You may find that the office is even MORE “casual” when you return as everyone is likely in the same spot as you. How about some of the tops @soozievt posted above?
I’m not a pants person (I wear casual dresses/skirts to work - layered with nice leggings underneath) so I can’t help there but what’s the company that many podcasts advertise - yoga pants that are professional looking?? I’ll try and find it…
I’m so sad that high waisted loose pants are back in style. They look stupid on me. I’ve lost a significant amount of weight and need pants and haven’t been able to find anything I like. Hoping for at least mid rise/straight cuts.
I agree with you. I really like clothes that have shape and structure, and everything out there seems to be flowy and loose. I am not tall and have a small-ish frame and I just wind up swimming in stuff like that. I feel as though I am wearing sacks. I love the look on other people, but it just isn’t my personal style.
Congrats on the weight loss!
I’m flat out short. That loose flowy stuff looks amazing on my 5’11 daughter but I’m like you, and need shape/structure to my clothing.
Yes! I love that free flowing look but feel like it just doesn’t work on me.
I suggest finding one pair of pants (maybe ones like in abasket’s link) that you love. Then wear them shopping for a few new tops.
I’m 5’2" and pear-shaped (though a smaller pear than loosing weight a few years ago). Clothes always look better on the models, especially models wearing taller heels than I am willing to wear. But a few years ago I found a pair of NYJD black dressy jeans (I think Marilyn style, in petite) that made a really good starting point for a variety of outfits. In winter I had a cute a pair of black booties to wear with them. Then for warmer weather loafers (for work) or wedges or sandals.
I just took a look through my closet and everything I have for work looks sort of dated (especially the pants, which mostly lean toward slim fit).
The slim fit style is out?
https://www.agjeansoutlet.com/caden-SBW1613HYB.html
I just bought these pants a few weeks ago. They are very comfortable and are still slim fitting but not skinny. The salesperson suggested them and I didn’t think I’d like them on but I love them. They are comfortable and a nice change from yoga pants or skinny jeans. I wear them with flat shoes and they hit my leg lower.
Also Athleta has several styles that are a step up from yoga pants that might work.
https://athleta.gap.com/products/womens-work-pants.jsp
Link for Athleta work pants
I have the skyline pants from athleta and the headlands hybrid pant. I am a big fan of athleta. The skyline pants are fine, the material is quite light. But they are very popular and they sell them every year. The headland hybrid pant which is a thicker pant, which they sell more in the fall and winter is a big favorite of mine. In fact I wore them all day yesterday. More comfortable than leggings, look like a pant.
Spans makes a perfect pant, they are a great pant. They come in regular, petite and I think tall lengths. I thought they were very flattering.
@Hoggirl , for the jacket you’d like to wear for cool evenings, what colors are you leaning towards? Are you taking a color scheme? Do you want a neutral like beige or white? If I don’t have a color scheme and am going somewhere more sunny like CA I like to take a white jean jacket. You can find ones that are softer and , cropped, slim fit. Any of those sound interesting?
I don’t think this trip is going to have a color scheme. I generally to do that, but don’t think it’s going to work for this trip based on what I currently have in my closet. I would prefer a lighter color, I think. I have a white jean jacket, but it only has 3/4 sleeves. I also fret about white getting dirty/grubby-looking. That happened with my white jeans last time, and I was only able to wear them one time.
I have an unlined, black linens Tommy Bahama jacket in a jean style. I took it last time, and that worked well. But, I did have the black and white theme going.
I’ll likely talk to ds tonight, and maybe I’ll have a better sense of what we might be doing. I’m not worried about much of any of it (I have plenty of clothes) other than attempting to look cute for the friends and a functional yet stylish all-purpose jacket.
something about the slim fit pants I have seems to be…off. Maybe it’s the lower waist or something.
I bought a new pair of white jeans. Then I found a pair I had forgot I had 
. Tried them on and the waist was much lower and did not feel comfortable like my new jeans. They fit, just the waist was lower.
So I think I am used to the new higher waist instead of the mid rise I used to wear. I also think they are more flattering on this middle age stomach
I love Natural Life and have several pieces from them.
Hoggirl, 4kids4us, momofboiler1 - I’m the same - flowy, baggy stuff just doesn’t work for me (looks adorable on my D - we are the same size but she’s 19 and looks cute in all lol!). I need a more nipped in waist to feel polished, even in casual.
I love Express for fitted items with a youthful yet classic vibe (including workwear, DeeCee36!).
@Hoggirl - how about this blazer? It comes in multiple colors include a cute tangerine.
https://www.express.com/clothing/women/linen-blend-double-breasted-novelty-button-blazer/pro/06746576/color/Navy%20Blue/e/regular/
The Duchess of Cambridge wore the cutest jacket and jeans to an event. Thought I would link it, not sure if it’s what the @Hoggirl is looking for because I thought she is looking for an edgier look. But it’s really cute
Deb922 - I like that blazer a lot! The tangerine color is similar to the one at Express and the pushed up sleeves read casual and the nipped waist is flattering!
The only thing I’m generally not 100% a fan of is patch pockets - often I think they add bulk to the hip area and can break up a clean, flattering line. They look cute on this jacket though…!
@Jolynne_Smyth - that is a cute blazer, and I love the jacket that The Duchess of Cambridge is wearing (at slightly over 1,000 pounds, it’s a bit out of my price range, however 
) I do want a bit edgier for my time with the friends, but I need an all-purpose jacket for knocking around as well.
Yes, I agree on the nipped in waist comment, too. My mil can wear all sorts of things that I cannot because she is taller and leggier.
I am headed to a nice mall today. There may be a challenge in finding any kind of jacket here in Florida in late June, but maybe I’ll get lucky and find something on sale.
I had a haul today at White House/Black Market in anticipation of my California trip!
I bought this top:
That I plan to wear with these cropped, black pants:
I bought this top:
That I will wear with these cropped pants:
I already own this jacket:
I also bought this jacket as a sort of all-purpose:
The sleeves can be rolled up or down.
I bought this top:
And this dress:
I’m not sure why it’s listed as, “satin.” It does have a sheen/shine, but it is NOT what I think of as satin.
I will mix and match these pieces with some other things I have. So, I will take the black short jacket for evening, and the denim utility jacket for during the day.
It was a good day!
I could have bought more, but I had spent enough. I really like those cropped, dressier pants. One review says they stretch out. I truly hope that isn’t the case. I almost bought them in khaki.
I’m really glad I went into the store. As a general rule, I take one size in skinny pants/jeans but can do a smaller size in slim pants/jeans. The OPPOSITE was true on the crops I bought today. I took the larger size in the black ones. They had less stretch.
