Wear to Work - Corporette.com

Where to Find Designer Plus-Size Clothing for Professional Women

Corporette Staff — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:45:00 +0000

Wondering where to find designer plus-size clothing for professional women?

As readers have noted in the past, trendy, fast-fashion spots abound for plus-size work attire — so finding quality fabrics and classic styles for polished looks can be difficult. We wanted to do a roundup of high-end brands and websites that include investment pieces made of high-quality fabrics to add to your everyday workwear collection.

We'll also note a few options if you're in the market for a date-night outfit or special occasion.

We've rounded up the best plus-size suits for interviews and beyond, and we've done roundups in the past for the best workwear for plus sizes as well as workwear in size 16 and up — for more plus-size content, please sign up for for CorporettePlus, our newsletter! Signing up helps us gauge interest in the project, and we promise not to blast your email more than once a week at most. (Right now it’s more like once a month.)

We also want to hear from you: What are your go-to brands or fashion sites when seeking out designer plus-size clothing for professional women that'll last, in terms of style and substance? Here are some of the interesting companies we know of in this space — we'd love to hear if you know of any others!

The Best Places to Shop for Designer Plus-Size Work Clothes

These are some of the best spots for designer plus-size clothing as of 2024… admittedly, a fairly broad interpretation because this category is such a narrow one! Our favorite spots for work outfit shopping are in bold!

Catherine Gee at Amour 781, $334

11 Honoré (now owned by Dia & Co. – still some stock of DVF, Marina Rinaldi, Tanya Taylor, etc.)
Able Clothing
Adrianna Papell
Amour 781 (boutique of different brands; limited options up to 5X)
Anthropologie
BAACAL (limited options up to size 28)
Bleusalt (limited options up to size 3X)
Dia & Co. (subscription service)
Hours
Hackwith Design House
Gravitas
Jibri
Karen Millen
Kiyonna (sizes 0X–5X)

Wool Drape blazer at Marina Rinaldi, $1,180

Lafayette 148 New York
LaLigne (XS-3X)
MadeTrade
Mara Hoffman (XS-3X)
Marina Rinaldi/Persona by Marina Rinaldi
Navabi
Nic + Zoe
Of Mercer
Pari Passu
Pomp (Power Of My People)
Poplinen
PLVSH Style (subscription service)
Rachel Pally
Rita Phil Custom Fashion (custom skirts)

Custom made-to-order French flannel suit at VigilanteLabs, $3,685

Simone Aviv
Summersalt (up to 2X)
Tanya Taylor (00-22)
TielDorein (Etsy store)
Universal Standard
Veronica Beard (00-24, but some warn that 24 = 20W)
VigilanteLabs (Etsy store, custom suits for women)
Vince (great for basics!)
Wildfang (up to XXL)

Plus-Size Designer Brands to Thrift

These brands aren't being made anymore, but you may still see them on the resale sites or in thrift stores:

Anna Scholz
Alice Alexander
HENNING (sold to Universal Standard)
M.M.LaFleur (used to be available up to size 4X, now only 00-20)
White House | Black Market (not quite designer, but they briefly made plus sizes)
Violetta by Mango – Mango still makes plus sizes but they've closed the

Further Notes on Where to Find Designer Plus-Size Clothing for Professional Women

Gravitas: Founded in 2012, Gravitas offers workwear basics in classic styles; many have a hidden shapewear component. Dresses are around $275.

Jibri: With sizes from 10–28, Jibri offers off the rack pieces as well as pieces that are handmade-to-order. Celebrities who've worn this line include Jill Scott, Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, Tess Holiday, and Gabourey Sidibe.

Kiyonna: Since 1996, American-made Kiyonna has been offering multiple colors, fabrics, and styles for plus-size fashions size 10–32, particularly their popular and flattering wrap dresses and cocktail dresses. (The brand also shows up in some of the high-end style boxes, as well as on Amazon!)

