Back in the office for a big meeting and don’t know what to wear

[Anonymous]

Chiming in to agree with everyone you just need to let those clothes go. I had very nice work clothes pre-babies and it took me a long time to let them go. I weigh less than I did before my pregnancies but my body is just different. I also don't care as much about clothes -- my priorities have changed.
So go out and get some clothes that fit and are versatile enough to adapt to your new life. You don't have to spend a ton of money at first -- try some things and get used to the idea of your new body in more tailored clothes.
If you want to wear anything body-con, pick up some spanx. I wore them after my pregnancies because I gained 40+ pounds with each one and it takes a long time for things to get back to even some semblance of normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. OP here. A big part of the problem is that most of the investments I made into my work wardrobe were before I had my two kids and then I was a size 2 and a runner. I had time back then to train for races and work out an hour a day. Now I’m two kids later, have pretty bad urinary incontinence when I run so I can’t do that anymore, and I’m 15 pounds heavier and a size 6/8 depending on the brand. I also have a pretty big diastasis recti from my two big babies so all my bodycon dresses and other tight tops and clothes look terrible, and none of my old suits fit anymore. Exercise for me is now more like bike rides, daily walks, light weights, and I’m ok with that. For a long time I have been holding onto my old clothes thinking I was gonna get back to a size 2, but I have come to the realization that it’s just not going to ever happen. I’ve done lots of physical therapy and stuff but my tummy and pelvic floor are just not going back to what they were before kids. So looking at my closet, it’s just full of a bunch of things that no longer work for me or fit. But I spent SO much money and years building that work wardrobe it hurts me to know I am going to have to donate most of it and start from scratch again with new styles I don’t even like or know about (because it’s just been survival mode with two little kids for the past few years).

Think of it as a fun challenge, OP! You will find new clothes and styles that you like. Believe me, I know how hard it is to part with some of the favorites from your prior days, but that doesn't mean you can't cultivate a new, possibly more mature look that is just as flattering as what you had before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Literally the same stuff as in 2019.

The official dress code is the same but practically speaking everyone at my office is much more casually dressed than 2019.

[Anonymous]

Op do yourself a favor and say good bye to your pre-baby clothes. Start fresh. Get a few pieces and build a few outfits that fit your current body. You may want a slightly different style than you did before.

I found blocking a chunk of time and going to try on every single thing I could find in TJMaxx to be helpful. No rushing, just pulling like 40 things and trying it ALL on. I usually come with a few blouses/work tops and maybe a pair of pants and a dress.

If you have a place you liked pre kids, order some pants from them. Finding tops is easier than dresses. I wore a TON of dresses pre-kids, but I found they didn't fit as well post kids because my stomach was different and I didn't want to wear shapewear all the time. I've found stuff that works, but it does take hunting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Literally the same stuff as in 2019.

The official dress code is the same but practically speaking everyone at my office is much more casually dressed than 2019.

I had all my kids pre-covid, and i'm not going into the office anymore - just traveling to client meetings once or twice a month. And the stuff i'm wearing now is very different than pre-covid. My suits from 2018-2019 was skinnier leg cropped pants. Now suits are going back to 2002 wide leg pants. Also, suits were incredibly hard to find in 2019! Now they're everyone again. In general, there seems like there are a lot more office professional options than there were in 2018-2019. In the 2010s, most mall stores (banana, jcrew, etc ) were phasing out their work wear. Covid happened and they completely eliminated their work lines. But in teh last year, i think ALL women are looking to refresh their work wardrobes after not buying anything for years, and it feels like there are way more options now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was me at this time last year - I got two Ann Taylor dresses similar but not quite the same as this one:
https://www.anntaylor.com/clothing/suits/cata000013/603688.html?priceSort=DES

They're basic enough that I can accessorize them differently and it's not obvious that I wear them as much as I do now that I'm back in the office a little more.

I really like this one! Thanks for posting!

OP, I feel you ... I was also a size 2 runner before I had my kids, and I guess I sort of am now, but it's a very different size 2. I got back to running eventually, but please be gentle with yourself. Buy a nice new dress and a cute cardigan or blazer, and you'll be good to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Literally the same stuff as in 2019.

The official dress code is the same but practically speaking everyone at my office is much more casually dressed than 2019.

Yes, this. If you can ask around to others from your workplace that would help. I’m interviewing and my friend works where I applied. I asked her about dress code…this is somewhere you would assume suits everyday but Friday and she was like, “do you know what? Since the pandemic….it is really all over the map and no one is nearly as formal as they were”.

[Anonymous]

Yup I work at a brokerage firm and office wear has definitely changed post Covid. It runs the the full spectrum from suits (rare but some still wear them) to jeans and Uggs. Everything in between. And not just on Fridays.