I don't see at all how a breakfast is more casual. The presumption is that you are on your way to the office, so you wear what you wear to the office.

Now, if, in reality, you dress down a notch at the office, wear what you wear at the office if you have an important meeting and or presentation. Look your business best. In my city/industry that is definitely a suit (and most women wear pants) but YMMV.

Not pjs.

Mtn is right. I'd wear a suit. Pantsuit is fine.

I was thinking Robo's company/office was not so formal. Of course I'm in a different area both geographically and type of business, and our business best is more on trend. But I can't remember exactly what type office Robo is in, so I may be wrong. Here in our area (and I'm in the South, where I think things may sometimes be a bit more "relaxed" - not meaning casual) you rarely see women in a full on matching suit, other than maybe a law office or upper level management/banking, etc.

I agree with Mtn. A business breakfast is not necessarily casual and most would presume all are going to work after.

I am not a fan of a scarf, especially to wear when eating. I would be the first to drop a piece of egg in it and they seem to get be fussy, but that’s just me. I’d wear a pants or skirt and jacket and a nice piece of jewelry with it. You be the star, not your outfit.

8 a.m. You have my sympathy. I used at have regular meetings at 7:30 a.m. and it was a misery. I was ready to go home after. Yes, dress like your going to an interview. Pants suit would be perfect with a scarf they will remember.

Dress in layers. Chances are some point the meeting room will be stifling, and at another point you will be cold. I like a short sleeve sweater with a jacket, with a scarf or statement necklace. Looks good with jacket on or off. Sitting or standing. Make sure your shoes are spiffy.

My experience says eat before you go you won’t get time to eat.

A suit is a good investment. Talbots 25% off sale with free shipping ended two days ago, but pants are on sale. You really can't go wrong with classic pieces.

OK I did a bold move for both a meal and a mom of a toddler but I ended up getting this jacket which fits well and looks great. Pretty on par for how senior management dresses in my office I think.

Another vote for a suit, or at a minimum a formal blazer with dark pants...black or navy. I used to wear scarves all the time...a way to add color and interest to otherwise more somber choices. It's great for covering any shirt that might pull unflatteringly across the chest, and if you spill on it, you can take it off and still be fine. Besides they're nice and warm on the neck if you end up in a draft, or take it off it's too warm.

Go to http://www.maitaispicturebook.com/ for ideas on how to wear and tie a scarf.

Love it, robo! It will look so great on you.

Great jacket, Robo. Whether or not a suit is de rigeur is very much a regional and industry-specific thing IMHO.

The politicians definitely wear suits...the female bureaucrats have moved away from formal suits to something in between a suit and business casual. Usually separates. Male bureaucrats...I see from business casual to formal suits.

I work in technology so more casual. If I needed to wear "business attire" it would be nice slacks, an unmatched jacket and a sweater. A matching suit would not be a good fit under any circumstances.

And....that is what I meant by "casual." That is bold choice.

We women always obsess over these things like this. But, that's okay.

Robo, please come back and share the other outfits that you see at this breakfast. My guess, is that it will be just like the weddings we all go to. A whole array of style.

A fellow I know dressed for the occasion of a large function with the VP in his department. He was the only one in a suit and tie. Next thing he knows, someone comes up to him and informs him the VP would like him at his table at dinner. So yeah, it matters.

Good one Annie. And there is the saying, dress for job you want, not the job you have. This is one of those times one should follow that.

I love the jacket you chose. I also think it is important that you feel great in it as well as look great and it sounds like this fits the bill.

I think it’s interesting how things work in different industries! I have no idea why government is a bit more relaxed. Maybe it’s unconsciously so bureaucrats don’t seem so intimidating?

Top bureaucrats don’t usually jump in front of news cameras if they can help it, but I pulled some pics of our current and former deputy minister at high level events (sitting of provincial legislature and news conferences). They’re flanked by executive directors. Notice the colour-maybe because almost all of them are former teachers!

Aside from the politicians I find bureaucrats dress...relatively serviceably? Maybe so we don’t seem like we are on the take? We have great benefits but make much less than comparable industry positions.

But always a jacket!

Yes I’m trying to add to my jacket collection! Jackets work better for me than blazers.

just for contrast here are some ministers and former ministers - trust me I don’t want that job!

But actually...ok I'm turning 40 this year and I'm mildly plus size and I work in the context above. Given that...can you tell me about common stores or brands and who they're aimed at (age wise?) I almost never shop so this is new territory for me. The only other director in my department who is fashion forward and my age-range (50s) mostly shops at Ross and outlets in the US. And she wears open toe sandals all year round in Canada so we are very different people haha. Yesterday I was really attracted to these floral dusters at Melanie Lyne but I had a sneaking suspicion they were Not For Me.

