What to Wear to Work in Plus Size
Now that we no longer have to wear suits to the office (yay!) we have to navigate all the nuances of office appropriate clothing - which can be a lot. As a rule of thumb, plus size women should aim to dress just a little more nicely than our thinner colleagues. It's super unfair, but we're not going to change that today. We're just trying to build a work wardrobe.
When I talk about dressing nicely, I don't just mean formality, though that can be a factor. Well made casual clothing looks better than cheaply made business suits. You want clothes that look expensive.
Vikki Vi Classics are so popular because they look like they cost more than they do, and they keep their good looks over time. As long as you care for them properly (don't hang them on hangers, and don't put them in the dryer), they'll keep their good looks for years. The fabrics we use don't fade, pill, or sag. They also drape beautifully without clinging anywhere, so you look really well put together.
What to Wear to Work in Plus Size
Wearing Vikki Vi Classics in a variety of combinations will get you an amazing work wardrobe. Classics mix and match each other, as well as pieces from other brands. Let's talk about the different formulas you can use to create your work outfits.
How do you feel about Jackets?
I'm talking about fashion jackets like Blazers, Kimono Jackets, and even 3/4 Sleeve Cardigans. Their main job is to tie an outfit together. We have a lot of sleeveless dresses and shells that go with these sort of jackets. The lack of sleeves means that you won't have the bulk of 2 sets of sleeves when you wear a jacket.
Bare arms tend not to be office appropriate, so your jacket preference determines which tops you'll want to wear. Of course, you can wear a jacket over a Short Sleeve Tunic or 3/4 Sleeve Top, but you probably don't want to wear just a sleeveless shell on its own.
Work Outfits Without Jackets
For this sort of outfit, you need a top and a bottom. (Unless you're wearing a V Neck Pocket Dress or my personal favorite style, the T-Shirt Style Dress). Our most popular pants are our Pull On Pants. They have a comfortable, relaxed fit. You may prefer Slim Leg Pants or Wide Leg Pants, or you may want to mix it up. Our Maxi Skirts are also a good option here.
As for the tops, Short Sleeve Tunics and 3/4 Sleeve Tops are solid options. These are the sorts of shirts that when you find them, you snap them up in several colors. Since they don't fade or pill, you won't need to replace them every year but you'll probably want to add a few colors and prints here and there.
Work Outfits With Jackets
Think of these as suits, but sort of not. To make these outfits, you're going to go with the same pants or skirts you'd wear without a jacket. Your top will be a Sleeveless Shell, and your jacket will be a Kimono Jacket, 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan, or Blazer.
With this approach, you can match the pants and jacket to make a suit. A matching shell is a nice look, but a one in a contrasting or complimentary color also looks great. Somehow it's just a lot easier to wear brightly colored pants with a matching jacket. Shells and jackets are also great ways to bring prints and bold colors into your work wardrobe.
Why Bright Colors and Prints are Great Workwear
The thing about prints and bold colors is that a lot of people find them intimidating. So when you wear them, you project an air of confidence because you know how to wear them. (Pro tip - when we bring in a new print, we tend to also have a couple of solid shades that work well with those specific prints.)
In the workplace, you want to dress to look smart. Dressing to look slimmer isn't the goal, especially because it doesn't really work. Outfits that make you come across as poised and intelligent can be great for your career.