in a BIG way. Vintage designer can be great. May have been very conservative in its time but it is something different now OR is the same and still fab e.g. a VIntage Chanel Jacket. If you can get both the colour and the item timed - perfect.

At least you made me articulate that to myself just now too. I even still agree with my own advice. How reassuring.

PS: Whole other discussion, about how we comply with standards of dress for all sorts of reasons - that is so simplistic sorry, but a worm did pop out.

VernieJane

Even if you are wearing a slightly conservative, classic style outfit, you could try to get some cool accessories going on, leather earrings or bracelets, for example, accessories that have leather, silver, studs, even skulls perhaps. An edgy long necklace, cool earrings and rings could change the overall image of an overly office-y look (but be careful not to be cheesy--they must be quality items). What about your hair? When I was in this situation many years ago, I put a hot pink streak in the back of my hair, that could only be seen from time to time. It added just the right amount of punk to a "good girl" office look... nice for throwing people off balance!

Archer

Veteran

Work context is important here because the expectations of 'conservatism' in different sectors can vary by decades of etiquette. Leaving aside the gender part the Arts world managerial Ball dress code and the Accountants' Annual Autumn Art Auction tell you that much.

So, what about the idea, that the pink streak or equivalent actually exposes you to assumptions and attention for something, other than what is expected from someone in your position?
Is that the what you are trying to balance?

unfrumped

Veteran

Interesting responses!
I think I'm most interested in " outfit interest" if that can be distinguished from being edgy or punk or even self- expression.

So the color- pattern- texture - shine thing applies; the " outfit completion" applies. Slightly unexpected combinations-- maybe as tame as nude or cognac shoes with gray pants!

caro, that is a good focus- I'm getting better at using more footwear options.
Firecracker, great idea- I've tried ( and returned) several fabric motos for fit issues but the non- blazer jacket is still high on the list for combining with more traditional pieces, so keeping eyes open there.
Archer, great list of options, and I'm interested in more of your experiments in that direction.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's tough for you to use jackets because you are wearing the lab coat.

I would focus first on footwear (get some really, really great shoes -- and I know this is tough because you have hard to fit and fussy feet and need low heels -- but it is do-able.)

Next, hair cut and specs. I love the idea of adding a fun streak of colour.

Really, it's what shows, right?

Then you can add some great jackets when you find them. At least you can wear them on non-lab days or times.

Anonymous

This is hard, and I never could quite get it right when I was volunteering and had to wear business attire.

You could try an unexpected fabrication, like a pencil skirt in leather; a soft non-black neutral would be nice. I can't remember, do you have silky track pants? They are a dressy trouser and you are all covered up, but that would send a very modern message at work.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Another idea is to choose modern looking prints for your top. So go for animal print, houndstooth, etc.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Unfrumped --

Oh, was that YOU a few seats down from me on the Ann Taylor Mothership? Belated hello.

Long story short: I more or less get what you're going through, even though my current workplace is less conservative than many of my past ones.

All the suggestions above are great. Here are my 3 tips with a few of my outfit photos that more or less relate. [That black satin tamale skirt in #3 wasn't for work, ha.]

1. Stretch your boundaries, but keep your personality close. If you aren't a funky footwear person, or a print/pattern person, or a bold jewelry person, it's ok.

Maybe you look less exciting from afar, but you have an opportunity to enjoy the details you choose. [But don't be surprised if you become one or all of those things when you encounter the "right" one/s!]

2. Consider that the quickest route to feeling a little less corporate cookie-cutter may be through intentional use of color-color that makes you glow.

This doesn't mean adding a bright blouse to black pants (though it might!), but I feel much less generic now that I have a deeper understanding of the colors that flatter me, the color pairings that stand out a bit from the crowd, and the color combinations that work with the silhouettes I prefer (generally a longer unbroken line of color). I recommend Trinny and Susannah's color-focused book for this -- prob a few bucks on eBay by now.

3. Embrace and shop for items that work with your best neutrals.

When I was trying to wean myself off black and espresso I used my limited budget to buy mostly color-color. But I looooove wearing all-neutral outfits, and so ended up with my boring solid neutrals on days I couldn't face color/felt neutrals were better. By adding prints/patterns in neutrals-only AND neutrals+my palette colors I can add a little small-d drama to my work clothes.*

*I feel like I'm locked in an eternal battle re spending on neutrals vs color-color...I always think I'm buying more color than I am, sigh. Since you like being analytical, you may want to track your purchases. I tracked mine for a year+ -- results at the blog post linked below.

