jeans

Weekend Open Thread

by Kat on 10/28/2011 · 338 comments

Something on your mind? Chat about it here.

There are all sorts of reasons I shouldn’t like this jean — it’s a skinny pant, it’s ankle length, it’s bright royal blue, and it’s expensiveish — but I can’t help it: I really want a pair. I think they’d look as cute with motorcycle boots and a big comfy sweater as they would with a more polished casual look, such as ballet flats, a crisp white blouse, and a neutral blazer. The jeans are $175 at Net a Porter. 511 mid-rise corduroy skinny jeans
(L-2)

{ 338 comments }

What Is the Casual-But-Professional Uniform For Women?

by Kat on 04/27/2010 · 75 comments

in Business Casual, Business Etiquette, Career, Fashion, Networking, Success

Today’s reader question brings up an interesting question, we think: What should the “casual but professional” uniform be for women? Here’s the reader’s question:

In a couple weeks I’ll be wrapping up my MFA and have to do a public reading. Publishers and agents are known for showing up at these end of year readings, so it’s really important for us readers to sell ourselves. I’ll be reading from my teen fantasy novel (sorry, no sparkly vampires), and am worried about not dressing right. I don’t want to be creepy all black goth girl fantasy writer. Or super corporate hack looking. I don’t want to look too dressed up or too casual. If I was a guy I’d wear a suit jacket, dark wash denim and an ironic t-shirt (the wardrobe staples of screenwriters). How do women on the creative side of creative industries dress? And does the “slacker but I own a jacket” guy look have a counterpart in female fashion? Should it? Also, if it matters at all, I’m totally broke.

So this raises a few questions in our minds. First: Should there be an equivalent “uniform” for women? Think about the button-down plus jeans look — you see it on everyone from heads of state to moguls. It conveys a very specific message: “I am real — and I am here to work. And perhaps knock back a few after work.” It’s a friendly, approachable, I’ve-let-my-hair-down-but-I’m-still-a-professional look. For our $.02, we think there probably should a standard uniform for women — after all, it’s a question of effectively communicating a message. It’s one of the tricky things about having so many more wardrobe choices than men — when there is no uniform, it means the message we convey with our clothes is never quite as neat and unmistakable as it can be for men. Which can be a problem, because it means we might be mis-communicating. A little black dress that, to us, looks professional, can be — to some men — flirty. Body-grazing khakis and a twinset can seem too matronly.

So the question becomes — what is the equivalent uniform for women? Are jeans and a blazer the correct look? Is it the trouser jean? Button-down or turtleneck? What shoes? What accessories? Readers, we’re really curious — what would you wear to a semi-work event if the guys in your team planned to wear jeans and a button down?

We have no answers, obviously. The best we can do for our reader the author (congratulations, btw — we hope you have a great reading!), though, is to come up with a series of factors to consider for semi-professional meetings.

First: Where is the event going to be held, and what will the majority of people be dressed in? Here, if the reading is in a place like a bookstore or coffee shop, you have to expect jeans and the like. It might be different if it’s a more formal reading at a university.
Second: What is your context — why are you going to be there, and what are you trying to convey? The answer is going to be different if you’re the person reading the teenage fantasy novel, versus the agent trying to convince the writer that they should pay you 15% of their earnings, versus the DATE of the agent or reader. For the author, here, we think you’re trying to convey a) that you are a great writer of saleable material, b) that you are presentable and friendly at a reading, and can be approachable (and loved) by your audience, which, here, will be the teens (and their parents), and c) that you’re a trustworthy, responsible person who an agent or publisher can take a chance on and not expect headaches. For a), we don’t think there’s anything wardrobe-specific of note. To convey b), we would wear something that didn’t show too much of your figure or your cleavage — we’d also avoid a high-end look that might verge on looking snotty. In terms of conveying c), it seems to really be more in your actions — your tone of voice, your professionalism, and your follow-up.
Third: What’s flattering and weather-appropriate? This goes back to a basic judgment call — you exercise poor judgment if you wear a tweed suit in July, or a 3-sizes-too-tight dress that rides up.

Ultimately, we’d probably suggest a pair of dark-wash jeans (no holes), a black shrunken blazer, and either a fitted black t-shirt or a fitted babydoll ironic tee. You might want to roll up the sleeves to expose a watch (even if it’s just a large Swatch) — that might help convey to any potential agents/publishers there that you are professional), and go with jewelry that is as funky/creative as you’re comfortable with. Oh, yes, and heels. If you can, you might also want to look into getting some personal business cards printed — Vista Print can be very cheap; so can your local Kinkos — just your name, cell phone number, and e-mail address (and perhaps your degree and a website address) can go a long way towards seeming professional and helping you get to the next step. This military blazer from Delia’s ($49.50, pictured) could be cute (Military Blazer); or the smocked jacket from White House|Black Market is marked to around the same price (Elysée Smocked Jacket, now $49.98 (was $150)); you may also want to check Urban Outfitters.

