Transitioning to dresses

Heather · Mar 7, 2010

I want to incorporate more dresses and skirts into my daily wear. It seems tricky since I have 2 young children and work in a physically demanding field. The most I get to dress up is business casual for my job which consists of black dress pants and dress shirt. Any advice?

Hestia · Mar 8, 2010

Heather said:
I want to incorporate more dresses and skirts into my daily wear. It seems tricky since I have 2 young children and work in a physically demanding field. The most I get to dress up is business casual for my job which consists of black dress pants and dress shirt. Any advice?

Well, it depends on what you mean by "physically demanding". I work with power tools and/or caustic chemicals- many vintage skirts are simply not an option for me at work. I need to be able to operate foot controls at knee height, so straight skirts are too confining and full skirts are a tangling hazard.

I have successfully worn a-line or gored skirts to work. The cut is full enough to allow movement but narrow enough not to get caught in the equipment. I just made one from this pattern that is proving to be an excellent work skirt.

JupitersDarling · Mar 8, 2010

Heather said:
I want to incorporate more dresses and skirts into my daily wear. It seems tricky since I have 2 young children and work in a physically demanding field. The most I get to dress up is business casual for my job which consists of black dress pants and dress shirt. Any advice?

Do you want to dress UP more, or are you wanting to just wear skirts/dresses more? If it's the former, it might be harder if you routinely get dirty or work with machinery. Hestia is right that skirts just don't do well in some work environments. For instance, I avoid wearing long or full skirts when I do archaeology fieldwork because they can track dirt around and/or constrict my legs, but skorts might be fine unless I was planning on doing bushwacking or surveying esp. in chigger and tick season.

For general play and work or outdoors activity, if you are worried about exposure but want to wear shorter skirts you can certainly find skorts and skirts with under-pants.

Knee or just above knee length skirts that are a-line or fuller allow more motion range than slim skirts. It's a lot easier to climb a tree and sit on the ground in a circle skirt than a pencil skirt!

Get items you can launder easily, iron minimally, don't show stains too easily, and just wear them! Denim and knits are good fabric choices that often have those easy care characteristics.

Heather · Mar 8, 2010

Well, I'm a hairstylist so I'm always on my feet. Heels just aren't an option and I don't feel right wearing flats with a skirt or dress. I guess that's my main problem. Do they make ergonomic dress shoes that still give lift? lol

SayCici · Mar 8, 2010

Heather said:
Well, I'm a hairstylist so I'm always on my feet. Heels just aren't an option and I don't feel right wearing flats with a skirt or dress. I guess that's my main problem. Do they make ergonomic dress shoes that still give lift? lol

What's wrong with wearing flats with skirts and dresses? I know things like ballet flats don't really have a lot of cushion if you're going to be standing on your feet all day though, so something like black chucks or Keds could be good. I think wedges are really comfortable too. So, yes to your last question, because I have a well-worn pair of wedges by a brand called Grasshoppers that are pretty much meant for old people that need more support, haha.

What era do you like? I think it would be fun to chase around little kids in a full skirt - you'd have no problems sitting or running or crawling around on the floor because it's not going to be constricting, and they definitely look fine with flats or heels.

Dresses are easy too. They don't need to have any bells and whistles. If you sew buy a house dress pattern you like that can be made with a zipper for easy wear around the house.

kamikat · Mar 8, 2010

Heather said:
Well, I'm a hairstylist so I'm always on my feet. Heels just aren't an option and I don't feel right wearing flats with a skirt or dress. I guess that's my main problem. Do they make ergonomic dress shoes that still give lift? lol

I am also a hairdresser and have 2 kids. I highly recommend getting a gel pad cushion for you to stand on. Not only will it help your feet, but also your knees and back. I have never had a problem wearing skirts and dresses to work. While I never did, most of the girls I've worked with have worn stilletto heels to work. If you need more supportive shoes, try looking at Sofft brand shoes. They are generally more comfortable. As for the kids, having kids has never had an impact on my wardrobe. When they were younger, I played with them on the playground in dresses, I played on the floor in dresses, I played in the sandbox in dresses. The key is to make sure everything is machine washable.

LizzieMaine · Mar 8, 2010

You might also find some good shoe ideas in the Walking Shoe thread.

I'm very physically active at work -- as in running up and down multiple flights of stairs, climbing ladders and stepladders, scootching down and stretching up, carrying heavy loads, and just generally running around, and I do it all in cotton late-30s/early-40s dresses. The key is to keep them *tailored* -- designs that are too foofy or flaffy are just going to get in your way. You don't want skirts that are too long or too tight -- the classic wartime shirtwaist dress has an ideal silhouette for someone who works in an active job. The skirt is cut loose enough to allow free motion, but not so loose that it billows, and the hem falls just below knee level. The classic "waitress-uniform" design is the same basic idea. And yes, machine washable is essential -- cotton is king.

