Help me dress my tall, curvy body (work edition)!
June 15, 2017 9:50 AM Subscribe
Okay, so I've learned how to dress my body for special events/parties and weekend life (nerdy shirts and pencil skirts, mostly). How do I dress in a way that's flattering and professional for my work life, particularly in a job where I spend a lot of time with conservative elected officials.
I feel really good in fitted silhouettes (see here and here). I have a lot of t-shirts from Out of Print books and tank tops that I wear with pencil skirts on the weekends that I enjoy wearing and look cute in. My chief problem arises in finding work clothes that work for my body and aren't overly revealing (yes, I get there's a lot of sexist baggage attached to this, but I work in public policy in Texas, so it's a reality). I want to know how to dress my body in a way that is conservative (and professional) and attractive. Links to specific dresses (or whatever else) appreciated. I own three really great blazers that I tend to put with sheaths, and that works okay, but I want more versatility/want more ideas. I am typically between a size 12 and 16 depending on the dress, and I'm 5'10ish. I am willing to get stuff tailored, though money is sometimes an issue (I work at a nonprofit). Please, please, please help!
I feel really good in fitted silhouettes (see here and here). I have a lot of t-shirts from Out of Print books and tank tops that I wear with pencil skirts on the weekends that I enjoy wearing and look cute in. My chief problem arises in finding work clothes that work for my body and aren't overly revealing (yes, I get there's a lot of sexist baggage attached to this, but I work in public policy in Texas, so it's a reality). I want to know how to dress my body in a way that is conservative (and professional) and attractive. Links to specific dresses (or whatever else) appreciated. I own three really great blazers that I tend to put with sheaths, and that works okay, but I want more versatility/want more ideas. I am typically between a size 12 and 16 depending on the dress, and I'm 5'10ish. I am willing to get stuff tailored, though money is sometimes an issue (I work at a nonprofit). Please, please, please help!
Best answer: One of the simplest and best work uniform ideas I ever heard for women is to wear knit tops with pencil skirts. It's easy, it's professional without being too formal, and it looks good, especially when you accessorize with some nice jewelry and great shoes. And in your case you already have the pencil skirts.
posted by orange swan at 9:59 AM on June 15, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 9:59 AM on June 15, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Agreed with orange swan. My body type is similar to yours. Everyone always says wrap dresses (I hate wrap dresses but YMMV.)
I love this type of dress (hey, pockets!) for giving me shape as well as structure, and the longer sleeves are nice (probably nice to have a mid sleeve for modesty but also Texas?).
When I need to not do a knit top, this is my favorite type of uniform. I have a zillion shells and blouses that I wear with nice pencil skirts and blazers. So much room for personal taste and variety.
I also often wear wide leg dress pants such as these with a dressy blouse and sometimes a blazer.
I also buy a lottttt of L and XL ankle pants and culottes, etc. from Uniqlo. I also like these and these and may buy them! Since you're tall you won't have my problem of needing to hem every pair of ankle or wide legged pants ever.
Maybe wide leg jumpsuits with a fitted waist? There are some that look fairly conservative.
posted by stoneandstar at 10:09 AM on June 15, 2017 [2 favorites]
I love this type of dress (hey, pockets!) for giving me shape as well as structure, and the longer sleeves are nice (probably nice to have a mid sleeve for modesty but also Texas?).
When I need to not do a knit top, this is my favorite type of uniform. I have a zillion shells and blouses that I wear with nice pencil skirts and blazers. So much room for personal taste and variety.
I also often wear wide leg dress pants such as these with a dressy blouse and sometimes a blazer.
I also buy a lottttt of L and XL ankle pants and culottes, etc. from Uniqlo. I also like these and these and may buy them! Since you're tall you won't have my problem of needing to hem every pair of ankle or wide legged pants ever.
Maybe wide leg jumpsuits with a fitted waist? There are some that look fairly conservative.
posted by stoneandstar at 10:09 AM on June 15, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I'm similar in size and shape to you. My usual work uniform is cigarette pants (like this) with either a plain 3/4 sleeve tee and large jewelry, or a slouchy top with a blazer (kind of like the favorite type of uniform stoneandstar linked above). At my old job I wore a lot of pencil skirts with fitted tops but with my body shape that reads a bit too sexy for my current job.
In terms of vendors, I've had a lot of luck with Boden stuff. They have high-quality knits and their clothes are interesting without being so unique that you can't wear them over and over; they also have good sizes for me (14 or 16 tall/long). Here's their workwear collection.
posted by stellaluna at 10:38 AM on June 15, 2017 [3 favorites]
In terms of vendors, I've had a lot of luck with Boden stuff. They have high-quality knits and their clothes are interesting without being so unique that you can't wear them over and over; they also have good sizes for me (14 or 16 tall/long). Here's their workwear collection.
posted by stellaluna at 10:38 AM on June 15, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: One key to seeming conservative when you're curvy is keeping the neckline very, very modest.
On reading your question, I immediately thought of Senator Wendy Davis, and I wonder if finding a selection of dresses in a body style like the one she wears here might be a good solution for you. The neck and sleeves (and fabric) make it read conservative, but it is a good business look and also fairly body-con. Here she is in a similar dress in a different color and fabric.
posted by anastasiav at 10:43 AM on June 15, 2017 [5 favorites]
On reading your question, I immediately thought of Senator Wendy Davis, and I wonder if finding a selection of dresses in a body style like the one she wears here might be a good solution for you. The neck and sleeves (and fabric) make it read conservative, but it is a good business look and also fairly body-con. Here she is in a similar dress in a different color and fabric.
posted by anastasiav at 10:43 AM on June 15, 2017 [5 favorites]
YMMV with whether you like this brand (I know some people that can't stand the business model and others who are completely addicted), but if you have any friends who sell LuLaRoe, I've started using them for some of my work outfits and have been really happy. I am particularly a fan of their Cassie skirt/pencil skirt -- I'm a size 14-16 and wear the XL. I pick the more conservative patterns (solids, plaids, small florals) and typically pair with a short sleeved or sleeveless button down from Uniqlo (such as this one or this one -- I have these in tons of colors because they're cheap and actually work for chestier women, unlike most button downs) in warm weather, or a sweater in the winter. I get a lot of compliments. I am also a big fan of the Amelia dress for work (I wear a L).
