Taking a fashion poll

I got a load of grief today from my fellow attorneys at work because my skirt was "too short."

This is a wool-blend skirt I bought at The Limited last weekend.  It hits about 2" above my knees.  I wore it with chocolate-brown tights and short suede boots.  Although you don't see it in this photo, I also wore a jacket with it most of the day.

I would not wear this outfit to court, but I thought it was fine for a day at the office.

What do you think?

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/9017/cynthia120809skirt.j pg

My beloved's theory is that my co-workers aren't used to my being the least bit fashion-forward and they resent it; they felt safer with, and more attractive next to, the fat, dowdy co-worker they used to have.  [They are thin but have to work at it constantly.  Don't we all.]

So tell me:  Did you get this sort of reaction from co-workers when you started wearing slightly "younger" or more fashionable clothes?  Or was this skirt truly too short to be appropriate?

Thanks,
Cynthia

My coworkers now are my puppies and as long as I take them outside occasionally they don't care what I wear, LOL.

I think the skirt looks great!  Definitely appropriate for the office and I think that you're probably right that the co-workers aren't used to seeing you dress "up" in fashionable ways.  I say find more outfits like that and strut your stuff!!

Debbi

I think it looks great! Poo on them!!!

If the skirt were a pencil skirt that hiked up when you were sitting, I might agree, but since it's not as form fitting as I expected when reading your message, I'm not sure what their deal is.

Are other women in your office wearing similar clothing?

The average age in the office I worked in when I was losing my weight was 31. I was 33/34 at the time, so no one commented negatively on my evolving style. Now, I'm in a new company in a new city and they only know me as the person I am now. It could be a jealousy thing. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Find the new you and be proud of how far you've come.

I think it looks fine for the office myself.

I think you look fine and i usually dress very conservative for work.  Im t hinking they arent used to the 'new' you??

I;m a stay home mom/college student so take it for what it's worth but I think if is fine - you look good in that outfit.

I am going with the others -there may be some jelousy going or maybe even surprise that you aren't the frumpy one anymore

wear it and see if after a few times of you dressing like that they don't calm down

I think its fine for a day at the office.  Don't worry about what they said!

Karla

You look fantastic, Cynthia!    Don't change a thing. 

I have had some of my women "friends" at work say things like "look at you in your tight jeans.  Work it!".  My tight jeans are not tight, but something about tucking in my shirt and wearing a belt gives the impression I have a figure, and so I always assumed it was a sort of stab.  I'm sure it is meant in kind, but it is annoying because I doubt seriously they'd say anything to someone dressed the same who is not a recovering obese person.

Sara, I've been trying to put my finger on what it is about your story that resonates with me and sounds so similar to my experience.

Here it is:

It sounds like they are having a little joke for themselves at the expense of the former fat person, who no longer "knows her place" and has the nerve to try to dress like a thin person.  In other words, they are not recognizing that you ARE a thin person now and can dress like one and look good doing it.

The question is, Why are they doing this??

I would understand it better if it were coming from fat people.  That would be explainable by jealousy.  But what is going on with the thin people?  Do they resent the loss of some sort of ego boost they used to get from comparing themselves to someone heavier?  If so, that is just too pathetic.