Describe your updated comfy office "uniform"?
June 26, 2021 1:46 PM Subscribe
Based on what I'm seeing in stores, I fear my standard women's-bizcaz template (skinny/ tapered slacks + loose print shell or T + solid knit blazer or cardigan) may be entering its twilight years. I sort of get the new '20s silhouettes, but don't quite understand how to translate them onto non-model, non-teen bodies in middlebrow-suburban-professional cultural settings. Little help here?
I'm especially confused about how to manage the trend toward 80s-style boxy/blousy, high-volume pieces without sliding into "scrubs" or "sloppy," particularly for a small, short-torsoed, medium-built person without long lines to drape or much of a waist to nip in (insert joke here about how mom jeans were never really meant for mom bodies).
I'm also aware that literally any cut of pants is apparently in style right now, but find that very unhelpful as a guide to actually assembling a default outfit out of easily-sourced pieces, that doesn't look outlandish or conspicuously dated. Straight-leg slacks ditto: if those are the classic middle-ground answer, then it'd help to know how people think about the associated top and the overall shape.
Mefi has been great when I've asked variants of this question over the years, so any updated insights would be very welcome. Thanks!
I'm especially confused about how to manage the trend toward 80s-style boxy/blousy, high-volume pieces without sliding into "scrubs" or "sloppy," particularly for a small, short-torsoed, medium-built person without long lines to drape or much of a waist to nip in (insert joke here about how mom jeans were never really meant for mom bodies).
I'm also aware that literally any cut of pants is apparently in style right now, but find that very unhelpful as a guide to actually assembling a default outfit out of easily-sourced pieces, that doesn't look outlandish or conspicuously dated. Straight-leg slacks ditto: if those are the classic middle-ground answer, then it'd help to know how people think about the associated top and the overall shape.
Mefi has been great when I've asked variants of this question over the years, so any updated insights would be very welcome. Thanks!
May I actually ask a counter-question about what is motivating your question? Are you trying to keep your look current, or are you asking out of concern that you simply may not find new clothing items to replace your standbys?
If it is the former - unless you are really in a client-facing position or are seriously trying to "dress the part", I may not worry about that as much. The outfit you describe is 100% what I have worn throughout nearly my entire working life, and nobody paid all that much attention to whether I was "in style" or not (granted, I'm an executive assistant and we tend to be a little invisible anyway). I think as long as the clothing you wear is well-kept and clean, and doesn't have any obvious "out of style" signifiers like bell-bottoms where the hems are big enough to hide a Corgi, then I think you're fine just sticking to what works for you.
If you're asking because you're afraid you may not be able to find things to change it up - maybe try thrift stores, or just go with accessories. I've actually gotten a lot of mileage out of paring my wardrobe down to some basic, classic pieces, and then I just go nuts with long statement necklaces and big drapey scarves - the big drapey scarves may also be a good way to go for the "big flowy and blousy" effect without actually wearing a big flowy blouse. I never faff around with a complicated way to tie my scarf either - I literally just drape it around my neck and go. If it's one of the REALLY lightweight long ones maybe I'll pin it to my shirt, but only to stop it from catching the wind and blowing all up in my face (love that particular scarf, hate that it does that).
More toward the blousy-top trend though - the drapey cardigan is a good option, as is a long drapey vest. And concurring with showbiz liz about "mixing fitted with not fitted".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:58 PM on June 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
If it is the former - unless you are really in a client-facing position or are seriously trying to "dress the part", I may not worry about that as much. The outfit you describe is 100% what I have worn throughout nearly my entire working life, and nobody paid all that much attention to whether I was "in style" or not (granted, I'm an executive assistant and we tend to be a little invisible anyway). I think as long as the clothing you wear is well-kept and clean, and doesn't have any obvious "out of style" signifiers like bell-bottoms where the hems are big enough to hide a Corgi, then I think you're fine just sticking to what works for you.
If you're asking because you're afraid you may not be able to find things to change it up - maybe try thrift stores, or just go with accessories. I've actually gotten a lot of mileage out of paring my wardrobe down to some basic, classic pieces, and then I just go nuts with long statement necklaces and big drapey scarves - the big drapey scarves may also be a good way to go for the "big flowy and blousy" effect without actually wearing a big flowy blouse. I never faff around with a complicated way to tie my scarf either - I literally just drape it around my neck and go. If it's one of the REALLY lightweight long ones maybe I'll pin it to my shirt, but only to stop it from catching the wind and blowing all up in my face (love that particular scarf, hate that it does that).
