I guess this is growing up...

Yesterday, I bought a brief case. The bad news is that I think this means I am officially a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad grown-up. What can I say, though? I honestly needed one!



The good news is that I am in love with this particular brief case. It is made by Hobo International. I've always loved their bags because they are obviously well made and the designs are really "outside the box" in a lot of cases.

05-16-2010

Decided to wear my silk Anthropologie top today. Wasn't totally sure when to wear it; since I don't normally silk, I wasn't 100% certain what the recommended "silk weather" is. Because the weather was in the low 70's today, I decided I really couldn't go wrong.

Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren, Top: Anthropologie (the brand is called "Tabitha"), Jeans: American Eagles, Shoes: Guess, Bag: Arcadia, Bracelets: various.

EJB's Boho Aesthetic.

Emma exhibiting one of my favorite boho looks: shorts and boots.

Marita's 5 Essential Rules for Dressing for Work

1. Absolutely no cleavage.

Maybe you think this goes without saying and I wouldn’t disagree except, for me, it definitely does not go without saying. In fact, I have to say to my cleavage every morning “No, you are not coming to work today. See you later.” For me, life is a constant battle again cleavage and avoiding it is not always as simple as a lot of people probably assume it is. In spite of this, I maintain a 0 tolerance policy towards cleavage in the workplace.

Obviously, one way to avoid cleavage is to not wear low cut tops. This does go without saying but, for me, looking appropriate is often more complicated than simply not buying my work clothes at Frederick of Hollywood. I can have cleavage in a top that you would look at on the hanger (or even the mannequin) and never, ever in a million years think of as a “boob shirt”. On me, everything’s a boob shirt. Crew necks are boob shirts. Turtlenecks are boob shirts. A burqa would probably be a boob shirt too.

So, when it comes to a top that isn’t really low-cut (i.e. it is work appropriate) but I could still have cleavage in it if I sat the wrong way or inadvertently yanked it down slightly, my trick is to wear unlined bras so that I don't have to worry about it. I have exactly 2 unlined bras. One is by Calvin Klein but I got I got it at TJ Maxx for $15 four years ago and the other is from Target and I got it for $10 three years ago. I’m not interested in spending any more time money than this on the necessary evil that is unlined bras. I definitely do not like them but I have found them to be a wardrobe necessity.

The downside of unlined bras is that “the girls” sit much lower on your chest than they do when you’re wearing a lined bra. Unlined bras also lack the shaping ability of lined bras. The upside (at least in the workplace) is that there is pretty much no way to have cleavage in an unlined bra. If I wear an unlined bra, I do not have to worry that my cleavage is going to suddenly show up at work like a mentally deranged relative and ruin people’s opinion of my professionalism.

While it isn’t always simple for me to avoid it, I do feel like it’s necessary to make a point not to have cleavage in the workplace and I will go to great ugly-bra lengths to do so.

2. Heels = Yes.

I was very alarmed when I recently learned that in the legal profession heels are often considered a no-no for basically the same reason that I consider cleavage a workplace no-no: they’re apparently considered inappropriately provocative. Frankly, I think that’s absolutely ridiculous and somewhat offensive (if the men in your office are so repressed that they get hot and bothered by a high heel, I think that’s their problem, not yours.) But, more importantly, I just do not think that flats have the same potential for professionalism that heels do.

Heels are obviously not always automatically more professional than flats: a 4” pink leopard print pump probably does not look professional but, in general, a basic pump is my go-to where work shoes are concerned.

I wear flats every now and again (I have some pants that are cut too short to be worn with heels) but, if I wear flats, I do so knowing that I am going to look at little more slouchy that day. I would not, could not wear flats on a day that I had a meeting and I would never wear flats to an interview (by the same token, I wouldn’t wear heels higher than 3” to an interview either).

This outfit is representative of something I would wear on a normal weekday. Everything I am wearing in this picture is from Ann Taylor LOFT, with the exception of my glasses (Vogue) and my shoes (Ralph Lauren).

3. Nothing too tight or too baggy.

Work clothes need to fit properly. On the weekend, it’s your prerogative to wear jeans as tastelessly tight as you like. The same cannot be said of dress pants. And dress pants that are noticeably too big are equally problematic as dress pants that are noticeably small. The only thing worse than dress pants that are too tight or big is dress pants that are too long or too short. Basically: dress pants need to fit you correctly. If they don’t fit you correctly, get them altered. It’s a must.