Lafayette 148 New York: Available online and in department stores including Nordstrom, and at their own locations around the U.S., the high-end retailer sells blouses, suits, skirts, dresses, and other must-haves made from the finest European fabrics, up to size 24.

Marina Rinaldi / Persona by Marina Rinaldi: Part of the Max Mara family, the brand has more traditional dresses and more whimsical, casual options as well. You can find the brand at Nordstrom, Saks, and other designer stores; prices range from around $210–$1000+.

navabi: This retailer (based in Germany) offers several different brands — too many to list here — that offer sizes 10 and up. You can search by size, designer, or choose a trend that suits you. (Their website noted they were taking a temporary break in August 2023, but it didn't look like they were permanently closed.)

Nic + Zoe: This brand is guilty of some… bold patterns, shall we say — but if that isn't quite your style, some of their solids are great for workwear, including their popular Twirl dress and skirt, their four-way cardigan, the riding jacket, and the “Perfect” line of pants. You can find them at a bunch of retailers, including Nordstrom and Amazon.

Of Mercer: Specializing in workwear — as they put it, “your nine-to-five (and then some) wardrobe” — Of Mercer extends to size 20 and allows you to search the site not only by size, color, and price but also categories such as “hourglass shapes,” “hips,” and “tall.”

PLVSH Style: With this retailer, you can either opt for a style box, or shop online for a range of high-end items size 14 and up. Prices range from $80–$280+.

Rita Phil Custom Fashion: Like the name suggests, this skirt designer can do custom orders, and the site's FAQ page states there is “no size limit.” (BuzzFeed’s Kristin Chirico also gave it her seal of approval.)

Universal Standard: This line has been receiving high praise from fashion mags, blogs, and our own readers for its workwear options. They are offering an executive workwear kit that includes eight pieces where you can choose the color and size for each piece, and they do the rest.

Other Possibilities for Designer Plus Size Clothing for Professional Women

Subscription Boxes for Plus Sizes

There are a number of style box options for high-end, plus-size items: You tell them what you want, and they will make it so: Gwynnie Bee, Plvsh, Dia & Co, and Stitch Fix.

Made to Measure Clothes

Another option is bespoke professional clothing — check out our previous roundups of where to get custom blouses, blazers, dresses and suiting!

Hunting for the best made-to-measure work clothes? As of 2024, the best options we know of are Brooks Brothers, Sumissura, Etsy sellers Heart My Closet, VigilanteLabs, and CelesteLilou, as well as smaller brands like Loud Bodies, Sharpe Suiting, IGIGI, and Rita Phil (pencil skirts only), plus eShakti.

Some of our favorite stores that offer free alterations for members include Nordstrom, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Uniqlo (select styles). If you're crafty, you may also want to check out our roundup of sewing patterns for workwear outfits.

Readers, have you tried any nicer options for plus-size designer clothes workwear lately? What's the number one thing you look for when you seek out investment pieces from plus-size labels? Fit? Fabric? Style? Do tell…

What to Look For in Interview Flats

Kat — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 17:59:00 +0000

What should you look for in interview flats? When, if ever, must you wear heels to an interview? Which are the most stylish kinds of flats for interviews? Reader L wonders:

I'm starting law school in August, and I've heard that heels (3-4″) are a MUST for interviewing and working at a law firm. However, I am a 6′ tall female. I never wear heels, since when I do, I tend to tower over everyone. Would it be appropriate to wear a nice pair of flats in my case?

Great question! We've talked about how to look professional in flats all the time, how to wear heels (if you're used to flats), and whether flats are professional enough for court.

As far as shoe questions go, this is important, so even though we've talked about it a lot, I want to stress it again: you don't need to wear heels to look professional.

{related: check out our entire Guide to Women's Interview Attire!}

There are a number of reasons why you wouldn't want to wear heels — from feeling too tall (although hey, I say rock it out if you have the height!), to having foot injuries or issues, to just I-don't-wanna-itis.

