The Best Summer-to-Fall Transitional Item

Similar Denim Jackets: (1), (2) // Maxi Dress // Wedge Riding Boots (on sale!!) // Similar Infinity Scarves: (1), (2) // Initial Charm Ring // Nail Polish

This is one of my favorite fall looks year after year. Maxi dresses are the perfect summer-to-fall transitional piece for your wardrobe. You can layer a cardigan or jacket (like this denim one) and add a scarf for an easy fall look. It's also a great fall style because it is easy to adjust it to the temperatures. On more summery fall days stick with a light weight cardigan and scarf, but on cooler days add a jacket and blanket scarf.

The key to transitioning your maxi dress into the fall is to choose your dress / dresses wisely. Maxi dresses made of lighter materials such as chiffon should be left for the summer months. Cotton dresses, in contrast, are perfect to wear in the fall. Dresses in solid colors such as navy, black or red are easiest to style for fall.

This has been an odd work week for me, having both yesterday & today as office days. It's been great to actually catch up on paper work & emails, but I do struggle with not getting distracted at my desk. Hopefully today I can buckle down and then start my weekend early! 

linking up with:  friday faves // friday favorites // fabulous friday // flashback fashion friday 

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5 Tips for Summer Office Wear

       Outfit Post (1)    //   Outfit Post (2)    //   Outfit Post (3)   //      Outfit Post (4)     //     Outfit Post (5)

 

1. Embrace White
Incorporating white into your office wear is the easiest way to make your work outfits fit for summer. A good pair of white pants are a wardrobe staple. I personally love these & these!
 

2. Add Bold Accent Colors
Summer colors like bright yellow, pink or orange can be work appropriate in small doses. When used as an accent color in a shoe, handbag or even top, any work outfit will feel more suited to the season.  

3. Add Prints & Patterns
While I recommend playing with prints & patterns year round; they are especially important in the summer months. Work outfits can feel drab and prints and patterns are traditionally more playful and fun - just like summer. As you can see from my summer office outfits, I love floral & stripes.
 
4. Switch to Neutral Basics
Where you would normally wear black - wear white, tan or cream. In other words, switch out those black pencil skirts for tan ones, black pants for white ones, and black heels for nude ones.

5. Add Accessories
Because the summer is traditionally more relaxed - even for work wear - you can get away with wearing bolder accessories than other times of the year. A pair of statement earrings can totally be styled for the office!

 linking up with: creative mondays // shoe & tell // OOTD // let it shine // hello monday // #howisummer // midweek inspirations // what i wore // TFF
 

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How To Pick Your First Suit

*original outfit post here*

I try to showcase a lot of wear-to-work outfits that are work appropriate, but go beyond just a basic suit. However, suits are a must have in your closet if you are a young woman working in the professional / corporate world. Even if you work in a laid back industry, there are times where a classic suit is just a necessity. 

Today I wanted to share some tips on how to select your first suit. Suit shopping can be a daunting task - especially for women - so these tips should help make the process easier! I'll also link up my favorite places to buy suits.

1. Know your Industry 

Do you work in a 'big business' accounting firm, a boutique law firm, a tech start-up? Knowing your industry is essential to determining the type of suit you need. For more 'corporate' industries you will want to to stick with a classic shape. The more relaxed, the more you can experiment with cuts/shapes. Personally, I live in 'skinny pant' suits. 

2. Decide on Color 

For a first suit, stick with the basics - navy or dark charcoal gray or most common. Traditionally the rule was to shy away from black as it is too harsh. Personally, I think that rule is outdated now and I see many young lawyers with black suits as their first/primary suit and it looks great. 

     3. Decide on Skirt vs. Pant            

If you are in a more strict environment, or are planning on going to numerous interviews in your first suit, skirt suits are still recommended as the most appropriate style for women. That said, it's 2016. If you feel more comfortable in a pant suit, go for it. I personally don't like skirt suits and did every law firm interview I had following law school in a pant suit. 

4. Try on Different "Fits"

Suits can be as diverse as jeans. Take a ton of suits into the change room to see how different fits sit on your body type. Longer vs. Shorter blazers will look different on different bodies, as will one, two or three button blazers. Try them all on to see what look suits you best before narrowing your search to suits in that particular fit.

 5. Where to Shop

Luckily, it is becoming easier to find stylish women's suits. My personal favorite brands/stores, by price point, are below.

Affordable ( >$200):

- Banana Republic

- Express

- Halogen (available at Nordstrom)

Mid-Range ($200-600):

- Ann Taylor

High End ($500+)

- Classiques (available at Nordstrom)

- Theory

- Boss (available at Saks)  

- Club Monaco

 

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The 5 Blazers Every Working Woman Needs

~original outfit post here~

As a young professional it is tough to build up your wear-to-work wardrobe. You want to put your best foot forward in your career, and that includes looking & feeling your best. Blazers are a wardrobe staple for young professionals, so today I have got your guide to the top 5 blazers every working woman needs.

(1) Fitted Black Blazer

~original outfit post here~ 

A fitted black blazer is the absolute staple of any young professional's wardrobe. It's a timeless piece that can be worn with just about anything. I recommend keeping a well fitted black blazer in your office at all times. Think of it as your professional looking security blanket - thought you had a casual day and then suddenly an important meeting is thrown at you? You can add a fitted blazer to whatever you are wearing to make your outfit appropriate for any work event. You can shop my top picks for fitted black blazers below.

(2) Menswear Inspired Blazer

~original outfit post here~

Every woman needs a powerful blazer in her arsenal, and a menswear inspired style is perfect for that. A tuxedo jacket, similar to the one I am wearing here, is a great style that carries both the confidence of a menswear inspired blazers and the fashion forward element that every working fashionista wants. You can shop my top menswear inspired blazer picks below. 

