May
17
2018

May 17 2018

Workwear Wardrobe

It’s that time of year – HEY GRADUATION!

I remember graduation from high school, my undergrad degrees & grad school so fondly – each time feeling like I was about to become someone BRAND new … or maybe just someone in need of a new wardrobe 😉

Today I’m sharing the 15 things I think you should invest in when building your work wardrobe…

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SHOP THE LOOK:

Here we go, the 15 must haves you need to invest in when building a workwear wardrobe.

1 – A Black (or blue) Blazer
No matter what your work wardrobe is (casual or a corporate) you need a good blazer in your corner. You can dress this up with pants as a suit, mix and match with another. if you’re fun (like me) I would also get a bold colorful blazer like red or yellow!

SHOP BLAZERS:

One $100.80 || Two $168 || Three $168 || Four $82.50 || Five $82.50
Six $135150 || Seven $168 || Eight $178 || Nine $98 || Ten $139
Eleven $475 || Twelve $74 || Thirteen $425 || Fourteen $75 || Fifteen $520
Sixteen $39.97 || Seventeen $79 || Eighteen $69

2 – A Cute Belt
To break up the bland, invest in a cute or stylish belt. This will be especially helpful if you’re a curvy girl wearing a lot of high waisted styles … aka me! Use a belt to make nice jeans dressy enough for the office, or to synch a dress to create shape.

SHOP CUTE BELTS:

One $68 || Two $165 || Three $226 || Four $139 || Five $25.99
Six $700 || Seven $228 || Eight $130 || Nine $198 || Ten $138
Eleven $19 || Twelve $134192 || thirteen $450

3 – Cigarette Pants
You probably already have black (or blue) slacks in your closet (if not get some to match your blazer in #1) but if you do, don’t invest in a second pair. Instead go for a pop of color. I suggest something you can wear year around like red, pink or light blue

SHOP CIGARETTE PANTS

ONE $365 || TWO $295 || THREE $39.50 || FOUR $49.99 || FIVE $765 ||
SIX $56 || SEVEN $245 || EIGHT $299 || NINE $38 || TEN $28.50 ||

4 – Work Flats
I highly suggest keeping a pair of cute flats that go with everything at your desk, and a second pair in your closet. I like oxfords, because they go with everything and give more support than most but mules or ballet flats will also do. I used to keep slip on ones with an open back, because then I could take my shoes off while I work at my desk but easily slip them on if someone needed me in a hurry.

SHOP FAB FLATS

One – $20 || Two $36.98 || Three $795 || Four $84.97 || Five $179.97
Six $298 || Seven $89.90 || Eight $90 || Nine $219.99 || Ten $250 || Eleven $156

5 – Not-your-basic-white-button-up
An Oxford button up is again probably already in your wardrobe, but it will be such a workhorse for you in your corporate closet that you need another one! If you’re shaped like me with a big peach and a small waist (#curvygirlsrock) I suggest getting a peplum or flare style to switch things up/ You can wear it with a belt over pants to create serious shape. If a peplum style isn’t for you, skip the solid white by investing in a pattered poplin – like a polka dot or stripe button up.

SHOP EXOTIC OXFORDS

One $320 || Two $27 || Three $34.99 || Four $139.99 || Five $53.40 ||
Six $95.99 || Seven $54 || Eight $21.99 || Nine $62 || Ten $128

6 – A dress you can wear as a skirt
If you watch my instagram lives, you know I’m all about getting dresses that can double as skirts. A dress can do this if it it zips up the back, has a fit and flare waist (preferably with a seem), and can easily either fold in half (the top half into the skirt) or be worn under tops. To turn your dress into a skirt, simply zip it half way up until you hit the seam then fold your dress over to tuck the top half into the bottom and BOOM instant skirt. You’ll want a cute dress like this in your wardrobe so you can wear it: 1 – as a dress; 2 – tucked into a Oxford button up top; 3 -as a dress under a blazer; 4 – as a dress worn over a Oxford shirt; 5 – layered under a cardigan; 6 – as a skirt paired with a sweater, 7 – as a dress worn under a cropped shirt / top (if your dress will allow it) 8 – as a top when you layer another full skirt over the dress Bottom (if your dress will allow it) 9 – as a dress paired with a contrasting belt & matching pumps for a fun pop or 10 – as a skirt with a clean tee and Oxfords for something dressy yet casual.

SHOP CONVERTIBLE DRESSES

ONE $119129 || TWO $128 || THREE $139 || FOUR $99 || FIVE $128
SIX $79 || SEVEN $49.50 || EIGHT $73.50 || NINE $59 || TEN $129

7 – White pump
Black pumps are capital B boring, you can get just as much use out of a white pump, while sting bringing the drama! I love how you can make a white pump work with almost every outfit, without sacrificing any outfit pizzaz. This has become a serious favorite in my work & real life closet right now. If white isn’t for you, give nude a will or even navy. While black pumps are nice, I don’t think they’re necessary unless you’re wearing black on the reg … and if you are – let’s change that 🙂 theres so many other fun colors to explore!