What to Look For in Interview Flats

A few things that I would note about wearing flats for big events like interviews:

a) There are many, many, MANY professional options for flats — and there are many that look like bedroom slippers, sneakers, or other casual shoes. Unless you have ethical objections, look for leather and suede options over faux leather or fabric (and keep your shoes well maintained!), and if you want a sleeker look, consider a slightly pointed toe.

b) Be confident when you wear them. Don't feel like you have to apologize for your flats or explain them away on an interview. Any time any of your clothes or accessories distract you (or an interviewer), you lose.

{related: cute flats for the office}

Readers, which are your favorite professional flats? Do you think any styles of flats look more professional than others? Do you agree with my advice that you CAN interview in flats, even if you're 6′ tall?

The Best Kinds of Interview Flats

Reader-Favorite Polished but Comfortable Flats

We often include good looking, professional flats in our “Coffee Break” posts — but these are some of the reader's favorite flats that have stood the test of time. These would be my first purchases if I were looking…

Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur, AGL, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!

Investment Ballet Flats

If you want to make an investment in flats, these are some of the most classic options. AGL and Ferragamo are reader favorites for comfort, while Chloé, Chanel and Valentino are all recognizable status symbols.

Comfortable Low Heels for Work

If you're willing to consider a heel but feel like it must be low, or a “comfort shoe,” we've got you covered…

These are some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2024… also check out CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flint!

Picture below via Stencil.

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Summer Work Clothes: How to Look Professional When It’s Hot

Kat — Mon, 01 May 2023 16:30:00 +0000

What should you wear — and not wear — to look professional (and stay cool) when it's hot outside? Which summer work clothes are the best? We've recently gotten two reader questions on the question of how to look professional when it's hot.

First up, Reader M wonders:

Hi. I'm 30 years old. I am a rock and roller. Meaning that I work in the music industry. In the past my job was to chaperone the concert site. I was very good at my job. Got a new job in Orlando, FL, that has me now working at a desk. I am now a supervisor. I came into this job in the fall so I had some leftover black wool slacks, nice dark wash denim, and black sweaters to get me through.

It's now almost spring (feels like summer) and I don't know how to do professional for summer. I work in a business casual environment, which helps. I like to keep all of my color in accents like purses, shoes, scarves, etc. I wear monochromatic. It's my signature and super versatile when starting a new wardrobe.

Can you advise cuts, fabrics, etc. of office appropriate summer wear for a newly professional, young lady like myself that's trying to beat the heat without looking like a concertgoer?

Reader T also wonders:

I am heading to D.C. from California this summer for a legal externship, and am in need of advice on the dress code in the legal world when it's 95 degrees. I worked on the Hill for several years and (sadly) recall a lot of flip flops and sundresses during the hotter months.

I imagine that this won't be the case in a legal setting/government agency, but I would love some basic outfit formulas, fabric suggestions (is tweed taboo?), and other ideas for a 30 yr. old to look like a lawyer while fighting the humidity and sticking to a budget.

The Best Summer Work Clothes for Women

In terms of outfit formulations, my go-to looks are boring, but they're classic for a reason: think sheath dresses plus a blazer (to be added once you're inside), and nice, lightweight trousers (look for cotton or cotton blends) with a nice tee and a classic pair of pumps (and ideally a matching blazer).

As we've noted before, natural fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen are going to breathe a lot more than non-natural fabrics, so do pay attention to that when buying new pieces.

(Also: pay attention to the laundry instructions. That $20 pair of pants starts to look less appealing — and less of a deal — when they start to smell to high heaven after two wears and the only way to launder them is to get them drycleaned.)

Our Favorite Lightweight Summer Pants for Work

Some of our favorite summer work pants for women as of 2024 include options from Nic + Zoe, M.M.LaFleur, Ministry of Supply, Uniqlo — and Banana Republic Factory sometimes has pants in their AirStretch line, also!

M.M.LaFleur (exact)

Nic & Zoe

Uniqlo

Banana Republic Factory

Fitted, Elegant T-Shirts

Fitted T-shirts can be great because they layer so well under blazers and sweaters, but in the summertime they're also easy to wash and polished enough with the right accessories.

