Keep me from becoming a cube-sicle

June 6, 2011 3:02 PM

It's 90 degrees outside yet I am shivering in my cube. Can you give me some ideas about what to wear that will allow me to transition between these two climates?

First, I'm female, mid-30s, in a Big Technical Corporation with a business casual dress code. Right now I'm wearing a turquoise button-down shirt and a pair of black slacks with flat shoes. This is pretty typical for me and I'm not looking to dress up or be much more feminine.

I am petite. Like a size 2 at Ann Taylor Petite. Most cardigan sweaters look like knitted garbage bags on me. I have a short torso, so I would prefer something that didn't end at the waist. I have been specifically told NOT to wear suit jackets here, as they intimidate the engineers or somesuch.

I cannot use a space heater and obviously I have no control over the thermostat.

Bonus: Why do all corporations I've ever worked for keep it so damned cold inside during the summer? Wouldn't they save a ton of money by not cranking the A/C so high?

posted by desjardins to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (50 answers total)

How about a pretty shawl to wear over your shoulders?
posted by HeyAllie at 3:05 PM on June 6, 2011

What about a bolero-style sweater? All the convenience of a cardigan, but doesn't end at the waist. At my office, a lot of women keep shawls at their desk.
posted by Houstonian at 3:06 PM on June 6, 2011

I always have a Work Sweater, which is a semi-ugly but neutral colored cardigan (my current one is black) purchased several years ago at Old Navy. It lives on the back of my office chair year-round. It's not fashionable, but is serviceable and inoffensive. I would just try to find an XS cardigan at Target or Old Navy that is cheap and very boring and that you probably would never wear under normal circumstances. Most of the women at my office seem to have something of this genre they keep handy.
posted by something something at 3:07 PM on June 6, 2011 [8 favorites]

I recommend wearing layered camisoles or something along those lines. I have (women's) undershirts that I wear under clothing when I know I risk freezing. Honestly when I worked in Sarasota Florida I didn't concern myself with fashion I just wore a sweater, but honestly, the undershirts help me a lot now.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 3:08 PM on June 6, 2011

Silk is very warm. Check out women's lightweight silk underwear...
posted by jim in austin at 3:14 PM on June 6, 2011

I'm also petite and frequently freezing at work when its over 100 degrees outside. I find that a children's large cardigan fits me perfectly. Target has a wide selection and they're very inexpensive so you can buy various styles/colors.
posted by zamdaba at 3:15 PM on June 6, 2011

Like something something, you need a Work Sweater. Mine is a ratty grey hoodie, but then I sometimes go to work in my pajamas. Leave it at your desk, and then it doesn't matter if it's not flattering.

And they keep the A/C cranked for people like me, who cannot take off any more clothing and yet still remain decent.
posted by crankylex at 3:16 PM on June 6, 2011 [3 favorites]

How about a thin layer fleece? REI and Patagonia sell them in different thicknesses. You can take them off if it gets too warm.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:17 PM on June 6, 2011

I wear gym shorts and tank tops to work in the summer and then change into silk long underwear and normal officey clothes once I get to the meat locker office. Wool knee socks are also kept at work for icytoe emergencies.

We have toyed with the idea of buying bulk snuggies with the foundation's logo embroidered on it but have not taken the billowing fleecy plunge.
posted by elizardbits at 3:17 PM on June 6, 2011

I have the same problem. I wear a sleeveless Cuddl Duds tank every day under whatever I'm wearing. I wear a lot of blazers -- they are many times less formal than a suit jacket. The Ann Taylor site seems to be down, but here's some samples of blazers from A.T. and here's a few from Banana Republic. Some of these cardigans are cute and not boxy.
posted by la petite marie at 3:18 PM on June 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

sleeveless top or shell + cardigan. not sure why ppl are advocating that you wear ugly clothes tho…
posted by violetk at 3:19 PM on June 6, 2011 [2 favorites]

Maybe a cowl or infinity scarf to layer on top of what you're already wearing? They can be super bulky or thin, but something like these might be tasteful and also give you some warmth around the neck area.
posted by raztaj at 3:23 PM on June 6, 2011

I keep a shawl at my desk. I usually just wrap myself in it and take it off when I leave my cube, but if I'm cold enough to want to walk around with it I wrap it around in a more tasteful, less blankety way. I'm usually only cold when I sit at my desk, though.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 3:34 PM on June 6, 2011

Just go to the bathroom when you get to work and change into what you'd be wearing to work in the winter.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:39 PM on June 6, 2011

Focus on the feet? Warm Acorn slippies for inside, behind your desk, switch to sandals for outside?
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:41 PM on June 6, 2011

I gave up and brought in a flat flannel sheet to wrap in when at my desk, plus I have a windbreaker for when I need to head to meetings. Yes, it is crap that I dress nicely, but no one will ever know it at the office.
posted by kellyblah at 3:45 PM on June 6, 2011

What about shorter forms of a cardigan/sweater, like long-sleeved shrugs or tie-front shrugs?

