Slacks/Work Pants

[corn poffi]

I've gotten one wrap dress tailored for the same reason. Not sure if it was worth it. This is probably super tacky, but I use double-sided tape to make sure my other dresses stay wrapped!

[HouseofWool]

The problem I seem to have with wrap dresses is that my boobs aren't big enough to keep them wrapped. I wonder if that's something that could be tailored away.

I am not busty either, but I either put a small safety pin in it or wear a cami.

[scarlett09]

Scarlett, what shape do you think you are that would result in you looking lumpy in a dress? One of my girlfriends once described her body type as "ginger root". LOLOLOL!!!!

Hahahahaha!!!! Ginger root. Love it.

I would say I have an hourglass shape with a larger chest. I think the concern about lumpiness comes from the fact that my stomach gets very distended the second I ingest food, which makes the whole bottom half with thighs and butt look lumpy.

No prob hijacking the thread, J! I have one wrap dress and I have the same issue MrsK described - it wants to open up on its own. I've used a safety pin in the past.

What about sweater dresses? Who do they look good on?? And what kind of shoes do you wear with it?

[Vishenka69]

See, being petite, I love sweater dresses because they don't need to be altered and much easier to find a good fit. I have several and always wear them with boots. Again, having a petite shape changes the rules a bit in that buying only petite size significantly limits your options. Even designers/stores that carry petite sizes don't duplicate every design. I have a great seamstress but there's only so much she can do. I've had to return a number of items because they just weren't fixable. Separates are much easier to work with than dresses. Even slips are a pain to buy because they're all too long.

[houseelf]

I just have to pipe in with caution about the "rules". I tend to follow the rules: no patterns for petite gals, no big statement pieces for petite gals, colors that are "my" colors, wrap dresses for my figure type, etc. The problem with following these rules is that I am in a huge rut. I keep buying the same things.

[HouseofWool]

I just have to pipe in with caution about the "rules". I tend to follow the rules: no patterns for petite gals, no big statement pieces for petite gals, colors that are "my" colors, wrap dresses for my figure type, etc. The problem with following these rules is that I am in a huge rut. I keep buying the same things.

Why can't you wear a statement piece? And holy balls, if you can't wear a pattern, then what about us bigger gals?

[MrsK]

Yeah, I'm petite and I love statement jewelry - long strands of pearls, big necklaces, dangling earrings, cocktail rings - not all at once, of course - but one statement piece can make a whole outfit. DrK still remembers the necklace I wore the first time he saw me and that was 6 months before we actually met.

I wish I could wear jewelry around my kids. The boys have broken two of my necklaces and they even tug on my stud earrings. Having kids has seriously cramped my style. "Snot-proof" shouldn't be the only criteria for dressing.

As for patterns, the right pattern can hide a multitude of sins. As a petite person, I'd avoid patterns that are too big or too loud but I wouldn't say no to patterns all together.

[scarlett09]

So I went out and bought more work pants because I couldn't help myself (and NY & Co was having a BOGO free on pants). Amazing how the petites were the right length but too tight, and the averages were too long but the fit is great. I remembered LSW's advice, got the averages and will be going to the tailor this week. I got the pants in these colors: http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/bro...2%3Acat4940009 and a light gray pinstripe pair that I can't seem to find on their website. I love the pair that I linked to, as it looks like a dark wash jean, but they are dress pants. My mother tried to talk me into a pair of navy pants and when I asked what color shoes I could I wear with them, navy shoes were the only option :gag: Obviously she is from the "everything-has-to-match-generation"

I also bought this dress: http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/bro...002%3Acat60070. It is fitted at the waist, which accentuates my shape and hides some of the flaws. I have a pair of black patent leather pumps I could wear with it, but I'm unsure about what to wear on the legs. I've got nude hose and that's about it. Not opposed to tights, as long as they aren't wool (skin sensitivity issue). Any suggestions? I had some from H&M that I loved, but I had to get rid of them because they were too small. Should I get a slip since the skirt is cream and it is unlined?

[oceanchild]

I think with a black and white dress you could do tights in nearly any color. Or black, if you're like me and not terribly brave about tights. And if it's not lined, yeah, probably a slip.

[scarlett09]

So I finally had a moment to try the dress on again and snap some pics of the shoes (black patents with a 2 inch heel from Aerosoles)! I will take any help I can get, especially since it's starting to get warmer here (nearly 70 on Thurs, WTF?) and I'm running out of sweaters to wear to work, lol.

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I would also be glad to hear any other work fashion related advice y'all have. Especially any tips about summer work wardrobe - I have absolutely nothing besides pants and a few skirt suits. I have a lot of dresses, but I would have to go through them and see what is actually work appropriate. Thoughts on ankle/capri (sorry LSW!) - length pants, sandals, bare legs, etc.?

ETA: I uploaded 4 pics and only used 3, but can't get the other one to go away? Oh well, at least it's not a terrible pic.