View Full Version : Pantsuits. (Falling victim to what you want to wear, but are too afraid to).
I was going to lump this topic in with my old thread topic, Pants (slacks), jeans, or dresses? (Woman's topic), but though a new, separate/specific thread topic would be more on order.
Let's talk pantsuits.
Can you pull-off a pantsuit? Pull-off, as in, wear a pantsuit with confidence? I tend to allow my shape/figure to get in the way of what I wear, pantsuits being one of them. I'm bigger bottomed and wider at the hips than average, and pantsuits just accentuate those two sections/areas of me.
I own two really nice pantsuits and now that fall has arrived, I'd really like to start wearing them, but.......
Do any of you allow yourselves to fall victim to your figures and what you wear? Or do you just say- "the heck with it, I'm shaped the way I am and I'm going to wear whatever I want?
I do not wear pantsuits per se. I do wear slacks and jackets, but they're kind of mix and match, not purchased together, if you get my drift. I wear pants, cardigans and tank tops too. Or occasionally a skirt, top and cardigan or jacket.
The key I think, is finding a silhouette that balances your shape. If you are bigger bottomed, find a jacket that nips in at the waist (the smallest part of you) and then then sort of flairs out at the bottom, and creating an hourglass shape. I would stay away from anything boxy.
I like pantsuits. I always know what goes with what and there you are. I am a nice juicy apple, so elastic is my friend and I don't care (as much) how I look since I am a Granny now.
OH, btw, if any of you read this please keep my daughter in your prayers/thoughts. She is 7 mo. pregnant and is on her way to the labor and delivery now with sever stomach pain. She told me to stay and wait for a call and it is killing me!!!!!
IshbelRobertson
10-28-11, 5:17am
I wear trouser suits (pants always makes me think 'jacket and knickers?!'). I have always worked in a fairly formal setting. I don't think I'd wear them if I was bigger, though.
I think the trick is finding a flattering version of what we like. A pants suit can be flattering on a pear shape, but probably the trousers need to be boot cut to visually balance the hips and the jacket longer with some structure at the waist to give some shape.
I wear what I like, but try to find a version that suits my body.
goldensmom
10-28-11, 6:52am
No pantsuits but I do wear slacks and blazers/cardigans. I wore a lot of skirted suits when I was employed. I never really thought to consider how they looked on me (either the slacks/blazers or suited skirts). Must not look too bad or I'm sure someone would tell me.
KayLRZ. I'm not a pantsuit type woman (for the most part), but lately I've been really enjoying dressing up (extra) when going out. (A sure sign that my days of being tied to home with damp-bottomed babies is behind me). :laff:
I'm a dress pants type, no doubt about it, but was thinking the pantsuit thing would help switch things up a bit. Change is good. Thanks for the advice.
Sissy. I laughed when I read how elastic is your friend! I never thought I'd be saying this (ever), but the older I get, the more I love all things elastic. Elastic waistband slacks included! P.S. Prayers and well wishes you and your daughters way.
Ishbel. I cherish the day (if it ever happens) where I get to visit the UK. The language/word differences will be a hoot!
Acorn. Excellent point Re: fuller pant bottoms. I wish I could find my impervious and confident side more so.
Goldensmom. You've touched on an important issue, acceptance. Acceptance as in who we are and how we are. I'm "there" is many ways, but still have a little work to do to complete the journey.
Thanks, Mrs. M. DD is ok. The Dr thinks that she had a stomach virus and she was dehydrated and really hurting. But they were giving her fluids and then letting her go. Other DD and I ran on over to check. I think she was terrified because this is her first and she has had problems throughout the pregnancy. Only 6 more weeks to go.
What a relief this news is, Sissy. I was worried/concerned.
iris lily
10-28-11, 11:09am
Are pants suits even in fashion right now? Other than really nice high end ones that look like suits, I don't think so. But I am not a fashion queen so don't go by what I say.
So many people wear separates, I don't even know who wears dresses any more.
I devour the teevee show Project Runway and I always wonder who will buy all of those little c o c ktail dresses put out by those designer wannabes. No one, I think.
JaneV2.0
10-28-11, 11:54am
Not the best crop of designers this cycle, I have to say. I liked Bert, no matter how conservative his creations were. And the winner was clearly a foregone conclusion.
Re pantsuits, I'm such an unmade bed I probably couldn't carry one off, but I have no need to dress like an adult anyway. If I tried, I'd want it to be one of the high-end kind Iris Lily mentions--thrifted or bought at deep discount at TJ Maxx...
pinkytoe
10-28-11, 12:12pm
Do I wear what I want? Mostly though I do cave for work clothes a bit. I am a mix and match, separates kind of person. I think I should buy a "suit" but to be truthful, have yet to have the need to wear one as I live in a casual, anything goes city. Dressing up is for all the newbies from the East coast moving to town. Finding a perfect fitting pair of black pants is my enduring dilemma as they are often the bottom half of my standard fare at work.
