Dodger Dog With a Side of Digression
Above, a close approximation of what I eventually chose to wear to our day at the Dodgers, an event my boss’ boss organizes annually for the upper-level management folks from the various divisions he oversees. The day started off cool and cloudy, and I did remember that we’d be in the shade the whole time in this particular skybox, so heat wasn’t an issue. The lightweight jacket (silk/cotton, same one I took to Italy) stayed on all day, and I felt brought an otherwise very casual ensemble into the bottom range of the Business Casual spectrum. The guys from Finance always show up in their black slacks and neat blue button-front shirts, and the women in skirts or light slacks and a lightweight jacket or cardigan, perhaps signaling to the Division Head that they will be returning to the office afterward to grind out a few more productive hours.
Because our department is located offsite from the “main campus” and because our building also houses Production groups, the dress code in our department/building is quite a bit less corporate and more, well, “anything goes” (especially with the Production folks). It’s been difficult at times to suss out what constitutes appropriate Business Casual wear in that kind of environment, especially as a woman in management who wants to look current, stylish, approachable, competent, and in charge. It’s a minefield, I tell you! I felt that I’d worked out some good options for cooler months, but now that summer’s here I’m floundering again. The more Corporate version of BC (tailored jackets, skirts and slacks) feels too stiff and stodgy now, even on those rare occasions when I can find flattering pieces of good quality, but the warm weather equivalents of my winter knit separates feel just TOO laid back. Browsing retailers’ racks and websites, one almost gets the impression that they are still equating Summer with Vacation, and forgetting that many of us continue to trudge off to work between June and September, rather than spending our days at seaside clambakes or bucolic music festivals.
I keep thinking that if I could just find some flattering, somewhat tailored, lightweight pants, and maybe a jacket or two, I could cobble together a summer work wardrobe with those and the tees and cardigans already in my closet. I can hear some of you hollering “Dresses! Dresses!” at the monitor, but I never seem to be able to find any that fit me AND feel work-appropriate.
Have you wrestled with the parameters of Business Casual in your workplace? Do you find that dressing for work is more difficult in one season than another?
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I’ve had really good luck with Eileen Fisher jackets in silk or linen. I start with a base of black pants and tee shirt, a nice pearl necklace (of which I own a variety) and one of the jackets. I can carry it, or hang it up when the weather absolutely prohibits a 2nd layer, but I always have a jacket handy when it feels appropriate. They’ve been hugely useful now that I’m looking for a job.
And I love your background, although I’m QUITE sure you weren’t at Wrigley Field yesterday…or you’d have needed snorkel gear!
Jane and Lance Hattatt – I’ve always daydreamed about working for myself, and being able to dress exactly how I’d like without all of the mishegoss.
Vivienne – I knew the background was Wrigley, but couldn’t find a good one of Dodger stadium! 😉 I often hear people wax poetic about Wrigley field, and I can see why. Most of my jackets are from EF now, but many of their summer pieces I find just a bit too deconstructed. Thanks!
coffeeaddict – yes! Those are exactly the type of jackets I’m looking for, and are surprisingly hard to find. Well, hard to find in good cuts and quality fabrics!
I have a small collection of linen jackets, tailored enough to work well with skirts or pants- from a variety of places, MaxMara to Land’s End. Yes, linen wrinkles but that’s fine, and all of my jackets are washable.
A seersucker blazer is summery and not too preppy if styled with a few details- I’ve seen one by Tommy Hilfiger that I’d buy.
I’m probably in the minority but I dislike flip flops in the office for the flapping noise they make; prefer a pretty sandal. For my more conservative clients I wore closed-toe summer shoes.
I avoid cotton interlock for office wear when wanting to look “in charge”. Most of it looks too t-shirty. It’s fine for the most casual end of bizcas but not for the boardroom.
My work never demands much formality of dress nor do we get the kind of temperatures you do. September can be tough in our non-air-conditioned, stuffy classrooms, and I do find dresses the most comfortable, worn with a leather sandal. I have a linen cardigan with a semi-sheer silk back — very lightweight and cool but adds polish to a sleeveless dress. Wish I’d picked up another one or two of those at Club Monaco last year. I also appreciate my 3/4-sleeve blazer (Smythe) for giving that polish without as much, well, sweat.
Your outfit looks very occasion-appropriate — did you have fun?
