Fashion Blog » Office Style

Hello my recessionistas. Am I correct in thinking you all would like to hear about some cheap and chic goodies to add to your closet? Lately, I have been hunting the Gap, Tarjay, etc., to find those little treats to fill out my closet and mix playfully with my more expensive pieces. I firmly believe that a high/low mix lends itself to both a truly idiosyncratic style and to a realistic wardrobe. Based on this philosophy, even if I could afford to buy every piece I own from Prada (and Vera Wang, and John Galliano and Viktor and Rolf — a girl can dream can’t she??) I would not. So, off to Gap we go!

While shopping with a client last Friday, we came upon the little jacket that is pictured. So much bang for the buck on this one, priced at reasonable $69.50.

Pintucked Jacket: $69.50 

The charming little pom-poms remind me of the tops from Chloe a few seasons back. While the shape is one of a structured jacket, this piece is made from soft, flexible, 100% cotton so it is as comfortable as it is cute. This jacket has enough look to go to work over wide leg trousers, or out to dinner with a skinny jean and heel. Mix it up!

Find at Smarter.com:   Shop for more women’s pintucked jackets.

I am very happy to see that one of my favorite trends is back. I am talking about big, face obscuring, horn rimmed, old-school glasses. A friend of mine from college used to call them “pretty people ugly” glasses; meaning of course, that pretty people wore them to get others to take them more seriously. Think Clark Kent, think Scarlett Jo on the awards show podium, think Grace Kelley reading scripts.

The beauty of these little darlings, in addition to allowing those of us who need it to see a bit more clearly, is that they really do give that pretty/ugly effect. Anyone brave enough to wear the self-consciously geeky frames shows the world they secretly know they are cute enough to pull them off.

I first noticed the trend last fall on the Michael Kors runway (pictured). Two parts chic, one part geek: what could be better? I know that talking about a trend from about 6 months ago is like digging up a relic from the Paleolithic period in fashion time, but the trend is still alive. Flipping through newest J. Crew catalog this month, I saw the same look. Geek is the new black!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more Michael Kors eyeglasses.

As the summer begins to wind down and your summer office job along with it, the question becomes: what lasting impact have you made on the company and your co-workers? Will anyone even remember your name a week after you leave? While second-guessing the files you didn’t “file” or the transcriptions you forgot to “transcribe”, ask yourself this question before you turn to attention-grabbing fashion as your signature at the office’s end of season luncheon: Do you want to be hired again?

If the answer is “yes”, stick to the dress code: closed toe shoes, modest skirts and pants, no jeans, and nothing too revealing. Maybe, if you’re really gunning for next year’s summer associate position, whip out the company T-shirt. Here is a perfect example of humble, appropriate, and traditional office wear:

Macy’s is having a 20-50% off sale this weekend, so hop on down to get this look with:

                                                                   D-ring pencil skirt- $29.40

                                                            Ruffled short-sleeve Blouse - $26.40

                                                                        Kenneth Cole Pump - $82.50

If returning to your summer job makes you want to strangle a newborn koala bear (or worse!) it’s time to break all those conformist rules:

No opened toes, you say? Well flaunt more than your pearly pinkies with a pair of BCBGirls “Iriana” Pumps:

Modest skirt? Laura Ingalls Wilder would change her religion to if she was allowed to knit her patchwork quilt in to one of these leggy beasts:

                                                     Tommy Hilfiger Patchwork Miniskirt - $41.65

And while I would recommend a plunging neckline as the final upset to office decorum, Macy’s does not dabble in such risqué material. The best I could find was this Lauren Jeans Co. off the shoulder top, but it will do.

Best of luck in your final days of mindless summer corporate work! Don’t forget to end on your own terms.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more pencil skirts.
                                        Shop for more pumps.
                                        Shop for more short sleeve blouses.

Cover up those sunburnt shoulders and tone down the color palette…it’s time to get ready for the best time of the year for office fashion sensations: FALL!   What to do until the leaves start a-changin’, school bells start a-ringin’, and the season is really in full gear? We know you’re tired of those bright flower prints you’ve been wearing all summer long. So let’s get ready for fall with some transitional clothing! It sounds difficult, but really, transitioning from one fashion season to another just takes a few color and layer switches, and you’re good to go!