You wouldn't have to worry about it sitting oddly at your waist because it ends higher up, and they generally are more fitted, so they wouldn't be totally shapeless. Perhaps you could pair them with a tank top or shell and then slacks like you normally would.
posted by rachaelfaith at 3:47 PM on June 6, 2011

I keep at my desk: 1 giant pashmina-style shawl (maximum coverage), 1 regular-sized lightweight pashmina-style shawl, 1 fancy-pants heavy knit shawl with buttons & stuff, 1 silk shawl, and 1 black cotton scarf. Doesn't take up much space, and I can cope with most of the vagaries of the climate "control." (Yes, I have on occasion layered two or more of these items.)

I may also bring my fingerless gloves to the office, but I probably will not follow through on my threat to wear fuzzy bunny slippers if the temperature didn't get a little more temperate.
posted by EvaDestruction at 3:47 PM on June 6, 2011 [3 favorites]

Fingerless gloves go a very long way i keeping me warm. And a pashmina like EvaDestruction said, or other kind of 'nice' scarf can keep you toasty without looking ratty, and don't require you to change outfits completely.
posted by Caravantea at 3:53 PM on June 6, 2011

I have a little jean jacket I bought from Free People that I wear a lot (over skirts and dresses so it looks business casual) I also have a collection of scarves/ruanas/shawls, and of course, cardigans. I also keep a blanket at work.

(and I have a space heater, but I'm always cold)

I'm also small and short waisted, so I have the same issues. I'm also considering shopping in the kids department for cardis--didn't see anything at Target because we're in the off season.

My problem is that I have a hard time finding cardigans that will last longer than a few months--they always get so pilly and malformed after a few months--I guess I wear them hard.

I hate the practice of cranking down the AC to 65 during the summer months, not to mention the office politics concerning the temperature. I don't want to be hot and sweaty, but I dislike the feeling of fake AC air--and it's always way too cold.
posted by hotelechozulu at 3:56 PM on June 6, 2011

Response by poster: MOAR LINKS PLS. I need to be guided to clothes like a baby. This cardigan is the front runner for now. 90% of my shirts are button-down, do those look OK under a cardigan?

violetk, I would love to see some specific examples.
posted by desjardins at 4:11 PM on June 6, 2011

I've noticed the skinny, chilly types in my business casual office wearing cute denim jackets over sleeveless tops & casual slacks, as well as over sundresses.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:12 PM on June 6, 2011

Yep, layers. Wear a sleeveless shirt, lightweight fitted t-shirt or tank top under the button-down shirt. (I have to do this anyway, since I tend to 'bust out' of button-downs. ugh.) Just that one extra layer can make all the difference. Also, lots of people (myself included) have a Work Sweater, as mentioned above. I wouldn't wear it to meetings or whatever if it looks like a trashbag, but when I was shivering in my cube, it was a lifesaver. (Maybe look harder for sweaters that don't suck for you.)
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 4:16 PM on June 6, 2011

Bonus: Why do all corporations I've ever worked for keep it so damned cold inside during the summer? Wouldn't they save a ton of money by not cranking the A/C so high?

The AC is kept at 78 at the megacorp that I work for. It's quite irritating; it's much easier to put on clothes than to take them off. (OK, if it was my house and I couldn't make it any cooler, I would take off more clothing.. but it's work.)

Anyway, in theory there is some "facilities request" you can make to have the temperature changed. Perhaps it is the same for you.
posted by jrockway at 4:23 PM on June 6, 2011

buttondowns look fine under a cardi
posted by Caravantea at 4:26 PM on June 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

I was actually going to post a similar question. I have the same problem, and it pisses me the hell off, especially since I commute via subway (and thus spend more time in the Actual Weather than those who move from airconditioned bubble to airconditioned bubble.)

I know, no space heaters. But the logical arguments against space heaters are pretty immaterial to this heated footrest. It uses very little energy, can't tip over and set anything on fire, and won't generate enough heat to confuse the building thermostat into making poor widdle me even colder. So, that keeps my toes from going numb, at least, which helps immensely.

