A Softer Side of Work Wear

1.
Would you wear the ensemble above to work?  Or any of these below?
2.
3. 
4.

5. 
6.

7.

All images above from Eileen Fisher, under the heading of “The Show-Your-Soft-Side-Yet-I-Mean-Business Suit.”

As someone who manages a sizable department, I’ve struggled for a long time with how to dress casually and authoritatively. I want to keep the “Business” in Business Casual, but too-tailored reads as out-of-touch rather than in-charge. While there are certainly days that involve meetings with others outside the department or company and for which a jacket-based ensemble feels appropriate, for the most part our environment is decidedly California Casual. As I’m finding my own style leaning heavily toward knit ensembles, some of these above definitely appeal to me and would be appropriate in our office.

#1 – but with different pants
#3 – but with jacket added and different shoes
#4, 5 and 6 are similar to ensembles I regularly wear.

These below are typical of my current work ensembles. (Love the vibrant bit of color from the scarf in the first pic, but I can see from this photo it overpowers the rest of the outfit a bit. Needs to be tied less obtrusively, perhaps.)

Skirt, both pics: Eileen Fisher, here.
Jacket, top pic: Eileen Fisher, prior season.
Cardigan, bottom pic: Eileen Fisher, here.
Tunics, both pics: Eileen Fisher, here. (The tunics and skirt are from prior years, but they offer a version of these staples each season.)
Boots, both pics: purchased in Paris, 2008.
Scarf, top pic: Eric Bompard, cashmere lace, prior season.
Scard, bottom pic: Hermès vintage size, “Voitures à Transformation,”

What do you think of softer work wear? Does it fly in your work environment?  Would you wear any iterations of the Eileen Fisher ensembles above at your job?
~

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86 Comments

  1. I’ve always worked in the media, and interior design so anything goes there, I do like these looks a lot, I could never be too buttoned up I wouldn’t be able to concentrate.

  2. Fun post! I’d wear all these looks with gusto, but I’d substitute a skirt for the pants in 1,3,4 and 5. I’m just a skirt kind of woman. You look fabulous in your EF separates and Parisian boots! It’s a perfect balance of modern and in-charge.

  3. Someone could wear these, no question. I actually prefer structure, who knows why. But I think you are completely right that’s they’re doable.

  4. I agree exactly with your assessments of which outfits I would wear to work (and I’m in a big law firm in NYC, but I can do business casual if I’m not going to court). I would worry, however, that a jacket would ruin the line of #3. I often find EF to be just too flowy for me (and sized ridiculously), but these are tempting – and there’s a store just a short walk from my office.

    1. MJ, yes, many of the EF pieces have too much volume which can swamp. I tend to avoid the pieces with “cascading” as part of the description. 😉 I’ve become familiar enough with the line that I can usually look at the styles on the website and know which will work for me and the office.

  5. Nos. 4 and 5 are definitely my style. I’d perhaps wear number 1 with different pants, but the top might be too flowy for me.

    I like the other looks, they are nice and simple, but I seldom wear skirts or dresses. Although I do have a plain black dress for summer that I may be inspired to wear one of these days.

    I have a lot of trouble with jackets (and shirts)off the rack. I have a big bust for my frame and square shoulders. If they fit on the bust they are falling off my shoulders. Otherwise the lapels are gaping and standing up around my neck. Knit cardigans and sweaters seem to work better, although they are less authoritative.

  6. I love this selection. Fortunately, business wear is not for me as I’m retired and before that was a teacher. I will say that I tried to always be comfortable but look put together and professional while the younger teachers I felt often came dressed as if they were going to clean out the garage! Now I”m usually in black slacks and something on top with a scarf. It’s a bit of an addiction. I hear you have something on your sidebar that I will love! 🙂
    V

  7. Number 4 is pretty much the look I go for every day at work and sometimes for smart casual as well! Sometimes I mix it up with wider leg pants. I want to mix in some scarves but somehow I always end up feeling like I am wearing someone else’s clothes and I end up removing the scarf.

