Business Casual appropriate?

Originally Posted by mybabyphx

I was driving past Suzie's Deals last night and noticed that their prices changed.

Instead of $5, it's now $5.99. I guess they needed their extra 99 cents?

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That always cracks me up. I know its for marketing reasons, but why can't we just say $6 instead of $5.99??? Really, what's a penny?

I have a business casual dress code where I work. I usually wear dressy pants (Dockers for women are my current fave, but Old Navy sometimes has some great pants) and a button up shirt (I prefer 3/4 sleeve. Long sleeve gets in the way and short sleeves are made for girls who didn't work in horse barns as teenagers --one shirt actually cut off my circulation).

I also have some sort of a sweater I can wear over everything because the office is so cold.

When I did office work-sandals were not looked at favourably unless they were not open toes ones!! I guess men had written the rules!!
Nice cotton/wool pants-nothing knit or stretchy though. No T-shirt looking tops but polo shirts/t-shirt type sweaters were great. I used to shop alot at Talbots so you might want to check out their website (sale going on now).
Cardigan twin sets ok too (50 and still preppy!!) No tank tops either-even "dressy" ones unless jacket or sweater worn over them. Most nice cotton/wool/print/plaid skirts ok but about knee length.
Also watch amount of perfume you wear-one of my ex-office mtes dumped a whole bottle on I swear!! And not to heavy handed with makeup either!!

I'm in Seattle, which skews towards the more casual spectrum than many cities, but what you're describing would work fine I think. For us, business casual is actually defined in our handbook. It's no jeans, no "beach shoes" (so dress sandals or walking sandals are fine, but not flip flops, tevas, etc), no t-shirts/sweatshirts with logos unless it's our own, no shorts or short short skirts, etc.

It all depends on your office environment. I work in a professional firm in downtown Toronto and for my office, that tshirt would be too casual (unless it was worn under a blazer or sweater). As for sandals, that also is a no-no in my office, especially flip flops. Our dress code dictates that we can't wear sleeveless shirts too.

Yea I'm sure they dont expect you to get it perfect the first day! If you get there and you are under dressed, then go out and get some dressier shirts and maybe some blazers. And if you are over dressed, then just look extra prepared! LOL!
Sorry if I'm not much help I havent had to be business casual since I worked for Fairfield Resorts in 2005. Right now my "uniform" is khaki cargo shorts a bright yellow t and flipflops LOL!
Good luck with the training!

Erm, if you want to find really great deals on clothing look on ebay. I can generally get Ralph Lauren, and other high priced named brands off of ebay brand new with tags on it for under $10 in an auction. That's with shipping, usually. Sometimes it will run a little more, but you can often find auctions on "lots" of stuff for really good prices, and usually that stuff is high priced name brand.

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

I actually have a very similar shirt. Well ok, one in blue and one in green! It's in a nice fabric and fits like you described that one. (I found mine at khols) I usually wear it with grey or black dress pants and I only wear dressy sandals in the summer!

Edit to add: Can I just say now that I am so jealous? 1 that you work in your pjs and 2 that you work from home! I'm such a hermit.

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Me, too! And gosh, with cats like ours, who'd want to be anywhere else?

Originally Posted by pennicat

I'm in Seattle, which skews towards the more casual spectrum than many cities, but what you're describing would work fine I think. For us, business casual is actually defined in our handbook. It's no jeans, no "beach shoes" (so dress sandals or walking sandals are fine, but not flip flops, tevas, etc), no t-shirts/sweatshirts with logos unless it's our own, no shorts or short short skirts, etc.

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This is what I was thinking. I actually whipped out the employee manual from my last job to see what the people in the office wore there. It seems about the same as this, so I think that's what I'm going to go with.

Originally Posted by Sadie's Mom

It all depends on your office environment. I work in a professional firm in downtown Toronto and for my office, that tshirt would be too casual (unless it was worn under a blazer or sweater). As for sandals, that also is a no-no in my office, especially flip flops. Our dress code dictates that we can't wear sleeveless shirts too.

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Oh my! What do you do? (If you don't mind me asking ) That's probably the strictest dress code I've heard of... unless its a law firm or something like that.

Originally Posted by capt_jordi

Yea I'm sure they dont expect you to get it perfect the first day! If you get there and you are under dressed, then go out and get some dressier shirts and maybe some blazers. And if you are over dressed, then just look extra prepared! LOL!

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Oy that sounds like a lot of work for clothes I'm never going to wear again. Actually, I don't even know where I would shop in the town I'm going to. Hmm...

But ixnay on the blazers. I don't care what the dress code is, you will never, ever, in your entire lifetime, see me in a blazer. I *HATE* them. They're seriously uncomfortable and the makers of them don't seem to understand that 6' tall women are NOT built the same as your average 5'6"/5'7" woman! I have yet to find a blazer where I can actually lift my arms higher than 1 inch!

Erm.. sorry touchy subject

Originally Posted by CatsAreBetter

Erm, if you want to find really great deals on clothing look on ebay. I can generally get Ralph Lauren, and other high priced named brands off of ebay brand new with tags on it for under $10 in an auction. That's with shipping, usually. Sometimes it will run a little more, but you can often find auctions on "lots" of stuff for really good prices, and usually that stuff is high priced name brand.

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Oh if only I had the time! I need all of this by Sunday (they moved my arrival date up a day...) But totally agree there are some great deals to be had!

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

Edit to add: Can I just say now that I am so jealous? 1 that you work in your pjs and 2 that you work from home! I'm such a hermit.