SHOP WHITE PUMPS

ONE $99 || TWO $98.95 || THREE $390625 || FOUR $88.9589.95 || FIVE $119.95
SIX $725 || SEVEN $40.93 || EIGHT $110 || NINE $99 || TEN $105

8 – Patterned pants
A good pair of cigarette pants are a must, but they don’t have to be bland! Get a fun printed pair, like my leopard cuties to wear with solid tops, blazers and so much more. It is an easy way to introduce something FUN into your work wardrobe without going too over the top.

SHOP PATTERNED PANTS:

One $291 || Two $79.98 || Three $510 || Four $144 || Five $108
Six $595 || Seven $43 || Eight $21 || Nine $24 || Ten $48

9 – White tie top
Again, white tops are going to be your BFF when you start to work. Why? because you can get away with wearing them and rewearing them on the reg and because they can be styled SO many ways. In addition to your button up Oxford top, try investing in one with a fun detail like a tie waist. I have to bring up (again) that this shape is SOOO GOOD for those thick hipped, slim waist cuties who are shaped a little more like me because it will show off all the right things while helping you feel feminine and flattered, but still keep it classy enough for the office.

SHOP TWIST TOPS

ONE $72 || TWO $180 || THREE $108 || FOUR $54 || FIVE $128
SIX $79 || SEVEN $275 || EIGHT $340 || NINE $595 || TEN $55

10 – A bold pump
In addition to your new white wear with everything pumps, you’ll need a cute and colorful one to spice up your wardrobe. I suggest investing in red because it’s easy and more “professional” than other colors. Some find it hard to wear pink or yellow at their work place, but everyone can get away with red – I promise! It’s bright but still bold without feeling too wild, not like being wild is a bad thing but some people have to keep it more conservative for work. A bold red (or green, or blue) pump can easily be paired with an all black and white look for something spicy without stepping out of bound.

SHOP BOLD PUMPS

ONE $49.98 || TWO $89.95 || THREE $119.95 || FOUR $119.95 || FIVE $59.99
SIX $88.95 || SEVEN $71.99 || EIGHT $59.98|| NINE $54.9882.50 ||TEN $41.13

11 – Peterpan collar top
To get the most out of your layering pieces like button down oxfords, you’ll want to invest in looks that have unique yet simple neck details. I highly suggest saying yes to a peterpan collar or even a bow neck shirt that you can wear and rewear under dresses, paired with pants, under blazers, on their own with skirts (or dresses turned skirts), to dress up jeans and so many more ways.

SHOP PETER PAN TOPS:

ONE $177 || TWO $79 || THREE $41.40 || FOUR $41.40 || FIVE $295
SIX $39.99 || SEVEN $69 || EIGHT $186 || NINE $26.97 || TEN $79

12 – Printed Pump
You’ll need a patterned pump for the same reasons you need a patterned pant, to infuse fashion and fun into your work wardrobe without going overboard. You can easily rock a printed pump with a solid outfit and still keep things oh so professional.

SHOP PUMPS

ONE $64.99 || TWO $70140 || THREE $129.95 || FOUR $495 || FIVE $268
SIX $160 || SEVEN $104 || EIGHT $99 || NINE $119 || TEN $69.30

13 – Dressy Denim
Not everyone can get away with wearing jeans to work, but you should still make sure you have a “dressier” pair for anything work related that might require them. Even if you’re in a strictly suit attire, you might have to attend a work retreat or something that asks for a more casual dress and you don’t want to get stuck with your favorite weekend jeans with a rip in the knee. When you’re looking for your “dressy” jeans look for something that fits right but not to tight, has finished hems & seams (no frays or rips), and preferably comes in a darker wash. I like jeans that don’t really look like jeans, something in a dark wash with pleated details in a comfortable fit (like culottes) that you can wear a million ways.

SHOP DRESSY DENIM

ONE $118129 || TWO $96 || THREE $74.74 || FOUR $45.49 || FIVE $230
SIX $230 || SEVEN $338 || EIGHT $161 || NINE $310 || TEN $89

14 – Culottes
Culottes started as a trend, but I think its safe to say they’re here to stay! Try styling them with cute tops, Oxford button ups or even blazers for the office. This is the last time I’ll say it I swear, but these are also so great for my curvy girls and it’s just really nice to have some pants in your work wardrobe that aren’t cigarette shaped.

SHOP CULOTTES

ONE $127 || TWO $49.99 || THREE $675 || FOUR $128 || FIVE $110
SIX $138 || SEVEN $146.99 || EIGHT $42 || NINE $99 || TEN $295

15 – A Detailed top
You might want to finish your wardrobe with a few fashion-y tops that have flirty details or unique silhouettes. I suggest invest in solid colors so you can wear them with all your printed pieces.