Assistance, por favor…

2010 January 27
by E.P.

As some of y’all know, I started a new job yesterday. And it’s going well, despite the fact that it has NOTHING to do with photography or journalism.

I’m super excited to get into the nitty gritty when I am done training, but I need y’alls help. In a HUGE way.

You see… my wardrobe is one of a photographer who had to be mobile in all kinds of weather conditions throughout the entire year. My clothes are functional, not necessarily stylish or cute. Because, hello! Standing outside in the Mississippi summer heat in something cute? Is miserable.

So, I have a proposition.

Recommend some cute work clothes for me. Nothing too casual, but nothing too fancy. Anything that looks like it could be functional in an office setting. And anything you think fits my personality.

… I need some major help with my personal style, and I know I can count on y’all for some killer suggestions.

Also, while you’re at it, recommend some of your favorite music! Because I can listen to my iPod while working, and I need some new tunes to get me through the work day.

OK… go!

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from → all about me, work

  • I'm the wrong person to make suggestions. I wear black all the time to work...not because I have to but because I feel comfortable and not so fat when wearing black. I can't help it, haha.

    and congratulations on the new job!!
  • Haha, there's nothing wrong with wearing black all the time. I wear a lot of
    it, too, because it's a flattering color for everyone. And I really love my
    black boots that go with it. ;)
  • Definitely try LOFT. I fell in love with that store when I got to do the BlogHer review.
  • The Old Navy web site has a part dedicated to work outfits. Not a bad place to start, if you ask me. And like others said, Ann Taylor Loft works wonders!
  • Believe it or not, Old Navy has a lot of affordable things that can be career-conscious and still function well.
  • I'm horrible at dressing myself, so I don't know if my advice is any good. I love Target and Old Navy for cheap, comfortable, and gets the job done. I also enjoy New York & Company, Express, and The Limited.
  • Honestly? I'd go to Target for some basic, interchangeable pieces. Black pants can pair with so many shirts. Khakis look good with sweaters, etc. As for iPod... I'd honestly recommend some of DShan's mixtapes: http://dshan.me/blog/music. My favorite one is Feed the Daydream :)
  • Music suggestion: Camera Obscura, St. Vincent, Avett Brothers, Andrew Bird
  • Nora_L
    Anne Taylor Loft.
    Their sales are awesome, their clothes last and it's just so...great.
    The Limited too. Bonus because some of their clothes are great for going out too! They will send you coupons all the time which helps.
  • Steph
    NY & CO. always had pants that FIT me. And that is saying something!! And for cute dresses, just so Court! They have a ton of great dresses and it won't break you! I also LOVE Ross and TJ Maxx cause, well, I'm cheap when it comes to shopping! :)
  • I agree with the suggestions already.. helpful huh? Lol. But seriously, Target and Ann Taylor Loft are where I shop at for my work clothes.

    That being said Marshalls or TJ Maxx or whatever has good prices but you gotta hunt... I just don't have the patience for that.

    Oh and congrats on the job!
  • EP: Congrats on the new job! I hope that you're enjoying it!

    When I worked in an office, I lived in slacks from The Limited. I like the way they fit me and they had lengths for short people, so I didnt' have to get things hemmed. (which was nice). I also wore a lot of their work skirts and paired everything with knit tops that washed easily and didn't have to be ironed. I hate ironing and I'm all about not having to put too much effort into things early in the morning.

    As for music, a couple of my current faves are "Do the Panic" by Phantom Planet and "Buttons" by The Weeks!
  • Thanks so much! I am enjoying it! It's ridiculously busy, though. (I guess
    I'm lucky that we got a half-day due to snow today, huh?)

    I'll definitely have to check out The Limited. I haven't been in one in
    AGES. While I'm not short, I know their clothes used to fit me well.
    Hopefully, they still will!

    And I'll have to check out both of those music recommendations! I'm excited
    now! Thanks for sharing, lady!
  • Her
    I LOVE Martin and Osa. I'm not sure if Nashville has one, but definitely check out their website. They tend to have amazing sales too. You're adorable and wonderful and gorgeous, so just about anything will work on you.