In addition to fit, shape is important. Hanging cardigans were big this past fall. In a nice material and color, I like them as something to wear to dinner. In a more casual material or color, I like them as something to run errands in. I have a couple hanging cardigans but I would never wear either of them to work. The same goes for tunic tops, kimono-style tops, caftan dresses, and gaucho pants. Regardless of how currently trendy these items are or aren’t, I don’t think they should ever be worn in a work setting. Work clothes should be structured. Regardless of how thin you are, a skintight top is not something you should be wearing to work. Baggy or billowy clothes also look sloppy in a work setting - and I say this as someone who is very partial to billowy tops in my non-work life. When it comes to work tops, I generally want to be able to characterize it as "form-fitting" but not as "tight".

4. (Most) shirts should be tucked in.

This was a hard one for me to wrap my head around. When I first had an internship in a professional environment, I did not tuck my shirts in. I felt like tucking my shirts in was uncomfortable and made me look heavier than I was. I quickly realized that this was something I had to get over. Tucking a shirt in does shorten your torso, which is never as flattering as elongating your torso. However, I eventually realized that it does not actually make you look heavier. Even if it did make you look slightly heavier, this would definitely be counter-balanced by how much more professional you look with a tucked-in shirt. As for the comfort aspect: yoga clothes are meant to be comfortable, work clothes generally aren't. If you really need to be comfortable, you should take Kate's advice and wear a knit dress that day.

Tucking shirts in is now one of my cardinal rule of dressing for work. I think it looks a lot more professional and pulled-together. The exception would be if I were to wear a sweater, a wrap top, a top with a fitted bottom or anything else that is obviously not meant to be tucked.

This is an example of something I would wear on a day that I have a meeting. My dress is by Calvin Klein, my blazer is from The Gap, and my heels are by Jessica Simpson.

5. Always accessorize.

I don’t literally always accessorize because sometimes (read: a lot of times) I’m rushing in the morning. But I do believe that accessories have the ability to make or even save an outfit.

For me, looking professional often goes hand in hand with looking pulled-together and that's where the accessories come in. If your outfit is well accessorized, I think you automatically look like you knew what you were doing when you got dressed even if a 4-year-old could have put together the rest of your outfit.

Accessories need to be appropriate but, when done correctly, they are a nice way to add a touch of femininity and personal style to your work look without letting those elements overwhelm your look.

In both of the above pictures, I am wearing a set of three slim silver bangles from Banana Republic, and silver French Knot earrings that my parents gave me for Valentine's Day.

Figuring It Out: Workplace Dressing

Perhaps one of the toughest things about graduating from college and moving on to the dreaded "real world" is transitioning from sloppy and/or inappropriate dresser to pulled-together and professional dresser.

Since my friends and I are all newly minted college grads, I thought that we might put together a project of sorts about figuring all of this out. Even though I've been dressing for the workplace for under a year, I've quickly developed very strong feelings about what I personally think is and isn't appropriate for the office and about what does and doesn't work for me in terms of a work look. I knew that my friends would have really interesting and insightful things to add to the conversation so I recruited two friends who work in different cities and different industries to come up with their personal 5 Essential Rules for Dressing for Work. I think it will be interesting to see how our collective 15 rules compare and contrast with one another.

First up is Kate who lives and works in Providence, RI and does research in a hospital setting (Click here for her post or scroll down). Tomorrow I will give my five, I live and work outside of Philadelphia and do fund-raising for a 501c3. On Friday, BLW will give her rules, she lives in Pittsburgh and works in a corporate setting in the finance field (Update: BLW's 5 Rules are forthcoming - she promises).

I think it will be really interesting to see what everyone has to say on this issue!

(Photo: Vogue, 1926)

Kate's 5 Essential Rules for Dressing for Work

1) You can never go wrong with classic.

This is perhaps the most important rule of dressing for work. There's a reason that classic has the same root as classy: clean lines, quality fabrics, and timeless styles makes classic not only the most chic style in general but also the perfect style for most workplaces. You can also mix and match classic pieces, and they won't go out of style as quickly as trendier clothes, which makes them more cost-effective.

Classic need not mean boring or matronly (although I've tried on many a department store dress pant that was so unflattering it made me want to bang my head against the dressing room wall). Thankfully, the clothing industry has become attuned to the fact that women want reasonably priced, work-appropriate clothes that don't look like they came from their grandmother's closet - or their father's.