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Nic + Zoe, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

Hunting for opaque white T-shirts for work? As of 2024, we'd suggest checking the double-layer lines from Boden, Express, Old Navy, and Hobbs, as well as great sources for basic Pima cotton such as L.L.Bean, Uniqlo, Everlane, Banana Republic, and Talbots. (This $268 tee also gets great reviews for opacity, and Elizabeth swears by this tee under $30!)

As of 2024, the best spots to check for nude-for-you undergarments are Gap, Old Navy, or Nubian Skin for tons of options — Victoria's Secret also has a bunch!

The Best Lightweight Blazers

Hunting for lightweight blazers for summer in linen and other fabrics? As of 2024, J.Crew's Helena blazer in stretch linen is a bestseller, as is this super affordable Quince blazer and Old Navy (regular, tall, and petite up to 4X). Along related lines (all machine washable!), check out Uniqlo's Airsense jacket (lightweight and stretchy), Madewell's Drapeweave line (lightweight and drapey) and Brooks Brothers' seersucker line (lightweight and cooling). You can find silk/linen blazers at Ann Taylor and Hobbs; Ann Taylor also has a number of cotton pique options.

White Blazers

White blazers are another great summer work outfit basic because they make everything seem more sunny and fresh.

As of April 2024, some of our favorite stylish white blazers for work include options from J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, Ann Taylor, Liverpool, and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop). If you're looking to splurge, try Smythe or L'Agence.

J.Crew Factory

J.Crew (exact)

Summersault

Cicy Bell

Lightweight Sweaters for Summer

You don't always want or need a sweater for summer, but these can be great both for navigating the cold air conditioning inside, as well as adding a third piece if you want to look more polished or more covered up…

Our latest favorite lightweight sweaters for work include this Nic + Zoe cardigan and this M.M.LaFleur jardigan. We've also rounded up 100% cotton sweaters, as well as the classic summer sweater, the twinset.

Nic + Zoe

100% silk sweaters are incredibly hard to find at the moment, but Nordstrom has a very limited collection, and J.Crew has a short-sleeve silk sweater.

Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you're looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.

As of 2024, you can find cotton-cashmere sweaters at Quince, L.L.Bean, and Reformation. You can also sometimes find them from brands like Nordstrom Signature.

Another lightweight but luxe option: cashmere-linen sweaters, such as this option from Vineyard Vines.

Hunting for cotton-merino blends? Everlane has a bunch as of Feb. 2024.

Side Note: Our Favorite Sunscreens

Don't forget sun protection (especially face, hands, and chest)! Sunscreens readers have loved over the years are pictured above: Elta MD, Supergoop!, and this $17 sunscreen (Kat's favorite). Sephora's 2024 Sun Safety Kit is also out and a huge hit with readers. If you're hunting for cute rash guards, check out J.Crew, Boden, Coolibar, and Athleta.

Missha

EltaMD

Supergoop!

What Not to Wear as Summer Work Clothes

We've talked about what not to wear as a summer associate, what not to wear to work in general, and how to stay cool during a heatwave — but not in many moons. So let's revisit!

A caveat: As we've noted in previous discussions, this is very much a “know your office” situation. If you're working at a NEW office, though, or are still learning your office, you should wait until you see someone significantly more senior than you break these rules before you consider it “office culture.”

(For example: if you're a summer associate at a law firm and see a first-year associate wearing sandals, that doesn't necessarily mean it's ok for everyone to wear sandals.) It's a bit of a spectrum, but here's my list:

Probably Not OK For Summer Work Clothes (But Know Your Office!)