    Also, I miss you!
  • I miss you, too! And I love the recommendations you have sent me from Martin and Osa!
  • I'd shop at NY & Co., Express, and Banana Republic. They always have great sales and cute, stylish work clothes!
  • I absolutely ADORE Banana. And, as I've said to my mother multiple times as we have wandered around the store, that if I ever have a job that requires me to dress professionally all the time, I'm purchasing my entire wardrobe from there. And Express and NY&Co? I'm super excited to check them out!

    Thanks, lady!
  • I think you should look at Ann Taylor Loft or even Gap, they have nice separates you can pair together that work for the office. I'm not sure what your dress code is but Ann Taylor Loft is a good balance.
  • You're right on point. Both of those would work at my office, and I'm excited to check them out now!
  • Oh, oh...this is my specialty! First off, Ann Taylor Loft has some great items at affordable prices and could be a good place to start. GAP also has a great line in for Spring, with awesome basics - cardigans, long sleeve t's, slacks, etc. Also, check out TJ Maxx, but before you go in there, make a list of things you're looking for - black slacks, pencil skirts, patterned tops, etc. because if you're anything like me, you won't be able to focus with all the different options if you dont, and either you'll end up coming out with a bunch of random stuff that doesn't go together, or you will leave in daze because you got so overwhelmed. Target is also a great option, look at their Merona line in particular. Hope these options help, feel free to shoot me any questions as I would love to assist in any way I can.
  • Your response here? Is absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much for recommending all these places! I'll have to check them all out sometime in the near future!

    Want to come shopping with me? ;)
  • cavy
    also - i tried to subscribe to your rss button and the page wasn't found :(
  • Weird. Thanks for letting me know. There have been some screwy things happening with my site recently. I'm going to have to bother my HTML guru friend again. ;)
  • cavy
    New York & Company ALWAYS has great sales. everytime i go in there they've got 20% off or 40% signs up. and as much as i hate giving my email address, they send AMAZING coupons.
  • Very good to know! Thanks so much for the help! I'm going to have to check them out, as well as these coupons!
  • We should probably just go shopping. :)
  • I'm totally down with this. ... Soooo, when are you free?
  • libbydempsey
    I'll have to ditto the Target suggestions. Also, I usually end up getting stuff at New York & Co.
  • Very good to know! I've never really shopped at NY & Co. I'll have to check it out!
  • you should read that 'Feather' blog that gives outfit suggestions :) do you have H&M by you? they always have cutesy work things.
  • I'll have to check it out! I've never heard of this Feather blog. (:

    And no, we don't have an H&M. I wish we did because I adore all their clothes!
  • Lys
    when you get suggestions, send them my way. i'm in need of some new, functional styles something awful...
  • There have been some wonderful responses here so far! Have you seen them? I want to go on a MAJOR shopping spree now!
  • jordanea
    EP! What is the job?!

    Target has really good "work" clothes that are stylish and fun - and not breaking the bank = more money for wedding and honeymoon! :)
  • It's the job that Sarah let me know about! I owe you an e-mail and will explain everything when I send it. Long story. (:

    Good to know about Target! I bought a lot of my photog clothes there because they were comfy and light (for the summer.) And I like the idea of having stylish and fun clothes without breaking the bank so we can have an even awesomer (I just made that a word.) wedding and honeymoon.
  • Ann taylor loft is having a sale like 40% off sale prices - go there. Anything there is cute, and professional looking :)
  • Yes! Thank you, lady! (I'm a big fan of any sales because, umm, I was unemployed. And haven't been paid yet.)

    Thanks! I'm gonna head over there and see what they have!
  • I like being comfortable while looking professional. The Limited is a great place to start. They have some really cute tweed looking jackets there. And their slacks....comfy.

    Ann Taylor Loft is always good. Good quality.

    Target always has cute clothes. Im excited about all the colors they have this season.
  • Thanks for the recommendations, Heather! I'm going to have to check them all out. I've shopped at Target recently, but I never go to Ann Taylor Loft or The Limited because, well, I didn't have those in my old town and kind of forgot about them. Oops.

    I cannot wait to check them out!
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