TheWorkingWardrobe.com

What I Wear to Work: Ela

Rachel — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:00:06 +0000

I really adore the styles and collections from The Row, and here’s just another reason to devote my savings account to a fashion splurge. As part of this week’s “What I Wear to Work” series, I’m happy to introduce you to Ela who works in retail. She is wearing an NM Luxury Essentials white top with – drum roll please – one amazing yellow skirt from The Row, sure to brighten up any work day!

TheWorkingWardrobe is proud to partner with street style blog TresAwesome for our “What I Wear to Work” series.

Do you want to be a part of our “What I Wear to Work” series? Email a photo, your first name and industry to rachel@theworkingwardrobe.com, tweet your photo to us here, or post it on our Facebook fan page! Whatever medium you so choose, we’d love to see what you wear to work!

Today’s Coveted Working Look: Anthropologie Semi-Annual Sale

Emma P. — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:00:03 +0000

By Emma Pretto

I’m sure a fair number of you have the Anthropologie Semi-Annual Sale marked on your calendars, and look forward to rummaging through the clearance racks of clothes that are the perfect blend of feminine, sophisticated, and quirky. Though I have yet to make it to a store, I picked out a few favorites from the online sale section to share with you! And the best part? Each of these items is under $100!

The Working Man: Pattern Mixing

Rachel — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:54 +0000

Every Tuesday, we post a winning look from TheWorkingWardrobe Polyvore Group in our “Toast to Tuesday” series. This week I noticed a few posts focused on men’s work wear – one particularly on the art of pattern mixing. This look was put together by Polyvore user professionality. I love how she showcases with this look that you can indeed mix patterns without appearing too “loud” or risky at the office. Plus it’s a good point to mix patterns with two pieces at a maximum to ensure you keep within office style and attitude. A checkered suit and striped bow tie may fly in certain circles, but probably not within the staff meeting.

patterned tie/patterned jacket by professionality on polyvore.com

Today’s Coveted Working Look: The Long Blazer

Rachel — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:23 +0000

I have a common issue with blazers – they are all too short! I am tall and the average blazer makes my torso look like I’m trying to cut it in half. Therefore I usually am trying to find the perfect long blazer. I own several boyfriend blazers, but sometimes they can be too casual for the office. However I recently discovered these long blazers from Emerson Fry – and available in several colors and patterns no less! Now the question – should I buy one or all of them?

Student Fashion: Warm Weather White Out

Rachel — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:02 +0000

By Jenn Bussell

The Duchess of Cambridge aka Kate Middleton stepped out in this stunning white cream Roland Mouret gown Tuesday, May 8 for the Thirty Club dinner at Claridge’s in London and it had me thinking, ‘Wow. She could make a burlap sack look refined and glamorous.’

It also had me thinking I need to whiten my wardrobe a wee bit more. And that I need to marry a prince.

Historically I’ve shied away from wearing white for two good reasons: 1) I am rather pale, and 2) I spill.

But ‘white’ is having a serious fashion moment this spring, so embracing its crisp, colorless cool is a must-do for your work wardrobe. The key to creating a look that’s more business and less bridal is to skip the head-to-toe, white-on-white ensemble. Unless of course you possess the same sleek figure, incredible bone structure, and megawatt smile as the Duchess…then by all means go for it!

For the rest of us Commoners, I suggest strategically using separates and accessories to hit the same style mark.

By now you’ve probably added a classic white button-down to your closet. If not, head over to L.L. Bean or – believe it or not – Chico’s for an excellent selection of fabrics, sleeve lengths and fits that are expertly tailored for a woman’s shape. Bonus: Many are even no-iron, perfect for the new career girl-on-the-go.

Pairing your button-down with a pencil skirt in an unexpected color like coral or cobalt keeps you from looking like Nurse Nancy.

For fellow ‘spillers’ like me consider an oversized, faux diamond-encrusted watch as a standout piece and pair it with an LBD and cute cardigan for day.

For the brave commuter I suggest swapping out that dark, heavy tote you’ve carried over from winter for a lightweight, whitewashed version like this quilted one courtesy of Ivanka Trump.

Any of these pieces – alone or paired together – will perfectly brighten your existing, multi-season work basics. So go ahead and whiten up.

Toast to Tuesday: Heel or No Heel?

Rachel — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:49:38 +0000

Pumps or flats? Heeled boots or riding boots? Each morning we ask ourselves, “Heel or no heel?” Ladies, here is an outfit that works with both! (However we don’t recommend wearing it two days in a row.) Thank you to theadminpost for the submission to TheWorkingWardrobe Polyvore Group!

Heels or no Heels? by theadminpost featuring turquoise handbags

Today’s Coveted Working Look: Natalie Top by Fossil

Emma P. — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:33:20 +0000

By Emma Pretto

The Natalie Top by Fossil is a steal at $58, and with three colors to choose from, you might have trouble settling for just one. This button down is menswear-inspired, but clearly feminine with a slim fit and delicate material. Lightweight cotton is perfect for summer, and the subtle hues are a nice change from all the season’s neon. Dress it up with a cardigan and layered necklaces, paired with a knee-length skirt or slim trousers.

Smart Business Bargain: Pure Collection Final Sale

Rachel — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:00:16 +0000

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Today’s Coveted Working Look: Fashionable Walking Shoes

Rachel — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:46:22 +0000

With winter, we are used to wearing snow boots to work and then transitioning into our pumps and heels into the snow-free zone of the office. Rain boots are similar during torrential weather. But with warm weather, we could actually wear our work shoes during our commute, but then we have blisters and sour backs to fret over. When it comes to warm-weather commuting, comfort is still key. However since you are not battling the elements, you still want your footwear to be fashionable. Yet finding fashionable walking shoes can be quite a challenge. In fact, it can be as difficult as finding shoes for the rest of the work day! Here are several that caught my eye that can promise both style and comfort before and after the workday. In fact, you may even decide to wear them again on the weekends!

Monday Start-Up: Accepting the Vacation

Rachel — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:10:59 +0000

I did something that I haven’t done in a very long time. I took vacation time. But it wasn’t because I was going anywhere. I was actually staying home! My parents decided to take a brief holiday and visit me in New York City and celebrate my birthday with me. I spent all of last weekend glued to my computer in order to make sure that I would be able to turn off my computer come Wednesday night as close to stress-free as possible.

With only a few emails and to-do’s to get to in the mornings (most of the time before my parents woke up so as not to disturb our “coffee talk time”), the entirety of Wednesday through Sunday was spent almost 100% being on vacation with my mom and dad. And it was wonderful! It was such a treat being almost completely work-free, and I was able to enjoy every bit of time with my family without wondering what emails were waiting for me in my Inbox.

We always say that we have to incorporate vacation time into our lives on a regular basis. Not many of us follow that belief even though we know we should. There’s always so much to do, and the thought of vacation prep and the extra work of catching up are sometimes just not worth it. Wrong – it is worth it! And after coming back from four amazing days of pure enjoyment, staying up late, sleeping in, and spending true quality time with people that I love made me realize that this act of “taking a vacation” needs to acted upon more often.

So from a recent convert, I declare dear Readers, please take some time off for yourselves. Even if it means you have to work the entire previous weekend, I promise it’s worth it.

My dad and me on the Ellis Island Ferry

My mom and me in line at the TKTS booth

Me and my cousins during my birthday dinner