Finding fashion deals on the web can be time consuming sometimes. We can take advanatage of the fact that there are some fashion blogs that devote most of their time to doing that. That’s not our primary mission here (our main thing is to write about fashion mostly as it applies to business attire, and getting a good work look). But occationally we come across other fashion blogs that write about particular items available at good prices. Like for example Mumba Fashion that had the skinny of this red cowl neck sweater that went on sale for $39.00. Unfortunatly I missed that sale, but I might have bought this sweater as it is a very nice item to just throw over a pair of black or gray basic slacks, for  a nice casual work outfit, when late for work. I am going to keep an eye on this blog to see if they’ll alert to more good sales.

New fashion blogs to check out

Hurry while the sales are still on. If you are a clever shopper you should wait till after New Years and buy a winter coat for next season. You won’t know what colors will be in style next winter, so buy a winter coat in a neutral color, like black, white, gray, taupe etc. Then when the fall colors start showing up in the malls next October, you can choose an accessory set with scarves and hats that match the colors for that season. In other words, to plan out your look for next winter, buy your winter coat in a neutral color that wont go out of style NOW when they are on SALE, then when it is clear what the in-style colors for next winter will be, you can accessories the coat with a scarf and gloves for that season.

Are you getting cold? Here are some examples of how you can accessorize a casual work outfit with a shawl. These two sweater outfits that are rather casual. It’s just a simple sweater and cardigan over a pair of nice slacks. In the first photo the shawl matches the tones of the sweater and is tied in a rolled knot. It’s more of a polished look. In the second photo the shawl contrasts the color of the cardigan and becomes the dominant expression of the outfit. It’s a very casual and comfy look. Dress it up with pumps and it will be good business casual look for winter. You can have 3 different shawls to accessorize same sweater, and create various looks by changing the shawls around.

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Adding cardigans to your professional wardrobe is a good idea. It’s very simple to add a cardigan to a woman’s business suit. Cardigans are usually not so bulky that it looks weird wearing it under a suit jacket. One of the most chic ways to wear a cardigan is to have a basic, white blouse under the cardigan, with the collar sticking up and folded over it. A basic blouse, in traditional white or other color, gives a classy feel to any work outfit. In normal weather, you may have your classic business suit with a white blouse, but in chilly weather you just add a cardigan over the blouse, and it looks quite polished while keeping you warm at the same time. And in order to get maximum warmth, get a wool blend. If the cardigan is going to be thin, so as to not bulk under the suit jacket, it should be as warm as possible and then your best bet is wool. Or cashmere.

Here’s in interesting task – how do we take advantage of a subtle hue in a plaid fabric? In the first photo we have a argyle print stockings with a very thin mustard yellow stripe. The skirt is is in the same shade of yellow as in the stockings, and it’s worn with a traditional black suit jacket and black shoes. The second photo is gray plaid skirt with a very slight line of mustard yellow. That subtle hue is matched up with a suit jacket in the same color. This could be worn with black stockings and black pumps, or perhaps tall black boots. If you have the colors carefully planned out, you can create some good work outfits by mix-and-matching suit separates. Any other suggestions on picking up hues from the readers ?

So you are wearing a black power suit, but what color is your bag? Your bag is not just for hauling papers around, it’s part of your business outfit. Maybe your business suit is in a dark, traditional, conservative color, but your bag can be a in a strong bright color. It doesn’t necessarily have to match your shoes – it can speak on it’s own. Let your bag do some “talking”. It’s one accessory that can accessorize all by itself.

So what color will you use to accessorize your winter coat with this year? The standard is white, red or black (see below), but there are many other colors (see above) you can use to accessorize your winter coat. Many of you have probably chosen a black or gray long coat for work to look good with your business attire, but you shouldn’t wear a scarf the same color as your coat. For gloves,  a classic pair of black leather gloves is a good investment, but if you use a set of scarf and hat in a different color every year, it’s less noticable that you are wearing the same coat as last year. If your budget is tight, then stick with last year’s winter coat, but change out all the accessires to a different color.

You will find good quality at Bloomingdale’s (above).

But an inexpensive brand like H & M (above) may also do, as long as it is a matching set.

No tights with business attire, please. Puh-leeaas! I don’t care how popular they are right now, you can NOT wear tights to work. On the mannequin in this photo somebody made an effort to make these tights look more formal and dressy by putting them with a blazer. No way. That just does not work. Maybe for a party, but not for a work outfit. It doesn’t matter if you try to turn a pair of tights into a business casual outfit by wearing them with a suit jacket. It looks terrible. (I seldom use blogs to simply rant, but today I couldn’t hold it back.)

New Jewelry Choices for the Working Woman

In the quickly changing world of fashion, business jewelry design trends are relatively conservative. Business styles reflect a more elegant and conventional approach to wardrobe, which leads women to struggle with what to wear in the office. Many of the accessories worn outside the office don’t project the necessary image of power and success that help one to succeed in business. While they can keep some of the tried and true pieces in their jewelry box, women are learning to borrow some fashion ideas from from men for some surprising new choices.