Iris Lily. I look at pantsuits as being one of those dressy staples that never really goes out of fashion. Mind you, I've never been one to keep up with fashion with any seriousness, but mix and match is my preferred choice when it comes to dressing up.
Originally posted by JaneV2.0.
I have no need to dress like an adultROTFLMAO! This brought the cheesiest smile to my face! I must confess, after so many years of being tied down to diapers, bottles, and bibs, I love dressing like an adult these days! It's a chance for me to shine again and shed my old mommy attire.
Pinkytoe. Me too, mix and match (separates). Furnish me with a pair of quality, classy black slacks, and I'll have everything I need! The rest comes so naturally and easily...
I think I have a skirt suit around here somewhere. And pearls! So if I ever do have to impersonate an adult, I'm ready. I'll be recognizable by my black suede Crocs.
JaneV2.0. But it will be the pearls that sets you apart! :laff: Additionally, you could add in one of those eye-glasses chains that hangs way down your front like the old school librarians I remember used to wear. You know, the ones that were about 3' long. hahahahaha!!!
iris lily
10-29-11, 9:30am
Not the best crop of designers this cycle, I have to say. I liked Bert, no matter how conservative his creations were. And the winner was clearly a foregone conclusion.
Re pantsuits, I'm such an unmade bed I probably couldn't carry one off, but I have no need to dress like an adult anyway. If I tried, I'd want it to be one of the high-end kind Iris Lily mentions--thrifted or bought at deep discount at TJ Maxx...
oh I am way behind you on Project Runway, I watch it on dvd since we don't have Cable TV. I just finished Season 7.
Zoe Girl
10-29-11, 10:48am
I have a nice one that I really like for interviews and things like that. It is dark dark blue and pinstriped. A classy white shirt and some heels or my heeled boots and I am comfortable and professional.
However I work with kids so this week I got to wear the full ren fair costume I made one day, my cowgirl witch outfit another day (red and black cowgirl boots, black knit dress with tights and a giant witch hat), then a sweater with all the halloween stuff on it yesterday. I can pull off some crazy stuff in the spirit of working with kids, it is very good.
Zoe Girl. I have a dark blue one too, as well as a dark olive coloured one. (Dark olive coloured one my fave). I just about bit at a white one a year or so ago, but after closing my eyes for a moment and pondering it's dirt and grime collecting qualities, I passed. Would be such a fussy outfit to take care of, not to mention, one would have to be so particular when wearing it.
P.S. Your Halloween outfit sounds fun! :)
ApatheticNoMore
10-30-11, 12:40am
Are pantsuits just a suit that has pants rather than a skirt? That's what I wear to interviews, but for actual work the dress code is less formal (usually don't wear a jacket mostly).
You've touched on an important issue, acceptance. Acceptance as in who we are and how we are. I'm "there" is many ways, but still have a little work to do to complete the journey.
People pick on themselves about their weight but it seems to me it really doesn't stop them from gaining even more weight (not aimed at anyone on this forum of course, I don't even know how you people look :) More about people I've met).
Maybe people with just a few extra pounds should just be PROUD instead that living in the culture they do (with everything from corn subsidies to high stress, high pressured lifestyles encouraging weight gain) they have managed to avoid obesity because it really is a culture that encourages it. And that is probably partly due to whatever good health habits they already have.
Originally posted by ApatheticNoMore.
Are pantsuits just a suit that has pants rather than a skirt?Yes. :) It's funny, but I never feel too overly dressed-up when I wear a pantsuit. Mind you I love getting dressed-up so that probably helps.
Just thought of a little something I wanted to add, I find even on the busiest of days when I have a thousand things to do (town related), if I'm dressed up and feeling on top of my game, the psychological effect of looking good automatically makes me feel good, and in turn, allows me to put in a full day without feeling tired. Such a mental and physical boost.
JaneV2.0
10-30-11, 12:14pm
"oh I am way behind you on Project Runway, I watch it on dvd since we don't have Cable TV. I just finished Season 7. " (Iris Lily)
Well then I'm happy I didn't give away this season's ho-hum finale. Carry on.
I don't have a three-foot leash for my spectacles, but I only wear glasses when I drive, so the effect would be spoiled anyway.
"People pick on themselves about their weight but it seems to me it really doesn't stop them from gaining even more weight " (ApatheticNoMore)
Really? Most fat people I know struggle mightily their whole adult lives with it. Just because you can't see the struggle doesn't mean it isn't there. Me, I'm built just like my mother, my aunts, and at least one great aunt. Looks like thrifty genes to me. Come the famine, I'll be fine. :)
iris lily
10-30-11, 12:20pm
...
... Looks like thrifty genes to me. Come the famine, I'll be fine. :)
or, they will eat you, succulent and juicy as you will be!:laff:
:laff::laff::laff:And spicy--hope they accompany me with lots of onions and garlic. Maybe a little sambal...Born to serve, I guess.
ETA: ...with a nice, full-bodied wine...
Originally posted by JaneV2.0.
Me, I'm built just like my mother, my aunts, and at least one great aunt. Come the famine, I'll be fine.LMAO!
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