More toward the blousy-top trend though - the drapey cardigan is a good option, as is a long drapey vest. And concurring with showbiz liz about "mixing fitted with not fitted".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:58 PM on June 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: EmpressCallipygos, I'm mainly asking because I attempted a post-pandemic pants restock and noticed that my go-to work trousers (Old Navy Pixies) are much scarcer, looking increasingly casual rather than work-appropriate, and seem to have more mixed reviews these days. Not too many slim-leg pants at Loft these days, either. I figured if the market is pivoting to a whole different pants philosophy, I'm going to have to get with the program sooner or later.
posted by Bardolph at 3:12 PM on June 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Bardolph at 3:12 PM on June 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Ahhhhhhhh, gotcha.
I just took a quick look at a couple of "fashion" sites, and they say that the issue isn't that slim-leg pants are out of style as such - on the contrary, they are now seen as "classics", and that makes them Less Cool for the kids, who are the target of 99.9% of all fashion advertising, especially at Old Navy. But they are still "in style".
And, conveniently, this would make them a good foil for the fuller-volume tops. A good way to avoid the "boxy/scrubs" look might be to pay attention to the cut - look for something with a bit of a fitted silhouette, so there's a shape to it even though it's loose-fitting - or to choose something with flowy, drapey fabric as opposed to super-crisp cotton. Or, if you have proper trousers (as opposed to leggings or something), a crisp cotton blouse tucked in at the waist would give you the volume-at-the-top but a slim fit at the bottom, and that might create more of a waistline look.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:27 PM on June 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
I just took a quick look at a couple of "fashion" sites, and they say that the issue isn't that slim-leg pants are out of style as such - on the contrary, they are now seen as "classics", and that makes them Less Cool for the kids, who are the target of 99.9% of all fashion advertising, especially at Old Navy. But they are still "in style".
And, conveniently, this would make them a good foil for the fuller-volume tops. A good way to avoid the "boxy/scrubs" look might be to pay attention to the cut - look for something with a bit of a fitted silhouette, so there's a shape to it even though it's loose-fitting - or to choose something with flowy, drapey fabric as opposed to super-crisp cotton. Or, if you have proper trousers (as opposed to leggings or something), a crisp cotton blouse tucked in at the waist would give you the volume-at-the-top but a slim fit at the bottom, and that might create more of a waistline look.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:27 PM on June 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Do you have to wear pants? I’m not going back to the office maybe ever, but my pre-pandemic uniform of dress + cardigan [+ leggings + boots (winter)] is quite timeless and forgiving in the waistband. I just donated all of my old office pants and blazers (RIP dry clean only wool) because my Banana Republic days are over, but I miss wearing my classy work dresses.
posted by Maarika at 8:35 PM on June 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Maarika at 8:35 PM on June 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
If you want to continue with skinny slacks, it sounds like you might like my new favorite pants, the Rafaella ponte knit slim leg pant in “comfort fit.” They feel like yoga pants but look much more put together when you pair them with a dressier top, and they come in short-people sizes that don’t drag on the ground and fray when I walk.
Also seconding Maarika’s recommendation for the dress+cardigan+optional leggings depending on weather uniform. My strategy for this is to get brightly patterned dresses that can all be worn with black or gray leggings, but you could do the reverse and have fun leggings instead.
posted by ActionPopulated at 9:16 PM on June 26, 2021
Also seconding Maarika’s recommendation for the dress+cardigan+optional leggings depending on weather uniform. My strategy for this is to get brightly patterned dresses that can all be worn with black or gray leggings, but you could do the reverse and have fun leggings instead.
posted by ActionPopulated at 9:16 PM on June 26, 2021
So, I looked at what they are putting on their models in Next for workwear, which is a British high street store that is known for fashionable-normal and inexpensive work clothes for people in their late 20s and early 30s. That sounds like where you wan to pitch things. They are showing slim or tapered trousers (including slim bootcut and pencil skirts) with high volume tops, and then relaxed (including wide leg and relaxed bootcut) with boxy but much smaller volume tops, or bodycon tops. To my eyes, the item that makes the looks very current however is a relaxed long-length blazer. I think if you want to switch to a dress-based uniform, midi dresses paired with one of these blazers would be the way to go.