Sandals of any kind (shoes that expose at least three toes per foot)
Shorts (and yes, despite our April Fool's shorts suit roundup a few years ago, we do include short suits on the list of NO)
Completely wrinkled clothes (linen has its own challenges, but it shouldn't look like you balled it up, packed it in a suitcase, and then decided to wear it)
Short skirts — there is a spectrum here, but for business it really should be as close to your knee as possible!
Spaghetti-strap tank or other top that makes no effort to hide bra straps (or worse, requires you to wear a strapless bra)
Off-season items such as heavy tweed, boucle knits, thick wool trousers (but the thin, light seasonless wool is, you know, seasonless).
Tights are probably not ok… but pantyhose may be required.
Cleavage of any kind. If at any point you look down during the day and see your bra, you need a camisole. (You may want to check out some of the newer demi camisoles if the idea of another layer makes you swelter).

Probably OK For Summer Work Clothes

These are probably OK for all but the most conservative of workplaces, but KNOW YOUR OFFICE (and your situation — I wouldn't wear any of the below on my first day or a day with a big meeting)…

Peep toe pumps (a bit of toe exposed)
Bare arms (i.e., sheath dress or nice top with bra straps fully covered)
Bare legs. This varies HUGELY by office and by region — in most places, I'd guess, it's a “of course you don't have to wear pantyhose every day!” situation — but on Big Days in a lot of places (court appearances, client meetings), they may be expected or preferred.

Ok in all places, I'd guess (but know your office!):

Sleeveless dresses, tops, tees, and blouses, worn with a blazer or cardigan
Sleeved dresses, tops, tees, and blouses, worn by themselves

We've also talked more about how to build your wardrobe for a summer internship, with what I think is still a solid list of the minimum pieces you should buy.

How to Cool Down Quickly After Your Commute

We've talked about how to stay cool during a heatwave, but here are a few fast tips for cooling down quickly (or to stay cool enough to avoid completely wrecking your clothes):

a simple fan, carried in your purse or bag — yes, you're expending more energy as you fan yourself, but the bit of a breeze can be amazing if you're stuck on a hot subway platform
an ice-cold can of soda, held against the inside of your wrist, the back of your neck, or even the back of your knees
convenient ice packs — there are even necklaces designed to be iced and worn!

These are some interesting products to help you cool down or stay cool on your commute… see more clever products like this in our Amazon shop!

Readers, what are your go-to outfits for the summer? What fabrics and styles do you avoid?

Picture below via Stencil.

This post was originally written in 2014, but substantially updated as noted.

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Where to Shop for Judicial Attire

Kat — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:36:45 +0000

Recently, some readers had a discussion about judicial robes — and I realized, we haven't had a discussion on judicial attire! We've been rounding up courtroom attire for women lawyers since 2008, but we've never opined on what to wear as a judge. So let's round up some resources for stylish judges wondering what to wear — and where to get it.

Where to Get Judicial Robes

Most readers have noted that their judicial robes are ordered by the court, so they don't get to choose.

(If you do have the option of ordering your own robe, you may want to check out some of the stores that specialize in “high quality” ones, including Judicial Attire, Judge Robes, and Judicial Shop.)

For judges who DO have some choices to make about their judicial robes, the readers had some advice. One reader opined:

My advice…. Definitely go with snaps, not zippers and I highly recommend getting pockets. There are also different weights. Go for the lightweight version. The fabrics are gross polyester and you just learn to live with it.

If you're wondering what kind of cuffs to choose for your robe, the readers also had advice there.

One reader said to “[a]void sleeves that are full at the wrist opening. They get caught on railings and everything else.” Another reader advised to go for tapered, not cuffed — “the cuffs never fit comfortably over long sleeve clothing.”

What Else to Wear With Your Judicial Robe or Gown

By Supreme Court of the United States, Photographer: Steve Petteway [1] – Supreme Court of the United States (Source 2), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55329542

There are a lot of different words for the collars that women sometimes wear with their judicial robes. Some might call them jabots, tabs, flaps, “court bibs,” collarettes, and “neck doilies.”

(What, you weren't researching those terms in the attempt to find something stylish to wear with your gown?)

There are also a ton of homemade and vintage ones on Etsy that honor Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by using terms like “dissent collar.” And, in fact, her Wikipedia page is full of great photos featuring several of her collars and jabots; TIME magazine also did a roundup.