  8. I’m a professional cook, so my “uniform” is proscribed, comfortable and economical. Having said that, in my former career. I worked in office settings and in management roles, so I understand the nuances.

    Overall, except for #7, the look connotes comfort and approachability. I prefer your interpretation-with a pop of color.

    What would have made the ads more compelling, though, is to show real women doing real jobs, real stuff instead of fake model poses.

    Also, I’m not convinced about the shoes. Look a little like the gals are on vacation instead of meeting deadlines or helping customers.

    1. sgillie, on the EF website, there are some “staff” videos that show women of different ages, shapes and sizes modeling some of the clothing. But yes, would love to see more of how real women in real workplaces style some of the clothing! I’ve come to terms with sandals in the office during the warmer months, as long as they’re not too strappy, light or flip-flops.

    1. cigalechanta, I agree that the fullness on the bottom half can be difficult, however I do think a lot depends on a woman’s proportions and how the fabric drapes.

  9. I work in a school, so these outfits are absolutely appropriate (and perhaps even dressier than what most of my colleagues are wearing). I would never wear the pants in #1, though, they are absolutely hideous and unflattering.

  10. I think Eileen Fisher has come a long way with shapes and more fitted clothes but I think they can look very “pyjama” in a corporate setting. I think you wear them very well, though, Deja.

    My biggest problem with EF now is color. Black dominates, with lots of grey and I don’t think most women look good in those colors. I think Eileen Fisher herself is a winter or summer and that influences her color choices. Even the “accent” colors seem forced and done in too few pieces.

    So…if I was looking for a very minimal wardrobe for work, I would mix the knits with a few woven pieces for a conservative company job. The drab colors would be very depressing though, and on me, I doubt a scarf or other accessory would help. In any other job, I would only pick the more structured pieces, with a few knits but never a full head to toe look.To me these clothes are more casual than work.

    1. Anonymous, while most of the “basics” seem to be based on black, I’ve noticed that she’s been adding in more greys, browns and other neutrals, and introducing more color in recent seasons. I’ve also found that the EF collections in department stores often have more color than on the EF website and stores.

  11. I work in a business casual office (computer industry) and would wear 4,5, and 6, although I’d probably put a different sweater with the dress. 1 and 2 are too floppy for me (an issue I often have with Eileen Fisher), 3 is sleeveless and too bare, 7 is also a bit floppy and possibly also see- through.

    Your first outfit looks great, but agree about the scarf. I wear large scarves outside with my coat, but take it off in the office. Often, I’ll have a smaller silk or lighter weight scarf underneath that I continue to wear inside. The blue sweater is a lovely color, but I’d probably wrap and belt it to give it definition for work, although I think you’ve mentioned that you don’t like belts. The sweater might work better with jeans for weekend wear. With the 2nd outfit, the cardigan makes you look bigger than you actually are. The first outfit looks much better in my opinion – better on you and looks business like but not uptight.

    1. Anonymous (#2), I’m not comfortable with sleeveless at work either. I get what you’re saying about the scarf, and will try something different. I find that because I’m an H shape, belts are tough to wear; I end up looking like a sack of potatoes with a rope around the middle. That particular sweater is tricky; it can be very flattering but depends on the angle. Thanks for the feedback!

  12. As for you, madame, you seem to have struck the perfect balance in your pursuit of casual/authoritative. Both outfits look great.

    As for me, I *just* ordered the pants in #1 from Eileen Fisher! Can’t wait to see them! In private practice, I have much more flexibility than in an office environment. I’ve *definitely* brought my ‘California Casual’ to Provence…so far, it’s workin’ for me. {Although I *have* put my overalls in a drawer…for now. ;}

    1. Thanks so much, la fourchette! I think those pants could be a great way to up the style factor for casual looks, and I’d definitely wear something like that “off duty” if I could find the right pair.

  13. I agree with your assessment of the outfits and might wear #7, it would depend.

    I prefer woven fabric bottoms, skirts/pants, so none of my outfits would be totally flowy. Knit tops generally do well at work as I wrestle at a desk/keyboard most of the time.

