What is your MVP in your professional, religious, sad occasion capsule? - YouLookFab Forum

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What is your MVP in your professional, religious, sad occasion capsule?

gryffin

Veteran

For years, Ann Tayor (as unfrumped calls it "the mothership") was my go to destination for professional dressing. I would say 90% of my work wardrobe in the 90's and early 2000 was from their store. The good news was I was always prepared for formal work, sad, religious occasions with smart skirt suits, pants suits and sheaths in all season fabrics. With the "mothership's" decline in quality and change in fit, I've been at odds. I had a funeral this weekend which was work related and I desperately needed a classic, professional outfit. So I feel back on my cropped fitted AT blazer, buttoned, over a matching skirt, with cami, tights and suede knee high boots and accessories. I felt appropriate and stylish despite the age of the outfit, but I am in desperate need of an update. A suit with jacket, skirt, pants and preferably sheath dress in an all seasons fabric would be the ultimate versatile must have. But where to get it? I ordered two sheath dresses from the mothership but have not received them yet. What do you wear in these situations? Where do you get our outfits? Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from gryffin

Adelfa

Veteran

My go to for funerals is a black pencil skirt with some kind of black jacket (not matching as I don't have a suit). AT used to be my mothership too. I think Nordstrom is mine now. Not quite as easy to find things, but the quality is better, and if there's a problem they return without question, which AT doesn't do.

And sorry for your loss!

carambola

Veteran

My work wardrobe is mostly J Crew, BR, and Nordies.

froggiebecky

Veteran

If you want some alternatives, I LOVE the Australian brand Cue. Same concept, but with interesting seaming and cuts. They are cut reasonably generously through the hips and bust. One of their manufacturing houses is in Australia, rather than in Asia, and the price and quality reflects that.

Helena

Veteran

Church is basically the only time in my week that I wear something even remotely dressy - I have an ink blazer from Zara, a gray Chanel-esque blazer from Mexx, and a sheer polka-dot blouse that I wear a modest cami under and black sweater over (Jacob and BR respectively). I rotate the three. Normally I pair with "dressy" jeans; for a more solemn occasion, I would swap out for black dress pants from BR (which are the only pair I own).

I think generally BR or if you're in Canada and like it, Jacob, would be my go-to's for that type of clothing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I usually turn to my better-end pieces for these occasions, like Theory, Anne Fontaine and some designer stuff. A bit of BR too. True good quality Modern Classics.

Gryffin, AT is a great bench mark and destination shopping place for these types of occasions. I'll add Brooks Brothers and BR.

Diana

Veteran

I like BR (as long as they have a cut of pants that fit you) because they are the only mid-price retailer that still seems to offer lined, wool suit trousers. And the Martin fit fits me well. I am glad I bought the suit this past fall; even though I still haven't worn it as a suit, I have worn both pieces quite a bit already for the types of occasions you're describing.

kkards

Veteran

jcrew suiting, theory, BR blazers.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I still wear a lot of AT, but mostly things from a couple of years ago, although I did get a couple of jackets from there this past year that are really great. Lately I've been shopping more at BR, Nordstrom, and J. Crew. A few Talbot's pieces mixed in, although nothing really recent.

I wear a lot of blazers and jackets with skirts and dresses and silk blouses in the office, for sad occasions I have black knee length dresses for both warm and cold weather. Once in a while I wear trousers, but they are not my preference.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I defer to suit-like dresses for these occasions. I have one in linen from Peserico, another in cashmere/wool from Jil Sander. Ter et Bantine (look on Yoox) and Theory are also good.

