I read this as “Banana Republic shows the suit I’m looking at with a camel toe, by the way, if it matters.” I was all, “Well for heaven’s sake, don’t buy it then!”
So, um, yeah. Carry on.
Hilariously, Brooks Brothers didn’t just feature camel toe, but also those radial wrinkles that mean “these pants are too tight!” I’m totally serious.
ETA - I mean, uh, not that I don’t have some pants that do that. But I ain’t trying to sell them!
ETA 2 - in case you didn’t believe me - this pair is less on the camel toe front but more on the “looks cheap and don’t fit”, which is pretty good for a hundred and fifty freaking bucks.
yellowval, that’s exactly what my eyes saw.
The most important thing with work shoes is to find ones that are comfortable - preferably a brand that you know will be comfortable.
For example, I know that Franco Sarto shoes will fit my feet and be comfortable all day 95% of the time. So when I look for new work shoes, I look for Franco Sarto. And even though they’re expensive, I know that I’ll get the use out of them because I won’t be looking around for *another *pair of black mid-heel shoes - this time that don’t hurt after 4 hours.
The other key is to buy shoes that are kind of fun in the first place, if you can get away with it at your work. So you have the requisite 3 pairs of black shoes for winter, but they each have some fun detail. My current trouser shoes are slip-ons, and have penny-loafer detailing. Only they’re high-heeled, if that makes any sense.
With Navy, in winter, I’d keep the shoe black (but cute), and do more interesting things with a blouse or accessory. It’s in summer that Navy really comes into play, and I do mean play. Navy and white, or pink, or red. Spectator pumps!
Anyway, I have a thing for shoes. Good Luck.
I’m not sure how women have come to this pass. We’re supposed to be okay with walking around in the middle of winter in a short skirt, open toed heels and NOTHING on our legs. And for dress up, there are NO cocktail dresses with some kind, any kind, of a sleeve. The other choice is not to wear skirts. So, it’s February, I’m going to a great restaurant and I’m supposed to be comfortable wearing bare arms, open toed shoes and that short skirt (make sure you shave your legs and either go to a tanning salon or put that icky tanning stuff on). To stay warm, we’re encouraged to toss on a pashmina…yeah, that’ll work. :dubious:
Meanwhile, my husband will be in a long sleeved shirt, wool flannel slacks and jacket. Do we just hate ourselves, or what? Who sold us this bill of goods?
In re: hose, I’ve found that opaque tights can look very nice if you keep them simple shades of grey and black, maybe with a little piping (unfortunately unflattering on heavier figures), and are a TON warmer outside than bare legs. Young, modern women can get away with tights under suits, whereas before it’s been considered “artsy” and unacceptable to wear anything but nude pantyhose.
Depending on the setting, I think you should consider wearing two shoes.
I dunno, when I was in the Army and I wore an Army suit, I wore the shoes the Army gave me. I guess, wearing a Navy suit, you’d wear the shoes the Navy gave you.
Am I missing something?
I assumed it was an interview–where else does one wear a navy suit these days? If it’s for a law firm or a bank, then you already have the job, so know the appropriate accessories for those settings, right?
I still say hose because it’s February and the windchill is in the single digits here. I really like navy or black shoes (pumps) with navy suits, but also like the freshness of spectator pumps. If you choose specs, do not wear tights with them–too much going on in terms of color and texture to carry off, IMO.
I like the idea of red shoes with a navy suit, but much depends on the style of shoe, the height and figure of the woman and the style of the suit. No wonder I became a nurse–fashion is so complicated, at least I get to to go to work in scrubs!
My problem with hose is not so much that I won’t wear them… but that I cannot find a reasonable fit, now have I been able to since I was in my early teens. I fall off the bottom right of the chart on the back, and even the ones at the tall girl store IME do not get the crotch up past my thigh.
Sometimes I dream of opening a hosiery store where you can find all sorts and in all sizes, and then I’ll be able to wear hose. Lately I’ve even thought of trying garters and stockings to see if that would work better than pantyhose.
IME of course, others may just not like to wear them.
Too matchy matchy.
For a classic look you should wear a camel or brown pump. If you want a little oomph go for the spectators. If you want a big “pow” go for the red. Any of those options are stylish and professional.
No flats with a skirt suit. But I swear - if you buy a shoe that’s made well and fits you properly you can be on your feet all day and be perfectly comfortable. It may take you a couple of days but you will get used to them very quickly.
Depending on the cut of the shoe and the slacks, you may get away with a flat or something almost flat with a pant suit. But, not the ballet flats you mention in the OP, I think they would be too dainty and look odd (but that’s really a judgment call - you’ll have to try it on and see how it looks).
Never, ever, under any circumstances wear black shoes with a navy suit.
Ya know, I think Croc’s work equally well with just about anything.
d&r
Between wrinkly-crotch pants girl and “look how far I can stick my tits out” jacket girl, I think Brooks Brothers should be looking for a new art director!
I’ve worn some thigh-highs that work and actually stay up; I know that Jockey makes some that I liked last time I bought them. Not all brands are created equal, though, and I would worry about a catastrophic failure during something important like a major meeting or a job interview.
I still wear my sketchers with anything ‘dressy’.
They’re all black and not tennis shoes. And they’re comfortable.
I don’t understand all these ‘rules’.
This is why I get funny looks whenever I “dress up”, I guess. I have exactly one pair of dress shoes - they’re black, with low heel, and comfortable. I have never once thought… what shoes do I wear with this outfit, because my choices are sneakers, Birkenstockesque sandals, and the aforementioned black shoes.
I also don’t think I’d ever notice someone else’s shoes unless they had flashing lights and speakers that were broadcasting Communist propaganda.
I’m not mocking - just realizing how little I understand fashion. Of course, my idea of dressing up usually involves a white button shirt that I found in the men’s department* and a pair of clean jeans.
*Why is it impossible to find a white shirt in the women’s department that does not have frills, ruffles, embroidery, embellishments, etc? I can’t be the only woman that likes a nice, classic white shirt?
Q: What should women wear with a Navy suit?
A: You mean the answer isn’t Richard Gere…?
d&r
I’d got for tan, brown, grey or a brighter colour (red, pink, green, purple, yellow).
Yellow and purple are the big colours on the catwalks…if you care.
Black and navy are not great together, brown really does look better.
And, I’m sure you look great. I know a lot of people who do that (including myself, at times). These days many of the general fashion rules have been thrown out the window and it has given great leeway for people to express their own personal style.
However, the OP is trying to go for a classic styled professional look. That, being a more classic, timeless style, still follows its rules. That is not to say that someone who wears sketchers necessarily looks “unprofessional”, it’s just not the image that the OP wants to convey.
To add a bit of a lift - how about these?
Professional, aren’t they?
You did not specify the profession, did you?