clothes for work

[Teresa Pitman]

If I had my choice, I'd pretty much wear nothing but jeans and sweatshirts or T-shirts. But I have to dress nicely at work, and I get very frustrated trying to figure out what to wear. My biggest problem, I think, is that I am plus-sized and one of those "apple-shaped' people so I have a hard time finding things that I think look okay and are still comfortable on me. Suit-type jackets/blazers, for example, usually look awful on me, and I know they are the standard for work environments. I also have a hard time finding a dress style that is flattering.

Any tips? Any websites that would have some ideas?

TP

 

[mrsksmithvt]

Try Boscovs.com, I love that I can find flattering tops and bottoms for work and not break the bank. They are having a 50% off sale right now.

 

[Jennasis]

What type of work do you do? What do others wear? Could you do slacks and a button down shirt? My full time job requires jeans and a tee/sweatshirt (the rattier the better!), but I recently started working part-time outside my home in addition to the full time stuff and I wear slacks or khakis and either a nice sweater or a nice button down.

 

[ilovediznee]

I am also plus size but hope to trim down this year! I have the same problem and I was a fashion merchandising major so I understand your frustration. I would recommend you try Kohl's and DressBarn. Also, once you find something that fits, buy all avaiable colors. From there work on tops, sweaters and jackets. Remember to also use accessories as well - such as necklaces, scarves and earrings.

Good luck!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

What type of work do you do? What do others wear? Could you do slacks and a button down shirt? My full time job requires jeans and a tee/sweatshirt (the rattier the better!), but I recently started working part-time outside my home in addition to the full time stuff and I wear slacks or khakis and either a nice sweater or a nice button down.

Yes, I can wear slacks. I have several pairs of nice black pants that I wear most of the time, and two navy blue pants I wear the rest of the time! I work in a university department. There is a range in how people dress: two or three people always wear suit jackets or blazers, but others will wear nice shirts and pants, maybe with a cardigan. A couple people almost always wear skirts or dresses. Some will come in at times wearing jeans, but they usually top them with dressy shirts and jackets.

But a button down shirt - that's an example of something that really doesn't look good on me, because of my "apple" shape. It's just really hard to get a good fit, and not have it gape open in places, especially when I sit down.

Right now, I tend to wear tunic tops over my pants, but I feel that doesn't really look professional.

TP

 

[Southernmiss]

Yes, I can wear slacks. I have several pairs of nice black pants that I wear most of the time, and two navy blue pants I wear the rest of the time! I work in a university department. There is a range in how people dress: two or three people always wear suit jackets or blazers, but others will wear nice shirts and pants, maybe with a cardigan. A couple people almost always wear skirts or dresses. Some will come in at times wearing jeans, but they usually top them with dressy shirts and jackets.

But a button down shirt - that's an example of something that really doesn't look good on me, because of my "apple" shape. It's just really hard to get a good fit, and not have it gape open in places, especially when I sit down.

Right now, I tend to wear tunic tops over my pants, but I feel that doesn't really look professional.

TP

What about sweater twin sets? The ones I have are sleeveless tops with the cardigan cover. I think those look professional without being stuffy. I work in a church, so I think our work environments are similar.

I have a problem with blouses gaping and have found that Lee brand has no gape button down shirts and they really do not gape!

 

[supercarrie]

What about a wrap dress teamed with a cardigan, in professional colors? I've seen several in stores recently which are fine for an office environment, and wrap dresses are flattering and comfortable!

When you say tunic top, what do you mean?

 

[java]

Plus size here, recently bought a Calvin Klein suit at Macy's. ( it is one of their everyday basics I think) it was reasonable. And dress barn surprised me with their tops. I really liked a bunch of them. Cut appropriately for my shape I thought. This is my favorite under jacket one
http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/abstract-funnel-neck-shell/101063713/502

I have it in a solid color but it's so comfy! High v too so no cleavage issues.