Top Transitional Clothing Pieces, from Summer to Fall:

The Sweater Coat.

Look for a sweater coat in a grey shade. It looks far more sophisticated than straight black, and allows for some summery-dress layering’s without feeling like you’re headed out on a night on the town, or back from a rude hangover. Also, look for lightweight cardigans, and none of those “only cover the shoulders and chest” ones. Other than (obviously) not being very warm or functional, “the shorties”, as I like to call them, look like they were stolen from a fifth grade tap recital.

                                                BDP GE Cardigan: $48.00 - urbanoutfitters.com

The Power Pants.

Never underestimate the power of well-fitting pants to make you look and feel great going in to a hard day of work. Treat yourself to a personally crafted fit at your local tailor, but for starters look no further than Express’s sleek designs.

                      Express Fit & Flare Pant: Modern Stretch: $59.50 (Buy 1, Get 50% off)

Halfway-There Jacket.

Before we jump full-steam into a cushy pile of colorful fall pea coats, let’s take a little pit stop at some of the more transitional-appropriate cover ups. Check out the wide variety of vests and short-sleeve blazers in style this season. What’s great about the vest population is that no design is exactly alike. Play around with the colors, belts, and tightness of the design.

                                                        Remy SS Blazer: $27.80, forever21.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more women’s sweater coats.
                                        Shop for more women’s vests.
                                        Shop for more women’s pants.

The corporate world is a lethargic place. Waking up at 6:35am all four other mornings of the week, Fridays often fall prey to the snooze-button blues. I too understand this quibble. You hit the snooze-button about 5-6 times, and it always makes you feel so good because you think you’re stealing back some of what the office steals from you everyday. Of course, after hitting that snooze button 5-6 times you’re late for work, spend about 10 seconds getting dressed and eat breakfast in the car. Needless to say, those days aren’t you finest, fashion-wise. I’m not saying snooze-buttons are a bad thing, but how can we prevent hitting the snooze-button on our style? Here’s a couple easy style tips to save you minutes in the morning and still look dashing…and of course, I’ll write them all before you can say “10 more minutes, please!”
 

1. Lay out your clothes the night before. Sounds like kindergarten when you forgot to wear socks for a month, right? And mom made you sleep with them on so you wouldn’t stink up your Keds? Well this is the same little social exercise, only slightly matured. Believe it or not, setting out your clothes often gives you something to look forward to in the morning…and buys a couple extra minutes with the snooze machine. What’s not to love?

2. Unique Dresses. Leave the babydolls and jersey knits for the weekend beach brigade, love. Look forward to smashin’ fashion Fridays with some unique dress finds, like this Banana Republic Polka-dot Sheath Dress for $150.00 . Look for dresses with interesting cuts, necklines, and silkier fabrics. A simple choice in fabric or interesting cut will make this one-garment throw-on seem meticulously planned.

3. The Boots to Match. Just as dresses are a quick fashion statement, so are boots. Call me crazy, but they look far better than flip flops or your favorite pair of sheepskin moccasins. Boots can be fun and completely flexible, just remember keep them toned down in color, size, heel, and shape. Boots are an accent, not an outfit in and of themselves. My favorite:

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more women’s dresses.
                                        Shop for more women’s boots.

Believe it or not, it’s August, friends…that means it’s your last chance to pull out The Bright n’ Loud Fashion before Humble n’ au Natural comes back in style with the falling leaves. Think bright colors, loud glamour sizes. Orange sundress? Check. Bug-eye sunglasses? You betcha. Heavy on the hemp and necklaces? Couldn’t live without it. But what does that mean for the workplace? How far can the color rainbow go?

The answer is…tights. Not ‘pantyhose’, the grey wrinkly, Yoda-looking layer of bunched elastic around your Great Auntie Aggoo’s ankles at Thanksgiving. No, my friends, we’re talking glitz and sparkle. Bright n’ tight. The color spectrum that poor ol’ Auntie A can’t even pick up on anymore with her triple prescription glasses. And thank god, in the workplace, tights are practically mandatory! You can always justify it was your occupational duty.

