Reddit mentions: The best suiting & balzers for women

Okay. In that case, for your first set/s of clothing, I have a few ideas.

For tops, I don't have many suggestions, myself, apart from simple solid-color shirts and tank tops. Some blouses might be okay, but you seem to know best what you'd like. Whatever your favorite colors are, a moderate tone might be a good idea. (Red, as opposed to dark red, for example.)

Black skirts are common yet very good for outfits. I don't have many myself, and - in fact - only have a black A-line skirt that extends to my knees. Skirt colors that match shoes and/or tops might work well. If you make an exception to the stripes, plaid skirts often look nice. As for pants, I don't have many ideas beyond tight pants that have some breathing room, but others might have good suggestions.

I've yet to do any buying from Amazon, myself, but somebody else came across these sleeve gloves. They might fit well with tank tops if you want an open-shoulder appearance. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CJJ6AXQ/

It's common for people on r/traa to be interested in thigh high socks, and for good reason; they add a great cute aspect. A store known as Sock Dreams nearly specializes in them. https://www.sockdreams.com/

These are shoe types that personally interest me, although you might also want to look at boots without high heels, along with Mary Jane styled shoes. Mary Jane heels have straps on the front that add to what you're hoping for. Some flats have straps as well, if you prefer them. Also, some more athletic shoes, such as sneakers, tend to look good with two colors: one that fits with most of your outfits (black or white, for example), and another color that you like, such as yellow or purple.

Here are two boot pairs that I've been looking at recently:

https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-758505/journee-collection-jester-tall-boots-women.jsp?color=Black&prdPV=1

https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3498151/journee-collection-cate-womens-knee-high-boots.jsp?color=Black&prdPV=7

Lastly, color coordination is usually a good idea. Start by choosing a few colors that you like - red, green, or blue, for example - and coordinating what you buy based on that; that will let you match items together easily. For example, a red shirt of mine fits well with my skirt, and white can still complement the red and black color scheme. On that note, I often like designs with two to three colors, and that includes outfits. If you have a good way to coordinate your outfits like that, you might be able to choose things that you like easily.

Would you like any specific examples of clothing ideas, or does that answer your question?

I’m not sure what kind of “professional” you’re looking for. Business professional? Business casual? Smart casual?

What I can tell you is that, as a size 24 bottom, 20/22 top, pear shaped, brand new lawyer, I have spent the last few years distressing over this exact question. Have I found a perfect solution? Unfortunately, no. Even buying suit separates, I end up needing to get everything tailored. And not just the inexpensive tailoring for sleeve and pant length (although yes, I do need that too). Nope, I also have to get the shoulder breadth shortened, which is far more expensive, because my narrow lady shoulders just don’t seem to fit in these manly suits.

Having said all that, here is what I have discovered over the last few years:

• Torrid is terrible for business professional suits. The fabric they use is too stretchy and ends up looking like yoga pants, which is comfy, but does NOT scream professional (seriously, take a look at this suit and tell me it’s not made out of yoga pant material)
  
• Lane Bryant has some decent pants, just don’t buy the brightly colored stuff
  
• Buy suit separates. It will allow you to purchase things that fit you better. I prefer Macy’s or Nordstrom. Calvin Klein has some really great suit options. They do run about 1/2 size up though (which is perfect if you’re planning on getting it tailored).
  
• Get it tailored. It will make a world of difference. Get yourself a couple of suits (one black, one charcoal grey or navy), and use those as your staple pieces
  
• When buying suit jackets, ALWAYS opt for the ones that have rounded openings, not the ones with square openings. The rounded openings draw less attention to your hips, and are way less boxy/more flattering.
  
• Avoid pencil skirts and sheath dresses like the plague, but if you do need them, buy them to fit your hips and then get them tailored to come in at the waist
  
• A-line skirts and dresses are your friend. Wrap dresses are the absolute holy grail of pear shaped plus size professional clothing.
  
