workplace style

Inspired by… Stockholm Street Style

by Emma / September 29, 2011 / 3 comments

Here’s what I’ve pinned to my Workwear Board… and here’s how to make it yours.

Inspired by... Stockholm Street Style

I love this look. The billowy, wide leg trousers set in the simplicity of just black and white. You don’t need a ton of bells and whistles to look put together. For this look, you really can just shop your closet (if you have the wide leg pants, which make this look), but you can also see my suggestions below. I’m drooling over the Chloe pants.

Inspired by... Stockholm Street Style

Floral shirt, $70
Chloé flannel pants, $595
Zara leather pumps, $20
Ivanka Trump flap bag, $120
Vanessa Mooney wire bangle bracelet, $250

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Inspired by… Olivia Palermo

by Emma / September 20, 2011 / 2 comments

Here’s what I’ve pinned to my Workwear Board… and here’s how to make it yours.

Inspired by... Olivia Palermo

Navy and gold is such a classic combination, and Olivia P. looks tres sophisticated pairing the colors with two more neutrals — tan and caramel. The leather paneling on her skirt gives it an edge. I managed to find a navy skirt with leather detailing that you could actually wear to the office.

There are tons of options if you want to replicate Olivia’s collar necklace, but I like this one: geometric and very art deco.

Inspired by... Olivia Palermo

Oasis sparkly top, $65
Raoul leather skirt, $335
Jigsaw satin flat, £119
Tory Burch tote handbag, £227
G by Guess gold tone jewelry, $90
TopShop necklace, $30
Bex Rox vintage cuff bracelet, $240

Psst… P.S. Follow me on Pinterest!

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Blogger Lookbook: Shannon of The Modern Grad

by Emma / September 14, 2011 / 4 comments

Blogger Lookbook: Shannon of The Modern Grad

Shannon blogs at The Modern Grad about life after school — she provides great insights into the current job market and work options for recent grads, chronicles her own job search, and shares fun doses of art and style. Here, she presents her ideal work outfit, inspired by her former internship at the International Interior Design Assocation.

Job Description

Summer 2010, I had the opportunity to intern at International Interior Design Association headquarters in Chicago. The vivacious atmosphere made this internship far from ordinary. The women in the office always had fun with their business attire. They were not afraid to add color and an extra inch to their heels (but we always remembered our ballet flats and rain boots for the commute home). If I were to step into the office tomorrow, here’s what I would wear…

If you’re curious, here’s a photo of IIDA’s headquarters.

Why I Chose These Pieces

Limited Bow-front Shirt ($28 on sale). The brighter the better! The bow-front style works perfectly with the 60′s inspired skirt.

[Emma's note: My amateur Photoshop skills couldn't merge this image and the skirt in one picture, so I cheated and added this shirt as a stand-in. It's a bit more expensive...]

Banana Republic Mad Men Skirt ($110). IIDA introduced me to Mad Men. We used to watch it during out lunch breaks in the boardroom. So when I first laid eyes on the Mad Men collection by Banana Republic, it really made me miss IIDA.

Coach Organizer ($198). I finally have one of my own and I absolutely love it. For now, I carry my resumes in it for interviews. This would have been perfect for taking notes during meetings.

Urban Outfitters Earrings ($14). I like how simple they are. I have a tendency to play with my earrings when I’m nervous. These leave an impression, but not a distraction.

Aldo Pumps ($80). I’m a very petite girl, so I’m not afraid to add some height. Although, being the size I am, some pumps look way to bulky when I wear them. These give the perfect balance, I gain height with sophistication.

I’m currently looking for a writing gig in museums, art galleries, and studios. In those types of industries, it’s important to let your personality shine through what you’re wearing. Because of IIDA’s modern sense of fashion at work, I always keep IIDA in mind when dressing for the job.

Thanks Shannon!

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Inspired by… Dsquared2 Resort 2012 Collection

by Emma / September 9, 2011 / 2 comments

Here’s what I’ve pinned to my Workwear Board… and here’s how to make it yours.

Inspired by... Dsquared2 Resort 2012 Collection

From Dsquared2′s 2012 resort collection. Sure, Labor Day has come and gone (barely). But if you’re feeling like you don’t want to lose summer just yet, try this on for size. And, fall technically doesn’t come until the end of September.

Inspired by... Dsquared2 Resort 2012 CollectionJoie silk top, $188
J Crew linen cardigan, $80
Knee length pencil skirt, £50
By Larin patent leather shoes, $239
Miami Watch, $30
J Crew long necklace, $50
TopShop orange belt, $25

Psst… P.S. Follow me on Pinterest!

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Back to School Cool

by Emma / August 15, 2011 / 5 comments

I always loved back to school season. I even love it now, despite the fact that I will probably never attend school again. (Late-in-life career change?)

