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I am an attorney working at litigation boutique and I typically wear suits about 3-4 days a week. I am pregnant which I am excited about but it definitely poses a clothing obstacle. I read your column on maternity clothes which was helpful but I have an additional challenge in that I usually wear petite clothing. I tried on some maternity suits and while they offer petite pants, I have not been able to locate petite suit jackets. This poses an obstacle because the regular jackets end around mid-thigh with the chest area typically around my ribcage and the sleeves ending around my fingertips. I’m still wearing my pre-maternity suit jackets for now, just un-buttoned. Do you have any advice on wear to find professional clothes for petite pregnant ladies?
I’ve only recently found this site, and I like it a LOT. Today I bought the BCBG Maxaziria merino cardigan you featured on April 28. (It’s now on sale at Nordstrom.) Anyway, I love it. Please continue to include items like this — professional looking clothes that aren’t a suit. I feel so stuffy in a suit. And, thanks for running this site — it’s a tremendous help!
I have a query that I imagine a growing number of professional women wonder about (or should!). I am starting as an associate at a relatively conservative law firm with a gym in the building that the attorneys use. Optimistically, I’d like to think I will work out there because of the convenience. What is appropriate exercise attire for a gym where I will be sweating alongside my colleagues and bosses? My hunch is that my old baggy t-shirt and stretch pants won’t cut it, but I also don’t want to wear full-body spandex (no matter how trendy) around my colleagues. Is there such a thing as “professional”– i.e., put together and work-appropriate– exercise attire? Thanks!
White… the perfect summer color, goes with everything but it takes me forever to find the right item that you can’t see through.
Specifically, I am looking for a good white cardigan/twinset that you can’t see through? JCrew’s is so thin, that you need to wear a seamless tank underneath the shell. At that point, it’s three layers. Too hot for what should be a summer staple piece. Ann Taylor’s selection has gone down in my opinion and Talbots, usually a go-to for modest fabrics, paired its cardigans with tank tops with lace trip on top. Not professional enough for my work place. Thanks for any ideas. I’m in DC if anyone has a local recommendation. THANKS!!
I am so happy that Glamour directed me to this blog! I wish I had the benefit of this resource when I started my career. Please never stop!
I am interested in readers’ comments about hair length in general. Does long hair, even if well-cut and well-groomed, detract from a woman’s professional appearance? How does age figure in? And does wearing long hair up make length a non-issue?
And please do address the nail polish issue. I only wear neutral polish, but I am so bored with it. Is classic red ever ok, assuming nails are short?
Thank you
another reader question: what kind of nail polish is work-appropriate? pale colors only? do i have to get a manicure? pedicure? never had either so i’m totally clueless!
Recently you posted “The Hunt” about having certain basics including nude pumps; as a new corporette-r is there any reccomendations you have for starting a new wardrobe – where should one begin for the basics??
I have a question for you guys: what’s the opinion on eating lunch at one’s desk? There are some projects I need (and want) to stay in the office for but I have to eat! It’s incredibly hard to look professional mid-bite of a taco and even salads can get interesting. Not to mention, with an open office plan, not everyone is in lunch mode, so while they’re having a meeting, I’m scarfing down a sandwich. Dinner isn’t so much an issue, as its afterhours but lunch is still a conundrum for me. Is this an issue for anyone else? Do you avoid certain foods? Curious…
I am a associate at a small firm in a small town. I have a upcoming “informational interview” lunch with a BigLaw partner in a big city. Any ideas on what to wear? I want to look professional but am unsure as to whether a suit is appropriate. Any suggestions?
could someone please forward this website to Sarah Palin’s ”
people.” Thanks.
You are terrific, I love your site and the great posts. I am a Chicago metro attorney with my own law firm. Besides needing to dress professionally in business suits for the variety of courts that I appear in, my problem is a short, fat, post-menopausal body. In your July 2 post you had a ‘Suit of the Day” and while that was not in my size (very little is) I did a search on that website (Overstock.com) and actually found business suits in my size.
Today a beautiful grey pinstrip Harve Benard skirt suit arrived from the Overstock.com website. It fits!!!!!! Let me say that again IT ACTUALLY FITS!!!! For a short fat woman finding a business suit that fits is worthly of major celebrations.
Thank you for your great information and for presenting websites where everyone can find something to wear to work. How about a story on plus size professional clothes?
