The return of the feminine business attire uniform

[Anonymous]

Someone pointed out to me today that Speaker Pelosi wears basically the same dress every day but in a different color (I've attached photo examples). We used to talk about seeking a female work uniform but as there has been an increasing acceptance of fashion in the workplace, the concept has sort of died down. This is an interesting prominent example of how it could be utilized while remaining feminine and chic (so not like Hillary and the six black pantsuits). I think I am going to try and narrow down my range of cuts and styles I wear to work (once and if we start working again...) but what do you think of the revitalization of the concept of the business/work uniform? It can be tailored to be reflective of someone's personality in a way a man's uniform cannot really (beyond fun ties) while still sustaining that simplicity. Do you have a "work uniform?"

[Anonymous]

Why on earth would you want to make a dress the uniform. That requires pantyhose. Pantyhose and tights are the work of the devil. Why can't we have pants be the uniform for women, too.

[Anonymous]

Nope, hard pass.

It looks like being a flight attendant but with different colors each day.

[Anonymous]

I kind of do this. If I find something that fits well, buy it in multiple colors.

I don’t wear pantyhose and I find dresses more comfortable than pants.

[Anonymous]

I disliked Hillary for so many reasons, but her sticking to the black pantsuit with different blouses gets an A+ from me. Pelosi is older, and they have different expectations of workwear. She probably also buys and affords the every expensive pantyhose that don't run as much. If you don't mind putting on the pantyhose, it's a very simple thing -- two items.

At a certain point in your life you figure out what works for you and you just go buy it in every color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disliked Hillary for so many reasons, but her sticking to the black pantsuit with different blouses gets an A+ from me. Pelosi is older, and they have different expectations of workwear. She probably also buys and affords the every expensive pantyhose that don't run as much. If you don't mind putting on the pantyhose, it's a very simple thing -- two items.

At a certain point in your life you figure out what works for you and you just go buy it in every color.

Pelosi is rich enough that she probably wears a brand new pair of good hose every time she gets dressed for work. I mean, she gets her hair professionally done and her color touched up daily in the AM if she's going to the House.

[Anonymous]

I think such women have figured out what looks and feels good *for them*, and therefore stick with it.

It's great, and a sign that women don't have to waste time and money and brain space to buy an ever-changing wardrobe of items for "variety" or "fashion" or any other stupid reason - unless they want to.

[Anonymous]

I do this but it’s stretch ponte pants, flats in summer and boots in winter, a long cardigan or silk jacket-y thing and a scarf or a necklace. Sometimes a shell and sometimes a turtleneck when it’s really cold. I have very light, loose weave cardigans for hot days.

It’s pretty close to what Elizabeth Warren wears but I am fat so I prefer a longer cardigan over her more structured, shorter jackets.

It’s like a suit but more comfortable, and it’s terrific for air travel.

I almost never wear a skirt or heels unless I’m at a meeting in a hotel, where I don’t have to go outside. But, I’m really tall and I know some shorter women like the height boost from heels. And obviously I’m not a litigator or anything. But I find with this outfit and a scarf I’m formal enough for most settings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I kind of do this. If I find something that fits well, buy it in multiple colors.

I don’t wear pantyhose and I find dresses more comfortable than pants.

This. Bonus if there’s some interchangeability among the separates. Like I can wear a blouse with 4 different pairs of pants.

I teach MS, have a very limited budget, don’t want to have to think about my work week wardrobe at 5:30 am, and need to be able to get a bit dirty kneeling beside desks or dealing with glue and ink. Things also have to be unfussy since students are so distractable. If I buy a new piece of clothing, my students notice even if no one else does I would love to play around with patterned or textured tights, but it is not worth it.

Usually, I wear a patterned top such as a sleeveless or short-sleeved blouse and solid color skinny jeans. I add a cardigan and flats or booties. On a rare occasion, when I know I won’t have to kneel or get dirty, I might wear a skirt or A-line dress.

[Anonymous]

Warren also has a uniform.

I had one (flared dress with a jacket or sweater) but business casual is dead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disliked Hillary for so many reasons, but her sticking to the black pantsuit with different blouses gets an A+ from me. Pelosi is older, and they have different expectations of workwear. She probably also buys and affords the every expensive pantyhose that don't run as much. If you don't mind putting on the pantyhose, it's a very simple thing -- two items.

At a certain point in your life you figure out what works for you and you just go buy it in every color.

Pelosi is rich enough that she probably wears a brand new pair of good hose every time she gets dressed for work. I mean, she gets her hair professionally done and her color touched up daily in the AM if she's going to the House.

Tbh that seems like a reasonable expense to me. She’s on TV every day. Not saying it’s required, but it doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disliked Hillary for so many reasons, but her sticking to the black pantsuit with different blouses gets an A+ from me. Pelosi is older, and they have different expectations of workwear. She probably also buys and affords the every expensive pantyhose that don't run as much. If you don't mind putting on the pantyhose, it's a very simple thing -- two items.

At a certain point in your life you figure out what works for you and you just go buy it in every color.

In Nancy Pelosi's case, you buy it in every color but have it custom-made and/or custom-tailored to fit you perfectly and flatter you. Everything about her dresses--the sleeve length, the skirt length, the neckline is flawlessly tailored to her shape and her advantages.

[Anonymous]

Pelosi is not a good example for me because shift dresses do not flatter me but they clearly work for her shape. I pretty consistently wear skirt suit sets in subtle prints with a white blouse. That’s my “uniform” and it’s convenient because then I don’t have to think about cuts and can just buy things in a more narrow sense.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know the designer of Pelosi's dress?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disliked Hillary for so many reasons, but her sticking to the black pantsuit with different blouses gets an A+ from me. Pelosi is older, and they have different expectations of workwear. She probably also buys and affords the every expensive pantyhose that don't run as much. If you don't mind putting on the pantyhose, it's a very simple thing -- two items.

At a certain point in your life you figure out what works for you and you just go buy it in every color.

Pelosi is rich enough that she probably wears a brand new pair of good hose every time she gets dressed for work. I mean, she gets her hair professionally done and her color touched up daily in the AM if she's going to the House.

Tbh that seems like a reasonable expense to me. She’s on TV every day. Not saying it’s required, but it doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.

Not at all plus it's generational. My grandmother and many older women in her senior apartment building all get their hair done professionally every week or so, even if they aren't loaded.