Okay I know for a fact (because I read your blog everyday), that you get this all the time but you are so incredibly talented and your make me embarrassed that I’m not doing anything more fantastic being a year old than you! Okay, but to my point I have given up my last highschool summer for a full time desk job at a friends office. I work 8 to 6 and feel like I am the only 18 year old who has to do this. Alright, I’m being dramatic and there has to be more! So my request to you if you can break away from being so fabulous is to post something about office fashion! I can’t be too high fashion but I want to figure out how to wear something flattering and fun but still appropriate. Dont worry if you don’t have time or can’t help but just thought I’d ask! Thanks again!

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First things first. Blogging is simply a hobby – what I do is nothing fantastic, nor comparable to what you are doing – most would be spending their vacations bumming around or beaching or vacationing, but taking that time to work – like an adult – is truly admirable.

What to wear to work is important, especially if you are the youngest in the office. To gain their respect first starts with how you present yourself; to say that appearance does not matter would be blind and ignorant. Sadly, people do judge based upon how you dress and how you carry yourself – your abilities and aptitude come second. In a non-fashion area of the corporate world, being too fashion-forward can be a hinderance, since many cannot gather or fathom recent trends. Rather, embrace chic alternatives to the classic and the sophisticated to pave your way to true success.

The Inspiration

What to Wear to Work

For starters, I’ve written a post [a while back] on what to wear at the internship – the dress code is probably nearly the same. What to wear to work, however, is slightly more conservative, perhaps even on the strict side.

Monochromatic palettes, and the classic black, white, gray.

It instantly gives an impression of maturity, sophistication, and timelessness. A bit of color is always a youthful touch, but in the office, it is usually better to stick to the conservative color palettes and colors: black, white, gray, & blue. Of course it is not crime to dress up a little black dress with a colorful cardigan – but keep prints to a minimum, and opt for solid colored (florals are the exception!) pieces.

The classic pump.

Is your best friend; not too high, and not too low. The three-inch, black, stiletto pump is the ultimate corporate wardrobe piece. A symbol of executive power welded by the female in the working world, there is no way one can ever go wrong with the shoe. It is classy, not a potential to be deemed a “hooker heel” (those who are ignorant often label anything over three inches to be such shoes). The closed round or pointed toe for winter/fall, and the peep-toe for the warmer seasons. Do make sure your toenails are well manicured, though.

Invest in the classics.

White button down shirts with the top two buttons left undone, the sleeves rolled a few times rather casually, and tucked into a pair of pants. |  High waisted black skirts or pants are the perfect addition to the blouse, and finished with a few silver bracelets, a pair of black pumps, and a wide belt cinching the waist. | A simple silver pendant is a dainty touch; pearls are equally beautiful, but may look too mature. Something a bit more modern – like colored pearls, pearls with chains, etc. lighten the outfit. | Blazers are absolute must-haves; the black is a staple, but choosing a more unconventional color – gray, cream, white – adds a dimension of modernity and depth. | The little black dress, knee length with sleeves and a modest neckline makes for a feminine approach to the typical pant-suit ensemble. If it lacks sleeves, do wear a cardigan (an electric blue, yellow, teal, or cream are beautiful but sophisticated colors) – worn with or without a belt. | Wide-leg, high-waisted denim trousers in a dark wash also act as a fashion-forward, but not too trendy take on the denim wave. Sophisticated and fresh.

Ensembles, for your Perusal

Click on the individual collages to enlarge.

[All items are from net-a-porter (my favorite site, ever!).] Three outfits, for three types of women (or three different moods).

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bisous,

La C.