clothes for work

[Teresa Pitman]

Thank you for the great tips! I think some of these looks would really work for me.

I don't usually wear scarves, but I'm going to try out some next time I'm in the store.

I feel like I've been on What Not To Wear - only nobody made me throw out my Disney T-shirts!

TP

 

[snowy76]

Agree with a couple of the PPs - Lately I've been loving the things I've found at Dress Barn - they have misses and plus sections - I'm right at a 16 so I can go either way in terms of sizing. I look for things with a drop waist, or an A-line cut - something that flares away from the body. Prices are very reasonable too!

I also have good luck with wrap-style dresses - I wear a cami underneath if the neckline plunges too far. There's one wrap dress that I've owned for probably 8 years now and I STILL get comments and compliments every time. It doesn't go out of style!

I also love Jones New York dresses - Macy's and Lord and Taylor carry them. They're very classic cuts.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

This has been really helpful! I haven't been shopping yet, but I went through my closet and tried putting things together a bit differently. I have one of the open-front, asymmetrical long cardigans that someone linked to, so I got a thin black camisole, put a grey shirt with a black paisley print over it, black pants, and then the cardigan (which is also black). It looked really nice, and I actually got a compliment (which I never do!).

The next day, I just wore a long-sleeved button down shirt, again with a camisole under it (why did I never think of that??), black pants and a nice necklace.

Today I had an open-front black jacket over a black and red tunic top and black pants. The top was longer than the jacket and I couldn't decide if I really liked that look or not - I may go shopping for a longer length jacket. Most of the people I see wearing jackets have tops or shirts that tuck into their pants, but with my shape that isn't a good look. What do you think about a top that is longer than the jacket (open-front) worn over it? Okay or not?

I felt much more confident about how I was dressed the last couple of days! And this weekend I hope to go through my closet and see if I can put together some more looks and create a list of items I need to buy. Thank you!

TP

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I too am plus size. I tend to shop at Macy's or dress barn. I love the jones dress pants and cardigan sets that Macy's carries. I also sometimes score some nice things at jc Penney.

I am not so much a jewelry or scarf person but have been experimenting and find I really love some big bold jewelry. My friends have been having jewelry parties so I felt I have to buy stuff. Glad I did. Now I need to try the scarf thing.

Glad to see you are more confident!

 

[bettymae1121]

You may not need a jacket (blazer). I work for a rather large non-profit and no one wears a jacket unless it's a VERY high level meeting. Day to day it's biz casual. Men in polos and khakis and women in slacks and a nice top, for the most part.

 

[IheartMickey]

Try being tall AND plus size. It's horrible trying to find dress pants. I've had luck with Avenue and I think Roamans.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Tall here too. Jones dress pants are usually good for me. Jeans are my problem. I love the spring/summer when I can wear capris. Other than that, I wear the same Levi's jeans all the time!

 

[IheartMickey]

Tall here too. Jones dress pants are usually good for me. Jeans are my problem. I love the spring/summer when I can wear capris. Other than that, I wear the same Levi's jeans all the time!

I checked their website, but they don't have a dedicated tall section. I can't shop average length pants at all.

 

[AuroraSheasMom]

Op, I feel your pain. I rarely wear anything other than jeans and a Tshirt but as a future teacher, I've had to amp up my wardrobe. I'm far from an expert and I shop at Goodwill, thrift stores, Ross etc so I'm not one to spend a huge amount of money on clothes. I can offer a couple of tips from my own experiences.

I have had success in the last week at Target. On Clearance, I found a pair of real slacks, a sleeveless navy print wrap top and a nice sweater for $25. I often buy printed tops that I can pair with camis or cardigans and a variety of pants. For example, I just bought a navy blue long sleeved print shirt with green, purple, blue pink and beige leaves. I can wear it with black slacks, gray slacks, khakis, dress it down with jeans or add a jacket and nicer jewelry to dress it up.
I rarely buy solid colored dresses simply because I find prints o be much more versatile and easier to fit to the occasion.

Another store I love is Beall's. The clothes are not designer by they have a good selection of plus sized clothing at reasonable prices. They also sell costume jewelry so it's easier to see what a particular item would look like dressed up or down.

The key to clothes shopping, I have found, is to always try it on if you think it may fit. Some of the best fitting clothes I have were ones that I was convinced to try on by someone else. I can feal with a print im not in love with if it makes me look skinnier!