I agree completely that the real issue here is stylish, not stuffy, but nonetheless professional clothes for **summertime**! If you’re over average height and willowy, then you have the layers of floppy linen option, but it just doesn’t work on those of us who are 5′ 2″ and under. I really hate trying to get dressed for work in the summer.
Totally agree with Duchesse on the flip-flop issue. I haven’t worked in an office in about 6 years, but the last few years I worked, things were starting to get VERY casual, IMO. It was mostly the younger women, who wore capris and flip-flops to the office. I felt I had gone pretty casual compared to the days of only skirted suits, pantyhose, and heels: I was then wearing mostly pants with a tee or lightweight knit top, a jacket or cardigan, and either flat shoes or heels. I was properly horrified at the capri/flip-flop style, but none of the young women worked for me, so I could not counsel them on the appropriateness of their attire in a very male-dominated industry. I’m pretty sure that very-casual look wasn’t helping the old guys take them seriously at work.
I’d still say skirts – much easier to find for any size or shape than dresses, and are cool in the summer.
Hello:
Such a minefield: business casual, dress down Friday, and no tie Monday….!!
Happily, we do not work! [lol]
I would suggest jackets with shorter, elbow length sleeves or jackets with interesting details such as unusual lapels or pockets. This suggests a more relaxed but still professional approach.
I understand your feelings about dresses (although if I had your nice legs, I might just wear them anyway) –they just feel too exposed and , well, dressy for me in the summer–more a part of patio life.In winter, the opaque tight buffers the impact of the leg in a shorter skirted dress, with a boot of any height it works, but for summer, lightweight wool or linen blend pants with a blazer, or a soft fluid open sweater over a tank is both relaxed and appropriate.
First off, I like the look you put together and think it is great for business casual, approachability, and fun! I always struggle with summer…I guess because the looks I love the most are cooler weather looks. I stood in my closet this morning lamenting..mostly over the humid heat we have. In Texas, a shorter pant or walking short can pass for business casual and just about everyone wears flip flops or sandals. But we are dealing with some brutal heat this summer..we do every summer but it is usually contained to two months…this year it may be four or five months. I love a darker trouser jean or darker straight leg jean for business casual. I also love a denim pencil skirt and dresses with flip flops. But, I really do struggle with the warmer weather looks. I find myself looking at Eileen Fisher’s site more and more lately!!
Linen or linen blends instead of wool or wool blends.
Gorgeous cotton, or cotton/silk sweaters/cardis instead of a jacket.
Seersucker.
3/4 or short sleeved jackets.
Peep toe or sling back shoes.
No cotton interlock — t-shirts of silk or silk blends.
Ever thought about a city shorts suit?
I’m a skirt/dress person myself, and I can casualize (is that a word?) a dressier skirt or dress with sandals. And sandals with some meat to them–so you dont mistake them for beach sandals! Boleros or short sleeved jackets help to structure summer jerseys that would otherwise look too much like playtime outfits. I find myself mixing the more formal with the casual for the office.
I am also a woman in management, and I hate business casual. It’s a minefield.
The whole office seems to go more casual in the summer. I usually wear skirts, which seem more dresed up than pants, so I am OK with wearing cardigans or “fun” jackets rather than blazers.
However, I miss the easy days of throwing on a suit. Certainly, I have the option to do that now, as Business Casual code does not say “NO SUITS” anywhere.
It’s difficult to dress for the spring/summer season in San Francisco, because it might actually be quite chilly here.
We had a one-day heat wave on Tuesday,and it was difficult to come up with something reasonably professional to wear that day. I have similar problems when I travel to So Cal, except when I’m there, we seem to drive everywhere. 🙂
p.s. I’ve worn this jacket
http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi26687&rootCategory=cat90030&catId=cat80008&sortKey=Default§ion=Sale&conceptIdUnderSale=cat90030
to casual down an otherwise dressy skirt look. It’s a really good deal right now!
IF that link didn’t work, it’s the no-collar jean jacket (which is not denim) at Talbots.
Pam – thanks so much! I can’t imagine trying to get dressed for Texas heat and humidity – that’s extreme! I must say though that the EF linen jersey pieces are wonderful for very warm weather.
