February 19, 2010

Belts: Should They Go Over Or Under The Cardigan?

Category: Accessories, Business Casual, Casual Work Clothes, Fashion, Pants, Skirts — admin @ 10:31 pm

 

 
          Belt under cardigan?                Or belt over cardigan?
A few good belts are important accessories in your professional wardrobe. The age-old conundrum has been posed to us for much pondering and deliberation - should the belt go over or under the cardigan? Well, after looking over many examples, the “international belt committee” has determined that both ways can work. Here are two examples of chic casual work outfits with cardigans and belts – one work outfit with a skirt and blouse, and the other with pants and blouse. It also depends on the figure of the woman wearing the belt. Try it both ways in front of the mirror and check out which works the best for you. What do you think?
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November 11, 2009

Shawls: Accessorize Work Outfits And Be Warm

Category: Accessories, Business Casual, Casual Work Clothes, Fashion — admin @ 11:48 pm

 shawl with white jacket

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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November 3, 2009

A Blouse Under A Cardigan – Business Casual

a blouse under a cardigan a blouse under a cardigan

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.

October 30, 2009

Picking Up A Hue Of Mustard Yellow With Suit Separates

Category: Business Attire, Fashion, Jackets, Skirts — admin @ 8:47 pm

yellow skirt with gray stockings gray skirt with yellow jacket

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 ?

October 28, 2009

Make A Statement With Your Bag

Category: Accessories, Bags, Fashion — admin @ 8:48 pm

accessories - bags

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.

October 25, 2009

Accessorizing Your Winter Coat

Category: Accessories, Coats, Fashion — admin @ 1:35 pm

accessories for winter coat 

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.

accessorizing your winter coat 3

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

 accessorizing your winter coat 3

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

October 3, 2009

New Jewelry Choices For The Working Woman

Category: Accessories, Fashion — admin @ 11:07 pm

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.

Mixing In Pink Into Your Business Attire

Category: Blouses, Business Attire, Fashion, Jackets, Skirts — admin @ 9:37 pm

white blouse with pink stripes pink cardigan with white blouse pink blouse with pencil skirtThe 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.

September 15, 2009

Variations Of Black And White For Business Casual

Category: Business Casual, Casual Work Clothes, Fashion, Jackets, Pants, Tops — admin @ 9:45 pm

white suit jacket with black pants white suit jacket black and white coat black and white tunic 

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.

September 8, 2009

Open Toes Shoes With You Business Suit

Category: Accessories, Business Attire, Business Casual, Fashion, Shoes — admin @ 7:44 pm

open toe shoes lime and turquoise

 

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.

eidolon open toe shoes
Image by cherrypatter via Flickr
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September 7, 2009

Buttons To Upgrade A Woman’s Business Suit

gray woman's business suit with black buttons orange suit jacket with black buttons red suit jacket with big black buttons taupe coat with black buttons

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.

buy nicer buttons for your suit
Buy nicer buttons for your suit then sew them on.

Photo by Stefan Powell.

August 29, 2009

Summer Business Suit With Yellow Accessories

white-pants-gray-jacket-yellow-top accessorizing-a-business-suit-with-a-yellow-necklace

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.

August 24, 2009

Some Yellow Splash For Your Business Attire

Category: Business Attire, Fashion, Jackets, Pants, Women's Business Suits — admin @ 9:41 pm

yellow-suit-jacket yellow-and-blue-top-black-pants yellow-suit-jacket-with-gray-pants

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.

August 20, 2009

Belts For Business Casual Outfits

Category: Accessories, Blouses, Casual Work Clothes, Fashion, Pants, Shirts, Skirts — admin @ 12:17 am

white-ruffle-blouse-with-long-gray-skirt-and-black-belt white-pants-with-gray-blouse-and-black-beltred-belt-over-skirt 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.

June 15, 2009

Selecting Right Cuts For YOUR Body Type

Category: Accessories, Coats, Do's and Dont's, Dresses, Fashion — admin @ 8:44 am

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:

ap-photothierry-chesnot-pool-3-31 ap-photothierry-chesnot-pool-3-22

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.

ap-photothierry-chesnot-pool-1-2 reuters-thierry-chesnot-pool2-2Photo credits: AP Thierry Chesnot

June 8, 2009

Mix And Match Suits In Red, White And Gray

gray-skirt-suit-gray-slacks-with-white-blouse-and-red-belt red-suit-jacket-with-white-slacks-white-skirt-suit white-slacks-with-red-and-white-hounds-tooth-jacket

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.

June 6, 2009

Twin Set For Business Casual

Category: Casual Work Clothes, Fashion, Pants, Tops — admin @ 10:47 pm

pink-cardigan-with-beige-pants beige-pants-with-black-and-beige-twin-set

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.

June 4, 2009

Accessorizing Suits With Scarves In Spring Colors

Category: Accessories, Business Attire, Fashion — admin @ 10:35 pm

 scarf-in-solid-colors-pink-blue-purple-green2 scarves-in-spring-colors-peach-lime-green scarves-with-multi-colored-print1 

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.

May 28, 2009

White Summer Suits With Coral Accessories

taupe-jacket-with-orange-top-and-white-slacks white-jacket-beige-pants-peach-top-and-coral-necklace

off-white-suit-jacket-with-orange-top-21

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.

