How to dress like a grownup?

July 9, 2018 8:39 PM

I need to dress more professionally, Alaska-style (people go to the opera in jeans...so I’m not looking super formal, but something better than jeans and a t-shirt). Can you help me figure out what that would look like? Constraints: I am female, 5’, 95-100 lbs, and there are not a lot of shopping options near me.

I am an academic, so I do not need to wear a suit, but...currently in my department (mathematics) people teach in jeans and t-shirts. Typically I wear hiking pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt and a fleece jacket. I’d like to figure out easy clothes that make me look more professional than that (think administrator rather than faculty). Skirts are not required/necessary (but ok occasionally), and I’m probably going to continue to wear my Merrill jungle Mocs (but maybe I’ll buy some black ones).

I know the long cardigan look is (maybe) still in style, but I worry it makes me look like I’m a kid playing dress up.

And to add to the difficulty, places I can shop nearby include Fred Meyer, Old Navy, Walmart, and a dying Sears. And REI, a couple other outfitters like that, and the internet. It’s hard to find non-kid clothes that fit. (I’m hoping to drive the 360 miles to Anchorage to do some shopping later in the summer, but for right now this is what I’ve got.)

posted by leahwrenn to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

I guess it depends what administrators in your area wear?

I would actually go with jeans -- but darker ones, maybe, well-fitted. T-shirts which are not athletic wear, but finer material, maybe with a pattern, and that you can layer under a nicer cardigan. All of those places should have knit tops and cardigans in a variety of colors and patterns, which would look a bit more dressed up than hiking pants and a fleece jacket. If you felt inspired, you could pick up a scarf or two, which are simple and warm and can really perk up an outfit.

Also sweater dresses with tights! They're casual but more dressy than your current wardrobe, and can be very comfortable and warm.
posted by suelac at 9:15 PM on July 9, 2018 [1 favorite]

Make sure whatever you wear is clean and new looking. The biggest difference I’ve noticed between grown up jeans and T-shirt and college bro jeans and T-shirt is wearing stain-free, tear free, fray free, fade free clothing.
posted by Grandysaur at 9:18 PM on July 9, 2018 [1 favorite]

So you want a decent pair of jeans in a dark wash. And then shirts that are a step nicer than cotton tees. Like button down womens material but whatever cut or pattern you like.

Female academic is hard, and in the West with no shopping you can continue to rock jeans and a tee and be mistaken for an undergrad into your mid 30s, or try stitch fix.
posted by Kalmya at 9:28 PM on July 9, 2018

Do you *mind* wearing skirts? I am heavier than you but not much taller and my grownup Alaska clothes are almost exclusively comfy just-above-the-knee REI or Eddie Bauer skirts (with tights if it’s cold), Danskos and fairly plain knit tops (sometimes with plain cardigan) from Land’s End. I’m too busty for it, but most people could probably swing a plain, non-tucked buttondown shirt instead. REI has a lot more stuff online than in the store, and returns are super painless in the store if something doesn’t work out.

On days I make the effort this uniform puts me easily in the top 20% of Anchorage fashion.
posted by charmedimsure at 9:33 PM on July 9, 2018 [2 favorites]

I had a job that required a casual professional look for a while and the learning curve was pretty steep for me for a while. I eventually settled on a "uniform" of dress pants with a button down shirt and sweater that was easy and comfortable. I learned that it is often worth the effort to shop outside of the women's departments. If mens or childrens clothes fit your frame, don't be afraid to shop those sections. It was always much easier to find classic sweaters (solid, mostly neutral colors with crew or high v-necks) in the mens or boys departments than in womens. Same goes for button up shirts. If you can find a cut or style of dress pants or trousers that you like and fit well, buy multiples. Try them on with the shoes you plan on wearing with them. Because I kept in the greys, black, and jewel tones of greens, reds, and blues, it was super easy to mix and match without too much effort. I mostly felt like i was playing dress-up because it was so different than my normal style, but once I began just thinking of it as my work costume, it felt less weird.
posted by August Fury at 9:39 PM on July 9, 2018 [2 favorites]

Fitted black jeans (very dark black, with tapered leg) with a smart top (fitted blouse) plus cardigan do the trick for me. I am a midwife and try to look decent for my patients, without looking intimidating or overly different, but also need pockets and things I can wash if something messy happens in clinic. This sort of combo works well for me!

Also, is online shopping an option for you? Most stores let you buy loads to try on sizes/styles/etc and have free returns for whatever doesn't fit. That might open up the range of sizes and styles for you.
posted by stillmoving at 10:03 PM on July 9, 2018

If I were your size, I would embrace the Japanese-style loose fitting chic aesthetic, even within your shopping options. Go for dark colors, add layers with texture, and add in brighter or lighter colors as you go. Watch out for performance gear like the hiking pants; those can definitely read kiddish if you’re small.
posted by vunder at 10:53 PM on July 9, 2018 [1 favorite]

Alaska is so relaxed. Well, you could go ahead and shop REI but shop under the Royal Robbins line of clothes which are still casual but somewhat adult. I feel that my fashion game in Juneau would have been top tier if I had gone that route instead of my undergrad t-shirt, jeans and fleece jacket look (this was representing the State of Alaska in Court). The standard is low heeled boots, tights, knee skirt or longer with a colorful shell and either a cardigan or light blazer but a part of me feels that is too formal and something I should have worn to Court or first-day undergrad lectures.