Duchesse – I don’t mind wrinkles in linen either, and am on the lookout for some viable linen jackets. I haven’t seen any seersucker I particularly care for but I’m open to it. And I’m with you on the flip flops!! I don’t think they have any place in the office, but we’ve given up that battle. I agree that tailored reads as more authoritative, though I’m not adverse to a plain white tee underneath a tailored jacket.
materfamilias – yes! It was fun, and an interesting game to watch (lots of hitting, scoring). You do have some really fabulous dresses, wish I could find something similar here, but everything either seems to be “beachy ” or cheap polyester. 3/4 sleeve blazers are my Holy Grail right now.
Anonymous – Yes! Simple, lightweight clothing with clean and office-friendly styling (not a lot of ruffles or embellishments)…is it too much to ask???
Jill Ann – I don’t know if it’s a generational thing or just that no one’s giving them direction, but I can’t believe some of what gets worn to the office by some young women. I wouldn’t want to go back to a super-restrictive (and uncomfortable) standard of dress either, but flip flops, spaghetti strap dresses, low-cut tops with “Juicy Forever” across the bustline…these are not work clothes!!
lagatta – I know you love your skirts, but I still have a difficult time finding skirts that aren’t either too short or too full. I keep hoping the style tide will turn back to a knee-length, trumpet hem skirt…
katriona – yes, it’s much easier when tights are an option! I’m determined to find some lightweight pants.
Anonymous – yes to everything except the shorts. Call me old-fashioned, but I’ll never be able to consider shorts appropriate for the office.
fashionerfifty – I love your description of sandals as “meaty!” Mixing formal and casual is a great strategy.
rb – what style of skirts do you find work for you? Though I love my pencil skirts, I’d love some other options, especially when tights aren’t viable. I miss the days of throwing on a suit too, not because I loved suits, but because it took all of the guesswork out of getting dressed. Garanimals for adults! Our weather’s been fluctuating like crazy too, just from morning until afternoon! I like the jacket a lot except for the boob pockets which are a no-no for me.
Tiffany – yes, I can see how that would be tricky. Do you have to meet with the same clients multiple times? If so, do you feel the need to repeat ensembles? The temperature differential between outdoors and indoors makes me nuts too!!!
California Girl – were I there on my own time, I wouldn’t care at all but because this was a work function, dress does matter.
I’m a big fan of the sheath dress with 3/4 length blazer look. My favorite business appropriate dresses are from AT, BR, Tahari, Calvin Klein and, of course, DVF.
I think you wore pretty much exactly what I would have pulled out in the same situation. Dodger blue shirt, nice touch:). I’m also working on finding some nice khakis, so I can out prep the boys if necessary. And I’d go fun with the shoes too, just to make clear that I got the Casual memo.
But business casual is still the devil:).
What? You didn’t add Wonder Woman nail polish to this look?
😉
The ex-Lehman Brothers employee in me is cringing over my manicure!
I note your comment about working for yourself – it also has its minefields, because you still need business casual for meetings with clients, etc, but tend to have a lot fewer options in the wardrobe for those outings … I also find dressing for teaching to be tricky in summer – classrooms can be freezing, but it’s horribly hot outside. I don’t really have the shape for dresses, but they are certainly the most comfortable option, and a light blazer or good quality cardigan works for indoors.
Have you tried Brooks Brother’s summer pants?
Why worry about dressing for a baseball game? Nobody else does. Even in the skybox…jeans or shorts, flip flops or flats, a tee, a jacket in case it’s a double header or night game. Nobody cares.
Dodger dogs, beer, peanuts…it’s all good.
LPC – I’m very reassured by that! Thank you.
WendyB – had I only known about the manicure…
So I take it Lehman was rather a conservative environment? (BTW, have you watched “Too Big To Fail” on HBO yet? Brilliant!!!)
Beryl – I haven’t looked at Brooks Brothers in a while, but will see what they have.
Couture Allure – I think good summer weight pants in just about any fabric are elusive! Glad you’ve found some that work for you.
Been meaning to watch “Too Big” but it will bring back bad memories!
I agree, lightweight summer pants that are not linen are hard to find. I opt for my rayon knit wide legged ones most often. They are super comfortable and keep me cool and look fine when paired with a top and jacket.
@une femme – my skirts are mostly pencil skirts, typically dark-colored knee-length skirts that are sold as suit separates. I like tropical weight wool. I have a few skirts that are a-line, but they haven’t seemed as fashionable lately, at least to my eye.
Light weight slacks sound the best option if it’s too hot for tights. I found a nice pair at Chico’s but they’re probably too dressy for the office. Keep us posted if you find a good solution.
Your baseball outfit is perfect.
