A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
This streak of amazingly beautiful weather has inspired me to share a few of my go-to items for a warm weather work wardrobe. This summer, I’ll be wearing…
#1: A Safari Style Shirt Dress
I absolutely love a cotton shirt dress for summer! The fabric breaths so well, and wearing it in a neutral color means you can rock all of your bright summer accessories! Pair this with red flats, a chunky belt and a few bangles for an easy, breezy summer outfit.
A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut when we’re looking at the same clothes day in, day out. Avoid the inclination to wear the same old outfits, and get inspired by your favorite bloggers! Here are the fashionistas I check out when I’m feeling a little blah…
Cupcakes and Cashmere
This blogger is super adorable and has a fresh take on everything from fashion to home decor and baking.
As you can see from the photo above, her outfits are chic with a twist. I love the idea of pairing a jean jacket and fun heels with a simple white dress. It creates a totally unique look that transitions seamlessly from day to night!
A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
Earlier this week, a few of the GPH’ers and I had the pleasure of attending Seattle Magazine’s The Forecast fashion show where they showed us that style and function can certainly go hand-in-hand, a balance I think all Seattleites are striving for (especially this time of year!).
During spring, layering is crucial. As the weather goes from torrential down pour to sunshine within the same hour, us Seattleites need to be prepared, first and foremost, with a fashionable and weatherproof jacket. Here are my top picks from the local designers and retailers featured at the show:
A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
These last few days of sunshine have me itching to wear all the amazing spring styles I’ve been fawning over since Fashion Week! Here are my favorite (work-appropriate) trends that I’ll be rocking with a heavy coat until temperatures start to warm up!
Peplum:
I love this silhouette! It’s so girly and feminine, and the structured shape lends a polished piece that’s perfect for the office. Snag a peplum top to wear with straight skirts and pants, or a great dress in a bright color, like this one.
A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
No one wants to wear the same boring outfit day after day, yet it’s so easy (especially with work clothes!) to get stuck in a rut. Once you have your work wardrobe basics down (see last month’s post for more advice on that), start having fun with your office attire by adding in a few pieces of flair.
If you’re Parisian Chic…
Add in a classic boucle jacket. Made famous by Coco Chanel herself, this jacket is the epitome of European chic. With a sleek silhouette and clean lines, it’s an ideal addition to any work wardrobe. Check out this jacket from TopShop for a swoon-worthy version that won’t break the bank.
You can also easily incorporate Parisian chic into your work wardrobe with an elegant shift dress and tie-neck blouses (tip: vintage stores are a great place to find unique blouses at a great price!).
Rock out…
You rock at work everyday, so why not let your clothes show it?! It’s hard not to let your inner Joan Jett out when wearing “look at me” trousers like this red pair.
Other rock star staples include ankle boots, leather jackets and studded accessories.
Release your inner bombshell…
The high-waisted pencil skirt should be at the center of every bombshell’s wardrobe. A leopard print or brightly colored version offers just enough sex appeal for the office and adds a bit of flirtiness to simple staples like button ups or short sleeved sweaters. J. Crew currently offers a great option, perfect for the office.
Other pieces you can add to your bombshell wardrobe include high-waisted trousers, vintage-inspired pleated skirts and form-fitting, structured dresses. To keep this this style work appropriate, make sure dresses and skirts are knee-length and necklines aren’t too low.
As always, happy styling!
A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
For my first blog entry in 2012, I’m getting down to wardrobe fundamentals, giving you my tips for building a complete work wardrobe and an easy shopping checklist to gather your basics.
Young women often go from college (wearing sweatshirts and jeans) to the working world with little to no guidance on what’s appropriate work wear, and much less how to start building a completely new wardrobe. This typically leaves them floundering around buying black pant after black pant and button-down shirts, with no real wardrobe to show for their efforts. If this sounds familiar, struggle no more. This guide is for you:
Tips:
Basics EVERYONE should have in their work wardrobe:
A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
Sequin fanatics everywhere – rejoice! They’re a huge trend this year, and the perfect way to add a little holiday sparkle to your work wardrobe. Here are a few ways to mix them into your everyday office wear:
Get more mileage out of your favorite party tops and layer them over a basic turtleneck – perfect for chilly days! Pair with bright (but tailored!) trousers and simple accessories. You can use this formula for other sequined pieces you own too (pants, jackets, skirts) – Sequined item + a basic + simple accessories = festive, but appropriate, work outfit!
A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
I love Hallowen – it’s the only holiday (besides Fashion Week) that really is all about dressing up.