Also remember that baggy clothes can make you look bigger. Finally, I can't emphasize the difference a good pair of control top undies can make in balancing out your shape. I am an education major and I honestly look a size slimmer on bottom when I wear my Spanx. I can also wear a size Smaller in slacks when I have it all "sucked in".

I wish you great look shopping! It sounds like you've received some great advice and that you're well on your way!

 

[S. C.]

I've never shopped at Dress Barn before but just found a top I really like. How good are they at returning things? I want to buy it online. If it don't fit or I just don't like it can I take it to a store to return or does it have to send it in the mail to return it?

 

[StephMK]

This has been really helpful! I haven't been shopping yet, but I went through my closet and tried putting things together a bit differently. I have one of the open-front, asymmetrical long cardigans that someone linked to, so I got a thin black camisole, put a grey shirt with a black paisley print over it, black pants, and then the cardigan (which is also black). It looked really nice, and I actually got a compliment (which I never do!).

The next day, I just wore a long-sleeved button down shirt, again with a camisole under it (why did I never think of that??), black pants and a nice necklace.

Today I had an open-front black jacket over a black and red tunic top and black pants. The top was longer than the jacket and I couldn't decide if I really liked that look or not - I may go shopping for a longer length jacket. Most of the people I see wearing jackets have tops or shirts that tuck into their pants, but with my shape that isn't a good look. What do you think about a top that is longer than the jacket (open-front) worn over it? Okay or not?

I felt much more confident about how I was dressed the last couple of days! And this weekend I hope to go through my closet and see if I can put together some more looks and create a list of items I need to buy. Thank you!

TP

Congrats!! It sounds like you are definitely on the right track & way to go for using pieces you already own. I think it's easy to just wear the same things so it's great to mix things up. I agree w/the PP about accessories really adding to a look. I know I tend to dress simply when I want to blend in and am also trying harder to put actual outfits together instead.

Have fun shopping and creating new looks! You're smart to figure out what pieces you need first so you know you'll have matching items.

 

[kirstenb1]

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.

Love Chico's Outlet!!! I often wear a button down cardigan over a tshirt with either a print scarf, or a statement necklace (large). I'm 46, so I'm at that unfortunate age where a hot flash can leave me very chilly once it departs!! So dressing in layers works for me. But a jacket or cardigan can get a little boring, so I try to accessorize. It doesn't take much...a few scarfs, a well chosen necklace and earrings. Ann Taylor outlet also has great looks for work.

Of course original price Chico's or Ann Taylor is great---I just try to stretch my $$!!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I have found that accessories make all the difference in a pulled together look. I like bold necklaces and earrings. If you are shorter you may shy away from bolder jewelry, but give it a try. (One of my girlfriends is short, and a bit overweight, and she was shocked at how much necklaces make a difference.) I am really overweight, and I have found that one bright color, say a camisole with a black jacket and black pants with a bold necklace really makes an "outfit."

Chico's has the most comfortable pants. They are knit, but they do not cling. It is the Traveler's Sets. They have many different jacket styles. The chico's tops have wonderful stretch so they will glide right over your hips, but still fit on top.

For your shape you need to balance out your top half, versus emphasizing the smallness on top. So bright colors on top, and darker on the bottom. Bold earrings to give yourself some weight on top. Don't belt in your waist, even though it is tempting to show it off, because then your bottom half poufs out.

But you can wear those A-line skirts that are so popular now. (The ones that are swingy.) Add a sweater set on top and you are good to go. Just don't wear a top and tuck it in. I am a V shape, bigger on top and narrow on the bottom. I need straight skirts. Those A line skirts make me look like a full back since I have no waist.

Lastly the tailor is your friend. For $15.00 mine will take in the additional fabric I don't need on the sides of my pants. (My waist is 3 sizes bigger than my hips and thighs.) So for about $15.00 she/he could take in the too much fabric on your tops. Always buy to fit your larger portion. So get a top that glides over your hips/tummy, and then alter to fit your smaller shoulders. They can put darts in the back of the shirt, and you'll have a nice long tailored top that doesn't pull when you sit down.

You can also wear a longer top and unbutton the bottom button for when you sit. It looks fine if the shirt is down around your hips.