Ann Taylor

Melanie Lyne

Talbots

Nygard

Aritzia

Olsen

RW&Co

Laura

Land's End

...?

Personally, I even like jackets for casual; i think jackets are flattering on most people (keeping in mind there are so many cuts).

I stand by my comment that it is very industry specific as well as regional. When I was in investment banking, it was always a suit. I remember it being a big, big deal when we started casual Fridays. I also remember that, even if you travelled on a weekend for business, and were by yourself, you wore a suit (and tie if applicable) because you were still "representing the bank."

Hedge funds have always been different. They embraced business casual early on, I think to compete with tech firms for top talent coming out of grad schools and to seem more "hip." I never see ties and rarely jackets. The most popular thing is a sleeveless fleece vest (with the hf's logo) over button down shirts with khakis. It is a virtual uniform and I find it funny because I think all those men (and it is 99% men) in their cozy fleece vests remind me of grammys in shawls! And btw this is from the founders on down. If a guy came in with a tie and or jacket, he would look like a rube.

I have not worked in any other industry, but as a parent I notice that women in academia, even at high levels, are less likely to wear suits per se and more likely to wear colors and patterns. YMMV

Robo,

I like St John but it is pricey. Lafayette is a good brand.

I looked at Melanie Lyne (is it CA? ive not heard of it before). If I were you I would consider a piece like this from them, which is very versatile.(of course, being colorphobe, i love the whole outfit)

Not sure how you feel about the length. If I may be so bold, I don't think you necessarily need to look in plus, and sometimes that can skew matronly (and WDYM 50sis your age range? huh?? not so). Most women's sizes go higher now. If you do want to start wearing more jackets, you need to find what style works best. I might google style tips for generous bosoms.

Robo, you left out Elie Tahari. There’s some ET Madison and Ava’s in that mix above. Do you get Brooks Brothers up there?

I read that it’s best to find a 3 or 4 button jacket if one has large breasts. It doesn’t seem anyone makes them though. Also, search seasonless wool and gabardine.

I WAS a 14 in North American sizing pre-baby, now I'm a 16, hoping to get down to a 12!! Also my feet grew 1.5 sizes so thanks for that, body.

My age is 40 (in a little over a month anyway!!). But I think middle-aged (well that's mid forties to mid sixties??) is about right for style. Maybe younger side of middle-aged. I can't do too fashion forward that's for sure with my body type.

I love this one...man I love botanicals.

Yay! I am definitely one stylish, somewhat trendy jackets. I'm the same way about necklaces (used to be more so about scarves too, but don't wear them as much now). I love the jacket! Find you a great pair of earrings as you won't need much in the way of accessories. As someone mentioned - SHOES!! This is one area where I see women making the mistake with matronly looking shoes. Also, a good, supportive bra is a must (I'm curvy too!!). Check Loft and Anthropologie. I used to find much more at Steinmart, but not so much now. Worth a look. I buy a ton of stuff online. I have a friend who buys quite a bit from Avenue (online) which I believe, may cater to plus. She has some very stylish pieces from Avenue.

Ok, so you are 39. I would not look to the ladies in their 50s for ideas; look at the ladies in their 30s! : )

Yes, it is a pretty jacket. I was being practical with mine. : )

Plus I always have to remind myself, the clothing is supposed to make *me* look good. I am wearing it, it is not wearing me. Many beautiful patterns are not necessarily things that make the wearer look their best. Make sure to distinguish between a pretty item and one that flatters. OTOH, if an item elevates your mood, that can be attractive too!

Another thing is region: here in Canada the coasts are more relaxed than Ontario and Quebec in terms of fashion. East we are more casual (some might say frumpy haha), West like Vancouver more outdoorsy.

That is def. true here too. NYC businesswomen probably wear black head to toe the majority of the time. Not even much navy.

Mt makes a good point about patterns and you wearing the clothing vs the other way around. I love color and I love prints, pattern, etc. but I have to remind myself to be careful with pattern. I am short and hourglass. But color - go for it! Especially after the photos you shared of the other women. Make sure you are wearing the colors that most flatter YOU.

"Ok, so you are 39. I would not look to the ladies in their 50s for ideas; look at the ladies in their 30s! : )"

YES to this!!

I’m all about the color! In the seasons world I’m an intense summer so black—and especially stark white—are not my friends.

Heck, I'm in my 50's and don't always look to my own age group!

Robo, my pantsuit is a Kasper that I used for my headshots. I have black but other colors are available.

Yes, the full business dress breakfast meeting. Nothing like having to look fully put together early in the morning, and I don't even have a toddler!

