DEAR Mattie:
What should I wear in the office? Seeking new styles in Edgemont
Dear Edgemont:
This is a great season for office wear. Styles have a professional look and a sophisticated feel for all the women with interesting and demanding lives.
The biggest buzz in fashion this season is in Mad Men styling. For those of us (including me) who have never seen the TV show, that means a conservative and masculine sense of tailoring.
The best news is that even though tailoring is so important this season, sculpted volume is the new silhouette. Although these two words might sound like they contradict each other, this is where the flexibility of fashion lies. Almost everything will be tailored this season, with the allowance of flow.
Fashion will not be constricting, because it is shaped - shaped to look good on everyone.
When looking at your finished outfit, it should have an hourglass shape, almost like the shape can stand on its own once you step out of it. That means your suit should not be tight. It should be tailored and loose enough to move around in, but not a size too big.
Although suits can be considered masculine with pinstripes, checks, and tweeds, they are not. The shape of the tailoring is ladylike. The traditional black and white of these men's patterns is open to colours.
Ladies can add a personal and feminine touch to their outfit. The fabrics are also lighter in weight so that they can drape and not be tight.
The overall look of the suit should match, mostly in tone. Although many ladies don't want to buy a perfectly matching traditional suit, there are enough pieces to get around this. If most of your pieces are black, grey and white, you will still achieve a suit look.
There is a lot of variety in bottoms this season. Pants are narrow or wide through the leg. Skirts are long or short, full or pencil cut. Pants and skirts are gentle around the waist with soft pleats, so that they are curved and nipped.
Although pants and skirts might sound a little boring this season, they are not. They are tailored and will look good on you.
The blouse is how you will soften the look of the suit. The variety of blouses is endless. Look for volume in the sleeve, a pretty, soft, Peter Pan collar and a tailored torso. White and vertical stripes are always popular. Also this season, there are many bold and graphic patterns to choose from.
Most of the bold styling this season is found in the blazer. You will find simple single-breasted blazers and cardigans, with and without patterns. But, if you really want to have some fun with fashion, it will be in the blazer. There are military and band-like boxy styling with shorter collars, pockets with lapels, shiny buttons and leather belts. There is also the traditional blazer cut with so many seams it looks like a corset.
Once you get your business suit together, don't forget to inject some colour and personal style.
After all, all work and no play makes the day a little dull.
Adieu, Mattie
Mattie à la Mode is a monthly fashion advice column. Mattie is a freelance writer and fashion expert. She can be reached via email: [email protected] or visit her blog mattiealamode.com.
