Beauty Tips for Ministers
Because you're in the public eye, and God knows you need to look good.
Professional Women DO NOT WEAR CAPRIS, and An Update On Orange
March 6, 2008 on 8:11 am | In Fighting Frump, Women's Clothing |Oranges and yellows are big, big, big this spring, darlings:
This doesn’t mean that you have to run out and drape yourself in these particular colors, but you might add a splash of it here and there it if suits you. There are as many yellows and oranges as there are fish in the sea, so why not? Try a few hues out. Maybe a beautiful sunny orange purse. Or a belt. Or a pair of pumps with a black suit.
I don’t like the hue of this jacket at all myself, but there it is again… orange.
As far as those white capri-length pants go, don’t even think about it. There is no reason whatsoever that any woman in a dignified profession should wear capris to important functions (this includes meetings, Sunday events of any kind or anything but a July lunch meeting). I’m also sorry to say that capris are for the very young and gaminesque. Think Audrey Hepburn with her darling little ballet flats and square, boxy jackets. Capris, if they are worn at all, have a zipper and a button. If they are worn in the drawstring, elasticized-waist version, they are not proper work attire at all but more accurately referred to as “pajamas.”
If you insist on wearing ankle-baring pants, and I know some of you will, for goodness’ sake pair them with smart, structured garments on top. Say, a crisp linen shirt with a belted, fitted shell underneath and a nice wedge heel. Earrings, a nice bracelet, nice hair and make-up. If they’re pin-striped and structured, wear them with black flats, a CWB (Crisp White Blouse) and a lightweight blazer. Dress ‘em up. And yes, they do need to be ironed.
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PB, please don’t forget to remind men NOT to even THINK about wearing them. I’ve seen it a few times (in recent years) and about died. Just because they sell them in the store doesn’t mean any grown man this side of the Atlantic should be wearing them. [NO MANPRIS!!!!!! NEED I EVEN SAY?? - PB]
Comment by hafidha sofia — March 6, 2008 #
No one under 5′ 5″ can wears them either. (Believe me, I tried.)
Comment by Shelby Meyerhoff — March 6, 2008 #
Guess you’re not in southern CA. Capris are everywhere here, even at work, but dressed up like you said.
Comment by Anna Banana — March 6, 2008 #
Thank you, beloved PeaceBang, for having the courage to mention ironing. When did we get the idea that ironing=suffering? IMHO, most quality summer clothing (natural fibers, so…cotton and linen) requires ironing at a minimum; typically starch is a superb addition. I cringe at the number of professional women who spend hours pursuing a wrinkle-free face and wear blouses that appear to be slept in. Now I will step off the soap box so that someone else may have it. [AMEN! - PB]
Comment by Dawn+ — March 6, 2008 #
Actually, my mom who’s 5′0″ wears capris well and they make her look taller and skinnier because they divide up her short legs and show off a slender part of her body (ankles and lower calf). The key is the cut–if the hem is at the widest part of your leg, forget it. If they fall just under the bottom of the calf, and they don’t hug the calf, and if you have slender ankles, I think they can work! [C’est vrai! Thanks for the helpful clarification. What I am railing against is the sloppy, floppy pull-on type worn that leave the dry, scaly lower leg totally exposed, worn with frumpy t-shirts with little floral motifs on them, hideous sandals and fungus toes, all tied together with a big UUMA tote bag for a really stellar leadership “look.” - PB]
Comment by Sarah — March 6, 2008 #
As a 6′3″ tall woman I’ll scream if one more sales person tells me “No, we don’t carry talls, but you can wear these as capris.” High water pants do not equal capris, and in general I think tall women in capris look like they gave up shopping for things that actually fit them.
Of course, as I type this I’m wearing a pair of drawstring camping pants that are several sizes too large and can be snapped up into a “capri” style. My only defense is that I’m at one of the many awkward points in pregnancy where nothing fits and I’m saving my 2 outfits that fit well enough for times when I’m in public.
[You go right ahead and wear those big old camp pants, little mama. Hang in there — and read here for advice for moms-to-be!! - PB]
Comment by krisg — March 6, 2008 #
Oh, does that mean it’s ok to wear capris this side of the Atlantic? I like ‘em, you see, but of course black, and dressed up (and ok, not on men, no, unless the guy is tanned and on the beach or a boat).
And they’re way better than shorts or too short skirts in summertime, not to mention un-nameables like biker pants… [OMG, did you say BIKER PANTS!?? What side of the Atlantic are you on, lovey? As always, you must understand that PeaceBang’s method of persuasion is to use hyperbole and to get us to carefully consider what we’re throwing onto our bods every day, and what kind of image that reflects. PeaceBang herself owns a couple of smart, structured capris, one pair in denim and one pair in blue/white/black pinstripes. She wears them with wedge sandals and cotton blazers and looks totally appropriate. It can be done. My crusade is against pull-on, floppy, pastel sloppy things worn with ugly sandals, fungus toes and cutesy flowered cotton t-shirts. *shudder* - PB]
Comment by maria — March 6, 2008 #
My oldest daughter is in college and I think she looks so cute in her capris. I have also seen some little old ladies that are just adorable in them. Much better than shorts! I think they are great casual attire if you are under 20 or over 70, and have the figure. I dont fit in any of those categories. I wore then when I was 5 and they were called pedal pushers. [College is JUST the time to wear capris, and lots of other garments that have no business being in the closet of a religious leader. Speaking of pedal pushers, how about “clam diggers?” I do have some, and I wear them to actually DIG CLAMS on Cape Cod. - PB]
Comment by Linda — March 6, 2008 #
Well, I agree about the professional (church life) part of your decree. But I’m actually a stay at home mom who reads your advice with interest and capris are great for women like me. I think I’m too old to wear shorts in the summer, but pants are too hot. I’m building up a casual cute skirt selection, but I also do like capris for looking smart (I iron my clothes) and practical.
Comment by Margo — March 7, 2008 #
PB, I love ya, but you obviously don’t live in the South. Spring is here and summer is coming soon. And thank our Heavenly Father that we have lots of chic and yet professional choices in the capri pant department!
On a side note, I’m dying to know if SweetieBang’s name starts with a “J” so we can start calling you PB&J.
[LOL! No, it starts with a G, unfortunately. That would be hilarious. Listen, I don’t doubt for a second that you gals down South can rock capris appropriately, but I get frothy at the mouth about them when I see them appearing at professional gatherings and events paired with frumpy t-shirts and Cobbie Cuddlers, as though we’d like nothing more than to project an image of Spokesperson for Country Time Lemonade, and not representatives of Ha-Shem, the Most Holy, and Sovereign LORD. Not to put too fine a point on it. - PB]
Comment by newbie — March 7, 2008 #
Ah, capris are one thing - but what about that shorts craze that was going around?? Business shorts, formalwear shorts … it was frightening.
Comment by Brandy — March 7, 2008 #
Speaking of “The South” and “Looking Professional”, any ideas for dressing for a gathering held in South Florida in June without buying clothes we can’t use again?
For some reason, the faith group I belong to frequently schedules its annual meetings at times and places where the outdoors is either like an oven or a sauna! Most of our clergy don’t live in such climates and have lighter professional requirements in summers anyway. This may be why we tend to look frumpy at such gatherings — we don’t want to buy new clothing for a six-day gathering and most of our clothing for sauna weather is on the casual side. Yes, I know the object is not necessarily comfort, but those of us who do more than “glow” in the heat don’t look great in clothing too warm for the climate.
Comment by KJR — March 7, 2008 #