When I nabbed my first "real" job after college, I thought
the adjustment would be easy. It wasn't, of course; sitting
behind a desk and talking shop with customers and other cubicle-dwellers
all day was unnatural to me. The semi-professional wardrobe
I tried to adopt felt equally foreign, and shopping for acceptable
outfits to fit into this new world was an exercise in frustration.
Most women's dress pants had pleats in the front, which I've
always abhorred. And few styles were long enough to satisfy
my 34-inch inseam. I opted for skirts instead, but they felt
too restrictive and were always wrinkled by lunchtime. I craved
comfy, interchangeable pieces that wouldn't deplete my modest
bank account or need constant ironing. Every weekday, I raced
home from the office when the 5 o' clock whistle blew, kicked
off my dress shoes and swapped the dress-up attire for beloved
cords and tees like a frantic Mr. Rogers.
Since then, I've happily retreated to my casual nature,
thanks to job stints at a record label and in the ultimate
laissez-faire wardrobe career--free-lance writer
with a home office. But, thanks to the increasingly casual
nature of office dress codes, there is hope for working
women who want to be comfortable, yet professional. The
new BCBG Exclusively for Nordstrom line, which made its
debut in recent weeks in local Nordstrom stores, is a perfect
example. Fashion house BCBG Max Azria is known for its very
wearable, but never boring, contemporary sportswear and
dresses. The collection is also found in Nordstrom and other
department stores nationwide, but this latest collaboration
is unique.
One of the most impressive differences between the standard
BCBG and Exclusive lines is the generous cut among pieces
of the latter. The skirts are cut for women with hips (i.e.,
99 percent of us), the pants are long, and if you're a size
8, you'll need a size 8, or maybe even a 6. When was the
last time you left a store with a size smaller than
you thought you needed? The pieces are slightly tamer than
those in the non-exclusive line, but they're still worth
raving about. Basic blacks and sand tones are the foundation
of the spring line, with a smattering of pale blue and pink,
dusty eggplant and lavender separates. The muted tones are
a much-needed antidote to the bright, citrus orange practically
dripping from the window displays downtown. Knee-length
skirts and easy-fitting long-sleeve tops fashioned from
a midweight, acetate-Spandex mix drape beautifully and don't
seem to wrinkle at all, and almost everything here could
work at the office and beyond. The prices are lower than
those of the regular BCGB line, ranging from about $35 to
$150, with an average of $75.
I played dress-up at the downtown Nordstrom, where the
first shipment of BCBG Exclusively for Nordstrom now hangs.
Here are my picks for Pieces Most Likely to Make Me Consider
Getting a Real Job Someday:
JERSEY SHIRT ($34)
A sporty jersey made more sophisticated in cream poly-Spandex
with pale pink sleeves and matching V-neck collar (other
color combos are available). This may be too casual for
some workplaces, but aren't they always telling you to be
a "team player"? Dress it up with a matching skirt and they'll
leave you alone.
WIDE-STRIPED, LONG-SLEEVED TOP ($56)
The acetate-Spandex combo does this long-sleeved shirt right,
lending a casual feel without looking sloppy. Like many
of the pullover tops in the collection, this one has no
restrictive band around the waist; it hangs comfortably
and has small side slits. Available in black and sand, black
and lavender, and black and light blue, with solid skirts
to match.
BLACK PANTS ($62)
I'll take 10 pairs, please. The silky, slightly stretchy
fabric makes them feel like fancy pajamas, the elastic waist
isn't bunchy, and they're extra long and neither baggy nor
clingy. You'll leave them on after the workday ends.
CHARCOAL, POLISHED-COTTON PIECES ($88-$158)
The clean-lined duster, short jacket and flat-front, cropped
pants made me feel successful. Now where are those
underlings I want to boss around?
- - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Willamette Week | originally
published March 8,
2000 |