Anyway, although this brand definitely has its haters, what I personally like is that all the items are totally work-appropriate (high necklines, all dresses/skirts come down to my knees even though I am tall) but are super super comfy. The downside is you have to find a consultant (or often you'll find booths at street fairs and farmer's markets), and you have to be willing to do some looking/be choose-y on patterns (some are not really "professional" work appropriate and/or generally hideous).
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:48 AM on June 15, 2017
Anyway, although this brand definitely has its haters, what I personally like is that all the items are totally work-appropriate (high necklines, all dresses/skirts come down to my knees even though I am tall) but are super super comfy. The downside is you have to find a consultant (or often you'll find booths at street fairs and farmer's markets), and you have to be willing to do some looking/be choose-y on patterns (some are not really "professional" work appropriate and/or generally hideous).
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:48 AM on June 15, 2017
Best answer: I work in a conservative industry, am tall and proportional, and 90% of my work clothing comes from J. Crew Tall clothing; it's not the cheapest, but it tends to wear well/not fall apart if you look at it funny. I have machine-washed their cotton pants and those have held up fine. Sign up for their email alerts and only buy items on sale. I do find their tall sizing just slightly more generous than the straight sizes- so a size XX dress would be overall tight enough on me that I'd size up, but a size XXTall dress would fit perfectly and be long enough to not be scandalous.
J.crew Tall's selections this summer are kind of terrible, generally I have better luck with their fall & winter collections which should appear in August .
This sort of pencil skirts with silkish shell top look is pretty much my uniform; I don't love knit tops for myself. I usually keep a blazer at work to throw over for fancy meetings, but I generally avoid a full skirt suit look. example top and honestly I've owned probably almost every color of cotton and wool skirt from J.Crew.
My other (slightly less formal) standby is custom length dresses by one particular Etsy owner, who's shop I used to patronize before she retired from retail. Being able to order a dress and have someone add 2-3 inches to the length really makes a HUGE difference in fit/conservative blending. (also her dresses are made of the comfiest fabrics/she has a great eye for fit).
posted by larthegreat at 11:53 AM on June 15, 2017 [5 favorites]
J.crew Tall's selections this summer are kind of terrible, generally I have better luck with their fall & winter collections which should appear in August .
This sort of pencil skirts with silkish shell top look is pretty much my uniform; I don't love knit tops for myself. I usually keep a blazer at work to throw over for fancy meetings, but I generally avoid a full skirt suit look. example top and honestly I've owned probably almost every color of cotton and wool skirt from J.Crew.
My other (slightly less formal) standby is custom length dresses by one particular Etsy owner, who's shop I used to patronize before she retired from retail. Being able to order a dress and have someone add 2-3 inches to the length really makes a HUGE difference in fit/conservative blending. (also her dresses are made of the comfiest fabrics/she has a great eye for fit).
posted by larthegreat at 11:53 AM on June 15, 2017 [5 favorites]
Side note, your blue dress while awesome in color and shape, would be too short for me in my office without dark tights (tall lady trick!). This blogpost has a good reference for skirt length- for work, I err longer and basically within 2 inches of my knee.
posted by larthegreat at 12:53 PM on June 15, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by larthegreat at 12:53 PM on June 15, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think you can just build upon what is working. Compared to your pictures, buy dresses that are just a bit looser and down to the top of the knee in thicker, stiffer fabrics (think, couch-type fabrics), then add a matching jacket. You can either do a dress with a jacket or split the outfit into a skirt with a matching jacket, with any kind of light blouse under the jacket. Try googling skirt suit.
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posted by salvia at 1:32 PM on June 15, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by salvia at 1:32 PM on June 15, 2017 [1 favorite]
I am about your size/height and for conservative wear I like some of the dresses from Land's End. I also like NY&Co for business slacks and sometimes tops, depending on the neckline.
posted by vignettist at 4:14 PM on June 15, 2017
posted by vignettist at 4:14 PM on June 15, 2017
I'm also 5'10" and a size 12-14. I work in a finance-adjacent department, and my work uniform consists of pencil skirts, tanks/shells, and cardigans (with the occasional blazer). I shop mostly at Loft (aka Forever 31), Banana Republic, and JCrew.
Loft has 50% off sales almost every week if you want to save some cash, but their quality isn't as good and it takes a little bit of digging to find work-appropriate tops. Their skirts are cute but often too clingy and/or short.
My favorite cardigan is from Eddie Bauer. The tall is a little too long on me, so I just wear the regular length, but it has never lost its shape like so many others do.
posted by little king trashmouth at 12:47 PM on June 16, 2017
Loft has 50% off sales almost every week if you want to save some cash, but their quality isn't as good and it takes a little bit of digging to find work-appropriate tops. Their skirts are cute but often too clingy and/or short.
My favorite cardigan is from Eddie Bauer. The tall is a little too long on me, so I just wear the regular length, but it has never lost its shape like so many others do.
posted by little king trashmouth at 12:47 PM on June 16, 2017
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