Social occasions of all types whether in the corporation or academia are a minefield…I know I have not got farther in my field because I tend to avoid the social situations altogether!
My eyes went to the Longchamp tote! How do you like yours? We just returned from France where they were everywhere.
I’m going to assume that the boss must like to go to ball games and that’s why he picked that as a corporate event.
I don’t drink alcohol so sometimes these things leave me looking a little sober. I don’t think anybody notices but sometimes I need a little help getting into the party mood.
I think I’d have added a baseball cap to get the party going. You could be good and go with the Dodgers or be naughty and go with an opponent, or go with your college team.
My husband just sent me this article about a law firm which has adopted very casual dress. http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/quinn_emanuel_takes_casual_dress_to_the_flip_flops_level/?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly_email
He’s all for it—and would love to wear blue jeans and boots to work everyday. He would keep a suit hanging on the back of his door for unexpected courtroom appearances.
WendyB – I could understand that. For those who might have been a bit flummoxed by the complexities of the mortgage crisis and ensuing financial meltdown, this movie provides one of the most beautifully clear and succinct explanations I’ve yet encountered.
rb – got it. I’m a fan of lightweight wool for summertime wear myself. Here where we don’t have excessive heat and humidity it works.
Susan Tiner – I’ll be posting tomorrow about some great new finds. Thanks regarding the baseball outfit.
Anonymous – I LOVE the Longchamp totes for those days when I want a lighter bag, and have one of the larger ones that I use as a “personal item” carry-on for travel. The downside is that there’s NO interior organization, so I usually use a purse organizer with them, either a Purseket or a Chameleon. They wear like iron and have great new colors each season.
RoseAG – I think it’s one of those situations where the company has access to the tickets and distributes to the Big Bosses to use as they please (entertaining clients, etc.). There’s no alcohol served at our function, though. The Dodgers this year are paying homage to the old Brooklyn Dodgers, so I was tempted by a Brooklyn cap until I saw the price tag…
Susan – thanks, that’s a fascinating article, but the comments are what I found most interesting. There’s a real polarization out there on the topic of business dress which is so clearly illustrated in the comments. I’m going to expand on this topic next week with my own views.
Deja Pseu, I found the comments to the article interesting also. My husband (age 60) definitely thinks his creativity would be aided by comfortable dress. He can be a bit of a maverick and sometimes wears jeans even though it’s not allowed. No one every says anything to him –and he would not expect them to. All they care about is how he pleases clients and his productivity.
I do want to comment on how I have observed women lawyers dressing at casual events—such as the Skybox baseball games. There are two camps. First, there are those who keep up the corporate/law firm attire and dress in neutral colors and fairly tailored. Then, there are the few who dress very fashionably and look quite chic and feminine. I’ve been watching this for a while and have found that the best dressed women lawyers are also the most successful. And the best dressed at casual events are not those in semi-corporate dress. The most successful woman lawyer (now a partner) in the large firm wears halter dresses, and such–and never looks back. Of course it doesn’t hurt that she is also the most personable and one of the most capable among the women lawyers. I have been fascinated watching this play out over years.
Such a great post!
I think dressing for work is most challenging in summer – there is heat outside and air conditioning inside. Heels are sometimes slippy and hard to wear when it is so hot, and it is so hard to find clothes made out of good for skin materials
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I think you hit the nail on the head with this outfit- very good balance between work & play. Plus, you know i love them ChuckT’s!
I’m grateful I don’t work in an office requiring BC or any kind of suit. The items in your other post about the Ann Taylor sale are GORGEOUS (minus the ribbon!)& perhaps one would be good in case of court/interview, but I can’t complain about our regular dress code. Right now, I’m wearing a flowy cotton top, cigarette jeans and wedges. Oops- i guess i just let on i’m reading this @ work… 😀
Susan – I think what works or not for women so often depends on the region and the corporate culture. I wonder if the woman lawyer you mentioned felt free to dress as she pleases when she was coming up through the ranks, or if she now feels she can do so because she’s proven herself?
Lucija – I agree that the temperature differential between inside and outside can be challenging! Layers are always a good idea. I carry along a lightweight cardigan even on the hottest days to cope with air conditioning run amok. Linen separates are great if you can find them, and can live with wrinkles (I can, some can’t).
denise:) – thanks! I love my ChuckT’s too. Our office *claims* to require BC, but people get away with much, much less. The outfit you describe sounds fine.