(3) Good Quality Blazer

~original outfit post here~

While you are starting out in your professional career, you may not have the budget to go crazy on work wear. In my opinion you don't need a ton of expensive blazers, but you do need one really good quality blazer. My personal favorite blazer is the one pictured in the above photo from Citzen's Mark. The fabric and tailoring are so high quality and so beautiful!

(4) Cropped Blazer

~original outfit post here~

A cropped blazer is an important item of wear-to-work clothing that pairs well with those wide-leg trousers you've been seeing on-trend this year, as well as office appropriate dresses. Below you can shop my personal favorite cropped blazers.

 (5) Bold Blazer 

~original outfit post here~

Every working woman needs one bold or bright blazer they can wear to work that is their "stand out" item. I love wearing a bright blue, emerald or red blazer with basic black to brighten up my work wear. Below are my favorite bold blazers; and all are under $200! 

linking up with: let it shine // #ootd // #howispring // mix it mondays // friday faves // fabulous friday // WW // creative mondays

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5 Professional Style Tips – According to a “Less Young” Professional

Happy almost Mother's Day! My mom has always been a huge fashion inspiration for me. She is a lawyer like myself and growing up I remember loving all her beautiful suits and heels. You may remember seeing my mom & her style in this post. In honor of Mother's Day I decided to ask my mom for 5 style tips she thinks that every young professional should know. 

As a fashionista who has been in the professional world for nearly 40 years (..sorry to age you there mom.. opps!) she has some great advice. So, without any further ado, here is a "guest post" from my mom. Enjoy!  

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Top Five Fashion Tips From Mom

1. Be well groomed
Whatever your level of self care (naked nails or bright red gel) be consistent. Touch up your makeup, stay on top of roots and trims, practice good oral hygiene and make sure your hands are immaculate and your clothing is clean. Who cares what you’re wearing if your mascara has run and you’ve got food stains on your shirt ?

2. Find a signature scent
Experiment with different scents but once you have found your signature one, wear it everyday. It doesn’t have to be expensive it just has to smell good on you. These days certain workplaces are “scent free” and of course you must respect those who are overly sensitive or allergic to strong scents but absent that restriction, indulge yourself (and remember to reapply as needed). My personal signature scent is this one, and Lee's is this one.

3. Make it fit
From thrift shop finds to high end fashion nothing looks good if it doesn’t fit. Find a seamstress and treat her like gold. Sleeves that end where they’re supposed to, hems that hit just the right spot to make your legs look amazing, a waist that follows the unique curves of your body, will set you apart. An inexpensive suit can look stunning if it fits you like a glove (that in part is what haute couture is all about).

4. Invest in a full-length three-way mirror  
Have a good look before you head to work every morning. How you look leaving a room is just as important as how you look arriving. If you can’t afford a three-way mount a second mirror on a door opposite a wall mirror. By moving the door you can get a 360 view!

5. Have a "style emergency kit"
Carry a small emergency kit with you at all times. You know what’s vital to you but my list is below. You can also read Lee's 10 Things Every Woman Needs in Her Office post for some "must-haves".
- bandaids
- tape or safety pins for fast repair of a fallen hem
- an emery board to fix a broken nail before it tears further or catches your clothing
- an extra pair of earrings if they’re a staple in your wardrobe. I have a bad habit of removing mine for phone calls then leaving them on my desk. When I get to meetings I then discover them missing and can make do with my emergency pair.
- an extra pair of pantyhose if you wear them

6. (I know she said 5 but this one’s a bonus) SMILE!
A sincere and radiant smile is the best fashion accessory going!

linking up with: casual friday // friday favorites // WW // flashback fashion fridays // friday favorites // shoe & tell 

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5 Easy Ways to Look More Stylish at Work

*see this outfit post here* 

 

Given that my niche as a fashion blogger is work wear, I often get questions about how to keep work wear from looking boring. Today I decided to talk about 5 easy ways you can look more stylish at work. 

1) Add a Pop of Color

*see this outfit post here*

It is easy to fall into the monotony of black and grey work wear. Adding one simple pop of color instantly updates your entire outfit. Go for a bright pencil skirt or large handbag if you are bold. If you are more hesitant, start small - add a clutch or a bright pair of pumps. 

Below are some of my favorite picks right now to add a pop of color:

 

2) Make a Statement with your Shoes

 *see original post here*

You can instantly update any work outfit by adding a killer pair of shoes. This is great for women like myself who work in a very corporate environment. No matter how restrictive your industry is in terms of creative expression the most standard interview suit looks more stylish with a chic pair of pumps. Below are some great options:

  
3) Add Layers

*see original post here*

If you are stuck in the rut of a blouse and a blazer think about changing your look with layers. There are a million ways to incorporate more layers but some easy ones are to add a sweater on top of a button down (and under a blazer if need be), to had a sleeveless blazer or vest, or even to style a shirt under a dress. Here are some great options to layer with:

4) Borrow from the Boys

*see original post here*

Break away from standard women's work wear and incorporate a traditional menswear item. Paired with women's work wear not only does this make for an ultra fashionable look, it also exudes power and confidence. A great thing if you are in workplace that is dominated by men. The menswear pieces I find easiest to incorporate are bow ties, 'smoking slipper' style foot wear and suspenders. You can also be bold and go for suspenders or a pocket square. Below are my top menswear picks:

5) Combine Casual & Ultra Conservative

*see original post here*

If you are in a work environment where you can be more casual or creative, try pairing a conservative suit with a graphic tshirt. The look will still be work appropriate but will be extremely stylish. Just be sure to pick a graphic tee that is work appropriate! Below are great options:

 

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