Work Clothes for Summer

My friend Leslie Farnsworth posted about a recent shopping trip, a trip that was doomed to failure from the start, because it's May and she wanted clothing for work.

 

I knew it was doomed for two reasons:

1. I had gone shopping myself, and had seen the dearth of clothing first hand and, 
2. because women's clothing is seasonal.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not talking about trying to find a parka in July. It makes sense that as the weather warms up, the clothing gets lighter, and vice versa.  That's not the problem. The problem is that for some reason, the fashion world has decided that women don't work between Easter (April) and Labor Day (September). The clothing choices in Spring and Summer are almost exclusively for vacation. The stores are full of bathing suits, coverups, maxi dresses, tunics and camp shirts. I like all these things, but I can't wear them to work.

 

Floral and transparent - I saw a lot of this in the stores this weekend.

And the colors! Instead of nice, normal neutrals, shirts sprout flowers in neon pink and coral. If you are desperate enough to look for a suit in summer, it will be pastel and short sleeved. And every few years some designer tries to pass off formal shorts as office wear. (It's not going to happen - give up.)

 

Admittedly, there are more choices if you shop online. But the problem with online, is that you can't tell how it fits. You can't tell from a picture that the fabric is itchy, or if the jacket cuts you off at just the wrong point. Just return them you say? True, but then I have to spend time going back and forth to the post office, and checking to make sure that the cost was credited back to me. Time I'd rather spend doing something fun. 

 

Men don't have this problem. Men can buy a dress shirt all year round, in a normal color. That's all I want, a corner of the department, set aside for office wear. The rest of it can be a blaze of seasonal color and string bikinis, I just need something I can wear to work in July.

 

 

 

 

Closet Fashionista

Very few people know this, but I follow fashion. I pay attention to the design news, I have favorite designers and track what's in and out. (Metallic studs are in for accessories this fall - pass it on.) I wouldn't say I'm cutting edge, but I'm relatively well informed.

This is only a surprise to people because very little of this is reflected in what I wear. The problem with most fashion is that a lot of it is designed for the slender of hip and small of bust (unless it's lingerie -but that's a whole other category). I don't fall into this body type. Even in my skinny phases (which I am not currently in, alas!) I am still a curvy girl. 

This is not a post hating on the skinny. If you fall into the blessed sizes, more power to you. I get a lot of enjoyment watching from the sidelines. For instance, I think this is witty, but on me, it would look like my boobs were winking at passers-by. (That could have interesting ramifications - but I definitely couldn't wear it to work.)

My uniform is neutral trousers, a long sleeved top, and fabulous earrings. Sometimes a scarf or jacket if it's chilly out. It's pared down, it's appropriate, it's practical, but I long to be able to go crazy and wear something as glam-rock as these boots.

But common sense (where could I wear something like that?) and mortgage payments (Jimmy Choo Dalia Tall Boot, $3,495 - Yowch!) compel me to quieter, practical clothing.  Sigh. Does anyone else feel stifled by their wardrobe?

Friday Feel-Good Video
If this doesn't make you want to move your feet, you  are probably dead.