 

[minniecarousel]

I may be older than you, so this may be too matronly: Chico's & Coldwater Creek. I'm lucky that I have Outlets for both stores near-by. (otherwise, they're a little pricey). I have fun jackets, blouses, T-shirts. It sounds like you have the pants figured out. There is nothing wrong with wearing black or blue pants every day. Just mix up the tops. I wouldn't bother with skirts or dresses.

 

[njmom47]

I just bought a couple of pairs of nice pants from Roaman's (ugh, I resisted but I really love them). They're pull-on stretch but have a nice shape. I am tall and plus-sized and they are great for work. As far as shirts, I have a bunch of shirts I would imagine you are calling tunics. Some are more dressy than others (sequins or beads) but that is what I mostly wear.
If you wear button-downs, have you tried a thin cami underneath in case it gapes?

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I have shopped a bit at Coldwater Creek but not had much luck in finding things I thought fit me well. I have not tried Chico's.

By a tunic top I mean a long top that is not meant to be tucked in and is long enough that it ends at the top of my thighs. The ones I have generally do not button up the front - you pull them on over your head.

For example, I have one that is a lot like this one - but longer (on me, anyway!).
http://www.marks.com/webapp/wcs/sto...tops/floral-lace-pintuck-peasant-blouse-21715

If I find one I like, I do tend to buy them in all the colours!

I like the idea of a twinset but rarely see them in my size.

TP

 

[DebbieB]

I am slightly plus size (16). I work in an insurance office and mostly wear sweaters and dress pants. I have alot of Alfred Dunner sweaters that I got at Macys, both summer and winter. I never look right in a blazer either. Luckily the dress code has toned down since I first started years ago. At one time I wore dresses almost every day, that was in the 90's when long full skirts were popular. Now hardly anyone wears a dress or skirt. We have casual Friday where we can wear jeans.

 

[powellrj]

I tend to do well at CJ Banks. One suggestion, never pay full price because it may not be on sale this week, but it will be soon!

 

[TheElectricMayhem]

I am plus size. I bought a twin set at the Avenue the other day- and it was 60% off- so look there. http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Ribb...499&DeptId=20407&ProductTypeId=1&StyleNo=2824


I work in a similar environment, and sweaters are your friend. I wear a pretty sweater and slacks almost every day. I've also bought a couple of sweater dresses and tights, with knee books ( you can find wide-shaft knee boots at womanwithin.com or at the Avenue, Lane Bryant, sometimes even Old Navy).

You may also want to try CJ Banks. They are plus size shop and their clothes tend to all coordinate well, and have nice shape.

One of the things I've found is accessories are key to the 'dressiness' of an outift. I might wear a sweater and jeans on a casual Friday, but with a pretty scarf and great jewellery, it really elevates the outfit to work wear.


Oh, I wanted to add, with an apple shape, you'd look great in a wrap style dress like this- http://www.cjbanks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13157315&cp=2962147.2962783&parentPage=family

 

[disprincessatheart]

Try lane Bryant too. I buy most of my work clothes there.

 

[Jingle]

If I had my choice, I'd pretty much wear nothing but jeans and sweatshirts or T-shirts. But I have to dress nicely at work, and I get very frustrated trying to figure out what to wear. My biggest problem, I think, is that I am plus-sized and one of those "apple-shaped' people so I have a hard time finding things that I think look okay and are still comfortable on me. Suit-type jackets/blazers, for example, usually look awful on me, and I know they are the standard for work environments. I also have a hard time finding a dress style that is flattering.

Any tips? Any websites that would have some ideas?

TP

I am an apple shape. I wish I could find pants that fit both in the waist and hips!

 

[Buckalew11]

I tend to do well at CJ Banks. One suggestion, never pay full price because it may not be on sale this week, but it will be soon!

I am plus size. I bought a twin set at the Avenue the other day- and it was 60% off- so look there. http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Ribb...499&DeptId=20407&ProductTypeId=1&StyleNo=2824


I work in a similar environment, and sweaters are your friend. I wear a pretty sweater and slacks almost every day. I've also bought a couple of sweater dresses and tights, with knee books ( you can find wide-shaft knee boots at womanwithin.com or at the Avenue, Lane Bryant, sometimes even Old Navy).