gryffin

Veteran

Adelfa - thank you. Ah, the mothership, we never truly say goodbye!! I've been a big Nordies shopper since Angie turned me on to them. They do have fantastic customer service. Great advice. Thank you!
carambola - I had forgotten but JCrew does do a lot of suiting. Have you bought from that line and are you pleased? Does it run TTS.
forggiebecky - I had not heard of those brands. I will check them out online. Thank you so much for the suggestions!!
torontogirl - I really should check out BR. I had tried on pants there long ago and could not find a cut that fit well but I have not tried them on recently. So definitely a really good thought! Thank you!!
Angie - thanks for chiming in. I definitely may do a pilgrimage back to the mothership. That's a really good thought on Brooks Brother's too. I have never tried on their clothing but I've heard the quality and tailoring is excellent. Also will check out Theory and BR too. Many thanks!!
Diana - that's great info. I do prefer lined pants for dress wear and I did not know BR had that kind of quality. I will have to check them out and look at the Martin's and other cuts. I am glad you are happy with your. I know suits are not huge favorites on the forum, don't know why, I love having nice suits - so versatile and classy!! Thanks for the help!!
kkards - thanks for the suggestions. I am definitely going to have to check out JCrew suiting. I only have brough a rare sweater from JCrew. Glad to know you like their suiting and i'll check out BR and Theory too. I have had luck with Theory jackets - the one dress I tried on was not a good fit, but I really need to check it out. Thanks!!
Linda - I don't usually shop Talbots, so that is always a great idea. Glad to know you've got pieces from JCrew and BR so I'll see what they have as well. I am with you, for sad formal occasions I do prefer a dress or skirt too. I am not sure why but it feels right.
IK - you always have interesting suggestions and brands that i am not familiar with. Thanks so much. I will check your recommendations out. Much appreciated!!

Greyscale

Veteran

Club Monaco makes quite nice wool suits some years, and they happen to fit me much better than J Crew / AT / BR.

I donated my one black pencil skirt because it was too big (possibly would fit now?) so I don't have anything ideal for a funeral anymore. I would probably wear black trousers and a nice sweater.

cade

I have an Eileen Fisher pencil skirt, a pair of trousers and the matching jacket that works for funerals. Depending on the weather they are paired with silk or cashmere, or simply a tank. I wear all these separately as part of my work wardrobe.

rachylou

Veteran

Yeah, AT was my mothership for work in the '90s too. But when the "unsuit" came into style and the fits changed at the turn of the millenia, I had to jump ship.

For funerals, I've always worn some sort of long-sleeved, black silk dress. I used to wear one I got in a consignment shop. It's gone now. The only reason I can think for having got rid of it was that it didn't fit - it certainly wasn't for style reasons. I'm a traditionalist on these matters. Now I wear a Marc Jacobs number, which is maybe 10 years old. It's a little younger in attitude than the old funeral dress, but otherwise the same. Perhaps when I'm 70, I'll switch to a heavier fabrication.

As for work suits, my go-to's right now are things with the name "Levine" on the tag somewhere. Arthur, Tahari, Larry. I think maybe they come from Macy's, but I've only been finding them at Ross. This may have more to do with my difficulties with navigating stores as large as Macy's.

For church, well - the coat never comes off, so I don't much worry about what's underneath to be honest. During the week it would be the puffer. Holidays, I might suffer in the wool coat. But I will say the parishes I prefer, the dress is strictly '80s Sloane Ranger. Lol.

gryffin

Veteran

Greyscale - thanks for your input. I have only been in a CM once. I bought a jacket and returned it the next day since my husband did not like it. Although, I was clearly well within my rights I had to go through 2 sales associates and a manager to make a retun. It was unpleasant. So I've been leery of buying anything since that time. Good to know you liked the quality. They do have some really pretty clothing online!!
cade - I did not think of EF. I usually prefer my suits tailored. But I own several pieces by EF that I love. I will check that out. Excellent suggestion! Thanks.
Rachylou - I used to have a Larry levine coat that I loved. I don't usually shop Macys for the same reason. Too big, too overwhelming. Their website is not easy to navigate either. But that's a great tip about those designers. I will see online where else they are carried. I get the outer wear thing. That's why got gave us the trench coat, imho, always appropriate. Now coat dress would be another fab option but I have not seen one in ages. Really good thoughts. Many thanks!!

Thistle

Veteran

You could try Talbots too.

gryffin

Veteran

Thistle - Thanks!! I'm going to go to Talbot's website first and see what they have. I know people generally thought their quality was good. Somehow I never think to check them out and that is clearly an oversight!! Thanks again!

MRL

Veteran

I shop a lot at BR, but am planning to check out the Theory outlet near me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Last funeral I attended was my dad's.

It wasn't really a funeral, per se. More a memorial. I wore black pants and some sort of top -- can't even remember, to be honest.

