I blame the Kardashians for all that is wrong with the world. :)

I work with people who wear socks with sandals in a business environment (insert crying and rocking smiley). I don't think socks should be worn with Chacos, Birkenstocks, Tevas, Danskos, in any environment except when trying them on in a shoe store. pacific Northwest, where socks with sandals, a utilikilt, and a polo/shirt with either Microsoft or Amazon on it is business casual.

OP/katiecouture19 those pants might be okay, depends on the fabric, but those shoes are never business appropriate due to the platform and open toe. Well, maybe business appropriate if work is working it and making it rain $1, but you're going to sorority rush and you have to also walk in those shoes. I don't consider your top choice a blazer, but like my squirrelly sis suggested, a cardigan with a cute top is a good choice. it also may just be my body type and shoes, but a cuffed dress pant can look real nice.

Advice to all ladies, fabric choice can make or break an outfit. Anything that is shiny or pills, or is the wrong type of fabric for the cut/design can work against you. No one should be buying business casual or suit pieces in odd number sizes. Move on to the misses department or petites if you are still growing in your late teens. I grew two inches in college and crossing department lines is not a scary thing if it makes you look good.

Well said! I couldn't agree more. There are certain types of fabric that don't look good on certain shapes and sizes, and you have to know how to work with that.

I 100% agree! I don't think anyone past 10th grade should be shopping in the Junior's department. IMO, The styles are just so tacky and unflattering on anyone over 14 or 15.

I remember someone wore this and it was really cute:

Skinny khaki pants - They were fairly tight on her but she was very skinny
White Oxford with the sleeves rolled half-way up and shirt tucked into the pants, but bloused out slightly
Very thin black leather belt in the belt loops
The shoes were closed toed pumps. I forget the color. Not outrageously high

My aunt is an English professor in Michigan and wears outfits very similar to this most days. She always looks so adorable, I wish I could pull this look off! It seems like a very versatile outfit that would work on most women, but for some reason it never looks right on me.

I'm so glad you knew what I was talking about!! I thought for sure I would have described it wrong or people couldn't visualize and they would be like "uhhh..." but this girl (and your aunt, I'm sure) looked so cute, in a professional, yet fashion forward/chic way.

I love the cut on the OP's white pants but agree with the challenges that white would present. You don't need that stress!! On the other hand, even though black slacks are almost a uniform for women's business casual these days, I find it hard to coordinate them with summery tops. The black just seems to overpower the lighter colored top. The other day (at the OPA convention) I think I hit just the right balance: light gray sailor-style slacks, a yellow top, and a navy blazer with 3/4 sleeves. I got tons of compliments and felt very pulled together all day. So my advice is to explore neutral colored pants that are neither white nor black and see what you can pull together.

About the jacket pictured.... Am I the only one who thinks that looks like a warm-up jacket? Maybe it's the zippers and it looks like french terry or something similar.

I think the style is supposed to be inspired by motorcycle jackets. I'm not a fan, but that's just because my style is very feminine. I hate the statement zippers trend as well. So for me, this jacket is definitely a no go, haha. I do think french terry track jackets can be cute though. Obviously not for rush, though.

I have to share a story. Today, a woman at work wore a very short dress. She is very pretty, and very, very voluptuous in the, uh, rear area. If you looked at her from the back, you could see her underwear sticking out. I kid you not. I couldn't think of anything to say to her either!

If we were allowed to have our phones in the building, I would have taken a picture.

:eek:

You have stumbled onto one of my three fashion rules.

The other two are:

1. Just because they make it in your size, doesn't mean you should wear it (and that goes to both ends of the size spectrum).

2. Just because it zips, doesn't mean it fits.

I used to work at a department store, and I saw all three rules violated daily.

It didn't always used to be like that. I think it's swinging back a bit now, actually. You just have to know how to pick and choose. I've gotten some tops and a dress recently in juniors that are basically the EXACT same thing as in the misses department...except they're $20 less. (A big reason why so many women are loath to leave the junior department.)

Good to hear! I would think that some stores would have better junior's departments than others, like Nordstrom of Bloomingdales. I've gotten a few things from the BP section of Nordstrom recently, and they don't look like something you'd find in the JCPenney's junior department at all. Then again, BP is more of a young woman vibe rather than a middle school vibe. To be honest though, I haven't really shopped in the junior's department in many moons... Once I hit about 14-15 I was too womanly up top for those sizes :o

I'm a 50+ stuffy woman working at a family-owned firm and I personally kind of dig the jacket, too.:D

Are one of these choices better? There is a very cute pair of shorts I saw at Express that are black, not too short or too tight and have a bow on them. Very feminine! What are your thoughts on shorts?

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...9at55844PM.png
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...9at55503PM.png

Also, thank you all VERY VERY MUCH for your help!!!