Work wear from Torrid

Back in May, I wrote a Dear Torrid post where.. well, go read it but one of the things I mentioned is this:

There’s one area that Lane Bryant really excels in and it’d be a good idea for you to consider it – they have a core line of essential items (like jeans, basic tees, button up shirts, career wardrobe staples, etc.) and a line of trendier, seasonal items. There is a way to offer both.

I should have emphasized my point about work wear more – there is a need for business appropriate clothing that appeals to young women, pure and simple. There are plenty of plus size women who are fresh out of high school and college, going on interviews and entering their first office jobs and internships. Few are going to want to wear a traditional suit. There are also lots of older women who want to express their individuality, while looking professional and pulled together. They too want young, fashionable pieces.

I’m not fresh out of college but if I had an office job*, I’d certainly want cute jackets and tops to wear with more conservative, potentially higher quality basics. I’d want those pieces to work for mixing into casual outfits, too. A traditional suit is great but it’s hard to wear a suit jacket with jeans if the jacket doesn’t lend itself to that.

At the time when I wrote the Dear Torrid post, it seemed like they were taking a step back from offering jackets, cardigans, blouses, simple dresses and knee length skirts but they’re showing many more work appropriate pieces for the fall season.

Some of the stuff they classify as work wear is a little iffy (I wouldn’t recommend a miniskirt in a business setting) but a lot of it is good. Behold:

Jacket: Torrid sizes 1 - 4, $54
Skirt: Sizes 12 – 28, $44
Both items are 97% cotton and 3% spandex so if you have an aversion to polyester, this is great.

Jacket: Torrid sizes 1 - 4, $54
Pant: Sizes 12 - 22, $58
The jacket is cotton and spandex and the pants are polyester and rayon.

Pair any of the above four items with a colorful top and fun accessories and off you go. I’m glad to see options like these from Torrid. I do still wish they’d step up the quality of the manufacturing but with gentle care, these could last a few seasons. All of it is labeled machine washable but I think it’d benefit from dry cleaning.

I guess the thing with Torrid is that I just have to accept that some of the stuff will appeal to me and a lot of it won't. When I wrote the Dear Torrid post, it was not with the intention of saying I'd never shop at Torrid or that I think it's awful, or anything like that. I just really think it could be better than it is now and it has potential that it hasn't reached yet.

And this isn’t really Torrid’s fault but since they carry it, I’ll mention it here - I'm so freaking sick of Ed Hardy I can't even tell you. We can do so much better than that crap!

* I work from home so when you picture me writing, make sure I’m in pajamas! Some fashion blogger, eh?

Comments

[living400lbs]

Few are going to want to wear a traditional suit.

...and if you're supersize that's good, because finding a traditional fitted suit is close to impossible.

[living400lbs]

Sorry for the griping...I helped a size-14 friend shop for interview clothing and got depressed at how limited my options are in comparison.

[Cry]

Dressy cloths make me depressed too. I have large thighs that rub together. If the material isn't jeans I get maybe 3 months wear out of them until the material dissipates on me, and I don't feel comfortable in skirts. Also I have what I like to call monster bingo arms, so nice jackets or over shirts, or just about anything with sleeves don't work unless I go 3 sizes too big.

[Moe]

They do have some good basics but overall Torrid is definitely for a specific age group (although I'm not in it I find much that I like--and don't). I think it even says somewhere on their literature.

I was watching a Youtube video last night with a the plus size woman talking about fashion. She was wearing an Ed Hardy shirt. All I could think of was, "NOOOOOOOO".

[Jackie Barry]

Just found your blog - and THANK YOU!

Regarding Torrid and work wear ... I am a professional 20something and I work for a non-profit. First of all, I cannot afford to by a $45 grey skirt. Secondly, I won't buy work wear from Torrid because their quality is lamespice.

I can afford to buy a grey skirt from Target for $25. And I will because I am getting pretty good quality and the price is right.

When Torrid's price and quality matches I will happily buy my work wardrobe there. Until then, it is Target, Avenue and Lane Bryant.