“Wear” to go: First of all, watch aptly named ‘Silk Stalkings’ star Rhonda Shear’s promotional video on her own brand of leg accessories:

                  
YouTube - Watch Rhonda Shear Touchable Legs Fashion Tights

Not only does she advertise her tights are the ‘smoothiest tights’ (can you drink that???), but her little models around ¾ of the way in to the video sport some awesome office-appropriate fashion combos, including vests and grey babydoll dresses.

THEN, surf the web for the best colors you can find! Don’t forget the cardinal rule: horizontal stripes make everything look wider and larger (which you don’t want!!). Vertical stripes make your legs look sleek and lean.  A second rule to keep in mind: no peep toed shoes and tights. Unless you want to be subversive. Which we totally condone.

                                                       HOT:

                                                           NOT:

And of course, the ultimate creator of colorful tights: American Apparel. They average around $40 a pop and you can totally just check out the colors at Macy’s, but if you need some inspiration, AA will always help.

Happy Shopping!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for tights.

Don’t underestimate the power of shoes. Obvious, right? But as always it’s harder to navigate style through the workplace. So what’s a girl to do? One big mistake people make is to think smaller heels means easier to walk in. Not true! Personally, I believe there’s a sort of “sweet spot” for everyone’s foot, a combination of arch curve, point of the shoe, and heel height. Try out several different shoe makes and styles to find your “sweet spot”, and don’t think it’s all about the heel height! You can handle it.

Writer’s Picks:

The Steal: Made by Elves Evan Oxford - $39.99 

Demure color, schoolgirl attitude. 

The Stand-by: Roll in to work with the sun on your heels!

These Kenneth Cole gold pumps are sure to brighten up your day - $185
 

The Spring: Manolo Blahnik’s cute-with-a-button Pink Mary Jane Pumps: $565 

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more heels.

There’s nothing like Dress-Down Fridays on a sticky July afternoon…the photocopy machine humming like a microwave…not knowing if the steam rising from the bathroom is coming from your sweat or the coffee mug in your hand…fearing your Mac’s whirling internal fan, like a faint hummingbird’s heartbeat, will spin it’s final breath and kill your 5 hours of mind-numbing data entry. Ah, call it summering in Corporate. Kind of sounds like a New England town…

Dress-Down Fridays, for me, have never been the horror stories Hollywood makes them out to be. Themes like “Wear Your Favorite Hula Shirt” to “Bring a Bimbo in a Skirt” are buried in a paper trail of memos that date back to **gasp** when the in-house notifications were not sent by e-mail. Therefore, we are safe. Dress-Down Fridays are about calm, cool, and collection, and the secret tip: always be prepared to impress. The old saying is true, that the days when you wear a sweatshirt, is the same day you run in to (unexpectedly!) exactly the person you want to impress.

Where to Start:

Considering the sweater set is for the other four days in the cube, jazz it up a little on Fridays. Need help? Pick little themes for yourself. Go Girly. Go Glam. Go Beachy. TIP: If you can’t think of any reason to get out of bed, throw on a favorite sundress or some electric-colored high heels. It will give you a boost to go out the door and show off the fabulous you!

 Pleated Mini w/Belt: $19.80

Writer’s Picks: High-waist, colorful skirts are fashionable this summer. Pick a solid, modest color and pair it with a short sleeve tee tucked underneath (add a little jacket or wrap if you think the boss might mind the short sleeves). High-waist skirts are great because, when they pull the shirt tight underneath, it looks more like a dress—mixing and matching shirts and skirts can give it a whole different feel!                                   

Where to Stop:
 

No belly shirts, cut offs, short shorts, Daisy Dukes, fluorescent bras, tattoo or piercing reveals, track pants, or hooker heels. Of course, look out for sheer/transparent tops, skirts, low backs, etc. You’re a tasteful gal. You know what to do. Be super careful of skirt/ dress length, and if you’re in a city, take in to account wind from traffic, or if you’re anywhere, watch out for breezes. You want to expose your personality, not expose yourself.

Find at Smarter.com: Shop through all women’s clothing.