One of her more famous collars was a necklace from Banana Republic — it's still available for sale as of 2023. For some reason none of my links are working — if you search the Banana Republic site for “notorious,” the necklace comes up.

(According to The New York Times, the original has been donated to the Smithsonian.)

Where to Get Other Judicial Attire Like Jabots, Tabs, Flaps, or Dissent Collars for Judicial Robes

There are actually a TON of international companies that specialize in these kinds of collars — after all, many lawyer graduation ceremonies require this kind of look. Because Americans can wear whatever they want to law school graduation (and lawyers don't wear gowns when they appear in court), these collars are more appropriate for U.S. judges who want a more stylized look.

In our recent post on where to find fake collars for work outfits, a reader chimed in to sing the praises of Les Rabats Joies (pictured above!). Here's what the reader said:

An absolute MUST for “dickies” is rabatjoies and their sister company lesapparats, a small Canadian company that has just started up in the last couple of years. They also do robes and court attire for lawyers. They have a huge gorgeous offering of custom collars in every variety imaginable.

They make gorgeous-looking flaps and tabs!

According to the website, Les Rabats Joies started when the founder “Loriane, who was studying at the Bar School, asked her grandmother Nicole to make her a nice Tab for her swearing in. Not one to do things by halves, Nicole imagined several models, which she lovingly made for her granddaughter. One thing led to another and Loriane's colleagues became interested in the products.”

The company has expanded and has now been delivering court clothes for Canadian lawyers for 5+ years. They note that they can do almost anything:

Whether it's for a custom made gown with the most beautiful accents and pure silk lining, a magistrate's gown according to your instance, a jacket with or without sleeves, with open or closed back, gown shirts, unique flaps for her & him, in short! We are your new reference for high end court clothing. Distance doesn't matter to us. Our creations have been traveling for a long time throughout Canada, France and even Australia.

(Their sister company, Les Apparats, focuses more on fake collars or dickies to enhance regular work outfits like sweaters.)

Another store designed for women jurists is Ivy & Normanton, intended for barristers and judges in the UK. This collection is named after the first woman to be called to the Bar of England and Wales, and the first to practice there. They specialize in legal attire for women, particularly British barristers.

Their collections include collarettes, collars with bands, and legal wear shirts with features such as tuxedo fronts, double-cuffs, and day collars.

They also rent wigs and gowns for the call ceremony!

If you're feeling crafty, there are actually a variety of DIY tutorials out there, like this one from What the Craft, or this one on YouTube.

As noted earlier, there are a ton of vintage and handmade options on Etsy. In particular, seller LeenGreenBean has a number of handmade options, such as the crocheted dissent collar pictured below.

It's Ok to Just Wear a Judicial Robe!

It's also worth noting that while some women judges choose to wear jabots or collars, many do not. In the 2022 official picture of the Supreme Court of the United States, none of the women are wearing any additional collars or jabots — just necklaces.

The Roberts Court, 2022, by Fred Schilling – https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/justices.aspx, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=124352288

General Resources for Women Judges (aside from Corporette, of course)

The Jabot — an Above the Law podcast focused on the intersection of women and the law
(no longer updated, but:) Underneath Their Robes — one of the O.G. legal blogs with “gossip about the federal judiciary,” by then-anonymous David Lat, writing as Article III Groupie

and, just for kicks: What Judges Wear Around the World [YouTube/J.J. McCullough]

The post Where to Shop for Judicial Attire appeared first on Corporette.com.

Metallic Shoes: Appropriate for the Office?

Kat — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:30:00 +0000

Metallic shoes: office-appropriate footwear, or better to reserve for nights and weekends? Reader M wonders:

What are your opinions on colored shoes for the office, specifically metallics? My first thought would be definitely not. I am thinking in particular of a pair I have that are silver… and they are the reason I am asking. The silver color is the only reason I wouldn't be able to wear them in a professional setting. Otherwise, they are a conservative heel, closed-toe T-strap and in perfect condition. Darling on! But I wasn't sure if the silver color would scream “too much!” What do you think?