    I’m of a generation where a “jacket” was associated with authority/seniority so I stick with that. We have a cadre of young professionals in my office and it seems like the women a generation younger are with me on the jacket elements also.

    As I read blogs from women in different areas I’ve come to think that business appropriate attire has regional and industry variations. DC is a conservative stodgy place, so young or old that’s how we dress.

    1. Rose AG, I’ve heard from many people that DC tends to skew more conservative with regard to work wear. I remember visiting in the early 80’s, and how dressed up everyone seemed.

  14. Actually, I would wear everything hear EXCEPT the sleeveless one. I think today these do say IN CHARGE. And I love your looks and they are very similar to what I might wear…which ranges from looks like yours to traditional,professional styles. I still love the look of a great fitted jacket. I also dress different from teaching in the school year to teaching in summer school. The heat and the format just lend themselves to more casual. I really enjoyed this post, because this is the direction I want to go with my style lately! You look great!

  15. I like your style, Pseu.

    I wonder if wearing the first outfit with a black, rather than grey, top would change your mind about the scarf? To my eye, there’s one too many colors going on here, and it’s not the pink. Try working with just two colors and not three, and see what you think.

    Amities,
    Marsi

    1. Marsi,

      You could be right about swapping out a black top, but I also agree in retrospect with the other commenters who suggested this is more of an “outerwear” scarf.

  16. Ha! I actually own the pants (I think) pictured in number one. They ARE flattering. I am not as slim as the model (no surprise there), but after trying them in a size medium, bought them in a size small. I am NOT small. They are casual, but I can see pairing them with other pieces which would made them acceptable for business casual.

    I’m not a career person, but I do live in a “dressed up” city and try to conform to local expectations when it comes to dress.

    I have been watching Eileen Fisher closely. The company definitely has a system–and sometimes the brighter colors do seem forced to me. I don’t know if I will find anything for spring/summer which will work for me. A couple of years ago, I bought a short sleeved linen top and it seems to sheer for me. I wear it very casually, but that fabric would certainly not go “to work” if I had work to go to.

    Like others, I don’t favor a pajama look. However, I have found a few EF looks that work for me. Some of the EF pieces I have are quite lovely/and/or useful and I have worn them for year.

    1. Susan, glad to hear the pants work for you! I do find some of the linen jersey tops seem to need a layer underneath. I love the linen jersey, but do find it more casual.

  17. I also work in Los Angles – and have a lot of EF pieces. I am comfortable in them and usually feel more “dressed” than most of the younger women in my office. I love easy sweater/jackets as it is usually cold in my office.

    I would were most of the outfits above and feel in charge. But it is more than the clothes – it’s the attitude and grooming that garner respect.

    Anonymous – EF has a lot of color in the March – June collection.

    1. ming, agreed that attitude and grooming are an important part of the package! Our office is also often cold, even in summer (or especially then, as the a/c goes bonkers).

  18. Right away, I figured that #’s 4,5 &6 were the only ones I’d wear to work. And then I realized that I wouldn’t even wear the others: never mind “softer” – they just seem old-fashioned to me. They look ’80’s. So, I’m with you on the choices.

    1. so many things – the voluminous sleeves, drapey cowl neck lines, those platform sandals with ankle strap – & esp. the pants in #1: knit fabric, slim at ankle & full at top. Truly, they pretty much all put me off altogether. I’m quite surprised that they’re EF – & not in a good way.

  19. I work in a creative environment and can be quite relaxed – the first few looks would work for me apart from the drape top which is a bit evening-y. You look lovely in that fluid blue jacket.

  20. I don’t work in an office environment, but I’d wear #1 and #4 anywhere. I think part of the great look of these outfits is the minimalism. I don’t much like scarves or other “pops of color” with them. Eileen Fisher shows them (IMO) the way they’re meant to be worn, and I think adding stuff takes away from the cut and draping, which stand on their own. When I put my finger over the scarf in both your photos, I like the outfits so much better. Hope you don’t mind my opinion?