Celebrate all weekend long, and take your Halloween spirit to work on Monday morning. Here are a few of my favorite work-appropriate Halloween costumes, and even better – I’m sure you already have items in your closet to make at least one of these work!
1. Nerd
Put on your favorite pair of skinny trousers or jeans (even better if they’re high-waisted!) and pair with a plaid button down shirt and suspenders. Pick up plastic glasses, wrap tape around the nose piece (for extra nerd effect!) and you’re ready to go! If you’ve been as obsessed with this season’s menswear trend as I’ve been, wear your fave loafers or oxfords, too.
2. One of the “Mad Men” Women
Whether you’re a Joan, Betty or Peggy, a Mad Men-esque costume is easy to pull off! Grab your favorite pencil skirt or shift dress, put on all the pearls you own and give yourself a chic up-do. Cute and easy!
3. Holly Golightly
Super simple – black dress + black pumps + pearls + high bun = Breakfast at Tiffany’s! Top off the look with black gloves. Chic and totally work appropriate! I would skip the swanky cigarette holder until happy hour, though. 
4. Equestrian
You likely have all the basics needed for this costume – skinny black pants or leggings, a white button down shirt, black blazer and flat boots. Put hair in a low ponytail or bun. Get a little silly and set a stuffed horse next to your desk!
5. Rachel Zoe
The most stylish Halloween costume of all! Wear all black, a fur vest and chunky jewelry. Stay in character by carrying a venti Starbucks cup, wearing your giant “sunnies” inside and annoying your co-workers with a few of her infamous Zoe-isms like “ba-na-nas”, “I die” and “literally.”
Happy Halloween!
Work It is A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
We all figured out at an early age that wearing a killer outfit ensues equally killer confidence – remember that first day of school outfit anxiety?
First impression outfits matter, especially for interviews. While a stellar resume and references are crucial, looking the part of a qualified professional is equally as important. Here are my top tips for getting your interview outfit right every time:
Don’t assume a suit is right for every job interview. Do you recall that old saying about assume? Well, when choosing an interview outfit, assuming doesn’t make an ‘ass out of you and me.’ It just makes an ass out of you. There are definitely circumstances when a suit is completely inappropriate. Do your research for what is standard in your desired industry and city.
If you don’t know, ask! If unsure about what you should wear to your next interview, ask! Call the company and inquire about their office dress code. It’s the easiest way to quell interview outfit anxiety!
Less is more. Unless you’re applying for a job at the MAC counter, this rule applies to makeup and accessories. Too much of either can be extremely distracting for your interviewer.
Always, always, ALWAYS wear clothes that fit. This really should be the top commandment for every day dressing, but is essential for interviews. The easiest way to look polished, professional and most importantly qualified is with clothing that fits well (i.e. no pulling buttons on blouses, pants that are too short/tight/loose, or blazers that won’t close).
Tame your mane. When putting all this effort into your interview outfit, don’t forget about your hair! My rule of thumb for interview hair is stick with something your grandma would like – i.e. conservative, like a polished chignon or soft curls.
So, now that you’ve landed a great interview (which, come on, we know you’ll nail), follow these tips and rock your interview outfit too!
A monthly feature that offers stylist tips so you can have the most fabulous, fashionable work wardrobe around!
For the past month, I’ve been enjoying life in sun dresses, shorts and full skirts, and just like summer, I’m not ready to give them up!
Here are a few tips for incorporating fall trends to make your favorite summer pieces last another season, and even further, how to wear them at work!
Sun Dress
The sun dress is my favorite summer staple. To make yours office-appropriate this fall, add a chunky knit on top and pair with some suede booties. The lightweight fabric of the dress is a great contrast to the heavy sweater, which will keep you warm when temperatures start to drop. For a fun alternative to this look, use your fave maxi dress instead! 
Shorts
Tailored shorts have been in all summer, and if you work in a creative environment, they will transition easily into your fall work wardrobe. To make shorts of the moment, give your outfit a texture overload! Pair herringbone shorts with a silk blouse, faux fur vest, leather booties and fun bracelets. Belt either the vest or the shorts to complete this luxe look. If your office is conservative, save this for the weekend.
Full skirt
Full skirts are easy and breezy for summer, and with the right pieces they can shine in the office too. Take spring and summer’s lace trend into fall and pair with black boots and a snakeskin belt. When it starts to get really cold, throw on black tights.
Thinking outside the box on how to utilize our favorite pieces year round saves us money AND makes for a less cluttered closet. So, instead of putting your favorite sun dress in storage, update it with fall pieces. Besides, if we sip a margarita after work wearing that sun dress, it’s like summer never left, right?
