While browsing around Nordstrom’s we found a couple of examples of nice casual work outfits in plus sizes that are very accessorized well. For plus size outfits we recommend long necklaces as accessories.

TOP: This work outfit consists of a staple black skirt, with a casual cardigan over a classic white blouse. This ensemble would have worked well by itself, but accessorized with the lime green multi string necklace it gets a completely different feel to it. Don’t under estimate how just one accessory can change the look of a professional attire outfit.

BOTTOM: The blue cardigan set is rather plain by itself, even though good quality. In this image it is the necklace and the purse that makes this work outfit what it is. Accessorize a plain work outfit with two accessories that don’t necessarily match, but that add spunk and class. When using un-matching accessories limit them to 2 – if you use 3 or more un-matching accessories, it will look messy.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

We could show our appreciation for spring by accessorizing our work outfits with colorful pretty scarves. You can hang one long and loose around your neck, laying flat over your business suit. Or you can wear a smaller scarf, tied into a pretty knot around your neck, accentuating your suit jacket. Adding a scarf can make a work outfit look less bare, and more put together. Do you prefer solid scarves, or scarves with a pretty print? If your top or dress has a busy print, you might want to stick to a solid scarf. Accessorizing with scarves can be a rather inexpensive way to add flair to a business suit.

Working women are buying a lot of business suits in light colors for summer. Work outfits with suits and separate slacks and jackets in white, cream, bone and taupe is the order of the day. Here are some examples of how to accessorize light colored business suits with coral and orange. Short necklaces with big coral stones contrasts nicely with a cream suit jacket. Career blouses and casual tops in organge and coral creates a lovely spring office look. Combining work outfits by alternating long gold necklaces, beige bags, big buckeled belts and a few bright orange or soft coral tops brings your light colored suits to life.

Choose a trouser sock in a neutral tone with a subtle design for your pant suit.

DO NOT wear bright colored trouser socks with your pant suit.

When you wear pant suits and flat shoes, like loafers, etc. there are many options for your trouser socks and knee highs. You can wear socks in neutral colors that have subtle patterns or designs on them. This gives an individual touch to a woman’s business suit. It’s sort of like viewing the sock as an accessory. If you wear trouser socks or knee highs in a color, it should be the same color and hue as either the slacks or the shoes. Never wear socks in a contrasting, bright color with your business suit - that breaks up your leg into three segments – and also it draws attention in a unnecessary way. The idea is to add something subtle to your business attire that makes your look more individual. For short women, it could give the optical illusion of having a longer leg if the socks or nylons are the same color as the pants. You can also wear textures socks or knee highs with pumps and high heels if the sock is about as thin as a nylon.

A tip: Before I throw my socks in the washer, I fasten the pairs together with a safety pin. That solves the problem of ending up with ONE stylish sock whose mate is missing.

While wandering around the malls yesterday, I noticed a color combination for suit separates that I haven’t tried before: orange, navy and beige. In two different stores I saw mannequins dressed in business outfits combining these three colors. I think it’s doable for a casual work outfit, and I might try it myself – it had never occured to me before to try orange and navy together. In the left photo we have a orange suit jacket, beige pants with a navy top. In the right photo we have a beige suit jacket, navy slacks with an oragne top, accessorized with a two layer silver necklace. This may not work for a super formal business meeting in which you have to wear strict business attire, but I think it would be a fun and spunky casual office outfit.

What should you wear to create a work outfit with brown pants? With pants in a warm brown tone, like in the first photo, you can wear a rich golden orange suit jacket. This suit jacket has a slight silky sheen to it, which gives this outfit a formal look.

With pants in a cool brown tone, as in the second photo, why not wear a purple blouse and a long off-white jacket. This makes a nice casual work outfit.

In the last two photos, we have the same pair of brown pants: once with ruffle blouse in a white and brown hound’s tooth design, accentuated with a bold brown belt. And again with a brown top and a casual off-white suit jacket. These last two are comfortable office outfits that can be mix and matched. A pair of brown pants that fit you well is a good basic, that creates a solid foundation for your professional wardrobe.

Brighten up the drizzly weather with some color accessories. If you don’t want to buy new business suits, then renew them with splashing shoes and purse sets. Why not urge Spring to return early by putting on a pair of hot pink peep toe heals and matching pink purse, with your black power suit? Or if hot pink scares you – why not a big, roomy medium blue bag with matching blue pointy toe heels in a fun animal print, like subtle snake skin? Either of these sets would accessorize a woman’s business suit in a new and fun way. Wear the hot pink or lime green shoes for casual work clothes, and the olive or blue pointy toes for more formal business attire. (And the rules about no open toe shoes with work clothes have been cancelled, in case anyone is wondering.)