  21. Pseu, You look much more powerful and put together for a cool office environment than the Eileen Fisher looks! Bravo. I also struggle with the balance between clothes that convey authority/right to be taken seriously and my more bohemian (i.e., ex-hippie) self. I work in a more formal environment (business casual law firm), and none of the Eileen Fisher looks hits that sweet spot except perhaps #1 but with real shoes/boots. Her clothes are generally way too unstructured and narrow shouldered for me, and the pieces I’ve bought so beautiful in the store have never really worked once I get them home.

  22. These are clothes I doubt people wear at offices over here. They are ” too ” sliding ( could not find a better word right now ).
    I prefer your second outfit better, though a black knotted scarf ( if at all needed ) would be more business- like : )!

  23. I agree with the commenter who said all of the styles work except the sleeveless one.
    I noticed you’re doing stylings in your new colour palette 🙂 I like it and the booties are gorgeous.

  24. I think all of the above would work in my volunteer work environment except for those sandals. Not sure about them. Personally, I would only wear #3, #4, and #5. The rest wouldn’t look good on me. The others have too much drape making me look bigger than I am. But that’s just me. On someone else they might look just right.

    1. Adrienne, it can be tricky, balancing softness and volume. I wouldn’t wear the sandals in #3, too casual for the office. The other shoes I’d wear.

  25. On-topic: You really choose your EF well. I am sometimes shocked by how awful her pieces look on me (ordered on-line) and how fragile some of the fabrics are.

    Somewhat off-topic: Your EF pieces have served you well. How have some of your other featured pieces fared? Which of the pieces you’ve written about over the last year or so have proven their worth by being part of your regular rotation?

    1. Frugal Scholar, thank you. I do find that not all of the pieces fit or work for my body type. I’ve learned to “read” the line, and can usually tell which pieces will be more flattering on, though sometimes I’m surprised. I think I’ll put together a post about which pieces have worked best and had the most staying power, but I’ll give you the abbreviated version: silk jersey and ponte knits.

    2. Thanks for the Sparknotes version! What about non-EF pieces? (Sorry for another assignment)

  26. Love, love, love that first look! And Eileen Fisher makes petites as well. The “soft look” is so flattering on most of us, and comfortable, too. Always a win-win.

  27. You look confident (in charge) in the best possible way! EF and drapey clothes no longer work for me and my present style of living, except for dinners with friends sometimes. I’m petite and slimmer after a year of more walking and smaller portions, so now I think I look best somewhere in between structured and softer. I like narrow skirts and pants with knit tops and sweaters (that’s the softness). The loose cardigans overwhelm me. I love the effects of scarves that pull the separates together (more softness). You always have the “look”. Thanks for sharing.

  28. All but #3- in fact some of my clients have a no-sleevelss dress code (and in creative professions!) Also, some of the shoes are quite bare, and where you could get away with #6 in say, a bank, if at a senior level you would wear a closed shoe with it.

    You look great and like others, I see the pink scarf more as outerwear.

    Part of the problem with EF being perceived as too unstructured is that sometimes women wear their EF too big. I saw a salesperson here putting a woman into a L cardi when she was S for sure.
    (L was what was in stock and she was saying, “Oh there is hardly any difference” but that is not true, EF has to fit, too- as yours does.)

    1. Duchesse, thank you! Even though our dress code is close to “anything goes,” I’m still not comfortable with sleeveless at work. Agree with you about the scarf, and also that it’s important to get the size right on the EF pieces. I do find that the tops and sweaters run a bit large, and it’s often best to size down.

  29. I think open-toed shoes and samdals are totally inappropriate for work.

    In general, it seems to me, you need to look at how the men you work with are dressing, and strive for a similar level of formality. Mincing into a meeting wearing huge platform, open shoes with an excessively drapey outfit isn’t going to project an image of authority.