Sure, I've got a work sweater (several, for when I accidentally wear it home and forget to bring it back the next day) but my hands are so cold that they cramp. I can't type in gloves. Heated mousepads either get poor reviews or are too silly for my office.
posted by desuetude at 4:32 PM on June 6, 2011

I have a black cardigan I leave at work for precisely this reason.
posted by thinkingwoman at 4:39 PM on June 6, 2011

I'm a big fan of cardigans - they don't all end at your waist - you can get twinset type ones, v-neck ones, and there are a lot around at the moment that don't do up but just drape at the front. But I don't think that cardigans would really work with a buttondown shirt - in my experience, they work better with plain t-shirts / sleeveless tops / dresses.

What about a plain v-neck jumper? I find that they work over shirts quite well.
posted by finding.perdita at 4:45 PM on June 6, 2011

I'm also on the small end of the size scale, and Banana Republic stuff often feels too big/long, even in XS (so does Ann Taylor, for that matter). My favorite cardigans are from JCrew - here are a few that are available in XS or S, have full-length sleeves, and are made of warm materials:

Chunky cardigan
Cashmere crewneck
Jenna's cardigan
posted by ella wren at 4:52 PM on June 6, 2011

I find light breezy cardigans completely useless for this level of "why the hell are you pumping 55F degree air in here" idiocy. I wear the most casual suit jackets I can find, counter them with nice jeans, and layer with a warm, body-tight undershirt. In that vein, I really like Anthropologie's reversible seamless tanks, although they require extra care when laundering to hold up well. I have a bunch of undershirts from Ann Taylor with adjustable straps that serve the same function - good quality, but I don't like straps as much in general. They do make silk ones, though, which are warmer.

Like desuetude, I also commute via subway (preceded by a brisk walk to the station), and find this practice incredibly, incredibly annoying. Back when I still lived in Atlanta, the temperature fluctuations in summer were so extreme (90 degrees outside? 60 degrees inside!) that I'd get almost flu-like chills. San Francisco's a bit better, but I'm going to have to dig through the recommendations in this thread myself.
posted by deludingmyself at 4:59 PM on June 6, 2011

Oh, and I gave up on ever wearing shoes that don't allow me to wear socks to the office. Ever.
posted by deludingmyself at 5:00 PM on June 6, 2011

I have a work sweater (gray, I find it goes with more in spring/summer than black does), a $1.00 pair of stretchy gloves with the fingers snipped off and pair of fake Uggs that I keep under my desk to slip my feet into. Warm feet go a LONG way for me.

I've also been known to wear a knit hat at my desk to make my "it's too #(*$&@ cold in here!" point clear.
posted by ladygypsy at 5:14 PM on June 6, 2011

I sometimes run a space heater; I'm sad that you can't! I keep a fleece at my desk. Super effective. Is that too casual?
posted by J. Wilson at 5:17 PM on June 6, 2011

My lab suffers from the same problem. All of us PhD students/ live-in-lab types have "work sweaters" that never leave the lab and are very heavy and warm. There is no way a little knitted cardigan would keep us warm.

I have absolutely no idea why it is so common to keep indoor work places so COLD in the summer. It doesn't make sense to me either.
posted by Cygnet at 5:24 PM on June 6, 2011

I also find the over-air-conditioned workplace pure hell. Meanwhile some very large co-workers are not cool enough. I am not blaming them as other people at my workplace have complained about the cold too, in a relatively low-rent office block where the HVAC does not work efficiently. I requested permission for a tiny space heater, but it has disappeared into bureaucratic limbo (it will probably never be granted). I've learned mainly to (a) keep a wool sweater at work and (b) not drink anything cold.

What makes me most angry is thinking about the ecological impact of all this excessive air conditioning, but that's a thread derail.

You might also try those warming pillows that you heat in the microwave. They are usually filled with flax seed. I haven't tried one, but they should be safe as they do not get very hot.
posted by bad grammar at 5:46 PM on June 6, 2011

Silk cardigans look lovely over button-downs but are thinner and might not warm you up enough.

Cable-knit cardigans are heavy but don't look good over button-downs.

But that leaves you with lots of wiggle room in-between! I like the one you have picked as the front-runner. I'd go with that one.