I am also in technology-- and in a government/engineering environment. When I was working for clients in NYC in a different industry, suits were definitely appropriate, now in my current environment a suit would stand out as too much-- and not in a good way. While you want to dress for the position you want-- you don't want to over dress either. At least in my experience, it isn't always received well (but that's a topic for another thread).

I would wear pants and a jacket. Black is always my go to-- and while I don't embrace color as much as you do (or wear it as well), I think we tend towards similar lines and cuts. Blazers tend to be too boxy on my and they often fall at a bad spot. I do best in shorter jackets or long ones (like Mtn's photo).

I love jackets because they can add style and personality to a basic wardrobe... and they can be so versatile. Many of my jackets can be worn with jeans on a Friday or black pants to a meeting. I have a lot of talbots jackets but I haven't seen much that I like there this season/last. You mentioned Ann Taylor above-- I think they have some cute and versatile jackets!

My advice would be to look at what newscasters wear in the morning, as they are high-paid professionals. I do not know any women who wear pant suits (which are generally hideous anyway) to work - not even my sister in Austin who is a banking lawyer who frequently goes to DC to advise legislators on banking laws.

Pantsuits are frumpy IMO, and if I were a woman, I would wear a skirt and blouse and perhaps a blazer, but that looks a bit too much like a fraternity outfit.

I would want to dress like Gayle King - not Billie Jean King.

Pantsuits can be frumpy because they are often the refuge of the frumpy. But in my industry in NYC, they are de rigeur from 20-something interns on up. No one wears hose and it is 22 degrees today!

This Forbes article is exactly what I see. Jackets must be well tailored and fitted, and the pants should be short/narrow enough to show off an upscale shoe. The watch and handbag are prob more impt than the suit. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-finds/2017/10/17/best-womens-business-suits/#22fe54d66114

mtn that's so interesting! I think in your area/industry, looking very tasteful but also like you can afford to dress well is important. In my industry an expensive bag and watch are neutral or maybe even detriments (because civil servants aren't really supposed to live high on the hog). But looking tasteful is of course always de rigeur!

Lars I don't watch much TV but I love Gayle's use of solid colors! Looks fantastic on her!!

Lars, most men I know prefer that women show a little leg...

;)

I have to admit it took a lot of trying-on to find a pantsuit that was not frumpy! And I went during the day, so I had a good salesperson who helped me at Belk. I'm short so I cannot wear a long jacket. Something that hits at hip level is flattering. I'm a curvier body type like Robo. I like those ones listed in the Forbes article, too. Like Robo said, you have to look like you can afford to dress well based on your position, although my dept char and I were laughing when she says she aims to dress at what is the minimum acceptable level.

Especially for conferences at hotels and convention centers, and if I have a campus interview, you are are doing a lot of walking, and wearing a skirt and heels is just not practical.

So, yeah, I go the whole range from from wearing athleisure wear and sneakers to a suit!

I remember buying a suit for a specific international science conference in the 90s, down in New Orleans. Skirt, jacket, the whole works.

I get down there, and about 50% of the presenters... were in shorts! And maybe one or two were in suits....

I wore it about once since, despite the price, and recently (since I'll never fit in it again) it got donated.

If you have something "suit"able, wear that.

While I understand your comment about not wanting to look like you are "living high on the hog" so to speak, I think it is worth remembering that looking polished looks successful and that does not require status symbol level of bags, shoes and watch. WRT to bags and shoes specifically, whereas how you wear an outfit goes a long way toward how good it looks, shoes and bags exist outside of that. They kind of stand alone and need to always look pretty spiffy.

When the Kiehl's family still owned that skin care company, they instructed their salespeople to give more generous samples to people whose shoes looked scuffed, reasoning they needed the help more than others.

Watches may just be status symbols these days since they are totally unnecessary.

Robo, do you have TopShop? You say you like color and they have it. Most all the jackets are under $100 and they have size 12 and 14. Aren’t these cheerful! I love this first one’s button placement.

What Rita said.

Gad, Rita....wonder they weren’t THROWING samples at Me!!

robo, just wanted to pop back in to tell you that I think you look so very pretty in that picture above! The colors suit your coloring for sure! Lovely!

Wow that’s so nice to say!! Thank you!!

update: one of the featured guests tracked me down across the 400-person ballroom to tell me her table loved my jacket and also got compliments from two deputy ministers on it. The lady at the next table was wearing same jacket in a different colour way (mine was better). So it was a success!

PS Although most people wore separates, let's say business-nice (not business formal or business casual), my executive director wore jeans and winter boots!

So, once again, an array of style and fashion.

Nice to be noticed and complemented. You wore the bright blue jacket and print top that photo shows?

I think the white w black trim? Good for you Robo!

Oh that's right, the new jacket! Thanks Mtn, I need a score card, keeping track :)