 The Conventional Approach

Pearls are a must for any busy working woman. They help provide an aura of wealth and success that elude other types of jewelry. Pearls can be worn with a business suit, or a casual business dress. They tend to stand out without being too showy. Gold and silver jewelry is next, offering a little gleam to the attire. Understated jewelry works best for the business office, to provide fewer distractions. Most working women will avoid noisy bracelets or loops that can catch on office surroundings, and create an image of playfulness instead of serious business. They invest, instead, on a great pair of stud earrings, a statement necklace, and an office brooch as their standard accessories.

 The New Daring

Now, some women are starting to add cuff links to their business attire. Long held as a male accessory, women are finding they work well for their office suits too, particularly if it is a pants suit. Watches are a unisex jewelry accessory that always looks good in the office and replaces the dangling bracelets that are far too casual for women to wear at work. Men are wearing more rings while women are choosing fewer rings. As the sexes learn to share the workplace equitably, a new style acceptable to both will eventually level the field and give both genders the right look for success.

  The standard white, gray and black business attire can be brightened up with some color – for example pink! In the first photo we have a basic white blouse with a subtle pink stripe under a cute gray cardigan, with a basic black suit skirt. Second we have a classic gray buisness suit (skirt suit) with a basic white blouse, however it is layered with a pink unbuttoned cardigan – this is a great way to mix in some color into your professional wardrobe. In the last example we have work outfit consisting of a gray suit jacket with a taupe pencil skirt, brightened up by a classic blouse in mauve. This style of basic blouse in different colors is the staple of most women’s business attire and can be worn both with suit separates, as in this photo, or with classic business suits.

Rainy wheather is comming, we know it. Be prepared this season and get a pair of rubber boots that are not just practical, but stylish looking. Get a big purse to match it, and you have your out doors look ready. Make sure your purse is big enough for your indoor pumps and a plastic bag. When you arrive at the office take your rain boots off and keep them in a plastic bag under your desk, and put on your black standard pump that goes with your buisness suit.

Here are some ideas of how to break up the all black business casual work outfits. Keep your most comfortable standard black slacks, and add tops or jackets in black and white. Keep it simple. Add a little bit of white. Or a lot of white. Lighten things up in your buisness casual outfits by putting together mix and match items in black and white.

Work, work, work. We are all so busy. Things are moving so fast. Lot’s of things going on occupying our minds. If you are a busy business woman, then tomorrow when you are on your way to work, don’t forget to look UP and see the sky…..

Photo by Roman Pavlyuk        Photo by Soffie Hicks

Don’t miss your chance to wear open toe shoes with your business suit. For is who like to show our toes, now is the chance to squeeze the last bit of fun out of summer. Wear your open toe shoes while you can, soon it will be too cold for that. If your black power suit need some spice, then wear a pair of bright turquise pumps. and perhaps with a matching shawl or scarf.

The buttons on a woman’s business suit is part of what gives that particular suit it’s style and look. Some business suits have buttons that stand out, as in the case with these suit jackets and coat above. Some suits have inconspicuous, or even hidden buttons. When you look a business suit over, pay attention to what kind of impression the buttons give. Some women like big buttons, some don’t. You can even repalce the buttons if you like. One way to improve your business attire and upgrade the image of a business suit is to go to a fabric store and buy some more classy, expensive looking buttons and sew them onto your suit jacket. These days some women don’t know how to sew, and if that’s the case you can turn it into a dry-cleaning place that does alterations. If you find a buisness suit that has a cut that looks really good on you, but the buttons are cheap looking plastic buttons, it may be a good idea to have new ones put on. The buttons can be considered part of the subtle image of your business attire.

A light business suit will keep you cool in hot summer weather. Keep your most comfortable white slacks at hand, and mix-match them with a cool, light weight, gray suit jacket. Use your white slacks and summer suit separate jackets to create casual business suit ensembles. But that alone could be a little bit bland. What makes this work outfit interesting is the accessory – the yellow necklace perfectly matched with the yellow top peaking out between the suit lapels. It’s worth spending time to find the right accessories for your business suit.

Things are not as easy as usual for some of us. But the economy will eventually turn up again. It always does. In the mean time we may have to work a little harder than normal, just to stay normal. I found a site with a list of blogs that have good information about getting through the recession. The blogs on this list cover various types of useful subjects, like interviewing, resume writing, transitioning, specific career fields and there are also some blogs for entrepreneurs on this list.

List of blogs: http://constructionmanagementschools.org/100-career-coach-blogs-to-get-you-through-the-recession/

Does your black power suit bore you? Break it up with some bright yellow jackets. Business attire doesn’t always have to be dark to create a professional image. Buy a bright yellow suit jacket to wear with your favorit black suit pants.  Don’t let business attire dress codes restirct you in terms of color.

