Working in NYC- Shoes, pants, a few Fashion Qs archived

conandrob240

Sep 20, 2014 at 1:07pm

Had this in the other shoe thread but figured I'd pull it out here because I am still struggling with this.

Starting a new job in a few days in NYC. Haven't worked in NYC in over a decade. Last job was in "country" NJ and let's just say dress and shoes and style was reflective of that. I pretty much lived in a few pairs of pants and assorted turtle necks that just won't cut it. I just bought 3 Calvin Klein suits - basic "modern" fit. I assume since they are sold and look somewhat hip and trendy, suits are okay? I also need new shoes. I don't mind heels and will wear them when in the office but won't want to commute in them. Is it okay to wear flip flops, boots or sneakers and change into heels in the office (or is that too 90s- LOL)?

I'll be doing a lot of facilitation and training and will be on my feet a lot. I can do the heels for a typical office day or mostly sitting but not stand up so I'll do some flats (or some of the others recommended on the shoe thread). However, I have my suit pants tailored so they break at mid heel when wearing high heels. How do you deal with pant length if you try to wear flats or much lower heels with the same suits? Or for that matter the travel sneakers? Won't my pants drag on the ground?

Thanks!

PeggyC

Sep 20, 2014 at 1:45pm

What do other people on your level wear in your new company? NYC wardrobes run the gamut... it all depends on the company and its culture, IMO.

As for the pants, maybe a wedge shoe would give you more comfort without letting your pants drag on the floor.

nyctowood

Sep 20, 2014 at 1:49pm

I travel in flats or casual shoes. I find that what you wear (clothes and shoes) depends GREATLY on your industry. I own and wear a couple of suits, but more often find myself in dresses with jackets or pants with patterned jackets. I tend to have pants that are altered for heels and then pants that are altered for pants. I haven't otherwise found a solution (other than to have them somewhere in the middle and to not be right for either).

j_r

Sep 20, 2014 at 1:55pm

Men and women who work in business attire (fewer and fewer these days, but I work in midtown) do not commute in flip-flops. Otherwise, shoes are an office-culture variable. I frequently see women in nice-looking commuting flats (not sneakers), but typically with skirts or dresses.

PeggyC

Sep 20, 2014 at 1:58pm

FWIW, I haven't seen women commuting in sneakers in more than a decade, but now there are so many low-heeled, comfortable shoes available that there are plenty of options.

conandrob240

Sep 20, 2014 at 4:04pm

Okay, if I go with commuting flats, what about pants tailored to heels? How do you keep then from dragging and getting torn or filthy? I am not a dress or skirt person at all.

boomie

Sep 20, 2014 at 4:15pm

I can't help. I haven't worn pants in 5 years at least.

j_r

Sep 20, 2014 at 4:36pm

When I wear pants they suit shoes I can walk in, because I walk a lot and hate falling into subway grates. In theory you could use magnetic cuff clips and cuff your suit trousers, but I haven't seen them in the wild, and don't think they would be very attractive.

conandrob240

Sep 20, 2014 at 4:43pm

I am already super nervous and doubting this job choice ( and myself). Not being able to solve basic wardrobe issues is freaking me out!

j_r

Sep 20, 2014 at 5:14pm

It's hard to know your office before you get there! Overdress the first day and figure it out from there.

PetuniaBird

Sep 21, 2014 at 12:48am

I wear a commuter shoe like this when I want to wear pants:

http://www.shoebuy.com/aerosoles-final-exam/6945/1019991

For shoe shopping, check out the big DSW across the street from Penn Station.

annemarie

Sep 21, 2014 at 1:17am

PeggyC said:
FWIW, I haven't seen women commuting in sneakers in more than a decade, but now there are so many low-heeled, comfortable shoes available that there are plenty of options.

I still see women commuting in sneakers and suits at Penn (mostly in the LIRR wing...zing!) and "She works hard for the money" always runs through my head.

Now turtlenecks? Definitely haven't seen those in a couple of decades.

new207040

Sep 21, 2014 at 1:43am

buy dresses vs pant suits in the winter pair with cute tights and leggings, wham no pant hem issues amd you "may" fit in vs looking like a hillary clinton wannabe

PeggyC

Sep 21, 2014 at 1:48am

New207040, she's already said she doesn't like wearing skirts/dresses. There's no point trying to change that, and the Hillary comment was unnecessarily unkind.

Conandrob, what about a pair of commuting shoes that have some heel but aren't very high or spiky?? The pair PetuniaBird showed would lift your hems out of the muck, look classier than sneakers, and probably not hurt your feet much.

I have a close friend who is a VP of HR for a major corporation, and she likes to commute in clogs. And the company is VERY fashion-conscious. I think perhaps you are worrying too much. After all, you can change into your "good" shoes before you leave the train station so no one at work even sees whatever you are commuting in.

joan_crystal

Sep 21, 2014 at 1:56am

If you will be on your feet a lot, ditch the high heels, wear shoes you can move in, and take up the hems of the pants you will be wearing to work. No need for a commuting pair of shoes and no worries about tripping on your dragging pants legs.

