Right Size for Shapes

Dear Glinda:

Seriously! What is going on? How do I buy the right size for my shape? This stuff is so confusing! One person says pears can’t do this and apples can’t do this – what’s the real deal here?

Lost in the Department Store

Dear LDS:

It’s a total matter of trial and error. Too often women overly hide what they dislike about their body which causes them to look worse not better. It’s kind of basic if you wear something loose wear something else fitted. This is honestly all about proportions.

If you are bottom or top heavy your natural inclination is to “hide” the problem area by draping it in obscene amounts of fabric – this is bad. All it does is make people go “why is there all that fabric there and why does it look like she has the ass of a tractor/legs of a elephant/is she pregnant?” these are not good thoughts. When you are trying to “hide” all you are doing is taking a big ol spot light and shining it bright on the “issue”.

Okay so here it goes. If you have wide thighs or hips you are going to want to purchase only flat front trousers. I swear to Gucci if I see a pleat I will kill you – pleats are like little loud speakers that broadcast your big hips with every step. They don’t camouflage they draw attention. Okay so back to pants. Now this may seem counterintuitive but you actually want to buy a fitted pant. You want something that is more fitted and then lies straight down. This is commonly referred to as a stove pipe leg. What this is going to do is give you one long unbroken line from hip to foot. This creates the illusion of height and symmetry all the way down your body. Now I know it seems wrong but believe me it is SO right.

Now for tops. Many of us (okay every single woman on the planet) is uncomfortable with their mid section. Many chose blousy tops and over sized shirts to hide the “problem area”. Again all this does is draw attention and make the area look larger then it is. Again, this is going to seem counterintuitive, but you need to buy tops that fit. You may go up a size but not to the point that you look as though you are in a tent. The point is to see the curve of your body. Babydoll tops can be great for concealing a midsection but you have to be careful because if the top is too loose you will just end up looking pregnant. I following the rule that if the top is loose or babydoll I buy one to two sizes down. It allows you to still have the tummy coverage you want while not looking pregnant. I tend to look for them to only have a minimal amount of excess fabric around the midsection you want it to skim the body not float around you like an orbiting planet.

Fashionably,

Glinda,

Interview Attire

Dear Glinda:

What's appropriate for job interviews depending on the level of job qualifications? It’s so confusing nowadays! Is a suit ALWAYS necessary??????

Judy

Judy:

The business world is changing and with it the rules of what to wear to interviews. My first thought is that you need to know what type of business you are walking into. If it is a very corporate environment you definitely have to show up in a suit. The way to figure this out is to simply ask when the person calls you to schedule your interview. Simply inquire as to the businesses dress code for day to day employees.

If the environment is more corporate dress you will have to wear a suit. However I do not agree with the old idea that women must wear a skirt suit. You can wear pants or a skirt no biggie anymore. If the environment is business casual or casual you could get away with a nice work dress with a blazer or even “suiting separates” like nice trousers, a good blouse and a blazer.

If you are applying for a low level job I think there is nothing wrong with coming to a job interview at a business casual or casual environment in a simple blouse and trousers or that good ol work appropriate dress. However the rules NEVER change for a corporate dress environment no matter what position you are going in for wear a suit.

If you are going in for an interview in a corporate environment and need to find a decent suit for not a lot there are a few good places to snap up a good looking suit for little cost. H&M has some great inexpensive suiting pieces so does NY and Company. Suit sizing can be different, look for it to fit you well not snug. Your bottoms should be loose and your jacket should button with ease. Look for good pieces to go underneath like a button down, wrap top or whatever. However be certain that there is no cleavage popping out.

Remember a job interview is not the time or place to show personal style unless it is a creative field then you can have some more leeway. You want people to see you are serious about getting the job and you want your qualifications to speak for you not your clothes. Suits or interview clothing should typically be in neutrals so that no one is distracted by what you are wearing.

Fashionably,

Glinda

What IS Corporate Casual???

Dear Glinda

What exactly is corporate casual? I can't wear khakis and a LaCoste shirt. Do I have to buy a more kicky version of a suit (with the same price tag as a conservative suit) to meet the dress code?

Goldie

Goldie –

Ugh, how tired are khakis and a golf shirt? I would say you don’t need to buy a suit we can certainly find some other things that will work as well.

I don’t see anything wrong with doing what makes you comfortable, that’s really what business casual is all about. It’s about pulling off the suit and putting on something well, better. I would recommend a tailored pant with something less fussy on top like a good t-shirt with a cardigan and cool jewelry. How about a wrap dress? Try a fitted blouse (wrap, necktie front, button up, whatever) with chocolate brown Dockers. In winter why not a cashmere sweater with dark denim trouser jeans with pearls for the hell out it. These kinds of looks are about mixing something a bit more stuffy with something more relaxed.

I personally find myself relying on what I call “transition pieces”. This is stuff I can wear more casually as well as dress up for work. I’m in love with simple cotton dresses with some serious lines and appeal. I love a simple a line dress with an empire waist. It just works wonders on me (bear in my mind I have an average bust and am short waisted). I also seriously love a faux wrap dress. I find that when I wear a real wrap dress I spend all day long have an internal panic attack that at any moment my dress will fall open (I have the same problem with wrap tops). So back to transition pieces. Things like more trendy tops and dresses can be dressed up or down so it’s something that can be worn outside of work.

I think it’s important to look at functionality in your wardrobe. You don’t want everything in your closet to look like “work pieces” or to spend all your time buying “work clothes”. Focus in on what is going to work in all aspects of your life and that will definitely help you kick up your work wardrobe while still playing by the rules.

Have fun mixing up your style and before you know it you’ll have shook up your business casual look.

Fashionably,

Glinda

Casual Office Conundrum

Ask Glinda:

I work in a casual environment (you know jeans are okay that sort of thing). I feel like my wardrobe vaults between sloppy and too dressy. How can I find a good middle ground?

-Lost in New York

Well Lost:

You shall be lost no more. You need to build a good basics closet. I too have had casual environments and often found it hard to not look sloppy. First thing- I would invest in some well fitting t-shirts in basic colors. I would also get some well fitting jeans in dark denim. These two things together will look good and polished even though its just jeans and t-shirts. The goal is to look sophisticated. You can work that look with simple pieces like dark trouser jeans, well fitting sweaters, cardigans, good structured blouses. Top it off with some pretty jewelry and cute shoes and you’ll be good to go.

Fashionably,

Glinda