• Look into peplum suit jackets. These are amazing for pear shapes because they allow you to fit to your top half and then flare out at the hip. Just don’t get the ones that flare out too much, or you’ll start to stray into unprofessional land.
  
• In addition to suits from department stores, I supplement my wardrobe with Dia & Co boxes, which have been a godsend for wrap dresses.
  
• As uncomfortable as they are, heels instantly make an outfit more professional. As someone with wide feet, plantar fasciitis, fallen arches, recurring stress fractures, and bunions, I would like to humbly recommend the Rockport Total Motion line of heels. They are the best and only heel that I find tolerable and comfortable.
  
• For the most part, avoid buying things solely because they are comfortable. I have made some bad choices because of this before. Unfortunately, professional clothes are pretty much uncomfortable by nature.
  
• Practice sitting down in everything before you buy it. If you are too uncomfortable to sit in something for a few minutes, you’ll never be able to sit in it for 8 hours straight
  
• Pay attention to dress and skirt length. Professional dresses and skirts need to be at or just below the knee. Practice sitting in front of a mirror before you wear something to work. The last thing you want is your boss getting a front row view of your granny panties.
  
• Buy seamless underwear. Professional pants are not like jeans - they are notorious for showing panty lines, so you have to be extra careful.
  
• Pay attention to fabric! You don’t want to have to get up super early to iron/steam things before work. And sitting in an outfit all day will surely lead to wrinkles. So, buy clothes in fabric that doesn’t wrinkle easily.

This top

With these pants

And this blazer

and to top it off...

get these pumps

It doesn't even break the bank and with all the colors you can mix and match and accessorize with jewelry and look different every day.

This outfit goes from the board room to the dance floor with ease. Also, they are durable as hell, for instance, the white one of the tank top I spilled an entire glass of red wine on while I was dancing the night away after work. Threw it in the wash after throwing some shout on it - like brand new.

I also try to stick to chiffon for shirts for two reasons. First, they lay nicely on everyone, and second, if you spill something on it, you can run to the bathroom, shout pen it, rinse, and then stick it under the hand dryer and it's like you never spilled your coffee on you for the millionth time this year. (This will also work for pit stains if it gets too hot, have your friend hold the door, take off the shirt, run it under the hand dryer, LIKE NEW.)

These items go on sale ALL the time at Amazon. I only buy the tank tops when they are $7.99 for instance. Install camel camel on your browser and set a price watch for them.

Bonus, if you're in a colder room and the tank isn't your thing, you can substitute this blouse, which also looks amazing on everyone and professional AF

Another bonus, if the boot cut pants are too "professional", you can dress the tops down with jeans or these leggings which manage to hold you in all day long without riding down.

I am obsessed with Amazon style in general. Almost everything has free returns if you have prime, so I order a ton of stuff, see what fits, and then send back what I don't like. It's great. People compliment me on my outfits all the time and I am like muahahhahahhaha, I didn't even pay a ton of money for this. <3

Personally, I think charcoal grey is the most versatile. You can pair it with creams and pastels in the spring/summer and darker colors in the winter/fall. Looks great with black shoes (navy can be a b*tch) but doesn't looks as severe as a black suit.

You should also buy a blazer with the matching skirt AND pants, because then the blazer does double duty and you essentially have 2 suits.

I prefer buying suits from name brands on Amazon, because if I'm patient I can get really great deals. Calvin Klein, Tahari, etc. Ann Taylor is a good option too, but wait for a sale. I think Express and NY&C tend to look a little cheap, and the cuts run more towards "sexy secretary" instead of "polished professional."

ETA: This is my interview suit. I got the jacket & skirt for under $100. As far as tailoring, skirts are very easy, pants are doable, but jackets can get much more complicated. I tend to try to find a jacket that works and then I'll get the matching skirt/pants altered to fit. If you're curvy, look for a shorter jacket with a back vent. Occasionally, I'll also wear an underwire sports bra instead of a standard one because it helps the jacket lay better. You can also have the button on a jacket moved slightly, which can trim it in at the waist without paying for major structural alterations.