This summer the daughter of one of the partners I often work with is getting married and I have been invited to the wedding. The wedding is at 6 pm and says “black tie optional.” If this were a friend’s wedding I would surely wear a fun cocktail dress, but what is appropriate for a “work wedding?” I’m sure I will be seated with other people from the office and will be one of the younger people from the office there. I don’t want to look too stuffy but not too fun either.
I’d love to see a thread about how women handle commuting/shoes. I take the train to work, and since I’m often standing during the 30 minute ride my feet wind up in pain by the time I get into the office. Sneakers are not an option: I run into colleagues from my firm or other firms pretty frequently, and so I want to look polished during the commute. My best idea so far is to get some reasonably cute, plain, black ballet flats that will work with a range of outfits for the train ride, and either carry my pumps or leave a few pairs at the office. Any thoughts on a specific shoe? Any better ideas? Thanks!
I just replaced my worn out everyday black work heels, and everything is great, except that the new pair of shoes displays a lot of “toe cleavage”. I’ve heard other law students say that absolutely no toe cleavage should show, ever, but I’m inclined to think they’re being a little paranoid. Do you have an opinion about this?
Hi Corporette!
I have an outfit that has a blue blazer and a white skirt and was wondering what color my shoes/purse should be. White, navy, brown, multi, bone? Ideally I’d like some sort of navy/white patterned shoe, but I haven’t been able to find one that is work appropriate. Thank you!!
I have a custom made suit in a charcoal grey herringbone. Since it was made for me, the fit is perfect and I feel great in it (I have both pants and skirt).
However, I’m concerned that it’s not “basic” enough for an interview. I am an attorney and will be interviewing again soon. I know I look good in the suit, but any advice or opinions as to whether I should forgo it in favor of a suit in a more basic black or charcoal grey?
I am a rising 2L, very broke, and preparing for fall recruitment time. I have worn down a lot of my nice work clothes during my barely-paid internship this summer. In particular, the skirt portion of my black interview suit needs replacing. I can’t afford to buy a whole new suit before fall interviews start and none of my other black pants/skirts quite match the still very nice black jacket. Is it a total faux pas to wear a grey pencil skirt with a black jacket, dark hose and black heels to law firm interview? I’m confident that I look sharp in this outfit in all other respects. Will the grey/black color combination shock and offend the sensitive sensibilities of my interviewer? Will I be banished from the profession before my young career even begins? Looking for confidence. Please advise.
Sincerely,
C
FAIR warning to all my Banana Republic-loving dress fans:
(I caught myself in a slight little snafu today at work!)
If there’s a dress with a pencil skirt that LOOKS like it goes to juuustust above your knees, pay special attention to the slit in the back….I felt a draft today, and was like, “huh?” Then turned around to find that I was literally rocking an almost obscene skirt from behind! I have NO IDEA why they’d choose to cut an otherwise amazing dress like that–there is no reason for a 6 inch slit in a knit/houndstooth dress! :/ My dear secretary put a few stitches in it for me to keep it decent. I’m taking it back tomorrow.
Check your butts, ladies! ;)
Hi! Any advice on a chic feminine but workhorse laptop bag? I am sick of the big clunky suitcase ones. And should I stick with black, or be more adventurous? Thanks for your continued great site!
Boots yesterday! So, hopefully Fall coats soon? I want something that looks smart and is warm enough for brisk October mornings. But, please no trench coats; I find them bulky, and consequently messy looking.
Hi Corporette,
First of all, I adore this blog. It’s been really helpful to me through law school and transitioning to the professional world.
I’d like to second (third? fourth?) the request for a post on nail polish. I saw the ones last year on whether dark was aggressive and that blue was out, but could you maybe do something more detailed on what colors you recommend for a conservative office environment? I’m starting a clerkship with a fairly old-fashioned judge in a few weeks and could use some tips. Obviously french is always fine, but I can’t really do it myself and it gets really boring.
Thanks! And thanks for writing such a great blog!
Hi guys! Love the website! My question is, do you know how to avoid the dirt that can accumulate in the soles of high heels with repeated wear? The dirt is nearly impossible to get off, it’s like it’s imprinted in there! I towel off my feet after showering, including the bottom of my feet, but the problem still happens. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Hi Ladies,
I’m pear shaped and on a budget. There’s a gap of at least two sizes between my 8-year-old-boy shaped top and womanly shaped bottom. Suits that are sold as a unit, not by piece, are often the better deal. Which of the two sizes should I buy? Should I avoid them all together? Can a tailor work the magic I’m hoping for? Does that negate the budget bonus? Thanks!