PeggyC

Sep 21, 2014 at 2:09am

Would these help as commuting shoes (assuming you aren't ready to give up fashion and go for comfortable flats, and it took me quite awhile to get there):

http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/35252W/87665/Womens/Veranda?dimensions=0

conandrob240

Sep 21, 2014 at 2:42am Edited

I am less worried about the commuting shoe and will probably just stick with my converse or uggs but I am concerned about the pants dragging along. The suggestions for a commuting clog or shoe with a bit of a heel might work although if they are uncomfortable sort of defeats the whole purpose. But, yes, plan is to change before getting into the office anyway so I may be worrying too much. I will definitely wears heels in the office.

I don't like dresses. Perhaps if I lose weight, I'd like them more. I don't think what I bought looks anything like what I see on Hillary Clinton but thanks for making me feel even more freaked out.

conandrob240

Sep 21, 2014 at 2:47am Edited

And, really, on the turtlenecks? They sell them every year in the Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, L&T- form fitting in various colors in cotton or cashmere. These are not in style? Probably going to kick new wardrobe up a notch and not include or wear often but why would they sell them every season everywhere if they are out of style?

boomie

Sep 21, 2014 at 2:50am Edited

I never see them anywhere. Calm down ! This is so not about your wardrobe. Get through the first week and you will know better. Bit no flip flops please! Good luck.

conandrob240

Sep 21, 2014 at 3:01am

For reference, this is sort of like what I bought in black, lighter grey and dark grey.

KarenMarlowe

Sep 21, 2014 at 3:06am

If you are not too hippy, that would be great. You should consider having them tailored In the hips to fit you perfectly. Also, don't be afraid to pair the pants with a sweater or the jacket with another pair of pants. Depending on the office culture, you do not need to wear the whole suit every day.

conandrob240

Sep 21, 2014 at 3:38am

Right. That's my plan. Mixing & matching the pieces many days. Full suit when with a conservative client. Not hippy at all (just fuller than I should be everywhere but at least it's evenly distributed ! My biggest issue especially with dresses is my bust. 38 DD so that's why suits work better. I can buy the 14 or 16 in the jacket and the 10 or 12 in the pants. Thanks

boomie

Sep 21, 2014 at 3:40am Edited

Dresses and jackets are my daily look. I have similar proportions as you. Easy moving materials that hug and flow at the right spots.

KarenMarlowe

Sep 21, 2014 at 4:04am

conandrob240 said:
Right. That's my plan. Mixing & matching the pieces many days. Full suit when with a conservative client. Not hippy at all (just fuller than I should be everywhere but at least it's evenly distributed ! My biggest issue especially with dresses is my bust. 38 DD so that's why suits work better. I can buy the 14 or 16 in the jacket and the 10 or 12 in the pants. Thanks

Have you received the suits? How's the bust situation? "Lock and load" is best for busty women, so a jacket with three buttons is better, but as long as you are, uh, contained in the jacket, you'll be fine.

gerryl

Sep 21, 2014 at 4:30am

I know this sounds crazy, but I had a friend who taped up her hems with duck tape. I would use it sparingly to anchor the bottom in 4 spots and see if this would hold. It might not work, but if you tested it out for a few hours at home and it worked, it might get you over first day jitters. I'd also make sure the sticky side was only on the inside of fabric, in case it left any residue.

HoBoTransplant

Sep 21, 2014 at 5:01am

YES to commuter shoes and switching at the office. As far as style goes, it's NY...so anything goes, depending of course on your industry. Sounds like you have a good 'base' and you can funk it up with jewelry/accessories. Good luck at your new job.

mammabear

Sep 21, 2014 at 6:18am

I'm a dress/skirt person as well. I wear them with heels or boots. Sometimes I pair with a jacket or more structured sweater thingy. No to suits. Sorry, but they are mostly a thing of the past. Not many people wear them any longer. Yes to pants with pretty tops/sweaters. And add fun jewelry. And good belts!

muppet

Sep 21, 2014 at 7:36am

I think it really does depend on the industry and the particular situation (meetings, etc.). I mostly work from home but every few weeks I meet with Boards of Directors who are conservatively dressed people. Every man will be in a suit and tie (some even wear bow ties). I can "get away" with the dress/jacket look with a few of them but for others I wear suits. I have some nicely cut, flattering suits that I pair with slightly funkier heels and/or jewelry. I'm very petite and the suit keeps me from looking like a little girl, which can sometimes be a problem for me in dress or even in a skirt.

PeggyC

Sep 21, 2014 at 7:52am

I agree that it's all about the industry, and to some extent the specific company.

Regarding the shoes and pant hemlines, I used to have my dress pants tailored to fit while I was wearing flats. For some reason, I didn't really mind wearing heels with pants that were not falling extremely long. As long as the back of my heel was covered and the pant leg touched my foot, I was fine. I hated having to figure out which pairs of shoes I was able to wear with which pairs of pants. Total PITA in the morning.