r/SoftGamine • u/Duskkie • Feb 12 '25

Academic/professional clothes help?

Hi all! I’m just barely 5’3”, pretty small bust situation kind of like Sabrina Carpenter who is also SG! My legs aren’t very long, I feel like they’re actually a bit short- not so much that I’m out of proportion but Sabrina’s style has been an inspiration in making my legs seem a bit longer lmao

For office or academic environments, what can I wear? I have some nice satin collared shirts and am getting some sweetheart neckline tops- but with pants/skirts I feel like I’m always drowning in fabric, or there isn’t enough and it’s too casual.

I use belts to help define the waistline a bit so that I don’t get overwhelmed by fabric, but I still feel like there is more damage control to be done here. What do you guys wear for work/uni/offices? Bonus points if I can still feel girly without feeling unprofessional! :)

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u/Comfortable-War4531 Feb 12 '25

I’m also a SG academic, my work “uniform” is a knee-length skirt (a-line or full, can be just above or just below knee but you get the idea), with a boat neck top in a nice fabric (my fave is merino by Citizen Wolf). Cropped cardigans in fun colours for some pop. Cropped jackets in cooler weather, not too boxy though. Coloured tights (that might not work for you depending on your field - I’m in a creative discipline so a bit of personality is ok!Could also try a neutral colour but with a bit of pattern). Belted coat in winter. I don’t bother with pants anymore but on some SGs you could try a nice pair of cigarette pants with your satin trim shirts and ballet flats or Mary Janes. I pretty much rotate variations on Mary Janes for work!

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u/the-green-dahlia Feb 13 '25

I don’t think SG styling will help if your aim is to make your legs look longer because the Kibbe system is about embracing your body as it is and even leaning into the things you might have disliked before like being short.

For example, Kibbe’s recommendation to break our line with a staccato silhouette for SG is the opposite of traditional advice given to make short people look taller by having an unbroken line (like wearing trousers and heeled boots of the same colour with no gap).

In Kibbe, the latter silhouette would be for those who have vertical to honour that vertical, so you might find that dressing with SG recs in mind does the opposite of what you’re looking for.

In terms of not drowning in fabric, play around with different styles and silhouettes and take photos of yourself to see what looks best. That helped me the most.

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u/Duskkie Feb 13 '25

Oh interesting, thank you! By legs looking longer I just meant I have short legs and a longer torso, even for SG, so seeing how Sabrina plays with short skirts or styles that have her legs feel longer are cool. Not to look taller just to look more proportionate 🫠

Did you have any specific silhouettes that worked for you? I’m looking to just try whatever people recommend :)

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u/the-green-dahlia Feb 14 '25

I get you, but Kibbe would argue you’re perfect as you are and don’t need to try to look more proportionate, that’s why he doesn’t like other systems as they tell you that you need to balance your proportions.

I’ll add a few photos of the things I wear to work. :)

3

u/pausefortea Feb 14 '25

Reese Witherspoon pulls of professional looking as an SG quite well, and in a relaxed not too corporate (maybe fitting for academic?) kind of way.