Quote:
Originally Posted by PersistentDST
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:
That skirt is too short and the zippers could really go either way.
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.
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
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