Belts can be a great accessory for a business casual outfit. You can accessories with belt both for skirts and pants. First we have a skirt and white blouse with a thin belt. Next is an example of a work oufit with a wide black belt accessorizing a pair of white slacks with a short sleeved blouse. Last we have a business casual outfit accessorized with a belt in a contrasting color, simply resting over the cardigan. A belt, as an accessory, can say so much.

Here are two dramatic examples of black business suits with red tops. The first one is a black pant suit with very wide lapels, and black top under neath that creates a dramatic contrast. The second is a business suit with a skirt and a suit jacket that has ruffled lapels. It is also contrasted with a red top that shows in the wide opening of the suit jacket. Both of these power suits have lapels that are unique.

Here are two examples of two pretty women, with two different body types, in two different white dresses – one for a full figured body and one for a skinny body. Compare the differences, and see how each dress compliments it’s wearer:

Michelle Obama is wearing a white dress that is flaired out at the skirt.

• Body type: Full figured.
• Dress cut: Dress with flaired out skirt.
• Accessories: A wide silver belt, that makes her hips look good.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is wearing straight dress with a thin belt.

• Body type: Skinny.
• Dress cut: The dress is straight all the way.
• Accessories: A thin black belt.

When you shop, buy work clothes with the right cut for the body type you have, not the body type you would like. We all come in different shapes and sizes. If the clothes don’t look right on you, it is never the body type that is wrong, it is always the cut of the garment that is wrong. There are no wrong bodies, only wrong clothes.

Compare how Michelle Obama’s white dress makes her hips look really good. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy’z hips aren’t so prominent but that belt makes them a little more noticeable. When you have a full figure, a wide belt is better. The thin belt looks better on Carla. The silver belt on Michelle makes a softer look and doesn’t contrast as much, whereas the thin black belt on Carla makes more of a contrast.

Photo credits: AP Thierry Chesnot

What should you prioritize if your work clothes budget isn’t big enough to buy you everything you need? If your wardrobe budget is miserably limited you should put most of the money on this garment: the suit jacket. Best would of course be to wear a woman’s business suit, with a suit jacket and pants that go together. But if there isn’t enough money for that, then create a work outfit with suit separates using a blazer or suit jacket and a pair of slacks in a neutral color (black, gray, brown etc.) that goes with the jacket. Suit separates are great for business casual outfits.

When your wardrobe budget is uncomfortably tight, you can get away with skimping on quality in regards to the work slacks, the blouse, and possibly the shoes – you can even buy these clothes on sale at a discount clothing store, like Ross or Marshalls. But never skimp on quality for the suit jacket; it is the one thing that people notice the most and that suit jacket sets the tone of your entire professional work outfit. Always make sure the suit jacket is lined, has good buttons and detailing, lapels that lay flat, and that it fits your body well (if it doesn’t fit you right, it may look cheap on you even if it cost a lot). It’s worth spending some time in the dressing room trying on jackets to make sure you get a good fit.

On those rare days that you don’t go into the office (you lucky girl) yet still wish to appear pulled together you can find yourself quickly lost in weekday fashion; somewhere between suits and sweats. Since you’re not in the office, there’s no need for the full hair and makeup: gloss, mascara, and blush are all you need at the most. For hair that’s done but not done up, dry your bangs with a round brush and simply pull the rest back in a loose ponytail. On days like this, linen, cotton, and organic cotton are a wonderful choice since they will move with you and the fabric will breathe well. Thin belts are your best accessory choice on these days since they can be that fun color add on and define your curves. Boots are always a great idea; brown flat riding boots with a small metal embellishment are not only popular this season, they are also hugely comfortable and can go with anything from skirts to Bermuda shorts to denim. This can also be a fun time to wear short sleeve jackets in colorful options and even white pants, it is spring after all.

By: Danielle Gonzalez

When you shop for a woman’s business suit, think ahead and plan out what else you can wear it with. Perhaps you have other suit separates at home that your new wardrobe addition can be mix and matched with. If not, you could look around the mall for other business suits, or separate jackets that can be worn with it. Don’t just buy one piece of clothing because you like it, think of how it can be recombined to make as many work outfits as possible.

Here are some examples of women’s business suits and suit separates in red, gray and white that can be mix and matched and recombined into many various work outfits.

Why not wear a twin set with a pair of relaxed slacks for a business casual outfit? Get a twin set with matching top and cardigan. Wear the cardigan open and loose. Wear your twin set with your favorite pair of slacks, or with the pants from one of your business suits. Alternating it with a twin set, is one way to get yet another work outfit out of a woman’s business suit. However, this look is pretty relaxed and suitable for a business casual outfit only – if you have an important meeting that requires formal business attire, then wear the full business suit.