You may also want to try CJ Banks. They are plus size shop and their clothes tend to all coordinate well, and have nice shape.

One of the things I've found is accessories are key to the 'dressiness' of an outift. I might wear a sweater and jeans on a casual Friday, but with a pretty scarf and great jewellery, it really elevates the outfit to work wear.


Oh, I wanted to add, with an apple shape, you'd look great in a wrap style dress like this- http://www.cjbanks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13157315&cp=2962147.2962783&parentPage=family

When I need dressier clothes (dressy casual, I guess), I shop at Christopher and Banks and CJBanks is their sister store for plus sizes. I've gone in there with a friend and she's picked up some very nice looking outfits. I think you have to weed through "frumpy" and find them but they are there--new stuff all the time so if you try it and find nothing, check back but because they turn over their merchandise quickly.

I single-handed brought them to our mall and am darn proud of it. I've also let them know, when asked, about that frump factor.

Good luck!

 

[Kathi OD]

I'm a "pooh-sized" woman and I like the fashions at North Style.

Here's a two-in-one that would be nice for work:

http://www.northstyle.com/itemdy00.aspx?ID=1,1405&T1=NB920+BK+S

I also like the peasant style tops:

http://www.northstyle.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=N5674 XS&source=igodigital&pagetype=ProductR

And a pintuck shirt:

http://www.northstyle.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=NB244 SG S&source=igodigital&pagetype=ProductR

 

[Disney Doll]

Rather than the "classic" blazer that falls between the waist and hips, try a longer cardigan type (or open front) sweater...one that is tunic length. Pair it with a top the same color for a take-off on the twin set look.

I also have luck with lighter color pants and top and a darker color cardigan type sweater. Dark top and light pants is slimming for the hips and dark cardigan with lighter top underneath is slimming through the waist area. Think kahki pants and a khaki or white simple shell type top underneath with a nice navy or black or dark green longer cardigan.

The sweaters with the assymentrical hems seem to be pretty big now too, and they are somewhat slimming because the assymetry draws the eye down.

You should also consider a small shoulder pad. Not the Dynasty-style ones that look like airplane wings. But a small shoulder pad can balance your body shape a little. I have seen shoulder pads that have a velcro strip that can be wrapped around your bra strap. I have also seen a tank top style camisole that can be worn under another top, where the wider straps have a small shoulder pad. Sometimes just lifting the shoulders (or the look of the shoulders) ever so slightly makes a huge difference.

I am not a petite woman and these are some of the tricks I have used to have my clothing look better and balance out my figure a bit. I also find that when one is not petite, the less ruffles & frills, the better. I stick with more tailored styles & simple lines for pants, jackets, sweaters. I add a pop of color by wearing a simple shell style blouse that is colorful, or an accessory such as a scarf or an interesting piece of jewelery (chunky necklace or pin) to brighten things up.

Shoulder pads:
http://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Forms-Womens-Round-Shoulder/dp/B00800ANOA

Camisole with shoulder pads built in:
http://www.amazon.com/Velrose-Padde...9&sr=8-1&keywords=camisole+with+shoulder+pads

Long sweater -asymmetrical hem:
http://www.amazon.com/Patty-Women-C...56964201&sr=1-23&keywords=long+sweaters+women

Long sweater also illustrates that dark over light thing I was talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/Doublju-Women...56964201&sr=1-27&keywords=long+sweaters+women

Something with a small stripe:
http://www.amazon.com/Patty-Trendy-...56964391&sr=1-76&keywords=long+sweaters+women

This one has a little embroidery-looking detail and is plus size-I have had good luck at Roaman's catalog for plus size clothing and their prices are reasonable:
http://www.amazon.com/Roamans-Point...56964442&sr=1-88&keywords=long+sweaters+women


These are some of the types of things I wear and have good luck with making them look "professional" and work appropriate.

 

[Disney Doll]

Duplicate post-don't know why it happened so I deleted this one.