Tuesday, July 12, 2011

How To: Business Professional with STYLE



If you've read my 'About me' tab - you already know that this blog is partly about me embracing my corporate dress code and styling it my own way.  I've gotten lots of questions (and seen questions on lots of other blogs) about how to incorporate your own unique style into a business professional or business casual environment.  People - let me tell you - this is one topic on which I feel highly qualified to offer my opinion.  Not only do I work for a southern, ridiculously conservative company - I also meet with executives all day, and the dress code is even more strict than any other corporate job I've had.  One tiny example - I can't wear capri or cropped pants unless I have a matching jacket.  While I'm not a huge fan of capri pants - I do LOVE the look of a good pair of cropped trousers with heels for work.  Challenge extended....  

For this outfit - I not only met the dress code.. I did a fresh take on the classic suit.  I love how both the cropped pants and jacket look more modern than a classic suit.  I also added a statement necklace, work-appropriate red lips, and a messy bun to give it my own twist.

A few of my rules of thumb on incorporating your own unique style into a business professional look:

1) Put a modern spin on a classic suit:  My suit in these photos is basic black... but I did a cropped pant and 3/4 sleeve jacket to make it both summer-friendly and modern.  Also, so many stores have suits with cute details right now - a different color seam, pleats, ruffles... if you tend to gravitate toward any of those details for clothing outside of work, try getting a suit with one of those elements so you can still feel like yourself when you're wearing it.  (Someday I will post my 'styling for a job interview' tips which speak to the importance of still feeling like YOU when you're dressed to impress) 

2) Make a statement, but know when to shut up.  This one may seem obvious, but sometimes I see people go overboard - when if they had stopped at 1 or 2 flashy pieces, it would have looked a bit more classy.  In this outfit - I picked statement jewelry in one bright color to make this look pop.  Could I have added a leopard-print belt? Sure.  Could I have worn more colorful heels? Absolutely.  Could I have styled an additional color (turquoise, for example...) with this red jewelry for more of a trendy look?  Of course.  But for the environment in which I work, I chose to stop while I was ahead.  None of those other things would have been over-the-top or tacky looking (I'm actually re-thinking the turquoise jewelry decision as I type this) - but this goes back to feeling like yourself and being comfortable.  I have to perform under pressure in my job - and the last thing I want is for my personal style to distract from my ability to do that.  I want my look to ENHANCE my performance - and let me tell you - if I wasn't already sassy enough at work......... this red jewelry and lipstick did the trick :)

3) Comfort is key.  This is honestly the most often forgotten rule of looking great (already judging those 4 inch heels I have on in these pics? not so fast...).  I wear heels to work almost every single day.  I love the way they make me look and feel at work.  I never buy a pair of heels that are intolerable from a comfort perspective.  That being said, EVERY pair of heels starts to feel uncomfortable after a while (especially when you have to walk back and forth between several different buildings for your job) - so I bring matching flats to work in my bag every day also.  The majority of the time, I don't even change in to the flats - but knowing they're available if my feet start aching gives me extra peace of mind to feel confident in my heels all day.  Also, I make sure my clothes are easy to wear, breathable (this is CRITICAL for summer in the south), and I don't wear anything fussy.  You all know what fussy clothes are.  Fussy pieces are those shirts that the buttons gape open when you sit down (FYI - either buy a bigger size or invest in some double-sided fashion tape to adhere the fabric in between the buttons), pants with a hem that drag the floor, jewelry that clanks around on your keyboard all day, etc.  People - fussy clothing and/or accessories will ruin your day.  It doesn't matter how great you look - if you are irritated that your shirt won't stay tucked in or that one of your shoes slips off the back of your heel when you walk - PLEASE do yourself a favor and don't wear it again.  One thing I've learned from this blogging experience is that some people look fabulous all dressed up, and some look just as fabulous in shorts and a tank top.  If you are uncomfortable and feel awkward in anything you're wearing - you can't be confident in it.  Everyone wants to look confident in their stylish ensembles...and comfort is confidence.

So there you have it, my rules of dressing for success.  Take 'em or leave 'em, these are 3 things that have always worked for me.  I'd love to hear if any of you have any tips on styling workwear!!  













Banana Republic cropped trousers, camisole, and belt; F21 jacket, necklace, and red ring; NY&CO earrings (old), AT Loft bangles,  gold ring and Eliza B clutch (from Coco Bay boutique), Vince Camuto pumps, Michael Kors watch, random old sunglasses  

21 comments:

  1. Very chic! I love the cropped trousers.

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  2. chic and strong

    www.pinstripeprince.blogspot.com

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  3. Love the outfit... you have an amazing style :)

    Alba
    http://albamecaj.blogspot.com/

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  4. Awesome post! So professional, yet chic! Looking great!

    xxx,

    Fashion Fractions

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  5. This outfit looks great and you provided some excellent tips on office wear with style! You certainly do have a conservative dress code...jacket required with cropped pants? Coming from an office allowing jeans 5 days a week...your people would cringe at the outfits walking the halls of my office!

    www.bravoerunway.com

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  6. so cute!! and the jacket is from F21! love that.

    http://mybeadifullife.blogspot.com/

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  7. wonderful outfit!ur shoes are so great.nice post dear.u have a lovely blog.i am following you.hope u will follow me back if u like mine :)

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  8. These are really great tips, especially the one about 'fussy' clothes. I'm a terror for wearing them and then hating myself all day.

    I think I definitely need to spend a little more time looking at my 'work' wardrobe. Because we have no real dress code too often I just throw something on and feel awkward that I'm over/under dressed!

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  9. So pretty! I love everything in this outfit!

    http://www.hsquaredfashion.blogspot.com

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  10. I have to say that you are a frickin' genius. I wish that more people would take your advice and learn to spice up their wardrobe. Just because you work in a conservative office does not mean that you have to dress like a corporate drone. How boring!!

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  11. Gorgeous! I love your shoes!
    Kisses pretty!

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  12. i love this! totally office appropriate but with a chic twist. Love the statement necklace!

    love from San Francisco,
    Britt+Whit

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  13. Great tips. Agreed. Love those pants and heels together.

    http://blog.badjoan.com/

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  14. You tackled this look so well! Love the full on polished business attire - it's also very chic with the bold necklace and ruffled blouse!

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  15. very well done! your necklace is gorgeous and such a statement piece. i love the color. xx

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  16. I love this look! The jewelry adds a nice touch to the entire outfit. I am now following.

    Lynn

    Carmen Vogue

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  17. beautiful outfit, I love your shoes! you've great blog so I'm following you now, wish you follow me back ;)

    caughtinvogue.blogspot.com
    xx Luna

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  18. love this - very very chic. And you are such a pretty girl :-)

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  19. Sarah, thank you for this post - you are so right on point with each of your tips - especially the comfort is key one! You look so stylish and I love how you accessorized the outfit - you are one of my suit wearing heroines :)

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  20. Love your necklace! xoxo

    http://hellofridaybypaik.blogspot.com/

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  21. Great advice and gorgeous outfit! LOVE your choice of shoes and jewelry - and the red lipstick!

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I love comments!! Let me know your thoughts :)