Posts Tagged: Level 4

Core Wardrobe outfit idea: How to wear a blazer

By IN Personal Style, Work It Wednesdays

Core Wardrobe working mom outfit idea: How to wear a blazer

The Core Wardrobe is a list of essential pieces that form the building blocks from which you can create outfits for any occasion. Today’s outfit features one of the Core Wardrobe items, a blazer.

One of the attributes most of the items in the Core Wardrobe have in common is their versatility; they work with most of the other pieces in your closet to create outfits across a range of levels and situations.

Work It Wednesdays: Working mom outfit photosNot only is the blazer versatile, but it’s like a wardrobe superhero. You put it on and it instantly takes whatever you’re wearing up a notch.

T-shirt + jeans = Weekend casual. T-shirt + jeans + blazer = Weekend chic.

And of course if you wear it with something that’s already dressier, like a skirt, you’ve got one of the easiest ways ever to look put-together in the office.

I’ve worn this blazer several times before, most recently in a winter-weather ensemble. This time I paired it with a sleeveless lace tank top and a new faux suede pencil skirt for a spring-into-summer Client Meeting outfit.

  • Fab mamas: How many ways do you wear your blazers?

Blazer: Calvin Klein [similar]
Skirt: Chico’s [here]
Tank Top: Banana Republic [similar]
Shoes: Nine West [similar]
Working Mom Outfit Level:4/Client Meeting

Get the full Core Wardrobe checklist and learn how to build outfits with it in Step 6 of “No More Yoga Pants: How to Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the fun, easy-to-follow style transformation system. Join the Style List to be the first to hear when it launches (and get a discount code, too).

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Core Wardrobe outfit idea: How to wear a Little Black Dress

By IN Personal Style, Work It Wednesdays

Working mom Core Wardrobe outfit idea: How to wear a little black dress

 
Detail of Core Wardrobe item the little black dress: Shoulder beading

The Core Wardrobe is a list of essential pieces that form the building blocks from which you can create outfits for any occasion. Today’s outfit features one of the Core Wardrobe items, a Little Black Dress.

If there’s one item just about every list of “what you should have in your closet” has in common, it’s the Little Black Dress.

Work It Wednesdays: Working mom outfit photosAttributed to Coco Chanel, the LBD has been popular almost from the moment of its inception and the reasons are clear: it’s versatile, functional, flattering and chic.

In a simple silhouette like a sheath, it can go from the office (with blazer and pumps) to cocktails (with pearls and heels).

I’ve even worn one of mine with denim and boots.

And I say “one of mine” because I have three: a day dress, a long-sleeved DVF for work and winter, and this one.

Because of the beaded shoulder detailing, I wouldn’t wear this dress to the office, but it’s great as a simple little cocktail dress. These pumps make it more daytime dressy, but at night I’d pair it with my metallic strappy sandals.

One more thing about the LBD: it doesn’t have to be black. The concept is to have a solid color dress in a chic silhouette that can take you from day to night if possible. Color-loving mamas could also opt for jewel tones, like a deep green or lipstick red. You’ll be the brightest star at the cocktail party!

  • Fab mamas: What’s your favorite LBD?

Shoes: Nine West (similar)
LBD: Calvin Klein (similar)
Working Mom Outfit Level: 5/Date Night

Get the full Core Wardrobe checklist and learn how to build outfits with it in Step 6 of “No More Yoga Pants: How to Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the fun, easy-to-follow style transformation system. Join the Style List to be the first to hear when it launches (and get a discount code, too).

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Personal Style In Action: Ideal Client Meeting outfit

By IN Personal Style, Work It Wednesdays

Personal style in action: Working mom client meeting outfit

Personal Style in Action is a series about putting personal style into practice through specific looks for each level of The 5 Levels of Working Mom Outfits.

For the last few Work It Wednesdays, we’ve been building outfits out of our favorite clothes, working our way up the 5 Levels of Working Mom Outfits.

Work It Wednesdays: Working mom outfit photosNow we’re really getting ready to work it with Level 4, Client Meeting–otherwise known as serious career wear. This is your corporate office look, your interview outfit, your asking-for-a-raise ensemble.

The quickest shortcut to Client Meeting is a suit, of course.

The alternative outfit formula is this: blazer or jacket + dress trouser or skirt + dressy top + heels or very nice flats.

This example from my closet is a combination of the two: I’m wearing two separates that have the appearance of a suit when worn together.

  • Blazer: A one-button style from Ann Taylor. (You really can’t go wrong with Ann Taylor for career wear, can you? Similar here.)
  • Skirt: My newly upgraded pencil skirt, from Banana Republic (similar).
  • Dressy top: This is where I injected a bit of my own personal style into an otherwise quite conservative look. This sleeveless shell from LOFT has a sequined zebra stripe pattern (similar).
  • Heels: For me, a pair of kitten heels are the most comfortable option (similar).