What I'd wear today -- I have a black shift dress that could be used in summer. A black pencil skirt in winter, with some kind of dark top. I am missing a black or suitable jacket .My HEWIs right now are a fab black jacket, and a navy suit. I love suits.

gryffin

Veteran

MRL - good to know you've had luck with BR. I have one Theory jacket but most of their pants are listed as unlined as are a lot of their dresses. I definitely have to check out there fit. I had one dress on but it was not flattering. I wish you good luck with the Theory outlet. There quality and styles are so nice!!
Suz - my FIL's funeral was just a year ago and the day was a total blur. I would be surprised if you could remember. It's just so devastating. I do know that you've been on a suit hunt and I've followed your threads with great interest. I love, love, love a great suit. The more pieces the better. Honestly, they are just the best capsule wardrobes ever. I miss my old AT suits (RIP - rest in pieces - that's how loved they were). Without the aegis of "the mothership" I'm feel totally lost! That's great you have a black shift dress - the ultimate in versatile. I have two in ponte but too casual and they are work wear and not the better for it. So that is part of my hunt. I hope your HEWI's are found soon. I'll be interested to see what you select! Wishing you good hunting!

adorkable

Veteran

If their stuff fits you, Express can also be good on the cheaper end. Plus many of their wool slacks are machine washable!

gryffin

Veteran

Adorkable - that's another really good idea. I know I've read a bunch of bloggers love the Express Editor pants but I would have forgotten to check them out. Many thanks!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Pendleton, seriously. High quality wool, plus a lot of there stuff is made in the USA.
I have a basic sheath dress from there.

Petite Marj

In Canada, I usually head to Laura's or the Precis Petite department of Hudson's Bay. In the US, Nordie's has truly been my "Mothership" since I was 16!

Mia

Veteran

On the high end Hugo Boss is excellent quality.

Deborah

Veteran

For funerals I usually wear pieces from my work capsule. For the two most recent funerals I wore tailored black pants, oversized draped sweater with silver accessories and a black coat and the other was a black sheath dress and blazer.

For church (and I attend every Sunday) I wear what I feel like. We attend a contemporary church so sometimes jeans...anything goes, but my aesthetic is dressy so I do always dress "up" even if it's jeans.

gryffin

Veteran

Anna - that's a great thought. I get their catalog but we don't have an actual store. I will check them out on line. I would not have thought of them. Many thanks!!
Marj - thanks so much. I'm in the US, I know you have some very cool places in Canada. I do see those awesome scores!! You could not have picked a finer "mothership" than Nordies!!
Mia - I know the name but I've never tried on anything by Hugo Boss. Thanks for the recommendation because I would not have checked his line out!! Glad to know you like it.
Deborah - I used to always have a couple of very simple sheath dresses in the arsenal. The problem is when I decamped from the mothership, they got worn out and they are actually really difficult to replace. I have some great jackets and if I had a very simple sheath - that is exactly what I would have worn. Same thing need new black dress pants. I am hoping the sheath dresses from AT will tide me over until I can actually get out and shop. But I do love the sheath dress and blazer combo.Same thing at our synagogue. It's come as you are but I just can't do that. I usually have a nice work outfit on and for the high holidays a get really dressed. It just feels right to me!! Many thanks for the suggestions, they really help!!

Petite Marj

I just remembered another shop called Plum. There are several locations here in the Vancouver area and their products are well made and produced here in Canada. I have a couple of their lined sheath dresses and I always feel well dressed in them, casual or more refined.

Anonymous

As some others mentioned, I usually wear Eileen Fisher pieces for funerals. I like her dark grey as a change from black. Usually it's a pencil skirt, white or cream silk top and silk jacket. I used to have a dark navy pin striped skirt suit that I bought for my mother's funeral. It was perfect. The pin stripes were very thin in aqua and cream. A pale aqua silk shell worked well with it, so pale as to not be bright, but still a bit unexpected.

gryffin

Veteran

Petit Marj - thanks so much for the tip about Plum. I agree a lined sheath dress is the first thing on my list. Better yet if I could get it as separates for a suit!!
Joy - I am relatively new to EF. I bought 2 of her merino dress at NAS, Angie's pics - which have been total work horses. I love the quality. That's a great idea to look into her suiting. She makes lovely but practical pieces that can be combined in many different ways. I wish all designers were so thoughtful about real life!! Thanks for the suggestion!

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