I'm going back to work next week and I need a few new pieces in my wardrobe. I haven't been at work for a year and some of my pieces are outdated and ratty looking.
What is your GO TO look for business wear.
I'm not allowed to wear jeans (except on friday) so, that's out. Even though I think jeans can look hella professional, my company thinks otherwise.
Tell me what's in right now!
coconut / 8498 posts
I'm not in the working world anymore, but I like following Capitol Hill Style for business wear advice.
pineapple / 12802 posts
@Weagle: Thanks! I will check them out. Business wear has me in a RUT. I am a casual jeans and tank top kind of girl.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I like to keep things really simple and I have a lot of "outfits" so I am not scrambling to determine if something goes together. I am really fashion challenged. I can do suits really well, they're total no brainers when you have the top and bottom, you know?
My go to look is a dress with a blazer on top. I usually do a printed dress, with a solid blazer, but sometimes I do a solid dress (like black ponte in the winter) with a tweed/nubby blazer.
My second look is a printed pant with a solid blazer on top. When I am feeling risky, I might put on a printed tee for some fun under the jacket.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@.twist.: How conservative is the environment? An easy jeans/tank transition is a pair of trousers paired with a cami/shell and a belted cardigan (or a pencil skirt with the cardi/shell combo). Really, classic pieces always work, and look modern when paired to up-to-date bags, shoes, and accessories!
pineapple / 12802 posts
@MsLipGloss: We don't need to do suits, so a cardi & pencil skirt would be awesome. I just need to find good quality classic pieces. Which is my downfall. That and accessories will be the bane of my existence.
@looch: I like the blazer look, although I'm not sure I could do a full suit! That is so far into business formal land. I like the dress and blazer combo though. Sounds cute! I have to be careful with dress though too, because I live in a really cold climate! Wah.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@.twist.: As long as the fabric isn't too summery, most dresses can be paired with tights, ankle boots, and cardis/jackets for winter.
And with your accessories, if you're not comfortable wearing them, is there one piece you feel pretty confident when choosing? Say, a belt or a necklace?
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@.twist.: I generally go for slim fitting black pants and a variety of tops, switch it up a bit. I have luck at places like Ricki's that have a wide variety of sizes, styles and lengths and aren't super expensive but you can get great classic pieces on sale all the time.
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
@.twist.: I need to get my work wardrobe together also - but I've had great luck finding things at RW & Co and Rickis (not sure what you have near you). Got an awesome pencil skirt that even *I* can manage to pull together into an outfit, so that's a plus.
pineapple / 12802 posts
@MsLipGloss: I really like belts, but I don't have any so it's on my list of things to look for. I have a few necklaces that I don't mind wearing, I just get confused and then you should wear a really looong necklace, or a statement piece, or a chain.
@babycanuck: I'm definitely going to check out Ricki's. I can usually find a few nice things there. 
pineapple / 12802 posts
@redsmarties: haha What?! You could pull of a pencil skirt of any kind! It's a weird feeling hey? I looked at my closet the other day and realized I haven't worn anything business in a year! And the stuff I do have is dusty and outdated. So pathetic looking. HAH.
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@.twist.: Sign up for their emails - they seriously have great sales ALL THE TIME! I'm now at the point where I refuse to pay full price for stuff there because generally within 4-6 weeks of it being "new" in the store, it's on sale. I've also found the staff at all the locations super helpful, especially when trying to match accessories.
pineapple / 12802 posts
@babycanuck: I will thanks! 
I love sales!
@redsmarties: Oh, and yea, I think we have all the popular stores near us, so finding somewhere that sells the stuff isn't a problem. Just my ability to purchase pieces that suit my age/body.
I work with a TON of old people (20+ years my senior) so I have no peers to get style advice from! It's sad. I tend to end up purchasing/wearing things that are too matronly for my age.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@.twist.: In the beginning, just use your neckline as a guide, and think of the necklace serving two purposes: (1) visual interest, and (2) to fill in the negative space (skin exposed by neckline). For me, I don't wear long necklaces at work because (1) they tend to loop over one of mah bewbs and won't hang in the center, and (2) I find they interfere with my daily activities (like hanging down when I bend over, catching on things at my desk, move when I walk). But that's just my personal preference.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@.twist.: what about going to a department store and using the personal shopping services?
pineapple / 12802 posts
@looch: I might try that too! I recently found out that we have one. Part of me is scared too, I'm a little shy and feel weird doing that kind of stuff, but I might just do it.
ETA: and ours is free too so I have no excuse.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@.twist.: don't feel weird! They will show you so many options you never thought of and it will help you get your formula down so you can shop at other stores.
As for the dresses being summery, it shouldn't limit you, but I have a set of dresses for the winter that I pair with tights and boots. A dress that's made of seasonless crepe will be fine no matter what the weather, depending on what you pair it with.
pineapple / 12802 posts
@looch: Awesome, thanks! I guess I worry more with dresses because I take transit to work. So I have to wait for a train, sometimes for a half hour. We don't have indoor shelters and weather can get down to -35C (-31F). Obviously on those days I wouldn't wear a dress, but that can be a few months! Which sucks for wardrobe variety reasons. I wish I could drive, but I just can't afford it.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@.twist.: Totally understand! I commute via public transportation as well, and I learned about fleece lined footless tights. They changed my life! Granted, I am not as far north as you, but we had a snowy winter and I was standing outside a lot.
Heck...I wore the fleece lined tights under my pants, too....
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 1 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
19 comments