Dressing for in-person work in the summer...

[Anonymous]

I'm finding it impossible!

I changed jobs this year after working from home since COVID. I also lost a bunch of weight so nothing that I wore circa summer 2019 fits anymore (its all getting purged from my closet). But I'm finding very little to replace my staples with! I've been through store after store and all I'm finding are midi/maxi dresses or super short dresses. Where are all the knee-length work appropriate dresses? Finding a work appropriate pencil skirt is also hard. I guess this is just out of style, but what are people wearing to the office now?

Then I bought a pair of lightweight, spring colored pants from J-Crew and they're completely unlined and unwearable! ARGH.

It doesn't help that I'm short and usually wear petite (though I'm not opposed to the tailor for well made pieces). Oh and I am 40+ so can't dress like my 20's anymore.

Help! What are people wearing to the office?! I'd say my office is a little bit more than business casual but definitely not suits every day.

[Anonymous]

Apparently the Montgomery Mall MACY'S still has a petite section and a lot of dresses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the Montgomery Mall MACY'S still has a petite section and a lot of dresses

This is OP. Interesting. I never shop at Macy's. For some reason it gives me the ick, especially the one at Montgomery Mall... maybe I need to give it another chance, but my notion is that most of the stuff there is cheap and polyester.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, for as much hate as Talbots has on this board, I would check it out. You can filter by fabric and then read the reviews. They carry a lot of petites. I have several dresses and skirts from them that are not frumpy and are good for the office. But I am very selective and don't hesitate to do returns.

I will say, it is hard to find knee length. Most stuff these days is mini or midi/maxi. Pay attention to listed lengths. I order from Talbots in part because they do this; other sites give vague descriptions like below the knee--of course as shown on the 5'11" model. Something above the knee could hit you at the knee in the regular size. You also could consider having longer lengths hemmed at the dry cleaners.

[Anonymous]

Boden is really good for this. Sometimes Ann Taylor. If you want to spend more, the Fold or Theory. Mm lafleur has some too but I have very mixed feelings about them.
It’s hard!
I also am always in search of lighter weight pants. I wear those with a sleeveless top and then just throw a jacket or cardigan on when I get to the freezing office. Gaucho pants are really cool for summer commutes but l also feel like there’s only so many days a week you can wear gaucho pants to the office before it’s weird.

[Anonymous]

If anyone has a good summer weight blazer they see, please post! I have a lot of meetings where I need pants and a blazer and can get away with a simple shell under that.

[Anonymous]

Ann Taylor has petites and they recently had a fair number of work dresses. Don’t laugh, but Abercrombie actually has good work pants and they come in petite. The pants aren’t lined, but they’re flattering and machine washable.

[Anonymous]

I’m wearing: shirt dresses - cotton poplin, ideally with belts

Also lightweight high rise trousers, with short sleeve linen-cashmere blend sweaters.

Boring, but simple

[Anonymous]

I wear black pants and sweaters. The office is freezing in the summer!

[Anonymous]

I got some lightweight cropped black pants from Chico’s. Also got a pair in khaki. Pair with a sleeveless top and a cardigan. I’m 52 and thought Chico’s was fo4 grandmas but the pants are great for petites and they’re lightweight. I’m between sizes and short so its hard to find anything that fits!

[Anonymous]

I'm in the EXACT same boat, OP! I just bought a pair of the cotton blend Editor pants from Express, of all places. That's where I bough tall my work clothes the last time I was this weight (in my 20s) and I knew those pants fit me like a glove. They're fantastic. You HAVE to make sure to get the cotton blend though, the others are a cheap, tacky polyester.

I've bought some nice tops from Quince (the silk button down blouses are nice and cropped so they look great on my short torso).

[Anonymous]

Go to Bloomingdale's in person and try on outfits from Theory, Hobbs London, Reiss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Bloomingdale's in person and try on outfits from Theory, Hobbs London, Reiss.

+1 Boss has some good work stuff too.

If price is a concern, go out to Leesburg outlets and go to Theory and Vince.

[Anonymous]

I am in the same boat (but gained weight).

I bought a JCrew Margeaux blazer during the 40% off sale and love it. It comes in petite sizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m wearing: shirt dresses - cotton poplin, ideally with belts

Also lightweight high rise trousers, with short sleeve linen-cashmere blend sweaters.

Boring, but simple

Can you provide links for any you really like?