I still have so many things to say about England, but also other things are happening: my supervisor is putting me at the library check-out desk one day a week, and that is a role for which is it more difficult to justify my cargo shorts and graphic t-shirts and Converse sneakers. Not impossible (we are a casual workplace), but more difficult. Also: supportive shoes are important, because I find standing still MUCH more physically difficult than the constant motion of shelving.
My friend J already recommended this POCKETED skort, which she was wearing at the time and in which she looked SMOKING (PROFESSIONAL/COMFY-STYLE SMOKE) (ALSO REGULAR SMOKE) in:
(image from Amazon.com)
I am definitely buying at least one, when I can decide on a pattern. My idea is that I will wear it with my usual graphic t-shirts, so maybe I should get it in plain navy or black—but I am more drawn to the patterns.
And then I am thinking I need shoes. Maybe I do not need shoes! Maybe a skirt + a graphic tee + Converse is good! But I think I would feel comfier in a nice supportive mary jane shoe, or else something pseudo-dressy like GLITTER sneakers. Or GLITTER MARY JANES. Let me know if you have seen such a thing. Should I wear them with knee socks? Maybe fun knee socks! COMPRESSION knee socks, for the aging calves in need of support! I could wear the ones I bought for the flight to England and never used!
I think what I am looking for is a very-slightly-dressier version of my normal everyday clothes, but still conforming to my resolution from a few years ago to buy clothes that are More Fun: Converse in colors/patterns, and all the fun graphic tees that are the equivalent of what you can buy in the girls 4-16 section, but in my size. (Annoyingly, most of those links will default to men’s/black, even though I selected women’s/color; the ones that DON’T default are the ones that are NOT AVAILABLE in men’s/black. I have the tulip shirt in GREEN, I have the rose shirt and the flamingo shirt in PINK, I have the Hello Sunshine shirt in YELLOW, I have the butterfly shirt and the rainbow shirt in BABY BLUE, I have the wildflower shirt and the Hot Disney Robin Hood Fox shirt and the autumn leaves shirt in OLIVE, etc.)
(image from Amazon.com)
So, like, maybe a stretchy skirt with pockets, and a graphic t-shirt, and stripey knee socks, and supportive glitter mary-janes? Okay, fine: plain black mary-janes, to keep it professional—maybe these or these, since I already know Skechers fit me well. Or/and maybe this is my moment to try a big poufy/swirl skirt? If you have seen things that seem like they’d fall into this category (ESPECIALLY supportive-but-fun shoes and comfortable-skirts-with-pockets), please point me in that direction!
I’m a third grade teacher in MN. I basically have a uniform. September to Oct. 5 or so: capris and a t-shirt from Kohls. Tennis shoes. October-April – pants or jeans and sweaters. April 15- May: me thinking I need new t-shirts, so going back to Kohl’s shirts and capris. Summer-shorts and t-shirts. But, I am not a fashion icon.
I just got orthotics (covered under my insurance) and it was a game changer- all shoes are now comfy shoes.
I work in a business casual setting, and I feel like since Covid, tidy sneakers are totally acceptable. I don’t know how to explain what I mean by tidy sneakers, but examples are slip on vans that are a single color or plain white sneakers with a thin sole. Pre-Covid, I had to wear flats or heels, but I feel like the world got used to comfortable feet and now life is better (at least in that one narrow category!).
I was about to suggest those sketcher’s mary janes with the two straps!! I was a substitute teacher for two years and lived in those, they are sneaker-like enough for being on your feet but dressy enough for a dress-casual look! I had them in brown but I think over the years they had other fun colors, though when I looked I only found the black ones like you linked.
Skirt + sneakers can be further dressed up with tights, and snag tights has a WIDE range of sizes and some great funky tights… bright colors, patterns, some have glitter.
My work place’s “office casual” dress code has absolutely unofficially slipped since covid and clean sneakers would absolutely pass muster, especially if paired with skirts/dresses, slacks, or non-denim capri pants. Although I wear denim capri pants/jeans and sneakers… I’m tucked away out of sight, though.
A cardigan, blazer, or otherwise “dressy”/”professional” jacket can pull a t-shirt outfit together and make it look more professional. I’ve worn skirts, graphic t-shirts, tights, sneakers, and a cardigan and gotten compliments.
what about Mary Jane doc Martens? I always loved the look. Plus they go with just about anything and you can dress them up or down.
I sort of remember that you have not made the leap to tucking shirts in (which is admittedly hard to do when it was so deeply uncool for so long), but if you are open to it, I have this skirt and really like it.
https://images.app.goo.gl/wuJn7Xe5je9ZbBM17
I also wonder if you might be able to get slightly dressier but still fun tees with a repeating pattern instead of one big image on the front…but I am struggling to find examples.
Like this: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=710368#pdp-page-content
Except I started out thinking this was very trendy and no doubt it would be possible to find shirts with hedgehogs and foxes and owls. But it is harder than I expected. And I am not sure pineapples are fun enough.
