Jacket Strongly Suggested

While I love mixing and matching separates as much as the next person sometimes you just want to wear a suit. Whether it is because the situation expressly calls for it or you are just feeling that a suit is more appropriate it is good to have at least one good suit in your wardrobe as a standby for such occasions. Even though I have amassed a moderate suit wardrobe none of them fit me (as you all know) and that is getting old. I think it's time to suck it up and buy at least one new suit even if I could still end up losing more face because today is one of those work days where a suit would have been more appropriate. 

Even though I feel like a suit might have been a more appropriate ensemble today, I am in love with the skirt I am wearing. Yay, other clothes too! But, I digress... first of all it's tweed and we all know how I feel about that. Secondly, if you look closely you'll see, the tweed has a rainbow of colors integrated amidst the overall black and white color combo. When I came across it in Goodwill I was drawn to the tweed but, I couldn't put it down after I tried it on because of all the subtle colors. What was the last item you can across while shopping that was just meant to be part of your wardrobe?

• Top: red ruffled embellished tank top, apostrophe via Goodwill; black blazer, Ann Taylor
• Bottom: rainbow tweed skirt, Tahari via Goodwill
• Shoes & Accessories: black black pumps, bflexible by Bandolino; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co. 

I most recently wore this blazer here.

I'm linking up with Spotlight Style, What I Wore to Work, I Feel Pretty, Look What I Got, and  Fashion Files

November 7, 2012: Corporate Professional

As you might have guessed Wednesday was career day in my office. The annual biannual quarterly event has been such a success in the past the powers that be are interested in keeping them coming. I'm excited to be coordinating the whole day and that starts with recruitment and scheduling the right people my outfit! If you think my attire would compliment my professional manicure then you are correct. I can't expected everyone to show up interview ready and not be dressed in a complimentary manner. This is actually one of the suits I wore when I was interviewing for this new job. What do you think?

The one thing that I regretted about my outfit choice was the shoes. Sure, awesome metallic embellished flats are great for running around the office like a crazy person while looking stylish but, they do nothing to keep your feet warm. As I left work it was beginning to precipitate and by the time the train pulled into my station there was a nice layer of slippery snow on the ground. I has to trudge through it slowly and carefully to make sure I didn't slip and fall or make my still finicky ankle worse. My feet were freezing by the time I walked through my door! I could go for summer again please, thanks...

• Top: yellow ruffle collar shirt, LOFT; navy pinstripe blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Bottom: navy pinstripe pants, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Shoes & Accessories: silver hardware embellished flats, Preview via Nordstrom Rack; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

Items from this outfit are previously seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. 

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August 13, 2012: Suiting Up

Over the weekend I had a conversation with my father about work. He is closing in on retirement but, still goes to work everyday and does what he needs to do to the best of his ability everyday. I am nowhere near retirement and sometimes I have trouble motivating and taking care of business in the most efficient way. There should be no reason for that, it's time to get down to business. There really is something about a suit/blazer that gets me into a hyper professional mind set hence Monday/Suit Day continues!

Monday was also the day where an unusually large number of new employees started so I needed to set a good example. Especially because they were all recent college graduates. While I don't wasn't to knock my slightly younger peers I am comfortable saying that many of them do not always know how to dress in a professional setting. This is not an assumption, it is something I have witnessed first hand. 

• Top: red bella swan blouson, eShakti.com; beige blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns 
• Bottom:  beige skirt with side pleat details, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF  

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, and here.

June 11, 2012: Monday IS Suit Day!

Ok, Maybe two weeks in a row is not a solid basis from which to draw an infallible conclusion but, I'm going to anyway... Suits are just so easy on Monday morning especially when I need to lead portions of a new employee orientation. They are (almost) as easy as dresses but, the connote an even higher sense of professionalism that dresses don't always. 

On another note, I was so excited to make it outside to take this picture! Picture taking Sundays seem like a distant memory but, with daylight hanging around later it's an (often overlooked) option to take a picture each day before heading home. Do I sense a new plan forming? Maybe... 

