clothesure: workwear wednesday

Showing posts with label workwear wednesday. Show all posts

Wednesday

workwear wednesday: an ode to mad men

I haven't personally been sucked into the Mad Men madness, but I still find myself influenced by the uber-ladylike fashions. That's why I love Bee's super feminine yet cozy get-up...

via atlantic pacific

'Til I get my hands on the perfect fit-and-flare dress, I'll recreate this look with a full skirt, fitted tank, boyfriend cardigan, and thick sweater-like tights. For that perfect fur wrap touch though... well, I think I'd better get thrifting!

What was your favorite work look this week?

workwear wednesday: cozy skirting

I almost-unknowingly copied this outfit all the way down to the grey scarf for work today (of course, I've had it in my favorite images folder for weeks, so how accidental could it really have been....).

via vanessa jackman

Since it's so hard for me to find pants that fit my petite frame, I'm down for any excuse to continue wearing skirts through winter... and I love that looked polished while really being all bundled up! How do you guys stay cozy-chic in this cold weather?

workwear wednesday: be wild

People always say that animal prints are classics--and I always thought, "SAYS WHO?!" But recently, perhaps because my VP loves anything and everything animal, I've started to come around to the idea.

via vanessa jackman

I love this look for work. For the cooler temps, I'd pair it with a slouchy sweater, or simple black tank and blazer, tights, and clunky black wedges.

Do you dare do animal?

workwear wednesday: thank you, bloggers

Last week was one of the first in a long time where I felt like I made lots of calculated, but easily decided-upon decisions for workwear. This was in no small part thanks to the many style sites I stalk on a daily basis. For instance, this look I spotted on Vanessa Jackman's blog....

...inspired me to pair a full, black lace skirt from Urban with a chambray shirt picked up at a work sample sale. I threw on a pair of black sandals (getting the last of their wears before fall REALLY sets in) and a polka-dot scarf. Voila! Easy and cool, and just a bit unexpected for work. Plus, I snuck around that whole denim-only-on-Friday rule!

What was your favorite work outfit this week?

workwear wednesday: fall, in living color

Today it was 65-degrees and overcast in New York, making the approach of fall a real reality. So what'd I do before heading to work? Threw on a pair of grey skinny trousers, black tank, and a black moleskin drape-front jacket. Several other coworkers showed up in mostly black or otherwise drab-colored outfits, too. What is it about colder temperatures that make New Yorkers immediately discard their color? I'm trying to get inspired by some of the fall runway colorful looks. Instead of pairing grey and black, why not pair sister tones of another hue? Like green... or pink.. or just change it up entirely with opposites.

Would this work in your office?

*runway looks from WWD: burberry prorsum, bottega veneta, and dries van noten fall 2010

workwear wednesday: fall wish list

Every few months, notably when seasons change, I look at my drawers and hangers of clothes and ask myself, "Why don't I have anything to wear?!" I've lamented often about my lack of good basics and drooled about what I wish I had. Now that I have a real grown-up-job, I'm toying with the idea of splurging for my dreamy must-have's.

isabel marant fall '10 faves [via closet of kruse]

So here's how I'd like to makeover my work wardrobe for fall, if I get the guts to spend the dough...

The Tops

Ashish Striped Sequined T-Shirt, 540 GBP
Current/Elliott The Perfect Shirt, $215
Adam Heart-print silk blouse, $245
Prickig oversize blus, 549 SEK
Edun Silk racer-back tank, $300

I want uber femme sheer, silk blouses; sequins, even!, and a tad of military

The Bottoms

J Brand Houlihan Skinny Cargo Pants, 270 GBP
J Brand The Skinny Jean in Ink, 150 GBP
box pleat leather skirt$396, $396

Aside from being on continuous hunt for the perfect black cigarette pant [high-waisted? pleated?], I want a flirty leather skirt, tapered ankle dark-wash jeans, and a caramel khaki--though I'm sort of over these cargos, already!

The Neccessories *

Jeffrey Campbell Charli, $132
Restricted "Scrabble" Oxfords in tan, $39
Proenza Schouler PS1 Large suede satchel, $1,995
Discount Missoni Silk crochet-knit scarf | theOutnet.com

Will I or won't I cave to the clogs? Not before I find the perfect flats, and maybe a new work-appropriate satchel.

Ah, how lovely it would be to throw out all my junk and find these things in their place! What are you going to wear to work when the temperatures fall?

* The term "necessories" is genius shorthand for "necessary accessories" and coined by our summer intern... I'm not that clever.

workwear wednesday: i'm seeing spots [again]

Lately I've been feeling a little like Alice in Wonderland at work, falling down the rabbit hole, trying to figure out lots of riddles. Sometimes it can be exciting, but other times I start to feel like the Mad Hatter... So sorry if my workwear Wednesday is a little less inspired. I tried to find inspiration in Alice, but I kept coming back to dots.

