Winter Office Look #1 - YouLookFab Forum

Ok. Starting work on the winter wardrobe issue.

Some notes:

Am working in an office in suburbia, thus have become overwhelmed with a desire to wear suits
Still want to be a little punky, not pretty like I work in the hospitality industry

What was being tested in terms of winter wear pulled out of storage:

Rust turtleneck
Waffle weave thermal
Brown tights

Outfit observations:

I was warm.
The waffle weave thermal didn't show through.
I could still get the suit jacket over the two layers comfortably.
The texture of the tights weren't too at odds with the suit, or so I felt.

Trouble spots:

The shoes I felt best in were these "loafter pumps," but I felt they were too far to the pretty side of things.
I felt pretty strangled and clammy in the turtleneck when I got home (45 miles north), where the temp had "shot up" to 60F.

In general, I think the look was more academic than edgy, esp with the turtleneck and tassel pumps. I don't know that I want to look academic in suburbia.

Thoughts? How boring is this outfit?

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Not boring at all. You look great - and I am glad you were warm. Btw, my thumbs were up on the leather skirt question in the blog comments from a few days ago.

Tanya

Veteran

I do not think there is anything boring in this - nice mix of textures. Also it does not read academic to me - and I am a postdoc who used to be a grad student who used to... Well, you get it. Being warm is a nice bonus.

MuseumGal

Not boring! Totally cute and stylish.

carambola

Your hair is a little punky, so I don't think you're in danger of looking hospitality-like or academic. Also, the tweedy texture is great, like Tanya said. Would booties work better if the loafer pumps felt too pretty?

Caro in Oz

Not boring!! If you want more edge I'd just change the shoes - YLF.

Beth Ann

I teach at a suburban college and this would be edgy with enough classic to keep everybody comfortable. I don't see any reason to jettison this outfit, but if you're not feeling yourself, why not try some booties instead? Or stompy boots. I'm thinking you must have at least one pair of stompy boots in your closet!

unfrumped

Haha, this is my aspirational academic outfit! More edgy than what is seen in my shop usually, but still approachable.
I have to say, I've been convinced, the shoes are the style thermometer, so you could play some there. Or, leather on the clothing ( didn't you say you now had stock in the mixed-media items?

Jewell

Your commentary always makes me smile! This does not read boring to me at all. It's a classic look. Hopefully you don't feel classic is synonomous with boring. And as others said, the texure gives it a little something extra. I can see how the pumps would feel a little too pretty, so I think swapping those for cool booties would solve that problem and give you the edge you're after.

rachylou

Oh, nice, Angie! Leather pencil gets to go down on the list!

I guess I should work on the shoes. I wasn't feeling the booties (and tights) I have with the brown of this turtleneck. But I need to play. I'm not sure what sort of booties would go with a skirt suit and turtleneck in the office. If I were staying at home, there'd be no issue.

Out in the wilds of suburbia, that's a whole other matter.

carter

It doesn't read academic to me. You look great! I'm desperately seeking pretty loafer pumps.

Jaime

I love the suit and I would not say the whole thing looks especially academic. Truthfully the picture is a bit too dark to say exactly what the impression is, but the suit is a winner.

Anonymous

I love this on you. I find that booties that are closer to shooties are easier to style with pencil skirts and such.

Vicki

I like this textured suit on you and, oh, how I wish I could pull off dark tights or hosiery, like you, rachylou. Bottom line: It's stylish and not suburban academic.

I really liked the texture on the suit too. It made me feel not so gabardine-y smooth and pretty. I've gone off pretty (if I was ever into it for myself).

Tights are a whole other aspect I need to get to as well. Right now I'm only feeling dark brown, altho I'm also doing black just because black is black. But there's a huge boredom factor there for me.

I don't know why, but my clothes just have to entertain me while I'm wearing them...

CocoLion

Looks modern not academic to me. It looks like you work in the design industry.

Category