Great question, Reader M! We've talked about showing personality at the office, when conservatism should trump fashion, and even metallic shoes before, but not in a while.

Here are some of our latest favorite metallic shoes for work (both in heels and flats, since flats are so much more omnipresent with work outfits today…)

Some Thoughts on Metallic Shoes for the Office

a) I love colored shoes for the office. Personally I'm a huge fan of purple pumps, and I think that stripes and colorful details (like striped heels and contrasting straps) can be fun but also professional.

b) That said, you have to realize that shiny metallic shoes — even in a conservative pump — are statement shoes. Some people will like them, and some people really won't. So for my $.02, you really not only have to know your office but know your situation as well. That is: I would not wear shiny silver or metallic shoes to any big meetings, on interviews, or other Big Events.

c) Note that there is a spectrum here. For example: a shoe might have bronze accents without being shiny bronze shoes. I think a muted pewter, or a crackled gray with some silver flecks in it, are much more wearable than an all-silver, shiny shoe.

Readers, what are your thoughts? Are shiny metallic shoes so trendy right now that you wouldn't blink an eye to see them at the office? Or do they fall into the realm of disco/party shoes — acceptable only after work?

Updated images via Deposit Photos / tinx.

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White Pants for Work: Yea or Nay?

Kat — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:50:00 +0000

Reader L wrote in to ask about white pants for work — do they make more opaque white pants for work? What are the best tricks and tips for wearing white pants to work? We've talked about how to keep white blouses white — and the best white opaque t-shirts — but we haven't talked about white pants in a long while. First, here's reader L's question:

With the beginning of spring and lighter colors I'd love to get a pair of white pants for work. The few I have tried on have been very see-though up top. Do you have any suggestions for white pants or tricks to help with too sheer pants?

First: the old rule is that you aren't supposed to wear white until Memorial Day. So technically, white pants are only for summer, not spring. But I'm seeing them EVERYWHERE this spring (particularly for weekends, with distressed/ripped white skinny jeans) — so they're clearly more popular (to say nothing of all the suffragist connotations with white pantsuits).

(According to Better Homes & Gardens the old rule was designed in the late 1800s for elitist/classist reasons — so, as they say, “wear what you want, when you want.”)

Update: Our Latest Favorite White Pants for Work

Some of our favorite white pants for work as of April 2024 include Nic + Zoe, Talbots, Spanx, Favorite Daughter, Everlane, Lafayette 148 New York, Vince, and Cinq à Sept! For budget-friendly options, try Old Navy or Tapata. If your office is OK with 5-pocket styles and/or denim, check out the highly rated Wit & Wisdom and NYDJ pants.

So let's talk about this: do you wear white pants to work, whether in spring or summer? What rules do you have around “white pants for work,” and what tips and tricks do you have to make sure they're not too sheer?

Can You Wear White Pants with Work Outfits?

As always, know your office. I think white pants can work at work, so long as they're office-appropriate. Things to look for: tropical wools, textured cottons, jacquards, lined crepes — heck, lined anything — would be great. Not too tight, not too loose.

As many white/linen options as there are out there, I would avoid white linen pants for the office in springtime because a) the linen is going to wrinkle and make you look a total mess, and b) most of us don't need the cooling effects that linen provides until the dead of summer, and even then it's when the office A/C will be on full blast.

I would probably gravitate towards more trouser-y versions — a high-waisted, flared pant is a very on-trend look, and a fluid, white trouser pant would be a sophisticated way to wear it at work — but there are also, obviously, a ton of white ankle pant options.

And here are some in reasonable price ranges — note that some of these have a “double cotton weave,” are lined, or have particularly good reviews. The first one pictured is a ponte, which I could see going either way, but it's a much-loved pant in general and the reviews are very positive, so I'd give it a try if ponte pants sound appealing.

Are White Pants Business Casual?

White pants can absolutely be the basis for a great business casual look — provided that they're not sheer, and your office allows whatever fabric you choose. For example, white denim is a great casual look — but not every office allows denim at the office.