    1. Rita, yes sandals in the workplace definitely divide the masses! Here in LA they’re commonly worn during warmer months, and I’m comfortable with open toed shoes and more substantial sandals. On days where I have meetings I’ll definitely dress on the more structured side. Our building houses production facilities, so the norms of dress overall are definitely quite casual.

  30. I think I’ve complimented you on the blue sweater jacket before, but hey: once more can’t hurt, right? I think the color is great on you, of course, but also that the length, cut, and volume are great for your height and shape.

    [I wear a lot of flyaway cardigans and am probably guilty of wearing some that are too long….]

    My current office environment is “nicer/dressier” Business Casual and I have Business Creative leeway. I have always loved knits and wear a lot of them, though generally I aim for knits lower + woven jacket upper or knits upper + woven tailored skirt/pants. On internal-pyjama-substitute days I can certainly be spotted in a highly structured knit + lighterweight or flowy knit, though!

    For me, EF #1 is a bit too much flowy + volume but the others wok for me in terms of silhouette. I did oversized — and often oversized with oversized! — for way too long and my comfort zone is Bea Arthur in Golden Girls, so I have to be very alert to relapse. 😉

    1. Vix, ha! I think my comfort zone leans in that direction as well! I’ve really had to train myself to stick with narrower/less voluminous cuts. About the sweater, thank you! I purchased the same style in a previous year in a sort of oxblood/brown color which turns out to be a great neutral (and which I’m wearing today). I really love that teal color though. It also “plays well with others.”

  31. I love your first outfit touch by pink, ahhhhhhhhhhh glorious.
    Any chance of bigger photos so I can see you better???
    Have a grand weekend, my friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  32. I would definitely wear #4, but I am less certain about the others. I like the two looks you are actually wearing. Of course, I don’t have managerial responsibilities outside of a classroom, so my choices are probably less fraught than yours.

  33. Thank you for this post! I’ve definitely been steering towards softer, less-structured pieces in the past year, somewhat to my surprise. Partly it’s that I’ve gotten old enough to prioritize comfort; partly they’re easier to move in. And I can have a closet full of pretty things, but if the soft pieces are what I actually reach for, morning after morning, well then that tells me something about what I should spend my money on.

    Outfits #2 and #7 are too shapeless for my taste, but I adore the others, including your own lovely outfits. I work in arts education, so I know I can get away with a less formal, funkier look, but truly I’d wear all these looks at most any job. Not a place that required suits. But, at 34, I don’t equate “boss” with “must wear a jacket.” I think that being confident in your own skin conveys more authority than just about anything else.

    You mentioned in an above comment that you’ll be writing about EF fabrics & purchases. I, too, will look forward to that post. I love their stuff, but the prices give me pause. Worth it?–Would love to hear your opinion.

    Thanks for being you! Your blog’s a fashion inspiration to me.

    1. b., and softer pieces can be pretty too. I love the way some of my EF pieces drape and move. I think the boss=jacket equation is one that’s on the way out. I’m working on a post about my best clothing investments (not just EF but some other pieces too) and hope to have up next week. And thank you!

  34. You totally called it last fall with the Eileen Fisher ponte slim leg pants, any recommendation for the spring/summer?

  35. I absolutely love all these outfits and they are interchangeable, so you don’t have to buy the whole lot…. I am sure this type of dressing you will still feel ‘in charge’. Now one point I would like to make, I think you are very likely a small person but I don’t think short skirts flatter anyone pass a certain age and soft pants, hair, glasses , give a much younger look (if you would want one)…

    1. pat, thanks! I think hemlines certainly divide the masses, but a just-above-the-knee length feels most comfortable and flattering to me (certainly not shorter). Everyone has to find their own comfort zone with these things, I find.

  36. The looks you’ve featured all look great to me although I like the looks you’re wearing the best. I don’t know if I’ve seen you in the blue cardigan before but it is very flattering.

    My own new wardrobe contains several EF pieces I love and wear often because of the flattering drape and fit.

    I agree it can be difficult to convey authority wearing a more casual look but I think you pull it off very well, in part because your eyeglasses and gorgeous shoes give you a finished look.