Without Ann Taylor LOFT, my work wardrobe would be nonexistent, and I would likely go to work every day either naked or looking very, very frumpy. If any woman between the ages of 18 and 30 finds herself needing to start a business casual wardrobe, I would advise her to do this: go to LOFT, grab 3 basic pants, a black skirt, some tanks/tees and cardigans (or button-downs if that's your thing), and maybe a sweater and a black dress. If you play the coupons right, you won't spend more than $400 and you'll have two weeks' worth of distinct outfits.

I've also found some work staples at H&M and Express (such as the Editor Wide Waistband pant, a steal at $50), although you have to be more careful about quality and professionalism in those stores. I've even had some luck with certain designers' department store lines; Worthington at JC Penney and Daisy Fuentes and Dana Buchman at Kohl's are some favorites.

2) Don't suppress your femininity entirely, but express it subtly.

Curvaceousness is a vital part of my identity as a strong, sexy, real woman. Also, like many women, I have an ongoing love affair with fabulous high heels. To deny these things 40 hours a week would be to deny part of who I am, so the key is to limit sexiness to one item in an outfit or (especially for shoes) one aspect of one item. As our lovely host blogger has oft written, this is a rule that should probably be applied to most outfits, and while I occasionally break it when going out on the weekends, it has to be applied with extra care at work.

If I wear a shirt that's a little on the low-cut side (too low-cut is always out of the question), I pair it with looser pants. A short dress or skirt? Add opaque tights and it's instantly acceptable for the office. You can get away with sexy shoes as long as you pair them with classic, professional basics. I have leopard print heels that wear to work fairly frequently, and they work because they're only about 3 1/4 inches and because I wear them with black pants and a green shirt. Ditto for my red snakeskin pumps, which I'll pair with a tailored black wrap dress.

While dressing like a hooker is not going to get you anywhere in your career aside from a reality show on VH1, a little classy sexiness can actually be an asset in the traditional workplace. People will notice you, but your body won't be the only thing they notice. A sexy pump can get your stilettoed foot in the door, and then you can wow them with your brain power and mad professional skills.

(PS: I'm going to laugh so hard at this when I'm 50!)

3) The right makeup can make or break your work outfit.

Workplace makeup follows the same rules as clothing: classy and basic; attractive but not too sexy. The right makeup can instantly make you look more put-together, but too much or the wrong kind can make you look like you finished clubbing at 6am and didn't bother to wash your face before coming to work.

A clean, natural makeup look is best for the workplace. I'm usually an eyeliner junkie, but if I could only wear three types of makeup to work, it would be concealer, eyebrow pencil, and foundation. The most important part of work makeup is hiding under-eye circles with a concealer that's a shade lighter than your skin color/foundation; it makes you look refreshed and focused. An eyebrow pencil (used correctly) is absolutely indispensable to a put-together makeup look because of the way well-shaped brows can frame the face. Good liquid foundation that covers blemishes without being obvious is a key part of my clean makeup look, but if wearing foundation every day isn't your thing, then a tinted moisturizer/primer or mineral powder makeup are good alternatives. As for the rest, limit dark eye makeup and non-natural colors, and instead use eye shadows in the cream to tan range, blush that complements your skin tone, and natural lip color (or a muted red if it works with your outfit).

4) Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

Cliché but true. Dress as well as or slightly better than your coworkers. Everyone should look professional at work, but it's particularly important for those who face other barriers in the workplace and want to be taken seriously. Dressing well can at least partly make up for being a young, inexperienced woman in a workplace dominated by older, more experienced men.

Turning up the professionalism of an outfit can be done in two ways:
1) The types of pieces. Blazers and pumps instantly take an outfit up a notch.
2) The quality of the clothing, which I think is infinitely more important than the first point. Clothes that are well-tailored, flattering, durable and made using quality materials are considerably more professional than their lower-quality counterparts, which is why I buy dress pants from LOFT instead of Old Navy.

5) Don't underestimate the importance of comfort.

While work clothes are inherently less comfortable than flannel pajamas, they don't need to be uncomfortable. As important as your appearance is, what you accomplish will ultimately have much more bearing on your career success. Feeling comfortable at work can improve your comportment, productivity, and confidence. You don't want to distract everyone at your business presentation by tugging at your shirt, and you don't want pantyhose so tight that you get a stomach ache and can't concentrate on your workload.