Hmm, maybe I should go ask for a raise now! :)

  • Fab mamas: What’s your ideal Client Meeting career outfit?

Learn more about how to build outfits–and how to find the garments for them that flatter your body and personal style. Join the Style List to get tips, tricks and ideas, straight to your inbox. As a thank you gift, I’ll send you 7 Days to Better Shopping, a week-long email guide to making the most of the mall.

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Real world outfit idea: Classic career look from E of District of Chic

By IN More Fabulous Fridays, Personal Style

Real world working mom outfit idea: Classic Client Meeting look by E of District of Chic

This month for More Fabulous Fridays I’m shining the weekly spotlight on great looks from other style bloggers–real world ideas from real women!

Today’s featured look comes from E of District of Chic.

More Fabulous Fridays: Wrap up your work week with a working mom style treatE is a young professional who effortlessly combines designer brands with inexpensive labels in ensembles–what fashion editors call “high/low”–that are always polished and, yes, chic.

In this outfit she brightens up a classic Client Meeting look with pops of cobalt blue in her blouse and pumps.

It’s an easy way to add a colorful accent to your existing working mom wardrobe.

  • Fab mamas: How do you add color to your everyday work outfits?

This is your year to be more fabulous and less frantic! Sign up for the Style List to get more working mom style advice and a special bonus: 7 Days to Better Shopping, a daily series that will teach you how to shop smarter and save money.

Real world outfit idea: Masterful pattern mixing from Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen

By IN More Fabulous Fridays, Personal Style

Real world outfit idea: Pattern mixing from Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen
This month for More Fabulous Fridays I’m shining the weekly spotlight on great looks from other style bloggers–real world ideas from real women!

More Fabulous Fridays: Wrap up your work week with a working mom style treatToday’s featured look comes from Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen.

Allie is a master at mixing patterns; I often take inspiration from her colorful and even daring combinations.

This mixture–florals with animal print–may seem challenging when described, but with this client meeting outfit she demonstrates how easy it can be.

Just keep the patterns of a similar size and in a similar color palette and the combination won’t be overwhelming.

  • Fab mamas: What patterns do you like to mix together?

This is your year to be more fabulous and less frantic! Sign up for the Style List to get more working mom style advice and a special bonus: 7 Days to Better Shopping, a daily series that will teach you how to shop smarter and save money.

Working mom outfit idea: black cardigan + white button-down + tan dress trousers + red flats

By IN Personal Style, Try This Thursdays

 

A great source of outfit ideas is adapting stylish combinations others have already created. One way to do this is to break the source down into outfit components, like this.

Try This Thursdays: A weekly series bringing you something new to try in your working mom style life, like an item to wear or buy, a specific outfit combination to discover in your wardrobe, or even a thing to do.For February, I’ve picked outfits that all include a little red flat.*

This week’s working mom outfit inspiration pieces are

  • black cardigan
  • white button-down shirt
  • tan dress trousers
  • red flats

[outfit level: client meeting/4]

Try this today: Like this look? Try recreating it with similar items from your own closet. Or search Pinterest for other outfits featuring white button-down shirts or red flats.

* Looking for red flats of your own? Try these, these or these.

This is your year to be more Fabulous and less Frantic! Sign up for the Style List to get more working mom style advice and a special bonus: 7 Days to Better Shopping, a daily series that will teach you how to shop smarter and save money.

Working mom outfit of the week: A spot of leopard

By IN Personal Style, Work It Wednesdays

Working mom outfit of the week: A spot of leopard

I don’t know why animal prints are ever considered to be part of this or that seasonal trend.

Wear It Wednesdays: Working mom outfit photosThey’re such classics, especially leopard print. (I still maintain that leopard is a neutral!)

Maybe that’s why I have so much of it: short scarves and long scarves, flats and ankle boots.

It works with brights and it works with neutrals and it works with an all-dark palette, like this one.

In fact, the only thing saving me from All Black Syndrome (or All Black and Grey Syndrome, anyway) is a spot of leopard: the cuffs of the booties and the faux jeweled necklace.

  • Fab mamas: How do you wear leopard print? It goes with everything, right?

Blazer: Isaac Mizrahi (similar).
Turtleneck: Mossimo (similar).
Skirt: Gap (similar).
Boots: Aerosoles (similar).
Necklace: Kate Spade “Show Your Spots” (similar).
Working Mom Outfit Level: 4/Client Meeting

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Learn more about how to build outfits–and how to find the garments for them that flatter your body and personal style. Join the Style List to get tips, tricks and ideas, straight to your inbox. As a thank you gift, I’ll send you 7 Days to Better Shopping, a week-long email guide to making the most of the mall.