Even though I’m not heading to the bookstore with a class list or gathering new supplies, I can at least incorporate a little back to school flair into my wardrobe.

Back to School Cool

Asos Midi Skirt / J.Crew Cashmere Cable Sweater / J.Crew Biella Patent Leather Loafers / Rebecca Minkoff Embrace Satchel / Madewell Silk Printmaker Shirt / J.Crew Herringbone Hacking Jacket / Topshop Suede Slipper Loafers / Uncommon Goods Theory of Relativity and War and Peace iPad Cases

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Vogue.com’s 5 Days, 5 Looks, One Girl

by Emma / August 3, 2011 / 4 comments

Vogue.coms 5 Days, 5 Looks, One Girl

Selby Drummond, wearing Michael Kors pants, Alexander Wang vest, via Vogue

I was wandering the blogosphere the other day when a blogger introduced me to Vogue’s 5 Days, 5 Looks, One Girl. (I now can’t remember which blog it was — so sorry!) [Edit: It was Genny's blog! Thanks Genny!]

I’d never seen this series before, which in a way is good: It opened up a treasure trove of new-to-me features that stretch back to 2009. It’s like how I felt when I first discovered Dan Savage’s Savage Love, and his archives, albeit focused on a decidedly different subject matter. (Warning: not for the faint at heart.)

Vogue.coms 5 Days, 5 Looks, One Girl

Sylvana Ward Durrett, sporting an original blend of layered jewelry, via Vogue

Anyway, the 5 Days series features a single Vogue staffer’s work outfits, complete with descriptions, styling philosophies, and tidbits about the history of the items.

Vogue.coms 5 Days, 5 Looks, One Girl

Chioma Nnadi wearing J.Crew pants, Alice Ritter sweater, and Robert Clergerie sandals, via Vogue

No, most of us don’t have designer friends sending us their pieces to wear, or the means to wear Gucci head-to-toe (or, in many cases, the desire to).

But aside from some grating comments here and there — such as Sylvana’s pronouncement that “every Vogue girl knows, one MUST have color in their wardrobe” — I love this series because (1) it’s introduced me to designers I’ve never heard of, but now admire — particularly jewelry designers, and (2) the unexpected ways these women style and combine their pieces is beautiful and inspirational. It’s motivating me to shop my closet, and make what I already own “new” through inspired combinations. Check out the archives.

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Practical Professionalism

by Emma / June 7, 2011 / 3 comments

Have you seen the blog 26 and Counting? It’s a post-your-outfit blog geared towards corporate attire, and it’s excellent. Liz’s style is modern, fun, and affordable.

You should check it out.

Practical Professionalism

Practical Professionalism

Practical Professionalism

For non-work attire (although many outfits are work-appropriate), I love What I Wore.

What fashion blogs do you turn to for inspiration?

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Peep Toes for the Office: In or Out?

by Emma / May 19, 2011 / 8 comments

Peep Toes for the Office: In or Out?

From top to bottom, left to right: Zara, $49; Enzo Angiolini, $59; Clarks, $58.50; Nine West, $79; Restricted, $50; Nine West, $79; Nine West, $79; BP, $60.

Summer’s fast approaching, and that means it’s getting hotter. Strappy, open-toe shoes are everywhere! So I thought I’d pose the question to you gals: Do you wear peep toe shoes (or sandals) to the office?

There are as many different types of workplaces as there are jobs. I’m in and out of court frequently, and I (unfortunately) wouldn’t dream of wearing peep toe shoes this summer. I’ve been in more casual workplaces, though, where they’d fly. A little peep of the toes on an otherwise casual pair of shoes never hurt anyone. So what do you think?

Peep Toes for the Office: In or Out?

Also, has anyone else noticed that platform pumps are everywhere? (A particularly egregious pair, from Asos, at left.) I had to work very hard to find non-platform shoes for the roundup above. We’re not all Kardashians, and not all of us want an extra 5 inches in height. Sigh.

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Royal Work Style, Inspired by Kate Middleton

by Emma / April 25, 2011 / 4 comments

Every television show it seems is covering this Friday’s royal nuptials.

Given the world’s obsession with the event, I’m sure you’re just dying to inject some royal flair into your own work wardrobe, inspired by the princess-to-be herself, Kate Middleton.

Or, more likely, it’s that I’ve just got Kate on the brain and couldn’t resist putting together these Kate-inspired work options. She goes for tailoring, demure colors, and modest fits — just like a proper princess should.

Royal Work Style, Inspired by Kate Middleton

Royal Work Style, Inspired by Kate Middleton

Clockwise: Nine West Straw Floppy Hat, $36 / Calvin Klein Belted Poplin Trench, $79 on sale / Modstrom Blazer Ofu, $175 / Zara Accordion Pleat Skirt, $80 / Longchamp le Pliage Bag, $110 / Theory Balbina Dress, $315

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