Readers, what are your thoughts?

(L-3)

{ 75 comments }

Reader mail: how to wear jeans to the office?

by C on 10/06/2009 · 55 comments

in Fashion

We’ve heard from a few readers about their offices allowing jeans to be worn on Fridays. As one reader put it, “I am a bit confused, however, about what type of shirt/top I should wear with the jeans.”

It’s an interesting dilemma — on the one hand, yay jeans! You feel more comfortable, you can go out after work, and jeans need to be washed less than a lot of trousers. On the other hand — yay, sartorial conundrum.

Our initial thoughts on the matter are thus:

Ripped jeans should never be worn to the office (the possible exception being on the weekend, but never if you’re working with other people on the weekend — and never ripped anywhere but the knee)
To us, extensively faded jeans seem a bit more casual — the darker, more solid-colored the jean, the better for the office
Try to wear niceish shoes with your jeans — not sneakers. We love to wear boots with jeans; if a pump is casual enough then it’s a nice way to elevate the look. Colorful flats, or other heeled shoes (wedges, Mary-Janes, T-straps) also go well with jeans, particularly with a stacked pump.
Before you leave the house, crouch down in your jeans. How’s the situation in the back? If “not good,” add a belt. If the answer is the same and you’re already wearing a belt, switch pants.
OK, finally, our reader’s question — what tops. Our $.02 for professional-looking wear includes:
- a cotton button-down top — maybe worn belted, maybe (if it’s fitted) worn untucked — maybe with a sweater vest on top
- a twinset
- a matchy look, like a gray t-shirt with a gray boyfriend cardigan (or, hey, black on black)
- a blazer, either with a t-shirt beneath it or a blouse

Readers, what are your thoughts? Can you wear jeans to the office? And what do you wear with them, if you can? (And, which brand of jeans do you prefer?)

Pictured above: Women: Perfect boot jeans (dark wash) – dark, available at Gap.com for $69.50. (We haven’t tried these on yet but have heard good things about them!)

Shop more jeans, below…

denim

{ 55 comments }

What to Wear When You’re Laid Off and Looking

by C on 03/30/2009 · 36 comments

in Fashion, Networking

We’ve been mulling this reader’s question for a while now… first, here’s the request:

My work wardrobe after 30 years is pretty set. However, I’m currently in recession mode, i.e. my job has been misplaced. I find that my non-work clothes are just not suitable for walking around in the supermarket, given that in my community (high tech in Silicon Valley) I might meet someone there who would hire me. So I want to upgrade what would be my weekend wardrobe (if I were working). Can you help? I have my dilemma posted here. I hope this doesn’t take you beyond the scope of your blog, but once we get to the executive ranks, I have found that networking etc. can extend the requirements and definition of “professional style”.

We went to her website, and this is what she wore out to drinks with former coworkers:

Wow. Ok. First, some general theories on being “laid off and looking,” as the WSJ puts it. Keep your confidence high — don’t wear sweats or other clothes that you would normally use to clean the garage. Networking is a lot about likeability; the more a person likes you — and respects you and thinks you’re competent and cool — the more they’re going to be willing to introduce you to their friends or, should a job open up, think “Oh, let’s get X in here; she’d be great for the spot and fun to work with.” So our advice here is kind of like advice to teenagers: act cool, and you WILL be cool. Above all, your clothes should be clean, non-ripped, and the overall vibe you should strive to give off is “I’m just running a few errands before my fabulous dinner party,” not “I’m making an emergency run to the pharmacy in the middle of the night.”

picture-6 That said, for running errands and lounging around the house, we recommend wearing the tightest pair of jeans that you own and fit into comfortably (so as to prevent any recession weight gain, or at least recognize it early). They shouldn’t be skintight, but they should FIT — no elastic waists or pants that are several sizes too big for you. There is plenty of advice to be found on the Internet and in ladies’ magazines about which jeans might work for you, and a huge price range to consider (from $20 to $300+). Generally, we would recommend finding a dark color in a bootcut or straight-leg style; if you get one with a bit of lycra in it, it will be more comfortable for hanging out around the house. Check Levi’s or Uniqlo if you’re on a budget; we’ve also heard excellent things about Old Navy’s jeans. At right: Levi’s Boot Cut 515 Stretch Jean, available at Sears.com for $29.99. If you are really, really not a jeans person, we would possibly recommend some bootcut khakis or pants with a bit of stretch, such as these from Gap, also at right. Again, the leg should be straight or bootcut unless you can really own the other trends out there like the skinny pants or the boyfriend jeans. (Women: Curvy flare pants – earth brown, available at Gap.com on sale for $45.)