posted by plonkee at 2:08 AM on June 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by plonkee at 2:08 AM on June 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
You mention Loft, which has historically been my go-to for work wear, BUT I find that they’ve started to skew more casual in the past year or so. Have you looked at Ann Taylor? They have a “work” search category, and I see multiple silhouettes that still feature a very slim leg. Their price point is higher than Loft, but they have great sales and I have purchased cardigans and trousers from Ann Taylor that have lasted a decade. I plan to shop there for bottoms and maybe Loft for shells/blouses when I return to work.
posted by little mouth at 6:49 AM on June 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by little mouth at 6:49 AM on June 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Rather than starting over quickly with a new cut, you might buy yourself some time by stocking up on the classic which would allow you to try new options while waiting to pick those up at a bargain instead of paying full price in a desperate hurry.
If you are confident that you can pick the Pixie out of a lineup, thredup often has many in stock. It’s a clothing resale market and I’ve had pretty good luck with them.
Beware that they do mark pencil skirts occasionally as a-line because od the way some photographers pin them to mannequins. But for pants, it’s hard to disguise the pixie, and you can put in your sizes and your preferred brand (even color!) so you don’t have too look at literally thousands of pants to find what you’re looking for.
posted by bilabial at 7:30 AM on June 27, 2021
If you are confident that you can pick the Pixie out of a lineup, thredup often has many in stock. It’s a clothing resale market and I’ve had pretty good luck with them.
Beware that they do mark pencil skirts occasionally as a-line because od the way some photographers pin them to mannequins. But for pants, it’s hard to disguise the pixie, and you can put in your sizes and your preferred brand (even color!) so you don’t have too look at literally thousands of pants to find what you’re looking for.
posted by bilabial at 7:30 AM on June 27, 2021
I’m still working at home but I love this question since I’m sure I’ll have to go back in some capacity in the future.
I’ve completely dumped my skinny jeans and love the new pant styles. I’m 39, medium height, stocky-ish, but my new pants (jeans for now) are all either straight leg/boyfriend, or with a slight flare, all high waisted. I think that’s the key for me - for these to work, they have to be high waisted so you can tuck in a top and it makes the whole silhouette seem taller.
As for tops, I’d avoid the traditional shell + cardigan over it. Instead I would try this: if you have shorter cardigans that button, treat them like a top and button it fully then do a partial tuck into your new high waisted pants. Any blousy loose top would look good styled this way too. Same for simple (loose/light) sweaters - they can get tucked in too.
Hope this helps!
posted by elisebeth at 8:17 AM on June 27, 2021 [5 favorites]
I’ve completely dumped my skinny jeans and love the new pant styles. I’m 39, medium height, stocky-ish, but my new pants (jeans for now) are all either straight leg/boyfriend, or with a slight flare, all high waisted. I think that’s the key for me - for these to work, they have to be high waisted so you can tuck in a top and it makes the whole silhouette seem taller.
As for tops, I’d avoid the traditional shell + cardigan over it. Instead I would try this: if you have shorter cardigans that button, treat them like a top and button it fully then do a partial tuck into your new high waisted pants. Any blousy loose top would look good styled this way too. Same for simple (loose/light) sweaters - they can get tucked in too.
Hope this helps!
posted by elisebeth at 8:17 AM on June 27, 2021 [5 favorites]
I would get a pair of wide leg pants and try them out with the same tops and shoes you'd normally wear. See how it looks and feels. Wide leg pants can be super comfy. You said you are a bit short, so those pants might be longer on you, which is probably fine. Loft has several options too. But in any case, just get one pair and give it a whirl.
I think it's great to go ahead and try new trends. A wide leg silhouette can be a great look! Not at all sloppy. But you have to adjust your eye to it.
posted by bluedaisy at 7:35 PM on June 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
I think it's great to go ahead and try new trends. A wide leg silhouette can be a great look! Not at all sloppy. But you have to adjust your eye to it.
posted by bluedaisy at 7:35 PM on June 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
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I'm especially confused about how to manage the trend toward 80s-style boxy/blousy, high-volume pieces without sliding into "scrubs" or "sloppy,"
My strategy for this has been to mix fitted with unfitted - big pants with fitted shirts, big shirts with fitted pants. And for office layering, large drapey colorful cardigans rather than fitted ones.
For pants, I’m finding I’m drawn to the joggers trend. They still emphasize the slimness of my legs without literally being skin-tight.
posted by showbiz_liz at 2:16 PM on June 26, 2021 [2 favorites]