May 27, 2009

Subtle Color Accents For A Suit Jacket

Category: Blouses, Business Attire, Fashion, Jackets, Tops, Women's Business Suits — admin @ 10:21 am
Choosing a top for women’s business suits can be fun with all the color options available. As an alternative to the traditional business blouse, you can choose a top or camisole in a color that contrasts the suit. The top makes a “triangle of color” between the lapels ofthe suit jacket creating a subtle color accent, but it is none the less an important statement. That small “triangle of color” contrasting with the business suit adds perk to a  solid colored office outfit. Take your suits out and play around with different contrasts. Buy 3-4 camisoles or tops in bright colors to alternate with your business suits.
Examples of the “triangle of color”:
black-suit-with-red-top gray-blouse-with-green-camisole black-sweater-with-blue-camisole hm-white-suit-jacket plaid-suit-jacket-with-purple-silk-top white-suit-jacket-with-blouse

May 26, 2009

Business Style For Plus Size Women At Harper Greer

Category: Blouses, Business Attire, Casual Work Clothes, Fashion, Tops — admin @ 8:21 pm

 plus-size-white-blouse-blue-blouse-orange-blouse

harper-greer-1

Plus size women can find some really nice styles for business outfits at Harper Greer in San Francisco. The Harper Greer collection ranges from size 12 10 size 26, and they use very pretty, high quality fabrics. Harper Greer is a great source for clothing in bright colors – they have a remarkable collection of materials and textures. This is a great store where plus size women can find some really unique and posh items to add to their professional wardrobe.

If you have a few women’s business suits in black or gray, you can find some nice career blouses and dressy tops here to make your suit reflect your personality. If you usually wear jeans to work with business casual outfits, you can find the popular jeans brand ”Not Your Daughters Jeans” here.  I recommend selecting a couple of tops in a slightly shiny material – it still feels comfortable, but looks  a little more dressy. Bring your favorit business suit to the Harper Greer boutique and spend the afternoon trying it on with a bunch of tops in different colors, and varied accessories. They are located at 522 Sutter Street, San Francisco CA. You can also order directly from them on-line here: HarperGreer.com

January 18, 2009

Turtle Neck Sweaters With Business Suits

  

While it’s cold, wear a turtle neck sweater under your woman’s business suit. Transform your regular business outfits to winter outfits, by finding turtle neck sweaters that have high wool content – this way they’ll be thin enough to be worn under a suit jacket without looking bulky. Sweaters made of cotton or acrlylic yarn are not as warm, and therefore it takes more bulk to generate the same heat as a wool or cashmere sweater would. Bulky sweater are not suitable for a professional wardrobe. If you are cold at work, create winter office outfits by layering yourself with a comfortable cotton t-shirt, then a wool turtle neck sweater, then the suit jacket. If that doesn’t do it, you could accessorize with a shawl. If you wear turtle neck sweaters without the suit jacket, accessorize it with a long necklace. (Short necklaces don’t look as good with turtle necks.)

Photos: This is an example of how you can create two different looks with the same gray suit jacket, by changing red and white sweaters with it – can be found at Macy’s. The first phot is an example of how to accessorize a red turtle neck sweater with long necklaces – can be found at Ann Taylor.

January 7, 2009

Black And White As Alternative To All Black Power Suit

Category: Business Attire, Fashion, Jackets, Pants, Women's Business Suits — admin @ 11:57 pm

The black power suit is a main stay of every professional woman’s business wardrobe. It is the basic foundation for business attire. But we can’t wear black all the time, and we need some variation to this staple. Mixing and matching black and white jackets, skirts and tops is a great way to add some pizazz to a wardrobe that has too much black in it. Use you black suit pants to wear with a top or suit jacket in black and white. Or wear your black suit jacket with a skirt in black and white. The mix and match combinations are endless.

September 5, 2008

Red Is A Power Color For Sarah Palin

Category: Blouses, Business Attire, Fashion, Jackets, Women's Business Suits — admin @ 11:33 am

Here is another classy lady in a red suit. Sarah Palin is more often seen in a blak pant suit with a red blouse, but here she is seen in a red business suit with a black sweater. Red and black are definitely power colors. We should keep an eye on this lady’s style, considering she was Miss Wasilla in 1984.

August 26, 2008

Hillary Clinton In Power Color Suit

There has been a lot of talk about what constitutes a power color, and what doesn’t. Check out Hillary Clinton in this red pant suit. People have been debating whether or not red belongs in the category of power colors for suit. But looking at this, how can one doubt it. Yes, red is definitely a power color. Notice how the top matches the jacket exactly. Many of Hillary’s pant suits have tops that go with them, in the exact shade of the suit. It seems to be her trade mark. Or perhaps she just simply likes the monochromatic look.

In this outfit she accessorized the suit with a silver necklace and earrings. They don’t match perfectly in a set, but that’s ok. A lot of her jewelry is actually in non-matching sets. Some people say that gold jewelry is the better metal for red oufits, but seeing this photo, I would say that silver may work just as well. It also depends on the color of your facial complexion, not just on the color fo the clothes.