Like, a lot of dots.

I have officially moved on from black and white, at least!

And wouldn't all of these pieces make your work wardrobe just a bit more fun?

Add a pair of ladylike patent leather mary janes, and you're set.

1. Sequin Top, 488 GBP
2. Polka Dot Pink Scarf, $128

3. Skirt, $315
4. Silk Dress, 617 GBP
5. ASOS 2 In 1 Polka Dot Canvas Shopper/Backpack, $47

workwear wednesday: floral bed jackets

I feel like I'm cheating on my true love, the blazer, but as summer goes on, a sheer, light jacket seems like a better choice for the office. I'm falling for these exotic, sexy cover ups that almost feel like they should remain in the bedroom.

I'm so in love with these silky fabrics and soft florals. Though I swoon over the robe-length pieces above, I think it's more approachable when it hits at the waist. Paired with a neutral top or dress, a bed jacket can transform a bare summer outfit into a fresh, office-appropriate look.

Just think about pairing one of these with rolled cuff chinos, flimsy tank, and wedges:

Or throwing this over a simple cami dress:

Plus, they're chic and cheap--I'm betting this is a thrift store find waiting to happen. I'm going to hunt for one this weekend at Stella Dallas. $50 bucks says I hit a gold mine.

The inspiration:

1. & 3. via late afternoon

2. death by platforms

Where to find them:

1. mousevox, $26

2. studio1950, $20

3. modcloth, $80

workwear wednesday: evening for day

On my walks to work lately, I've seen lots of girls wearing shiny, evening-type skirts with plain T's and tanks. It looks like they've borrowed half of their grandma's (outdated) suit, or fished out the lone half of a mother-of-the-bride look from a thrift shop. Or maybe they've just taken last Wednesday's post to heart and sought out some glimmering neutrals! Why not use evening wear for daytime glam?

evening wear work wear by nyclu featuring Donna Karan skirts

I love the idea of pairing a super-shiny-formal skirt with a graphic tank or blouse for work. It says you care about dressing up without ending up stuffily professional. Maybe the perfect balance I've been looking for!

What do you guys think? Have you seen this around?

workwear wednesday: where's my summer power suit?

I had an awkward moment on Monday. Our dress code is lax, but I'm starting to sense notes are being taken. When my boss said, "You look nice in that little sundress, a bit bare... not that I care." I wondered, Errr...are you sure? Couple that with the WSJ article on the matter and I'm officially in full-blown paranoia mode.

safer bet than a sundress

I think I need to up my "power dressing" for summer or, likely, in general. But how can I answer the riddle of our unwritten dress code? It's more fashion than professional. It's more trend than classic. It's also -drum roll- on a budget. So what's a gal to do?

I've decided that my office dress code role model should be a little style icon named Lucy Laucht.

I love how deceptively simple her outfits look--they're never stuffy, or scruffy, just... perfect.

She's really a girl after my own heart. I've always said I prefer to dress somewhat plainly and play up the third piece [vest, jacket] or accessories, and that seems to be her aesthetic, too. But what I'm missing is the base that she's perfected. From the looks of it, there are several things I need desperately:

The perfect white T [x 5]
The perfect khaki trousers
The perfect summer blouse
Shimmering neutrals
To put on some damn heels

At least I know my jacket obsession is not for nothing! But I really need tips for petite-friendly trousers and T's... please share if you have them!

Tell me, what do you wear to work? Have you ever had an awkward fashion moment with a boss?

workwear wednesday: the leather short remedy

Like my romper love, my obsession with leather shorts is troublesome because... I CAN'T WEAR THEM TO WORK! If something doesn't have work-non-work balance, I rarely buy it. That's why I'm pretty excited to see the leather skirt happening.

Is it just me, or does this look incredibly cool and modern with the perfect wispy top?

And somehow, it's so very summery, but clearly transitional through the seasons. What a major plus.

Now where can I get my hands on one?

1. vanessa jackman

2. face hunter

workwear wednesday: i dare you to try this

As you know, I came around to the romper trend awhile ago. I actually kind of love them. I love how versatile they are in knits, wovens, ditsy florals, and solids. I love that you can wear them day or night, dressed up or down. But the thing is, you can't wear them to work. If nothing else, my office has a strict NO SHORTS policy--so rompers fall into that. The exception?

JUMPSUITS

Is it a tank? Is it a pant? Oh, it's a LONG romper! Aha, the solution!

But it appears this romper-on-crack is a bit more outgoing than her little sister. Because she's often PRINTED. Like, crazily printed. Like, this, my friends, is A LOT of print.

So this is the romper's answer to workwear. But would you do it--paired with a little blazer? Right now I'm saying NO WAY! But then again, I was pretty wary about rompers in the beginning, too...