Would something like this bird shirt feel cute with jeans when it gets cooler? https://a.co/d/2Edgy1s
The linen pull on pants at Universal Standard* are SO COMFORTABLE and yet somehow polished? And I can fit a Can of seltzer (or more likely a lot of toy trucks) in the pockets, no issues. They have a lovely red, bottle green, and gold — and they WERE just on sale but I don’t know if they still are.
*they do a thing where “medium” is the average medium for US women so check the size chart before ordering.
Ah they are still on sale but also almost sold out.
https://www.universalstandard.com/products/iris-linen-easy-pull-on-pants-anemone
I love this!!! My uniform in the winter was jeans (mustard, leopard, burgundy) with a fandom sweatshirt (Dragonfly Inn from Gilmore Girls or Rose Apothecary from Schitt’s Creek). I love the idea of having a fun wardrobe!
apologies if this is a stupid question, but can you not sit at the checkout desk?
Have you considered cardigans? I have a bright yellow one that I keep in my work bag, and I’m always a little surprised by how cute I feel whenever I put it on. (I also work in a library, in an old building with a thermostat that doesn’t quite work right, so I like to bring an extra layer I can put on or remove as needed.) Plus, there’s something about a cardigan that feels like the right aesthetic for a library.
Most of my work shirts are t-shirts with the name/logo of the university I work for—not because there’s a dress code, but because most of my other graphic tees have political slogans on them and I don’t feel great about wearing that kind of thing to work. I’ll have to check out some of the options you linked!
I love jean skirts as a dressier alternative to cargo shorts. And then converse sneakers would look good with a jean skirt too. I don’t really buy clothes online because I have trouble finding the right fit that way, but I usually pick up one or two new jean skirts a year from Burlington or TJ Maxx. I like the straight ones with a little stretch that come to my knees.
I recommend Xero Shoe’s Cassie Hemp shoe. It’s a mary jane style that has lots of room in the toe box. I have it in purple and it’s the most comfortable shoe I own. It also comes in blue, red, and black. It can be dressed up or down, but sadly has no glitter! https://xeroshoes.com/shop/shoes/cassie/
Are you familiar with Stitch Fix? I’ve been using the service for about a year and love it. I needed some smart casual clothes, something landing between the professional clothes and lounge around the house leggings I had. I needed stuff that wasn’t black-upon-black. The company has you thumbs up/down a few pictures of clothing then sends you options they think you will like. It has helped me update/freshen my wardrobe. Plus I love not thinking about it. I find clothes shopping to be a time consuming and not enjoyable chore and I love feeling like I am “staffing out” that task. It seems low cost to me because I have always liked one of the items they send me so the $20 styling fee gets credited towards the purchase.
I love those Skechers with the two thin straps. I had a pair that were sort of copper/bronze back in 2007-8 and wore them every day. So comfy. I have trouble wearing flats so the mary jane part helps the shoe stay on my feet. Also: cute!
How do you feel about dresses? With pockets, of course. I was a hard no on dresses until I gained a ton of weight, now they are my best friend for camoflaging troublesome areas and keeping things breezy and not a sweaty mess when it’s hot. Old Navy was my gateway, though ON needs more options with real actual sleeves and the shorter dresses I need to wear with leggings or I’m flashing the room.
For reference, I’m short with big feet and look like a hobbit in capris. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I am theoretically a huge fan of dresses, but have trouble finding ones that don’t look Too Dressy; also, they MUST have sleeves and pockets. It’s discouraging. I would be very keen to hear recommendations!
I just realized Old Navy has a dress section called Dresses With Pockets. !!!
I have this (blue) one in my cart:: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=7984610120004&vid=1#pdp-page-content
I personally don’t mind ON smocking but it can be a little binding/itchy if I am having A Moment where I hate everything.
I wear LOFT stuff for work (or I used to before WFH = slovenly pj pants 24/7):
https://www.loft.com/lou-grey/lou-grey-dresses-jumpsuits/cat1970014/grp_591856_2222.html?dwvar_591856_color=2222&pid=591856
This dress makes my heart go pitter-patt but it’s too short for me and not actually as TEAL as advertised, per reviews:
https://www.loft.com/clothing/dresses/catl000013/614003.html?priceSort=DES
I also sometimes have good luck at the nordstrom rack website since it’s like virtually shopping at TJMAXX. I filter by cheapness!
Hope the links didn’t go bananas.
These aren’t converse and I’m pretty sure I found out about spring step shoes here (?) but the ones I have are so comfy and pretty and flower-y. It might be because they are teal.
https://www.springstepshoes.com/collections/spring-summer-2023-collection/products/flowerflow-shoe?variant=40582135906364
https://www.springstepshoes.com/products/kenyetta-shoe?pr_prod_strat=use_description&pr_rec_id=11a1a181f&pr_rec_pid=4431154577468&pr_ref_pid=7108148297788&pr_seq=uniform
If you like clogs, they have clogs!
http://Www.svahausa.com. Pockets. They go on sale if you get on the email list you’ll know. Or if you use facebook and search them just once from anywhere in the world, you’ll get ads. Their clearance prices right now make you go, “I do not think you understand the term ‘clearance’.” But then they’ll send out a “extra 50/80% off clearance” code and I get the leggings for between $8 and $15 is what I’m saying.