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Originally Posted by Tarasgirl06

Me, too! And gosh, with cats like ours, who'd want to be anywhere else?

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Don't be too jealous. Ok, I admit for the most part it's great... but when loan officers start calling you at 5am and don't stop until midnight, you start to wonder if maybe working in an office isn't better after all But still, the dress code, coffee and 'coworkers' can't be beat!

Well, if you're 6', be glad -- everywhere in the media, one reads that even tall people -- male AND female -- are wearing heels and lifts to be even taller, because it increases their chances of promotion, respect, and success, and of course, most models are tall! and people in general seem to want to be tall. So I hope you view it as an asset, not a liability. As for clothes, there ARE shops that cater specifically to taller women, and I'm thinking that if you used your search engine and input "tall women's clothing" or something like that, you'd get a bunch of sources to choose from. But needing it by the weekend? Hmm. That's a taller order (no pun intended) and you may just have to go with the black pants, a shirt with a little looser fit/longer sleeves?, some plain shoes? and plain jewelry? They can't fault you for those...

Oy that sounds like a lot of work for clothes I'm never going to wear again.

Actually, I don't even know where I would shop in the town I'm going to. Hmm...

But ixnay on the blazers. I don't care what the dress code is, you will never, ever, in your entire lifetime, see me in a blazer. I *HATE* them. They're seriously uncomfortable and the makers of them don't seem to understand that 6' tall women are NOT built the same as your average 5'6"/5'7" woman! I have yet to find a blazer where I can actually lift my arms higher than 1 inch!

Erm.. sorry

touchy subject

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True, forgot the only wearing them once thing! I would think they wont mind all that much since you arent a normal in office employee! I'm sure they will be understanding! And I know how you feel, I'm barely 5'2" and I can NEVER find things to fit me its no fun and very frustrating!

Originally Posted by Tarasgirl06

Well, if you're 6', be glad -- everywhere in the media, one reads that even tall people -- male AND female -- are wearing heels and lifts to be even taller, because it increases their chances of promotion, respect, and success, and of course, most models are tall! and people in general seem to want to be tall. So I hope you view it as an asset, not a liability. As for clothes, there ARE shops that cater specifically to taller women, and I'm thinking that if you used your search engine and input "tall women's clothing" or something like that, you'd get a bunch of sources to choose from. But needing it by the weekend? Hmm. That's a taller order (no pun intended) and you may just have to go with the black pants, a shirt with a little looser fit/longer sleeves?, some plain shoes? and plain jewelry? They can't fault you for those...

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Well to be honest, I don't see it as an asset...but I don't see it as a liability either. It's just who I am.. I mean it just "is", ya know? Like, I didn't achieve it... it just happened. But I have fun with it. Much to DH's chagrin, I've been known to wear heels up to 4" He gets a little flustered when he goes to kiss me and *I* have to bend down (He's 5'8' ) I think the only time it ever bothered me was when my mother and sister were constantly asking me to get things off high shelves. I finally bought my mom a step stool!

There are a lot of tall womens stores out there... I think 'long tall sally' is still around. I just don't like that there aren't any brick and mortar stores, so I can't try on the clothes before I buy them. But I've done it. I've had much better luck now that stores have been putting out pants in Tall. I just wish they'd do the same with shirts

Originally Posted by capt_jordi

True, forgot the only wearing them once thing! I would think they wont mind all that much since you arent a normal in office employee! I'm sure they will be understanding! And I know how you feel, I'm barely 5'2" and I can NEVER find things to fit me

its no fun and very frustrating!

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Ugh... I know I'm on the other end of the spectrum... but I totally know what you mean. My mom is 5'2 and my sister is 5'... I see what they have to go through to find clothes. Its just as much of a pain for them as it is for me.

Well, one of my favorite songs is "Everybody is a Star" and it's not your height, it's the whole package PLUS what's inside that counts! But I hear ya both -- and it is good that manufacturers and designers are realizing DUH! that people come in all shapes and sizes and if they want to make money, they'd better get with the program! Best of luck in finding your perfect business cazh...

Originally Posted by MuttigreeMom

Well to be honest, I don't see it as an asset...but I don't see it as a liability either. It's just who I am.. I mean it just "is", ya know? Like, I didn't achieve it... it just happened. But I have fun with it. Much to DH's chagrin, I've been known to wear heels up to 4"

He gets a little flustered when he goes to kiss me and *I* have to bend down

(He's 5'8'

) I think the only time it ever bothered me was when my mother and sister were constantly asking me to get things off high shelves. I finally bought my mom a step stool!

There are a lot of tall womens stores out there... I think 'long tall sally' is still around. I just don't like that there aren't any brick and mortar stores, so I can't try on the clothes before I buy them. But I've done it. I've had much better luck now that stores have been putting out pants in Tall. I just wish they'd do the same with shirts

Ugh... I know I'm on the other end of the spectrum... but I totally know what you mean. My mom is 5'2 and my sister is 5'... I see what they have to go through to find clothes. Its just as much of a pain for them as it is for me.

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I'm 4'10"

Originally Posted by mybabyphx

I'm 4'10"

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My aunt and cousin would feel right at home in your company. They're around 4'9" and 4'10"

Well, business casual at our office is generally anything from khakis to dressier slacks, and some people even go as far as to wear suits, or dresses/skirts, etc.

I'd probably get one or two pairs of khakis, a few "dress" t-shirts or jerseys, and then if you have anything like a shawl, or a summery sweater that you can wear over them, I'd just wear something basic and washable for the foundation and add/change/update the shirts daily. Wash and wear the pants for however many days you need to be there.