• Top: ruffle embellished t-shirt, Merona for Target; beige blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns 
• Bottom: beige skirt with side pleat details, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Shoes & Accessories:  gray pumps, Steve Madden; pearl earrings, gift from Mom/Macys;  Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, and here.

June 5, 2012: How To Incorporate Color Into Your Work Wardrobe

If you asked me what colors I thought personified summer I would say orange/coral and turquoise. Those three two colors just scream sun kissed fun in the sun to me. One of the things that I have been trying to do with them is incorporate them into my work wardrobe in fun and appropriate ways. While little pops of color are always most appropriate in very corporate environments, I think this outfit might push the envelope a bit... or maybe I'm just totally paranoid about dressing for work. After thinking about it here are a few tips and tricks I have under my belt for bringing more color into my (work) life:

• Neutral + Pop Of Color - One of the easiest and least jarring ways to accomplish the goal of incorporating bright colors into a work wardrobe is by including small amounts of color in a largely neutral or basic outfit. And this rule applies  The easiest way to do this is with jewelry but, really any small amount of color thrown in there does the trick!

• Nail It - If you can't reconcile wearing bright colored clothing or accessories in the office then maybe you can get on board with polishing your nails in a stand out shade. This is a good first step for those who might have an aversion to color generally.   

• One Focal Point - It is also easier to wear a bright color when you create one point to focus on so, instead of wearing multiple eye catching pieces you just wear one and anchor your look with that. It could be a a simple shirt, a piece of jewelry, or a pair of shoes... whatever works for you.
  

• Fun shoes/Fun tights - I feel like this tip might be a little trickier to pull off especially when it comes to tights. People might do a double take if you are wearing some killer shoes in an eye catching color but, probably not think twice about it. However, Tights occupy alot more space on your body, naturally and draw significant attention. Purple and teal are normally safe bets. Get ready for the comments either way!

And now onto what I wore... I guess with this outfit I combined a few all of the rules but, as we know I'm not afraid of color. I think overall it's still work appropriate but, bright and perfect for the summer. How do you incorporate color into your work wardrobe?

• Top: orange crochet embellished shirt, LOFT (same shirt different color here, here, here, here and here); beige blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns (part of this suit)
• Bottom: gray pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise peep toe flats, xhiliration for Target; turquoise and silver earrings, Pennyweights; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF    

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

May 31, 2012: She Wolf

Say hello to my Shakira hair! I didn't realize how out of control it was when we were taking the pictures but, at least it was the end of the day, it couldn't have looked that out of control in the morning, right? Don't answer that. I am in need of a hair cut but, have to figure out what I want exactly and where I am going to go. My normal hair stylist is fantastic but, I haven't learned enough Español to be confident that my communications will be understood. I am set (for better or for worse) on leaving my hair curly for now... I dream of large loose beautiful curls on the beach and spritzing Keratin all over my hair will definitely kill any chance of that, however unlikely it is. 

Do I look shorter to you? I did to me when I glanced over these pictures even with all the crazy curls. It's definitely because I was wearing leather ballet slippers (key word being slippers) that give me no additional height whatsoever in fact, I think they might actually make me a little shorter. I wasn't sure how these slippers were going to pan out in the office but, no one said a thing and my aching feet were grateful! 

• Top: gray ruffled v-neck tank top, New York and Company; beige blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns (part of this suit)
• Bottom: white skirt, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: brown leather slippers, Sue London; blue and green stone earrings, V'ta Jewelry; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

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April 30, 2012: Change Of Heart

So despite various awkward conversations I was still very dedicated to my goal of no purchases unless they were entirely necessary. However, after the most recent conversation I started to doubt my original decision that I didn’t need to stock up on suits for this new job. My mother was kind enough to hit the thrift store for me and pick up a few things. But, after much contemplation and checking in the status of my (paltry) disposable income I decided to bite the bullet and go shopping to get some more suits.