On days that I need to get a lot done, I'll allow myself to sacrifice some level of formality in favor of comfort (which I can afford to do since I follow #4). Soft, mostly natural fabrics, with some stretch to them are the most comfortable. Those well-made, flattering, qualities of nice clothes that I discussed in #4 also serve to increase the comfort factor.

This is a perfect example of what I wear most days: an outfit comprised of mix-and-match LOFT pieces. This is as dressy as I get, because I don't need to wear business attire to my current job (I do own a black suit just in case). I could wear button-downs, but it's nearly impossible for me to find one that works for my short torso, so I stick to knit tops.

This is the Marisa pant, which I love because it features a modern fit and a lower rise than most dress pants (though Marita tells me it's too low-rise for those with long torsos such as herself). I also have the Marisa in black x2, brown, and khaki, the tank in purple and brown, and cardigan in white.

Pants, cardigan, tank: LOFT
Pumps: Guess
Pearls: a flea market in China

Here's an example of a "comfort" work outfit. I work in clinical research at a hospital, and my coworkers often wear jeans and polos, so I can really get away with outfits like this any day, but I tend to save them for busy/rainy/sleepy days when I feel like wearing a comfortable, easy outfit. I always wear this with tights due to how short the skirt is. In this photo I'm sporting my go-to work hairdo for no-time-to-shower/bad hair days: hair in a parted ponytail, twisted up, and secured with a claw clip.

Dress: Daisy Fuentes for Kohl's

Tights: Simply Vera (Vera Wang for Kohl's)

Boots: Steve Madden

Bohemian Style: A Very Important Addendum

I was too tired to get into this when I wrote my original overview of Amanda Brooks’ chapter on bohemian style but I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss the best/most important feature of bohemian dressing: the proportions. This is beyond a doubt the most important thing that you have to understand about bohemian style in order to do it correctly.

Proportions are not more important to bohemian style than they are to other style choices, they are just much easier to get wrong. If you are pairing a classic blouse with a classic pair of pants, your biggest concern will typically be that the prints/colors match well. Classic lengths, cuts, and fits usually go together without much additional thought: the proportions pretty much go without saying. Not true when it comes to the bohemian because, in fact, pants that you might consider bohemian (think something wide-legged, like gauchos) typically do not look right with billowy bohemian tops: it’s too much fabric.

That being said, bohemian proportions are arguably one of the best things about the style. Anyone can put on a peasant top but to be able to appropriately pair it with the right bottoms in the right fit is what makes or breaks the success of the look.

The importance of getting proportions right cannot be overemphasized. To be sure, the proportions piece is what I was missing when I first tried to go boho in high school (e.g. I would have worn gauchos with a billowy top). Nowadays, bohemian proportions are my favorite part of the look and I feel extremely exasperated at my younger self for failing to understand their importance.

Let’s look at some examples!

Long billowy dress, plunging neckline:

Short dress, high boots:

Long top, tight pants, high boots:

Billowy pants, structured jacket/top:

(Note: Most people could not pull off these pants even with something structured. However, Siena Miller can.)

Full skirt/dress, vest:

(My all time favorite) Shorts, Boots:

Mother's Day!

It was very windy today! My top and my jeans are from the Red Label Collection at New York & Company. My shoes are by Restricted. My bag is by Arcadia.

My resident photographer is wearing a skirt and a cardigan by Aqua for Bloomingdale's, shoes my Madden Girl, a headband from Target, and a t shirt from J Crew.

Bohemian Dressing: My Thoughts

I recently finished reading Amanda Brooks' chapter on bohemian style. Obviously, I have a strong affinity towards the bohemian (Exhibit A: Aladdin Pants).

Bohemianism is the first style that I was ever personally interested in having anything to do with. Though I did not always have a proper understanding of how to pull off bohemian without looking like a demented Cher, I have always liked the idea of dressing like a hippie or a gypsy because, as Amanda Brooks states on page 81, "Bohemian style is laid-back, comfortable, and - most important - self-expressive. It is never, never about pouring yourself into the clothes that someone else thinks you should wear."

(Me in New Orleans, 2005 - this was one of my less cringe-inducing "hippie lite" looks)

Thanks to the success of Free People and Urban Outfitters, a lot of teenagers now dress like couture hippies and they are subversive only insofar as their parents' dislike the price tag that is associated with such brands. But all the way back in 2003, when I was first trying to figure out my personal style, dressing like someone who just walked out the King of Prussia mall's version of Woodstock was my tellingly safe way of sticking it to The Man (i.e. Abercrombie & Fitch). Back then, dressing like a bohemian was about non-conformism. After four years of college, I certainly no longer see bohemian style as rebellious and, thankfully, I've also realized that it's completely possible to incorporate bohemian elements into your wardrobe without looking like a complete Fashion Don't (not always the case when I was in high school).