Ok. So now that you’ve got your jeans on, let’s ditch the scrunchie. (You could burn it. Just a suggestion.) Instead, you may want to look into an understated claw or some elastics. Now, let’s ditch the sweatshirt. We would recommend wearing a well-fitting t-shirt in a basic color — black, white, your favorite color, whatever. By “well-fitting” we mean that it should skim your body (not hugging it, and not too boxy) and hit at the right spot on your hips (not too high — the belly shirt has (thankfully) not made a return since the late ’90s — and not too low, either, as the uber-low movement seems to have passed). Again, there’s a big variety, but the stores for basics — Old Navy, Gap, Banana, J.Crew — are going to be your friends here.

Next, the shoes and the jacket, which are, simultaneously, the easiest and hardest parts. We say “easy” because this is your personality shining through, but it’s also hard just because there are so many options. Assuming the shoes you wore at work are either uncomfortable or inappropriate for running around town, there are still a ton of feminine, comfortable options that are far, far better than white athletic shoes. For example, some choices for the shoes:

Cole Haan - Air Bria Stitch MJ (Black) - Footwear

Low Mary-Janes or ballet flats are a great look that can be worn with socks or not. Some brands to consider: Cole Haan Nike Air, Geox, Born. Pictured: Cole Haan – Air Bria Stitch MJ (Black) – Footwear, on sale at Zappos for $122 (from $168)

Converse - Chuck Taylor All Star Ox (Purple Passion) - Footwear

White sneakers with a heavy tread are fine for working out, but there are a ton of more fashionable, sporty shoes that serve as great “running errand” shoes. Some sample brands to consider: Converse, Puma, Keds, and Asics. Pictured: Converse – Chuck Taylor All Star Ox (Purple Passion) – Footwear, available at Zappos for $45.

Indigo by Clarks - Tanzania (Light Brown Leather) - Footwear

There are a ton of other brands out there that might be a bit too chunky for the office, but are great for running around town and staying comfortable. Some brands to consider: Clarks, Born, Sofft, Beautifeel, and Dansko. Pictured: Indigo by Clarks – Tanzania (Light Brown Leather) – Footwear, available at Zappos for $100.

Next, a light jacket — again, there are a ton of options but pretty much anything is better than a sweatshirt. For example:

A fitted blazer in a casual fabric — twill, cotton, even a non-blue denim — can be great for running around town. In fact, you may already have some of these in your collection. Pictured: Women: Women’s Twill Blazers – Track Green, available at OldNavy.com for $30.

Women: Women's Twill Blazers - Track Green

Traditional ladycoats are another great option, and also available in a huge variety of price points. You’re looking for a fabric that’s breathable and machine washable, in a cut that is flattering to you — it shouldn’t be too big and overwhelm your stature, and it shouldn’t be too tight, either. Pictured: Gallery A-Line Topper, available at Nordstrom’s for $110.

Cardigans and sweaters are another great option (and can be cleaned sporadically when worn with a t-shirt or something with sleeves beneath it). Some are even made from sweatshirt materials like fleece. Pictured: C&C California Fleece Tie-Front Jacket, on sale for $49 (was $130).

Best of luck to you in your search — readers, please tell us if you have other thoughts on what to wear when you’re looking!

{ 36 comments }

Poll — Are jeans ever appropriate if you’re in a semi-work situation?

by C on 11/11/2008 · 13 comments

in Business Casual, Career, Fashion, Fashion Gaffes, Polls

We seem to be getting a ton of negative feedback on the reader mail question yesterday, wherein we recommended that our reader wear dark trouser jeans to Sunday brunch at the partner’s house. Although she wrote in to clarify her situation, we were still intrigued by the feedback. As we noted in our original post, the partner could be inviting you to brunch to show you his new boat, or her new horse. He or she may be extraordinarily religious and the minister will attend the brunch. Clients could be in attendance, or possibly future employers; on the flip side, the partner’s granddaughter and her best friends could also be in attendance. In some of these situations we still think nice denim (like the picture at left) would be entirely appropriate — for others, it would obviously be completely inappropriate. So we thought we’d take a poll, asking whether jeans would ever be appropriate to wear to a casual, semi-work function. Photo at left: Anlo Odyssey Trouser Jean, available at ShopBop for $205.