Office Wardrobe

Night_Sprite

If you work in a business office where the men wear collared shirts and ties, but not jackets, what would you wear as a woman? 

I'm developing a work wardrobe and curious about other styles.

maratea

I wear dresses (knee-length or longer, little/no cleavage), black/neutral color slacks (no khakis, unless it's casual day), skirts (mostly black but I have some other colors also). Tops- I tend to wear several different styles of shirt: sweaters, cardigans, button-ups, dressy blouses. I have a few pictures of outfits I've posted in the OOTD on E, if you'd like to get a better idea.

Night_Sprite

That's mostly along the lines of what I've been building.  I've got a mixture of dresses, jackets, sweaters, and cardigans.  I could throw in a few more skirts, probably. 

kd.joseph

We are kind of casual here,depending on whether we are having a visit from corporate. But my bosses wear slacks with button downs or polos, no ties.

And usually the women here wear slacks, blouses, or sweaters depending on weather. Some of the ladies here wear nice dresses with tights and boots also.

cdavislynn

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_office-wardrobe?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:91839cdc-decd-4eb4-ab13-b809f3e1c6e1Post:df178737-c73d-49f2-8eb4-cda128fa2219">Re: Office Wardrobe</a>:
[QUOTE]I wear dresses (knee-length or longer, little/no cleavage), black/neutral color slacks (no khakis, unless it's casual day), skirts (mostly black but I have some other colors also). Tops- I tend to wear several different styles of shirt: sweaters, cardigans, button-ups, dressy blouses.Posted by maratea[/QUOTE]

Yep, this is also what my wardobe was like in a work environment like the one you described. Also, no open-toed shoes.

maratea

Do like Koda said and get a nice, well-cut blazer. They are versatile and will dress up most any outfit.

Wrkn925

Are there other women in the office to compare to?

I've always just went in to work a little overdressed, and then toned it down after I get an idea of what is acceptable.

The men here wear button-downs, polos and slacks.

I can basically wear anytthing but shorts, a tshirt or jeans Mon-Thurs.

Night_Sprite

I've got white, brown, khaki, black, and white/black pattern blazers.

JenGin74

If the men aren't wearing full suits, you should be fine with business casual. Have you seen what any of the other women in the office are wearing?

Night_Sprite

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_office-wardrobe?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:91839cdc-decd-4eb4-ab13-b809f3e1c6e1Post:d31d7d0d-d8ae-40ad-bcdf-8674c5266c61">Re: Office Wardrobe</a>:
[QUOTE]If the men aren't wearing full suits, you should be fine with business casual. Have you seen what any of the other women in the office are wearing?
Posted by JenGin74[/QUOTE]
A little, but it seems somewhat variable.  It doesn't help that 2 of the 5 women I've met are pregnant.

JenGin74

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_office-wardrobe?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:91839cdc-decd-4eb4-ab13-b809f3e1c6e1Post:4a70332f-25e6-4f50-8831-8b7cbd62804c">Re: Office Wardrobe</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Office Wardrobe : A little, but it seems somewhat variable.  It doesn't help that 2 of the 5 women I've met are pregnant.
Posted by Night_Sprite[/QUOTE]


I suppose it would be best to overdress for the first few days until you get a feel for the ins and outs of the office

kd.joseph

I agree with the blazer idea. It can take you a long way. When I shop for work I usually go to Ann Taylor/Loft, the Limited, or Banana.

Wiscisbliss

It is hard to describe. I try to dress how Stacy and Clinton coach people to on What Not to Wear. 

Skirts with sweaters/blouses.  Not T-shirts.
Dress pants with sweaters/blouses. 
Dress shoes (nothing remotely athletic).  Typically with a heel or an embellished flat.  Usually closed toe. 
Dresses with sleeves and no sparkles.  I have tons of wrap dresses and shirt dresses. 
I wore several blazer/jackets with my outfits too.  I think it is a more polished look than a sweater.  But blazers that don't look like something my grandma would wear are hard to find. 

When I worked in that type of environment I bought many clothes at Ann Taylor, Limited, and Loft.

I now work at a place where women make up %5 of the company and the men wear jeans and t-shirts or gym shorts and t-shirts.   So I have replaced the skirts with jeans. 

specialk84

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_office-wardrobe?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:91839cdc-decd-4eb4-ab13-b809f3e1c6e1Post:afd66b22-f56c-45a2-ab2e-3f759d59bdd7">Re: Office Wardrobe</a>:
[QUOTE]Make sure you have good shoes.  Black, navy and chocolate heels or boots for sure.  Avoid flats, they imply a more casual look than it sounds like you are going for. 
Posted by Dot Dash[/QUOTE]

<div>I disagree with the comment about flats.  At my last job, nearly all the women wore flats or low heels.  Anything higher than two inches was given the side-eye.</div>

Night_Sprite

It's in a hospital, so heels aren't as common as some offices.  I do need to beef up my fancy work shoe numbers, though.  I think a skirt or two and some new shoes will put me in good stead.  

Thanks.

mattsdorothy

I work in a business casual office and don't wear a suit or a blazer unless I am going to court. I take a lot of tips from this website:
http://corporette.com/

Some of the clothes are out of my price range, but it gives me a good idea about what to wear and what not to wear - especially what people side-eye. The forum is also a good place to ask industry specific questions about dress code.

K&J64

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_office-wardrobe?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:91839cdc-decd-4eb4-ab13-b809f3e1c6e1Post:ed85b29a-34d8-45dc-9642-56941e95ff2a">Re: Office Wardrobe</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Office Wardrobe : I disagree with the comment about flats.  At my last job, nearly all the women wore flats or low heels.  Anything higher than two inches was given the side-eye.
Posted by specialk84[/QUOTE]

This. There are plenty of nice flats/low heels that are appropriate business footwear. I'd even say more flats are work appropriate than stilettos - which can often look too.... well slutty for work. FMPs are not work appropriate, nor are thigh high boots IMO.