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Quote:

Originally Posted by PersistentDST (Post 2283712)

I agree with the bolded! But, we do not have too many Zara's around here to make any judgements on the store, but H&M has pieces that are very work appropriate. I would wear a lot of these blazers! http://m.hm.com/us/subdepartment/LAD...94866589#items I think it is much less about the store. I've seen and more about learn how to shop for pieces that fit, are appropriate and maintaining personal style. I dreaded wearing businesswear growing up because it looked so boring! I think with marketing, girls and juniors clothing is so much more colorful and fun and then one day we say, "Whoa! Tone it down!" I work with college students who are making that transistion. They do research presentations across the country so we do wardrobe checks before they pack. Some of these girls loathe the process of having to kind of "conform" in their style. We ask for appropriate colored suits or suit pieces, heel heights, even down to the nail polish color so they will be taken seriously. (Mind you I don't like it just as much as the students, but that's the culture we live in.) I think grown women do have fun business clothes, it just takes time to make a proper transition from "junior land."

I agree that the transition is a harsh one for women. Most casual wear for women under 30 is far too tight and short to be worn to the office. There are very, very few stores that provide decent quality (read: minimal polyester, well-constructed, will last a little while) and a design aesthetic that young women can love. I think Banana Republic comes closest, but most women don't start to appreciate that style until their mid-20's.

I was a major offender of work fashion in my first job: I was looking for cheap pieces just to build up my wardrobe, because I had almost nothing that was work appropriate when I started. I wound up buying a lot of crappy pants, skirts (none of which matched anything) and button-down blouses that lost their shape relatively quickly and looked sloppy within 6 months.

My concern with H&M is that you need to exercise VERY good judgement when picking pieces. These are all in their "wear to the office" section, and I consider them all no-nos for any moderately conservative office:

http://lp.hm.com/hmprod?set=key[sour...product/large]
That skirt is too short and the zippers could really go either way.

http://lp.hm.com/hmprod?set=key[sour...product/large]
This dress!! The second you sit down, you're going to fully expose yourself! You might as well keep a large file folder in your lap at all times.

http://lp.hm.com/hmprod?set=key[sour...product/large]
She looks like she's in a sexy librarian strip show. That skirt needs at least 5 more inches of fabric.

Also... I'm a stickler for matching fabrics. Just because two "work" pieces are black does NOT mean that you can wear them together as a suit. They actually have to BE THE SAME FABRIC.

/end rant

^^^ also, the pink blouse needs to be buttoned one button higher.

Shoes are the fashion sin I frequently see when collegians are wearing business/badge attire...those platform stiletto pumps that throw off their balance, and often give shorter girls an out of proportion look. I can see the temptation to add some inches, but I really wish that fashion trend would go away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi (Post 2283924)

I can admit I am not as conservative as you are, and that is fine! That's why there are so many different stores and styles! Keeps us from dressing like clones. Banana Republic is just flat out expensive for most people. (I just found a version of the top skirt at Banana Republic for $70 bucks, while it's $30 at H&M.) I do shop at their outlet on an occassion, especially when they have sales.

We all have to watch where and what we buy because we cannot tell how something looks until we try it on anyway. The average catalog model is around 5'8" and very slender. The middle dress may hit the knee on someone who is 5'3" and may be an acceptable choice for them. I am 5'9" so there are dresses that are flat out inappropriate for me. All of my "business appropriate" skirts sit slightly above my knee. I am conscious of the fit/material (especially having a curvier derriere and thighs) but I do not plan on being a slave to the knee length rule. Some items are tighter on me, but may be much looser on a woman who does not have curves. I do agree that on THAT particular person, those items might appear to be too short for the office.

I am blessed to work on a college campus where we just aren't moderately conservative. Generally, the campus is business casual (unless you are talking the higher administration folks) and some folks wear jeans. I only do the suit/dress pants thing when our students have presentations or we have meetings/interviews to conduct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi (Post 2283924)

I have to disagree with the above. I have every single one of these items in my closet (except the pink blouse and my black skirt is plain) and I wear all of them to work, but I'm 5 5" so the skirts are a little, but not much, longer. I get most of my clothes at Banana Republic, Nordstrom, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, etc.

I'm in middle management for a large healthcare system - but I've also worked in banking, insurance, law, and communications and have never ever had a problem with anyone thinking I'm dressed inappropriately. And this place is by far the most conservative place I've ever worked. My best friend here is a VP and she dresses pretty much the same. I would not have a problem with any of my younger staff members wearing the above to work.

Those skirts would be too short for an interview or client meeting in my region/industry, but I think they'd be fine for business casual in the office...especially with the moderate heels shown. With platform stilettos, no. The length would also be all right in my book if worn in the winter with opaque tights.

I am as tall as a print model and it's almost impossible for me to find skirts that come to the knee on me. Note many dresses well above the knee on the models even at Brooks Brothers, which is about the most conservative business wardrobe you can find. http://www.brooksbrothers.com/womens...efault,sc.html

The length is the real issue on most of these pieces for me (I'm 5'8"), but you all are absolutely right in that they could fit shorter gals just fine. I rescind my issue with the first skirt (it's actually fine), but I still think that the last two pieces could be problematic due to length.

And yes, I've become a premature curmudgeon. I also yell at my iPhone and computer. ;)

Think of it this way, at least those people aren't violating the seasonal color and fabric rules. No respectable place of employment would hire someone who doesn't know when to close the "spring and summer closet." More career services and job trainings need to teach that. Stop wasting time teaching that OTHER dress and etiquette stuff. :)

And ya know, those skirts wouldn't be as shocking looking if people would put on FREAKING PANTY HOSE.

THIS is the faux pas I see even seasoned women in business making. Ladies, stop. If you have on business wear and close toed shoes, or dresses the length of those above, you need pantyhose. I don't care what some "dress younger" idiot said in her book. You are not Mariah Carey going by limo from store to store. If I could manage them when I was 95 sheets to the wind, you can manage them in your job. STOP.

I hate panty hose and avoid them like the plague.

'dem hoes need hose....

I don't like hose or tights either. I run super hot (I go to school in NOVA and ran the AC on 60 the entire winter), so I'm miserable on that score. Plus, I have never been able to keep tights or hose where it's supposed to be; it always falls down to my knees.

Do they still make panty hose? I thought those were going the way of Blockbuster, plastic rain hats, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman (Post 2284045)

Do they still make panty hose? I thought those were going the way of Blockbuster, plastic rain hats, etc.

Like many things, reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated. Maybe tights are worn more than they used to be, but I find tights more uncomfortable than pantyhose.

ETA: If you live in a Northern climate, you look like a jackass wandering around in November without pantyhose. It's COLD and there are times when tights aren't appropriate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi (Post 2283994)

:D I'm one step away from telling those kids to "Get off my lawn!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman (Post 2284045)

Do they still make panty hose? I thought those were going the way of Blockbuster, plastic rain hats, etc.

I found Sally Hansen leg makeup and never looked back! Though I do wear tights in winter and sometimes panty hose - too cold here to go bare legged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi (Post 2283994)

The length is the real issue on most of these pieces for me (I'm 5'8"), but you all are absolutely right in that they could fit shorter gals just fine.

Exactly. I have a thing for "mini skirts" from Express--they hit very close to my knees because I'm so short. :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhil (Post 2284024)

I hate panty hose and avoid them like the plague.

http://cdn.meme.li/instances/500x/53368621.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl (Post 2284066)

That's when I wear pants. I only do tights or bare legs because I can't find tights to match my skin tone and every shade I've tried looks awful.