(Me in New York, 2006 - sporting a very Boho look)

Though I have recently been trying to build my wardrobe with classic pieces, I will never be able to resist a romantic peasant top or a tunic in an interesting print. There are just some things that I will always, always love about bohemian style:

1. The Peasant Top
Amanda Brooks says: "The peasant blouse can take many shapes, usually defined by volume either in the sleeve or in the bodice, and is adorned with romantic and decorative details." (p. 85)

I say: I cannot resist a nice peasant top. Excuse my use of Audrina Partridge, she is completely noxious but I love the top she is wearing in this picture.

The popularity of peasant tops ebbs and flows but, if you like peasant tops (as I do), you will likely always be able to find one in a cut that jives with current standards of length and fit. It is one of my go-to wardrobe staples.

2. The Tunic Top

Amanda Brooks says: "A tunic is a short version of a caftan, usually falling just over your hips. Some people can make a tunic work as a minidress, but when in doubt a tunic is most chic and flattering worn over long tailored trousers, capri pants, or jeans." (p. 88)

I say: I love the way a tunic top looks with skinny jeans and flats or boyfriend jeans and heels but my current personal favorite way to wear a tunic (or any tunic length shirt) is with shorts and heels.
I have a personal belief that you can only successfully emphasize one sexy body part at a time. A plunging neckline looks classiest with long sleeves; whereas, a sleeveless turtleneck renders the shoulders uniquely alluring. Likewise, I think bare legs become totally mesmerizing when the rest of the body is more or less completely covered. During the warmer months, a tunic is your most realistic way to pull off this look because other long-sleeved tops will almost certainly be too hot. It's one of my current favorites.

3. The Caftan

Amanda Brooks says: "It is an incredibly useful piece of clothing...if they work for you, you can wear them all the time" (p. 88).

I say: If I am ever pregnant, expect to see me in a caftan every day until that damn baby is born.

4. Bohemian Prints

Amanda Brooks says: "Bohemian prints have achieved classic status as far as I'm concerned. I'm thinking of paisley, tapestry, romantic florals, basically anything that makes you think of the 60s or 70s (but forget the psychedelics)" (p.89).

I say: I love, love, love bohemian prints. Something about them drives me absolutely wild and I cannot seem to get sick of them.

I could stare at this Tory Burch dress for DAYS.

Here is Gisele Bundchen wearing my favorite bathing suit. This woman could sell me anything.

5. Frye Boots

Amanda Brooks says: "Frye boots are very authentically 70s college coed. You have to be kind of a tomboy to pull these off. They're not the most feminine shape" (p. 91).

I say: I am not a tomboy but I'm determined to pull these off someday.
6. Bohemian Jewelry (last but certainly not least)

Amanda Brooks says: "Whatever else you're wearing, adding a few long necklaces, chunky rings, dangly earrings, or bangle bracelets will give you an instant bohemian feeling" (p. 92).

I say: Absolutely. There is nothing I love more in the world than bangle bracelets and their ability to completely turn the mood of an otherwise dull outfit. They are my all time favorite type of jewelry. If I have a signature look, bangles are part of it.

(Me in Ocean Ciy, 2006 - wearing some of my favorite bangles).

Pants! What is everyone's vote on the boyfriend jeans?

1.

I got my Alladin pants!
Here is a picture with better lighting:

2.

These would be work pants. Not 100% sure what I think of them. They are slightly snug but not so much that I think it would be worth it to get the next larger size. They are 100% silk and obviously this color would stain easily sooooo they aren't necessarily the most practical. I'm a fan of the cut. I think it's really different. Very fashion forward.

3.

Boyfriend Jeans Option 1

4.

Boyfriend Jeans Option 2 (which will probably win)

5.

Boyfriend Jeans Option 3 (same jeans as above in a larger size)

6.

Boyfriend Jeans Option 4
(also a possibility, the only problem is that - though all these jeans were inexpensive - these are the only ones that really look cheap)

7.

Boyfriend Jeans Option 5

8.

These jeans are French Connection and I inherited them free of charge. Unfortunately, they don't really fit me correctly :(