Had this same problem in my office.

I wear a ton of blazers made from non traditional fabrics like sweatpants material. Like this jacket

They recently had some really cute ones at Costco. I will pair that with a well kept pair of jeans and clean shoes. I can throw on a tank or tee underneath, scarf and stud earrings. Easy, comfortable uniform.

I recommend on the conservative side until you feel out the situation.

Good luck!

Ooo I love looking for outfits/shoes. Do you watch 'The Bachelorette'? I just started watching it since I've heard so much about it, and there is an outfit Hannah wore on one of her dates that I think would look really great style-inspo for court in the summer (and other occasions), in a modified version. Here's a picture of it, obviously you would want a shirt different from a crop-top and longer pants.

I'm looking on Amazon since they ship quickly.

Pants: Here's one that has an array of cute long, striped, loose fitting pants in different lengths, colors and patterns. Loose/long would absolutely cover your ankle accessories :)

Shirts: You could do a loose fitting collared shirt that is still cute/trendy tucked in, depending on the pants. This shop (is that what you call it on Amazon? Or seller?) has all different colors and styles. Another style that ties at waist or could be tucked in. (Other styles: Belle-Sleeves , Classy 3/4 Chiffon ).

Shoe Ideas: - Standard Black Pump that's not overly tall (I remember Oprah saying everyone should own a classic black pump and a pair of leopard print flats and it always stuck with me-- I'm surprised how many times I've ended up wearing both).

- Classic Summer Strappy Heels

- Steve Madden 'Dress Sandal' Heels

- More of a Chunky/Summer Heel

- Simple Black Flats (Pointed toe) //Simple Black Flats (Rounded Toe) // Simple Black Flats "Lacey"

​

Editing to add other things I'm finding while browsing. These are 3/4 Sleeved Lightweight Blazers that would be great for summer and come in every color under the rainbow. You could even wear it over some type of wide legged jumpsuit if you found the right one that had more of a simple top part.

Sending you a 🌟 Lucky Court Star 🌟

This is something as to what I'd wear if I were going to an interview a nice blazer some jeans and maybe heels would do. That's what I'd go with, simple yet nice at the same time.

Lucky charm because this is my zodiac sign. And I love stuff like this and it would be my lucky charm :)

And this is what I'd like link

Maybe this is a bad combination, I'm not great with fashion so I don't really know, but maybe try this blazer with this blouse and this skirt.

I'd choose this as my good luck charm, even though it's not very lucky in the show!!

Good luck with the interview!

I got my bolero from amazon! I highly recommend it because prime shipping is free and you get it in 2 days. With two weeks left, you could early get a few different shipments if you have a hard time deciding.

This is the exact one I got, only mine was the lilac color to match my dress. It has a nice stretch to it which I like and the cut on it is really flattering.

https://www.amazon.com/JS-Fashion-Vintage-Dress-Cardigan/dp/B077P5SZPN/ref=pd_aw_fbt_193_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BBPP8AGQQE2G3BFN9YYV


There are a LOT of options on amazon I had saved, just make sure you check where it’s shipping from. I recommend only getting something available through prime because then you know it’s not coming from China (it would never arrive in time for your wedding).

I haven't done residency interviews yet, but for medical school interviews I got this suit jacket from amazon for $70, and and a ~$40 pair of dress pants like this from Nordstrom Rack. If she has a nice blouse and pair of flats she wears during rotations, she can reuse those and save some money there, too. Good luck on your interviews!

What stores would you recommend for casual blazers? In a question I posted a few days ago, several people recommended I look for a blazer to go with a new dress I bought. It seems like the places I would normally look for clothes only carry suit blazers (JC Penny, H&M) or have minimal options (Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Old Navy). My budget is pretty low as you may have guessed from the places I usually shop. And actually being able to visit the store is important to me because my shoulders make things fit weird sometimes, and I want to try things on before buying them. Based on the recommendations I got, I think I'd be looking for something like these: 1 2 3

I'm in the US near DC if that helps.