The accessories from: Nine West and Bakers

By: Danielle Gonzalez

Wearing a dress to as a casual work outfit is a timeless tradition that never goes out of style, it’s feminine and classic.  While the weather is still cold a sweater dress can be a perfect fit due to the warmth that it creates and the ease of accessorizing.  However, the sweater dress can automatically become too casual an office outfit for the workplace because of the large use of knit fabric which can be bulky and shapeless.  To keep the look clean cut, black nylons quickly do the trick to avoiding exposing too much skin and keep you warm while it’s still cold out. To avoid the bulk, a thick belt in a different color adds an hourglass figure; a patent leather belt adds a touch of youth and sex appeal.  For a more mature finish; ballet flats, an imprinted patent belt, and a strong bracelet are an easy way to round off a simple, comfortable and casual work ensemble. 

Dresses by: Chadwicks and Net-A-Porter.

Be original with your nylons and stockings. Individualize your professional wardrobe by selecting textured nylons and stockings. All professional women don’t have to wear the same plain nylons, choose some that express your own style. Consider it as another way to accessorize your business suit. For pant suits you can wear pretty much any design as long as it doesn’t clash with the color of the shoe or the slacks; the nylons don’t have to match exactly, but they shouldn’t be in a color that breaks off too much or draws attention. For skirt suits, stay away from bold patterns like the big floral designs and choose some nylons that have a very subtle, yet interesting pattern. The idea is not to draw attention to the textured nylons so that they stand out, but to add something to the complete look of your business suit that expresses your own fashion style. If you must follow corporate dress code, you won’t get around wearing a woman’s business suit, but you should personalize that suit and make it your own.

By Danielle Gonzalez

When it comes to jewelry accesorizing many women are of the school of thought “Less is More”. And in some instances, this idea is a good standby, especially when wearing a work outfit that is very intricate and detailed. You want your outfit to have a theme, to make a particular statement, and too much of even great jewelry can take away from the look. But in most cases, more jewelry is simply that: more! Don’t be afraid to stand out with some eclectic and big jewelry, even costume jewelry is hugely popular in all social spheres. When trying to add on to a conservative professional wardrobe, oversized jewelry is a fast and fun way to instantly add drama to an otherwise blah look.

Tyra Banks showcased (at the President’s Inaugural Ball January 20) that a plain black blazer can become a wonderful frame for interesting and eye catching jewelry. And throw the notion that the items much match each other perfectly out the window; it’s all about pairing differing colors and shapes. It keeps the look fresh and youthful to go for something unexpected, like pearl and silver chains, gemstones and colorful beads, and even adding silver and gold together. Going a little overboard with jewelry while keeping the rest of your business attire subdued adds that extra “oomph” to any look!

Kara Ross New York, LLC
http://www.kararossny.com/press/celebrities.html REUTERS/Mitch Dumke

Some professional women don’t wear jewelry or accessories with sweaters because the bulkyness of the sweater can make the necklace disapear. The solution is to accessorize with long necklaces. For both casual work outfits and business attire, use necklaces that are at least 24” long, but perhaps up to 34″. If the sweater is thinner and has a tailored fit, you can use thinner necklaces, like chains. But if it is a thick sweater, like in these photos, you should use necklaces with big chunky beads or pearls. The size of the necklace should balance with the size of the sweater.

These necklaces from Ann Taylor and White House Black Market.

Leopard print shawl, necklace and purse.

Here are 4 rules for accessorizing a woman’s business suit with leopard print accessories:

1. The various leopard accessories have to match each other. Just because it’s all leopard print it doesn’t necessarily mean they will look good togehter. They don’t have to be a “set”, but compare the brown tones in between the spots of the leopard print and choose the accessories that harmonize.

2. Limit the amount of leopard accessories you wear at one time with your business suit to 3-4. If you wear too many, it may look like you escaped form the zoo. This type of “over accessorizing” is what makes people wonder if it’s a good idea or not, but it’s just fine as long as you stay away from over-kill.

3. You ought to have a few items in brown tones that match the browns in the leopard accessories. It’s not necessary to wear anything brown when you wear leopard (as in the example of the black power suit above), but it’s good to have handy in your professional wardrobe, as it gives you more flexibility in creating work outfits. For example, get a brown blouse, a brown belt, a brown scarf, etc. Note: It is much easier to select leopard accessories first, and then look for clothes that has a similar shade of brown, than first buying brown clothes and then trying to find a leopard print in that tone.

4. Experiment with gold. Try on a gold belt. If you wear leopard jewelry, try layering it with gold jewelry.

Here you can find some leopard jewelry at Macys: http://www1.macys.com/search/index.ognc?SearchTarget=*&Keyword=leopard+jewelry&KEYWORD_GO_BUTTON.x=15&KEYWORD_GO_BUTTON.y=15