Closet closet in the wall, will my last 373 days of shopping make me bawl?

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Beth Ann

Veteran

Great thread! Wanted to pop on and suggest that you check out the leather skirt in Angie's blog post. Would you feel comfortable in this if it fit you well? I think you have a great figure for it. I think it might be fun for kicking up your beautiful, classic jackets.

I'd also encourage you to flag 4 or 5 recent outfits or wardrobe items that have a high happiness factor for you. If you have photos, all the better. When you think of or look at them all together, are there any trends or commonalities. Sometimes I think......"I want to do more of "a," and less of "b."

I think Suz's comments about prints for tops is spot on, and Vix's statements about color could be really helpful, too, particularly when you remember that all color isn't "bright" and "in your face." While it wouldn't show up strongly in photos, I think the use of textures in prints and fabrications can make a huge difference --- a smooth leather with a chunky sweater -- tweed with silk, etc.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Great advice so far. Study what the following fabbers do, b/c they have this down to a science:

MaryK
Transconna Shannon
DayVies

I'm sure there are others, but these ladies stick out in my mind as working in a somewhat conservative environment, but managing to inject personality into their outfits.

kkards

Veteran

just jumping in to say that i find this is a place to shop in stores outside of my natural comfort zone, and often lower on price, that way if i buy something that i can't make work, or something that only works for one season, i've not spent a lot. and don't over look target for fashion foward tops and accessories.
i also agree with the recommendation to play up the footwear. it always amazes me how many call outs i get when i wear my snakeskin petty's.

Archer

Veteran

Well...
One - very sleek designed silver ring - artist one off or maybe Calvin K kind of look with the rest conservative and fabulous shoes.

Double strand of big fat peals underneath a fairly high collar and almost totally done up. Just the collar button open or next one as well. i,e only glimpse of pearls - but there. Muted mulberry coloured sheers - subtle colour but tonal with the overall suit. i.e. pick up a fleck or otherwise relate to the fleck, contrast to it - bolder look IMO

Flared tailored trousers ( I love Ted Baker in this dept) lower slung. Great belt: I have a wide liberty print in grey and another n blue/beige. Still conservative enough but context, nice.

unfrumped

Veteran

Amy, those gals are workstyle icons for sure! Lot of color and interest going on.
Beth Ann, your thoughtful analyses are always helpful to me. Yes, I have some "happy example" outfits and there are some themes. Leather skirt, hmm! I almost took home an amazing dark burgundy leather skirt (waving to Claire--non-black would tempt me) that showed up at Marshalls, but it was too long and could not be altered. I think I would have more luck and, admittedly, comfort-zone, with some mixed-media or even a top with leather, rather than the skirt, but maybe if there were just the right skirt...... Tall boots were on my list of steppin' out changes, as well.

So, these are not new musings for me as it's been the major theme of the year, but I have been trying to catalog the things that are or can work, and the comments above really help outline a whole array of options that I need to remember and try to see which ones I've got or could most easily look for.

L'Abeille

Veteran

My workplace requirements are less conservative but I too have the lab-coat-so-no-blazer-looks problem, also I'm older than you (I assume) so it takes more thought to avoid frump. If I do.

But here's what I do:

FOOTWEAR. Booties, shooties, or flat oxfords will edge up a skirt or dress outfit wonderfully while being perfectly appropriate for the workplace. Slipper flats or loafers with pants.

Animal print. In tiny doses, to avoid the Mrs. Roper effect. I use zebra or leopard with white or grey, in a cardi or skirt or top or scarf. And I wish I had a leopard or snakeskin belt so I could copy Day Vies' outfit from today.

Scarves. From fall till spring. My latest is all back/grey/white, with stripes, dots, and 2 kinds of animal print, and it can be wrapped so only 1 or 2 of them show at a time. I like to do a very low and loose men's-tie knot, sort of an Annie Hall look without the bling.

Pattern mixing. Very subtle, like 2 striped or dotted or checked items in the same colourway. I wore a black-and-white zebra top with a black-and-grey zebra pencil skirt, and was asked if it was a dress.

I have a mixed-media jacket that has a ruched and studded leather front (more stadium than bomber styling) and the rest is knit. I wore it under my white coat and patients loved it (well, also asked where I kept my motorcycle).