Congrats! I hope it goes well.

Outfits like this are nice and professional.

I would wear a necklace like this.

Amazon:

white cropped shrug blazer

white cropped scalloped blazer

white cropped denim jacket

regular denim cropped jacket

​

Amazon (shoes)

Clarks heels (strappy) 3inches ish (I personlly have these & they are incredibly comfortable, I am not a heel person at all and they are my go to (and only pair) of heels) I actually bought them at Winners - I think in the states that would be marshalls or ross?

​

Thick heel sandal -black/brown

Similar to above but all brown

brown sandal with smaller heel

​

honestly it's really up to you! I used clarks as an example because they are crazy comfy and you will have them for a long time! They have a ton of options though, more formal heels, low sandals, wedges, 1-2 inch shoes, etc!

​

Even flats, mules or slides would look really great in my opinion!

I think I nice fitted jacket/blazer would go well with those pants. Possibly in red like this one for a pop of color. : http://www.amazon.com/Aulin%C3%A9-Collection-Womens-Casual-Blazer/dp/B00JXZ5GV6/ref=sr_1_34?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1412295303&sr=1-34&keywords=red+blazer

I think red would look great with your skin tone.
Also with something like this you can layer which would give your photos more variety.

Where can I find like pretty colored blazers that aren't cheap material? Kind of like these -

https://www.amazon.com/HyBrid-Company-Womens-Casual-Office/dp/B01N28BXS3/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=J9REMDKAN49Z8F7RVM0V

https://www.amazon.com/Michel-Womens-Cardigan-Blazer-Jacket/dp/B07FKXC5YQ/ref=pd_ybh_a_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=J9REMDKAN49Z8F7RVM0V

https://www.amazon.com/Instar-Mode-Womens-Formal-Sleeves/dp/B07HFFDRKK/ref=pd_ybh_a_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=J9REMDKAN49Z8F7RVM0V

The ones on amazon, I like their styles but the material is super cheap

Why do my suiting separates not seem to match? I purchased this jacket and this skirt, which appear to go together.

The blacks are slightly off as I tried to capture in this potato picture with lots of cat hair.

Help! I presume it's not acceptable for my suit not to match, even if it technically should. Is it because the skirt is an older line and they've updated the fabric of the jacket? Am I out of hope to find a matching jacket? I love the a-line skirt.

Jumping on the top post to say I've found tons of floral cardigans on Amazon, chic wish, Etsy and seriously just online in general. I wear floral a lot, it's not that hard to find something that will work.

Here are some examples

This first one comes in pink or blue
Karl Lagerfeld Paris Women's 3D FLORAL APPLIQUE CARDIGAN, Pink Multi, M https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MKKFWVF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VbtDDbFS23Y1Y

BIADANI Women Classic 3/4 Sleeve Crop Cardian Floral Print 70113 Rose Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CHWMSRM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PdtDDb4WP2DVK

FISOUL Kimono Cardigan Button Floral Long Sleeve Casual Cardigans for Women L LB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FFKSZ4C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_oetDDbEWPDKSD

Or try a Blazer

Allegra K Women's Floral Print Notched Lapel Open Front Blazer L White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077SN8X6B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2etDDbR3QRW58

Women's Junior Plus Size Floral Print Blazer Open Front Jacket Mauve 2X https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SPPK2BV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LftDDbMR7A4GZ

SoTeer Womens Floral Printed Long Sleeve Open Front Cardigan Jacket Work Office Blazer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078M51QC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FgtDDbQANCHHS


Honestly, it sounds like op is being difficult and picky. Pick something, anything, that fits what the bride asks for and won't ruin her day. Don't be that person, it's not that hard.