What do you recommend wearing with a high-waisted pencil skirt? I know the safe option is a button down shirt but that seems a little boring. Can I tuck a sweater into one? Other ideas?
Ann Taylor
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ann-taylor-swings-to-loss-on-slumping-sales-2009-08-21-83400
“It also admitted it didn’t have enough versatile pieces in its spring collection that would entice shoppers. To spur demand, the company has introduced trench and leopard dresses and gray suits among new items to spur demand. “
Hi Corporette,
I love your site and I am fanatical about reading it every day. A female partner at my office turned me on to it!
I was hoping that you could help me…I wear suits quite often because of client meetings. Most of my clients are middle aged men and while I am a senior associate at my firm (and a few years past 30) I still look like I am in my early 20s (not a bad thing necessarily). I have several pantsuits that I have bought that fit me perfectly and that I love, however I have the hardest time with skirt suits. I am a size 8, but curvy through the lower half and pencil skirts do not look good on me. Do you have any suggestions for skirt suits for those of us who are bigger on the bottom? I have been searching and searching without luck.
When I don’t have meetings, our dress code is conservative business casual. I typically stick to pants or conservative dresses, however I would love to wear skirts, especially in the summer. If you have any suggestions for office appropriate skirts for the business casual days, I would appreciate it!
Thanks!
I recently began working in-house for company in the entertainment industry after working at a large, conservative firm for several years on the west coast where the dress code was business casual. I will be traveling to Cannes for a television expo to sell our show next month. I have never been to Europe and have not traveled much, plus being new to the industry I don’t yet have a good sense as to what is appropriate. Any ideas on what clothes I should pack that would be comfortable to travel in and fashionable enough for the TV crowd?
I recommend a story on what to do with professional business clothes when you’re through with them. If they’re really expensive, a consignment store might be the answer; if they’re decent but not Armani, I donate them to Dressed for Success; if they’re kinda crummy, I give them to Goodwill. I’m wondering what other people do — not just with suits, but with shoes, briefcases, etc.
Since when does Ann Taylor sell unlined suit pants? I’ve been a 3L for a year so I’ve been too busy passing the bar to do much shopping but I was at AT today and was SO disappointed – and I let them know it. They told me that they were “using new fabrics” that hung well without being lined. This is obviously nonsense – and they have to know it because the suit skirts were lined. When pants are lined they make everything look so much better… when pants are unlined you can see everything, even if you’re a size 0 with not an ounce of unshapely bulk, pockets and seams can make an otherwise well-done pant look really messy. I was so upset I stormed out of the dressing room in tears and half-nekked – okay not really, but I was close… Is this “new fabric” nonsense the wave of the future? Am I being unreasonable? Where to go for reliably good quality suiting?
I’ve just bought this dress in two prints (black/blue pinwheel and the donut print), and am wearing the donut-print one at work today. (I work in-house at a Fortune 500 company and this fits within the business casual dress code.)
http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemID=10425&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C250%2C282&iProductID=10425&sortBy=0
I find that the neckline is a little too revealing given my build, so am wearing a camisole under it. I think it may look a little more businesslike with a cardigan over it, or maybe a jacket, but am hesitant about a jacket because I think the effect could be very 90′s.
Any suggestions for an appropriate cardigan? Given the neckline, I think the cardigan would need to be v-neck. And is my only option black, for the black-and-white print dress? Or can I wear a colored cardigan with that?
surohtt- Thank you,amiqxbi.Great site.
Do you have any insight into the current professional opinion on long hair. I am about to start in a law firm at 26, and I have longish blond hair. Is there still a stigma that this is unprofessional?
When is it appropriate to wear a dress as opposed to a suit? I have always considered dresses as “fun” items to be worn on the weekend. However, I’ve noticed that you’ve featured several professional-looking dresses on this site, and I have also noticed several lawyers on Drop Dead Diva wearing dresses around the office. Can you give us any guidelines? Is wearing a dress ever appropriate in court?
dmjhgfs- Thank you, kzzmyzx. Great site.
Can I *not* dye my hair and still look professional? I’m in my mid-twenties but fast going grey… runs in the family. However, I’ve never dyed or highlighted my hair and I really don’t want to. Call it laziness, cheapness, principle, whatever. Am I able to start my job in BigLaw with my greying hair, or is it too unprofessional? I really resent that I might be “forced” to dye it just for the sake of convention…
I hate to be like this, but a lot of my male classmates are balding and you don’t see any of them asking whether they should start doing something about that. *sigh* I have no idea what you should do, but it seems the grey hair concern is repeated a few times here.