1. rockhouse vintage

2. &3. styleclicker

workwear wednesday: denim & stripes

When I showed up for work on Monday wearing a striped dress, denim jacket, and floral scarf--and found my cubicle mate wearing basically the same thing--I decided this must be the summer version of the fail safe work outfit.

It's fresh and easy and makes you dream about where you're [hypothetically] going to lay in the sun and relax once 1pm on summer Friday rolls around.

workwear wednesday: stripes and denim [me] by nyclu featuring American Eagle Outfitters shoes

Plus, you can wear it on a small budget like mine [with a thrifted scarf and jacket, and $12.95 H&M striped dress, my look was less than $20 -- not including shoes ($75) and bag ($150)]...

workwear wednesday: denim and stripes [boss] by nyclu featuring Missoni dresses

...or a bigger one, like your boss' [Miu Miu shoes? Chanel purse and Carlos Falchi "gym bag"? A bit more than $20..]

Of course, just as I've gotten used to amazing spring/summer weather.. the temperatures have plummeted and rain has arrived. SIGH! Guess I'll have to wait awhile to try this combo out again.

workwear wednesday: fail safe

OK, I know this post isn't, like, groundbreaking--forgive me, I'm trying to catch up on all my favorite bloggers and Chictopians! Besides, it really was exciting when I noticed the other morning that the official NYC-working-girl-uniform has been hiding right under my nose.

workwear wednesday: fail safe by nyclu featuring Diane Von Furstenberg dresses

Slinky Piquet Goddess mini dress, $417

Liddie knot-front jersey dress, $213

Pink Fleur 3 Button Cardigan by Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, 234 GBP

East Linen Knit Swathe Wrap Cardigan, Blue, 14, 67 GBP

Royal Blue Cardigan Lisa, 198 EUR

Colorful Fashion - Bright Clothing - Marie Claire

On one of my walks to work last week, I noticed a pattern. Almost every other girl I passed was wearing a LBD [generally t-shirt or sheath style] and a technicolor cardigan--like they'd taken serious cues from Kelly Cutrone's DKNY cozy campaign. I realized, this IS the NYC-working-girl uniform. It goes from finance to fashion with a change of hue and it's the chicest, easiest thing to pull on when you've had one too many margaritas the night before.

Not to mention, the shoes. At least for the walk over [though for me, it's the entire day] the outfit is topped off with flat, gold sandals and little else. In fact, at a girls' night out a few weeks ago, we realized that all 5 of us girls, on accident, arrived wearing gold sandals... ummm.

What's your fail-safe work uniform?

workwear wednesday: carried away

In honor of the Sex and the City 2 movie premiere tonight [which I am sadly not attending! I guess I am a real adult], I decided to do workwear Carrie Bradshaw style..

workwear wednesday: carrie bradshaw style by nyclu featuring Manolo Blahnik shoes

Items in this set:

Perfect Party mini dress, $350

DOLCE & GABBANA SS10/F25W0T W001 COTTON / NYLON GIACCA, 940 GBP

Hangisi - Green, $945

Foulard Scarf Tie Bag - Matiche Multi, $950

Sex and the City Carrie Gold Necklace, HBO Shows Sex and the City ,...

The longer I look at this outfit, the more convinced I am that this is an actual outfit Carrie wore... Anyone know? I thought I made it up, but CB is so far inside my unconscious who can tell. I had a hard time deciding if she'd go with a sheath dress or fit-n-flare, but I knew she'd dig those shoes [she definitely already owns them], and the weird, totally impractical bag.

Wouldn't it be nice to get to dress up like this for work everyday? It's a "sitting pretty" look, I think. I've decided assistants just cannot wear heels successfully. I'll have to wait for a promotion to get some use out of all those damn things sitting, and waiting, in my closet..

P.S. In perfect timing, it's also Fleet Week in NYC... reminding me of one of my all-time favorite S&TC episodes. I snapped this photo on 5th ave and immediately thought of Samantha.

"Seamen, 12 o'clock!"

"I pray when I turn around there are sailors... because with her, you never know."

workwear wednesday: back to classic

Lately I've been into more traditional-looking work clothes [with a bit of a twist]. I just love the classic look a blazer lends any outfit, whether it's in an unusual color or paired with pleated khakis or a mini skirt.

Since NYC can't decide if it's spring or fall, this look is really perfect. The only problem is... jackets take up lots of valuable closet space.

P.S. Check out an awesome giveaway from KELLYSHOESTRINGS!

1. ksunderbruch

2. adenorah

3. highstreet cardigans

4. andy

workwear wednesday: lusting for leather

In my office, almost anything goes. Our environment is casual, and obsessed with following trend, so in the same week I might wear a tailored black dress, leggings and an uneven hem tank, and, on Fridays, jeggings with a tunic button down. But there is one thing we simply can't wear: shorts. [Rumor has it when one assistant tried, the VP called her out on it.]