For shoes, 99 percent of the time I wear Clinic Coquettes, a basic oxford walking shoe with a 1 1/2 inch heel and the best arch support I've ever found in a shoe. These are probably a little too grandmotherly for a hairdresser these days, but there are more stylish sorts of shoes with the same sort of comfort features. The Sofft shoes recommended by Kamikat are good examples.

Heather · Mar 8, 2010

I don't think there is anything wrong with wearing flats but I don't feel "done" when I wear them with most dresses/skirts. Although, I would love a pair of black flats like lucy used to wear. I actually do have a pair but they don't fit me right. :-( I'll check out those brand suggestions & the gel insoles. I've never tried wedges before. The 40's are my favorite decade. Werent wedges "in" back then? I'll check out the walking shoe thread, thanks!

Amy Jeanne · Mar 8, 2010

Flats and SOCKS with a skirt/dress is my daily uniform. Depends on what era you want, I guess. I want the 30s look. Long pencil skirts with bobby socks and flats make a cute 50s look.

kamikat · Mar 8, 2010

Heather, the gel pad I'm talking about goes on the floor, around your chair, like this

Heather · Mar 8, 2010

kamikat said:
Heather, the gel pad I'm talking about goes on the floor, around your chair, like this

Ooooh, silly me, of course! I'll def look into that!

LizzieMaine · Mar 8, 2010

Amy Jeanne said:
Flats and SOCKS with a skirt/dress is my daily uniform. Depends on what era you want, I guess. I want the 30s look. Long pencil skirts with bobby socks and flats make a cute 50s look.

I do the 30s socks-and-saddle-shoes bit in the summer -- very comfortable and practical for everyday wear. There are lots of flat shoe styles that work well with this look -- penny loafers were another popular variation during the war era.

(I'm still on the lookout for a good pair of striped 30s ankle socks...)

KittyT · Mar 8, 2010

Flats look great with skirts and dresses and are very period appropriate. You CAN find some with extra cushioning, and if you add an insole or gel pad inside your shoe, it will help too.

Wedges will probably be a good bet for you. Also period appropriate, but maybe with that more finished look you're looking for. Check out Remix or Aris Allen for cute wedges that are also comfortable and durable.

You may also want to try looking at a place like shopnational.com. They cater to an older clientele, so some of their shoe lines are kindof grandmotherly, but many of them are not.

Heather · Mar 8, 2010

I love the look of saddle shoes! What kind of socks do you wear with them? OMG, I WANT these shoes!!! http://www.dancestore.com/Aris-Allen-1940s-Black-White-Spectator-Mary-Jane-Wingtip/productinfo/151-BW/

LizzieMaine · Mar 8, 2010

I just wear cotton bobby-sox with my saddles -- usually in a color that coordinates with whatever dress I'm wearing. I've seen pics of women wearing stockings with saddles, but I don't generally do that myself.

kamikat · Mar 8, 2010

The only thing to keep in mind as you're looking for dressier shoes is to avoid open toes! OSHA forbids open toed shoes in salons for safety reasons. Most of the nicer looking wedges I've seen are open toed.

Lenore · Mar 8, 2010

Heather said:
I love the look of saddle shoes! What kind of socks do you wear with them? OMG, I WANT these shoes!!! http://www.dancestore.com/Aris-Allen-1940s-Black-White-Spectator-Mary-Jane-Wingtip/productinfo/151-BW/

I have those shoes. Hubby got them for me for Christmas. I <3 them. One of the most comfortable pairs I own.

Heather · Mar 8, 2010

kamikat said:
The only thing to keep in mind as you're looking for dressier shoes is to avoid open toes! OSHA forbids open toed shoes in salons for safety reasons. Most of the nicer looking wedges I've seen are open toed.

*sigh* yes, i know. I'm finding a LOT of those open toed wedges. I think "oh, those are cute...oh, shoot, they're open toed..." and thus the search continues lol

Heather · Mar 8, 2010

Lenore said:
I have those shoes. Hubby got them for me for Christmas. I <3 them. One of the most comfortable pairs I own.

Oh my gosh, really?

What a nice husband! You should post a photo of you wearing them!

Lenore · Mar 8, 2010

Heather said:
Oh my gosh, really? What a nice husband! You should post a photo of you wearing them!

I might have to wear them tomorrow... Might look odd with my purple dress, but maybe not. Not like anyone sees my feet behind my desk anyway... or I could wear something else lol We'll see.

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