My daughter and I like the leggings (POCKETS). I like the dact that they’re not all plastic (though some are but I think the dresses/skirts are cotton). Fun prints.
I am a big fan of Princess Awesome’s dresses. Fun prints that would be right at home in a library AND most of the dresses have pockets.
I have not taken the plunge yet, but a friend suggested Svaha as well, for more science-themed comfy dresses with pockets. I desperately want the glow-in-the-dark constellation dress.
Oh these all look like very much my thing
I am mainly a dress wearer because the older I get, the more I seem to struggle with bloating and the less I want restrictive waistlines, especially if I’m sitting at a desk.
In the last few months I’ve gone from working entirely from home and mostly interacting via email (hello running leggings and sweat pants!) to being in a very corporate office in London 2 days a a week, and having loads more video calls when I’m wfh.
The corporate office is surprisingly casual – lots of jeans, micro mini skirts, leggings etc, although I would say the main vibe would be dark jeans and a polo for men and kind of the casual end of business casual for women?
I’m dealing with it mostly with midi dresses and white trainers (mine are Superga) and planning on switching to Chelsea boots and tights when the weather turns. But I also wear midi skirts with a tee or blouse tucked in, and I’ve been branching out into wide leg cropped jeans with a blouse.
I wonder if you’d like the wide leg cropped vibe? I buy ones with a fair bit of stretch due to the whole waist-restriction-hatred, so they’re very comfy and they look pretty good with ankle socks and trainers.
I am totally in love with my knit cotton (like t-shirt material) dresses I get from Eshakti. They are super comfortable, can be dressed up or down, and HAVE LARGE POCKETS.
How large are the pockets, you ask? I can fit a whole paperback AND my phone in a pocket.
You can customize the sleeves, neck, and length. You can send them your measurements and they’ll make it so it ACTUALLY FITS.
I have several versions of this one. https://www.eshakti.com/shop/Dresses/Cotton-knit-fit-and-flare-dress-CL0064114?view_source=regular&index=11
They also have them with fun embroidered flowers and birds.
I wear them with sneakily athletic ballet flats or with secretly supportive sandals. And no one can tell I’m super comfortable all the time.
OOOH! Butterflies! https://www.eshakti.com/shop/Dresses?fabric=cotton%20jersey%20knit&sort=Topsellers
Commenting to back up the idea that maybe you do not need shoes! Converse would work with a skirt! I feel like it is standard city uniform now to wear skirt + sneakers. In winter people even do skirt + opaque tights + sneakers (lots of Stan Smiths or Superga here). It looks perfect and lets you walk for miles. I’ve noticed another odd trend this summer in Paris (which I don’t think I fully support, but backs up the idea that a variety of footwear can work with a summer skirt), which is cowboy boots with shorts or a skirt and bare legs. I would have way too hot feet in that scenario, but apparently it is on trend! I’ll be in the US in August and will investigate if people are doing the same over there.
Brooks makes the cutest and most comfortable pattern sneakers. Brooks are famous for their cushion. They’re patterns and fairly new and so cute. I have a black leopard and a rainbow graphic that I get compliments on daily (link below) My daughter has had a series of purple swirls and now a magenta animal print. You can find them for better prices than the link.
Search Fun Brooks sneakers and you will see flowers, rainbows, graffiti, and other happy patterns. I worried about having sneakers that clash with my outfit and so far I find the opposite – pattern sneakers go with everything.
https://images.dsw.com/is/image/DSWShoes/559523_074_ss_01?impolicy=qlt-medium-high&imwidth=450&imdensity=2
I HAVE THOSE LISA CONGDON BROOKS!! We are sneaker twins!!
Then why are you looking to wear anything else? They are the best!!
Re:shoes. Have you looked at Allbirds; also Dansko clogs? I think they both have better support than Converse. Allbirds can look dressier. The clogs are nerdy but are unexpectedly comfortable for being on feet for long hours indoors. Not sure how they would work with bad knees.
The Ann Arbor T-Shirt company on Amazon (one of their “small businesses”) has nice t-shirts and a lot of fun designs. Some edgy, some just pretty. Women’s sizing is for regular people, not miniatures.
I am afraid of being too free with other people’s money, like some jackass who says “Oh, we simply hired a driver for two weeks, and it was a bajillion dollars but worth it!” HOW NICE FOR YOU, but I am a huge fan of Ecco’s sneakers, which are the my main footwear for work:
https://us.ecco.com/ecco-womens-street-lite-retro-sneaker-212803.html?dwvar_212803_color=60368
I am prone to plantar fasciitis, and Ecco sneakers are my first line of defense.
My library work uniform is jeans, Birkenstocks, and graphic tees (many of which are book related). I like to think I’ll wear other things, but I don’t. Sometimes I wear sneakers. Sometimes I wear overalls.
I haven’t seen http://www.outofprint.com mentioned. Their stuff so fun. I gave our librarians the check out card socks one year.