Here is a suggestion, why not create a pinterest board of looks you like and think would work in the casual atmosphere of Alaska which is even more casual than midwestern academia? The usual suspects I would recommend would be Royal Robbins, Lands End, LL Bean, Coldwater Creek (this one is a stretch but they have good sales), Uniqlo. Once you get your look that you feel balances out then you can find your stuff easily deliverable to you. REI does not stock the nicer end of items from Royal Robbins so take a look at main sites for the full range of look and feel.

I come from the fleece and flip-flop world of clothing and surrounded by people who are suspicious of the too dapper, so I feel you on wanting to look more grown-up and less prepped for camping.
posted by jadepearl at 10:54 PM on July 9, 2018 [2 favorites]

I'm also fairly petite and have struggled feeling "Grown Up" in my frame. (5'4" about 105-110 at the moment.) A big part was getting stuff that actually fit. I personally feel like I'm playing dress up if things are too loose. And if it actually fits, I have no problem with recommending kids clothes. I definitely own some. A plain sweater is a plain sweater. I'm also from Montana so I think I grew up around similar casual style.

Definitely medium to dark wash jeans that fit well. Black denim is good too! I personally like a good stretch cotton/polyester blend jean myself because they fit me well.
I'm totally all for simple knit shirts, it could be a sweater, a very casual blouse or "shell" blouse, very casual button downs. Simple pattern tee shirts can be good too. A knit tee material blazer is a more casual workwear option. Search Pinterest and similar for "casual work outfit" and you'll get the idea.
Cardigans are totally fine.
ANKLE BOOTS! They can be casual or dressy depending on the finish. As a short person with small feet, knee-height boots can be a strange proportion. I also highly prefer an almond or pointed toe as it elongates the leg. (If you also have small ankles it may be some trial and error for fit but I find ones that lace up generally fit quite well.)
posted by Crystalinne at 12:17 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]

I am also a relatively petite prof, and I really like Banana Republic’s cropped Sloan pant for this. They have a bunch of different fabrics and colours so once you find your fit you can just keep buying a few and rotate (I hate shopping). All mine were bought online at 50% off. I wear them with REI style button downs (though I’m in Canada so it’s MEC), both short and long sleeve , or plain, fitted t-shirts, or casual short sleeve blouses. I’m 5’4”, 120 and a 4 at Banana Republic so I’m guessing you’d want a 0 short. They are great at free returns. I do add cardigans in winter, also bought online from Banana Republic on sale or from Uniqlo. I also have a selection of stretchy dresses from sports/outdoor stores (Columbia, North Face, Lole, Royal Robbins, Patagonia also all make similar stuff) that I wear with or without cardigans and tights depending on season. My shoes are sandles, flat Clarks or slouchy, flat boots depending on season and weather.
posted by Cuke at 1:24 AM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]

I find it helpful to have some photos to use for inspiration. Extra Petite has some excellent professional outfit ideas, and is a similar size.

Also do an image search for "capsule wardrobe" so you can get some ideas for creating tens of outfits from just a few key pieces.
posted by BeHereNow at 6:48 AM on July 10, 2018

My favorite thing to instantly dress up an otherwise jeans-and-t-shirt outfit is a blazer made out of jersey/sweatshirt type material. So comfy, and don't have those super constructed/padded shoulders that make a normal blazer feel like I'm playing dress up. Mine are Uniqlo and if you find one anywhere, get it (you'd be an XS). I don't see them currently available but they've discontinued and brought them back before so it's worth keeping an eye out.

If you don't mind shopping online, Uniqlo also has some great stretchy pants that are kind of half legging, half real pant (they have real back pockets but a fake button/zipper) in both winter ("heattech") and summer weights. I have several of each and they're dressier than jeans but not by much and just as comfy. I'm 5' tall too, and their summer cropped pants are more like ankle length for me which is actually perfect. The winter full length ones are a little long and bunch at the ankle but that doesn't bother me.
posted by misskaz at 7:41 AM on July 10, 2018

This may be more of a bonus consideration, but jewelry can really spruce up an outfit with less hassles about fit than clothing. On occasions when I had to wear "professional" attire, I often got compliments for wearing pearls. Dunno what the Alaskan math department equivalent would be, but maybe you could pair it with the casual clothing suggestions here?
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 9:31 AM on July 10, 2018

Yay, it's time to link my favorite inspiration album from r/femalefashionadvice! The Well-Dressed Scientist. You're not a scientist, but academia + cold place is a great use case for this type of fashion.
posted by capricorn at 3:11 PM on July 10, 2018 [1 favorite]

Seconding the above comments -- patterned shirt + jacket/cardigan in a comfy material, ankle boots, jewelry. Try a chunkier necklace and a long pendant -- they can impart rather different feels to otherwise identical outfits.

I would also recommend scarves personally, and looking at different ways to wear them. PrintedVillage is my hookup for interesting patterns. I have the grey one with metallic wheat pattern which goes with pretty much anything while still projecting some personality. They are having a large sale right now, and you can order in bulk (dramatically reducing price) and knock out a few Christmas gifts as well (their bags are sturdy and attractive as well). Bulk ordering is a separate website so if that interests you, check google.

I'm not sure if this would actually reduce shipping costs, but you can search Etsy, specifying that the store is in Alaska. Check out the shop location sidebar.
posted by snerson at 4:59 PM on July 10, 2018