How to Make White Pants Less Sheer

Remember, Spanx was invented to deal with this very problem — founder Sara Blakley wanted to wear white pants with sandals but wanted to wear pantyhose under them for shaping and opacity; when the cut-off pantyhose kept rolling up she invented Spanx. This one is their best-seller; this one is a higher-waisted version, both around $28; the Target version is only $16. (As some commenters are noting, these are all links to the capri-style, longer-length Spanx — if you prefer a shaping short please make extra sure there is no “line” where the shapewear ends (or, if you're me, uncomfortable sausage-spilling-out-of-stuffing look to things).

If you find Spanx too constricting, there are other options to make white pants less sheer:

look for lined pants (we noted several options above)
wear a silkier version of Jockey Slip Shorts (the wicking fabric has a slightly smoother fabric than the beloved original fabric) or similar non-shaping slipshort (I'm even seeing them as a drugstore hosiery option these days!)
a non-shaping capri legging, either in white or a nude-for-you (this is going to be the least sleek option, as well as probably feeling a bit heavier, but I've heard it works)
you can always go old school and wear pettipants! (hat tip to the readers for suggesting that one!)

As for which underwear to wear with white pants, I would suggest nude-for-you boyshorts or another option with modest coverage, at least for work — I always seem to be stuck walking behind the woman with white pants and a clearly visible thong and it's never registers as a good look. (See our latest favorites down a few paragraphs!)

(Another perspective, not mine: I will always remember the What Not to Wear book (BBC version) where they suggested if your underwear was going to be seen, it should be extra cute, and even had a picture of Trinny crouching down to show off a sparkly butterfly-themed thong.)

So, readers — what say you? Yea or nay to white pants to work? If you wear them to work, do you wait until after Memorial Day, or do they feel like a springy thing to you? Do you prefer to wear white pants as part of a white suit? What are your best tricks for making sure your white pants aren't too sheer?

More Of Our Favorite Picks for Spring Work Outfits for Women

Opaque White Tees

As of 2024, the best spots to check for nude-for-you undergarments are Gap, Old Navy, or Nubian Skin for tons of options — Victoria's Secret also has a bunch!

Sweater Tees

These can be amazing for spring's finicky weather — and they're often more opaque than most t-shirts!

Some of our favorite short-sleeved sweater tees for 2024 include Quince ($45!), Ann Taylor, J.Crew,* and this Amazon bestseller. (* plus sizes too!) If you're hunting for something fancier, check out Kule; Tuckernuck also has one in a cashmere/silk. As of 2024, Nordstrom and Anthropologie both have a huge selection of sweater tees. (All of the ones below come in white and black, as well as other colors!)

White Blouses

Some of the latest white tops we've featured as of 2024 include these great options…

Light Blue Suits

You'd be surprised how versatile they are! We round them up every year…

If you're hunting for colorful suits, note that light blue suits for summer are some of the easiest because you can wear them as you would a light gray suit. As of July 2024, we're seeing nice ones at Reiss, Brooks Brothers, and Hugo Boss, . On the more affordable side, find blue suits at Ann Taylor (“blue echo,” ojai, and a plaid), Banana Republic Factory, from Tahari, and Eloquii.

Colorful Sheath Dresses

If you're hunting for a particular color, these dresses have all come in a ton of colors over the years…

Hunting for colorful sheath dresses for work? As of 2024, your best bets include some of the brands featured above: 1) green* 2) purple 3) blue* 4) purple 5) red* 6) cornflower (*s come in regular & plus sizes)… also (not pictured) this dress with an asymmetrical neckline*, this 1950s-inspired belted dress*, and this sleeved scuba dress!

Colorful Pants for Work

Hunting for colorful pants for work? They're very popular everywhere for 2024, but note that in general, brands like Rekucci, Krazy Larry, Banana Republic, Express, J.Crew, and Boden have a ton of options.

Krazy Larry

Amazon / Grace Karin

Express

Amazon / Rekucci