Oh, and I think they keep offices cold a lot of times when the men have to wear suits, which are really hot. So in your office, where they don't even want you to wear a blazer, the cold temp doesn't make any sense to me at all.
posted by misha at 5:54 PM on June 6, 2011

If you'd rather not go the cardigan route, a pashmina can be really useful for this. If you wear it like a scarf, it can look reasonably stylish, a lightweight fabric won't look too strange even when it's hot out, and just having something around your neck can warm you up. When you're freezing to death, you can wear it like a shawl and wrap it around your arms for extra warmth.

Personally, I do the pashmina thing and have a Work Sweater as mentioned above, but some days I really can't stand it and break out this blanket that someone gave me at work years ago and I haven't taken home. I also sometimes try drinking hot stuff (especially tea), which helps a little.
posted by solipsism at 6:08 PM on June 6, 2011

Tip: Try looking in the boys' section. Boys XL should fit.
posted by luckynerd at 6:17 PM on June 6, 2011

Cardigans do look good over button-downs! Yes! See, for example this, this or this!
posted by hepta at 6:41 PM on June 6, 2011

i'm also a fan of a big neutral pashmina-style scarf worn around the shoulders as a shawl. lives at the office, goes with everything, inexpensive and still looks smart. i also have fingerless gloves that live at the desk only. if you're really chilly, you could use a second shawl as a lap blanket.
posted by wayward vagabond at 6:45 PM on June 6, 2011

The petite XS may be too big for you as their tops can run large but I get a lot of my layering pieces for my super freezy office* at J. Jill
I second pashminas for when I'm feeling more elegant & Hanes hoodie for when I am not.
If you sit a lot, get a lap quilt. I have even threatened to start wearing a snuggie.
*if we spent less on keeping the building at 68 we could spend the excess on toilet paper that is more than 1 ply!
posted by pointystick at 6:54 PM on June 6, 2011

Oh and I forgot! If you can't get away with a space heater, try bringing in a heating pad
posted by pointystick at 6:55 PM on June 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

I wear hats inside throughout the winter, and sometimes during the summer due to the AC. I've got multiple crocheted hats, an ushanka, and this wool hat (which I love).
posted by Logic Sheep at 7:09 PM on June 6, 2011

One unorthodox way to handle this is to simply eat a lot of fat. A quarter stick of butter will get your furnace burning.
posted by Earl the Polliwog at 9:23 PM on June 6, 2011

My mom is super sensitive to cold and often wears a small silk scarf tied around her neck. She swears it keeps her warm and it makes her look like a jaunty French lady, to boot!
posted by corey flood at 9:29 PM on June 6, 2011

Vintage silk scarves; they're easy to find on Ebay, they're very warm, and they're lovely. Buy a couple of big ones, and alternate them swathed around your neck and/or your shoulders.

For the sweaters, buy cashmere: it's more expensive, but it's also very warm. Just don't wash it-- or if you do, do it in COLD WATER on the delicate cycle with Woolite or another delicates wash, and then HANG IT TO DRY. If you put it in the dryer it will fit a 5 week old baby.
posted by jrochest at 11:27 PM on June 6, 2011

Check out the juniors department (B.P. or Blue Plum) at Nordstrom's. I am tiny too (although I know how tiny you are, I think you have me beat) and I get little cardis and things from there all the time. Most everything comes in XS. It's not really the season for sweaters, but the good thing is that means what they do have is on sale.

No buttons, cute shape, on sale (I have this one in purple and have considered getting it in lots of other colors now that it's on sale. Would definitely work for a short torso-ed gal.)

3/4 sleeve, crew neck, tiny buttons, on sale

V-neck, slightly puffed sleeves, on sale

Finally, nthing everyone that suggested a pashmina type shawl to wear as a scarf or wrap. I have been known to even wear one as a blanket across my legs when I'm extra chilly.
posted by misskaz at 7:13 AM on June 7, 2011

When my desk was located just under the ac vent I kept a thin black fleece on the back of my chair all year round. For some reason our meeting rooms were always too warm, all year round so never wore this to meetings.
posted by koahiatamadl at 1:45 PM on June 7, 2011

Another thought - waist coat or sleeveless jumper. Especially the latter should be available in petite sizes.
posted by koahiatamadl at 1:48 PM on June 7, 2011

I have a light cream-colored fleece cardigan that I keep at work. Wrong season to buy fleece, though.

I thought these would be flattering for a petite person--end at the hip so that you don't look overwhelmed by them and thin enough to not look bulky and shapeless.
posted by WorkingMyWayHome at 4:23 PM on June 7, 2011