While I will spare you the details of my shopping trip (for now) I will let you know that I did pick up a few really appropriate things for work like, this suit. YAY? While I wasn’t so keen on the pressure I felt to go shopping and purchases more suits this definitely fits the bill for what I would want: cute muted pattern, interesting details, high stance… overall success! What do you think?

• Top: red floral print blouse, Old Navy with a tank top underneath for the modesty; beige blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Bottom: beige skirt with side pleat details, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Shoes & Accessories: gray pumps, Steve Madden; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from Mom then altered by me; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, and here.

March 28, 2011: Time Flies When Your Super Busy

I can't believe that I am almost at the end of one year wearing no repeats to work! It seems like only a month or two ago I started. Maybe that's why I almost repeated an outfit this morning. Thankfully, I have been very accurate in my cataloging of outfits. I guess you can't help leaning towards your first instinct, too bad I already went with that! On a related note, I have almost finished compiling all of my "lost outfits" you know... the ones I've been too busy to post. Thank goodness because it's just about time for me to sum it all up. I wonder where I'll find time for that? 

• Top: yellow floral patterned sweater, Dana Buchman for Kohl's; navy pinstripe blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Bottom: gray wool pencil skirt, Isaac Mizrahi for Target/hemmed by Mom
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Nine West; coin pearl necklace, V'ta jewelry; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from mom then altered; purple tote bag, Coach (not pictured)

Items from this outfit are previously seen here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

What To Wear To An Interview

So, as I mentioned before I did a little looking before I landed this job and while I was going through all that I decided to catalog my interview outfits. I figured it would be a good lesson for anyone who isn't sure what to wear when that big day comes.

In November I had an interview with another non-profit the same day as a job fair. I just swapped the cardigan I was wearing for a the suit jacket and it was a done deal. That day I was just happy I wasn't expected back in the office... In the end it wasn't the job for me (we were both on the same page about that) but, at least I got a little interview practice.

• Top: ivory shirt with crochet embellishment, LOFT; black pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein via SYMS
• Bottom: black pinstripe suit skirt, Calvin Klein via SYMS
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Steve Madden; pearl earrings, gift from Mom; black spy bag, Fendi (not pictured)

My next interview was about two weeks ago. Like I said before, things took a turn for the serious! I didn't want to wear the same old suit that I wear for every occasion that calls for a suit (see above) so I reached into my closet to find something different. This was one of the few moments where I was grateful for my past shopping transgressions! Years ago I had purchased this Isaac Mizrahi suit from Target on SUPER clearance (like less than $20 SUPER) and had never utilized it fully. My mom took in the skirt but, I never had a need for the jacket until now... I think it was a total winner!

• Top: yellow ruffle collar shirt, LOFT; gray wool blazer, Isaac Mizrahi for Target
• Bottom: gray wool pencil skirt, Isaac Mizrahi for Target/hemmed by Mom
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Steve Madden; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; dusty mauve butterfly tote, GAP (not pictured)

My second interview for my new job occurred on the same day that NYC was hit with 19 inches of snow. Thanks snow! I think this suit was the one thing that went right because I didn't worry at all about the cold or wetness just how I was going to make it there on time... thankfully I got a very early start and BF was home to help dig the car out and I drove since the bulk of NYC's public transportation was shut down/delayed/who knew.

• Top: orange dolman sleeve top, Xhiliration for Target; navy pinstripe blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Bottom: navy pinstripe pants, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Shoes & Accessories: black Madison Heights Tall Boots, Timberland via Zappos; pearl earrings, gift from mom; dusty mauve butterfly tote, GAP (not pictured)

To sum it all up, here are some thing that I now know undoubtedly to be true about what to wear when interviewing:

• You cannot go wrong with a suit, ever.
• That being said, it doesn't have to be an expensive suit just a well made one.
• When it comes to accessories: the simpler the better.
• Boots are OK when there are almost two feet of snow on the ground.
• A solid bright color top really makes you shine.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!