Nylons? Closed Toe Shoes? Oh you have one of THOSE jobs...

So I have traded in my waitress job for a new "big girl" desk job. Although it has its ups and downs, I am really loving what I am doing.  But with every "big girl" job comes a couple more trades. The attire: business professional dress code. Traded in the short khaki shorts, polka dot matching tank tops, and t-shirts I once wore while waiting tables at the beach and adopted high heels, pencil skirts, and nylons (yes, I said nylons). At some point in your life you will have that one day where you have an interview, an internship, a business meeting or like me, a new job. You want people to take you seriously so where do you start? Your appearance. 


At first I will admit I was not looking forward to my new wardrobe. No tank tops, no capris or shorts, if I wear a dress, nylons must be worn, no open toed shoes, and the list continues forever. One lady even told me, "Oh you have one of THOSE jobs." Yes, yes I do. But slowly each day I am finding trendy ways to still be young, fashionable and expressive while still maintaining the business professional look. So I am going to provide you some helpful suggestions to being professional while still remaining stylish while you prepare for your next interview, internship or "big girl" job!


1. Blazers and suits are in and they are cute!
We've seen them on the runways and celebrities have been wearing them more frequently to achieve a sharp professional look. There are so many options when it comes to suits and blazers. The color, the cut, and the style can all make a complete difference in making you look trendy and not... well, old lady. But one thing about suits are that sometimes purchasing one is just as expensive as paying your rent! Advice? Mix and match your pieces. Take a blazer and match it with something you already have; a pair of slacks, a cute printed skirt or even some fun shorts (of appropriate length of course).

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1. Rock & Republic Embellished Linen Blazer Kohl's $56.00

2. 212 Collection Solid Blazer Kohl's $38.99

3. Rib Panel Bodycon Skirt Forever 21 $13.80

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4. Aqua Blazer - Shirred Sleeves Bloomingdale's $98.00

5. ULTIMATE DOUBLE WEAVE COLUMNIST PANT  Express $79.90

The Professional Dress
For me it has been a challenge. All of my dresses are above my knees, strapless, or cut a little too low for dress code standards. My first thought was that I was never going to wear a dress to work. It just wasn't going to happen especially when I have to wear nylons. But then that one sunny day came around and there was not a chance I was leaving in pants. I have even worn my strapless dresses with a cute cardigan or sweater. And I found they actually do make cute, fashionable, professional dresses. 


First, the dresses. 

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1. Sweet As Can Be Dress ModCloth $49.99

2. Floridian Flirtation Dress ModCloth $44.99

3. LC Lauren Conrad Butterfly Shirtdress Set Kohl's $47.60

4.  Eye to Eyelet Dress ModCloth $49.99

5. Belted Colorblock Dress Forever 21 $24.80

6. Sleeveless Patch Pocket Shirtdress Forever 21 $27.80

Now if you are like me and cannot wear strapless or have to have some sort of sleeve there are alternatives while still being able to be you!

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1. Mossimo® Womens Ultrasoft Cocoon Sweater - Assorted Colors Target $22.95

2. Mossimo Womens Lightweight Cardigan- Assorted Colors Target $24.99

3. Cardigan H&M $17.95

Now onto the shoes. This is the one area that allows you some creativity and fun, especially if you have a very strict dress code policy. First suggestion, invest in a comfortable pair of both black heels, and brown/nude as they can go with any outfit without much thought. If you are like me and have to do any kind of walking during the day you want to be comfortable but still look all business. Occasionally if I have a meeting or have to see someone important I wear heels, (makes you look more professional), but for the most part it is flats or low heels all the way.

Flats

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Mossimo® Womens Ultrasoft Cocoon Sweater - Assorted Color$22.9

1. Womens Mossimo Suopply Co. Ballet Flats Target $14.99

2. Peep Toe Flat Target $19.99

3. Petal Grosgrain Women's Classics TOM's $54.00

Heels

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1. Patent Pointed Toe Pump GoJane $14.95

2. JustFab Women’s Stefania - Taupe $59.99 

3. COLOR BLOCK SATIN PLATFORM PUMP Charlotte Russe $35.50

As much as everyone loves wearing their skinny jeans, hooded sweatshirts, and t-shirts sometimes life requires you to to dress for the real adult world. Your first impression is going to be the one to make the mark. Remember you can still look professional and liven up your business attire in a trendy, conservative manner. 

Stay classy,
<3 Elizabeth

Tiffany Blue? Peacock teal? Turquoise? Whatever! Its taking over!

Make way! This season, the brights are taking over and proving they are not just for the summer months and one of my favorite bright colors this year; turquoise. This is one hue I find to be universally flattering on every woman and one that you can mix with just about any palette. Most people think of turquoise in relation to resort beachwear, but this spring color has swept over the fashion runway with designers like Luca Luca and Nicole Miller. 

For those of you that cannot quite grasp the colorblocking trend with bright hues try accentuating with a turquoise accessory like a clutch, necklace or scarf to make an outfit really pop! Take a look at celebrities Kourtney Kardashian and Heidi Klum's turquoise accessory piece. 

        

So where can you find this look for less and shine sky blue? I have just a few suggestions. 

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All items from Modcloth. 

1. Putt Could Be Better? Top $39.99

2. Teal Going Strong Dress $49.99

3. Pam Breeze-ly Tunic in Turquoise $34.99

4. Cultivating Camellias Earrings $34.99

5. Sunset the Mood Scarf $24.99

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All items from Swell.

1. Swell Turquoise and Pearl $12.00

2. R2 Delancy Satin Sandals $34.50

3. Swell Brown Leather Snap Bracelet $29.99

And the last look is from POLYVORE using turquoise as an accent piece to the bright coral dress. (Each item is listed following the link.)

So don't wait until summer to bust out the brights and be a little daring. Experiment with color combinations and pair turquoise with just about anything as it will make heads turn this season. What are your favorite turquoise color combinations? Share!

Keep it classy, 

<3 Elizabeth

Fall Into Fashion 2011

When it comes to the word "slacker" it could be my middle name in reference to the limited amount of blogging I did this summer. Yes, I could throw out a long list of excuses, but all I am going to say is... "I'm back and I'm sorry."

I have just recently joined with University Visitors Network (UVN) as one of their college fashion bloggers and I have to say I am really enjoying it. (You should check out their website too by the way.) So to kill two birds with one stone I decided to relate my post for both my personal blog and UVN's. So with that being said lets get this blog post startedddd!

Unfortunately my favorite season is over. RIP Summer 2011, you will be dearly missed.

As one season changes into another so do fashion trends. Hopefully everyone has been working hard this summer and was able to save up some extra cash for their new Fall 2011 wardrobe because this season there are some new and exciting colors, trends and accessories in store.

1. Mustard 

No not the condiment, the color. The hours I spend all summer long perfecting my sun kissed glow disappears completely when the weather starts to get cold. So if I were to wear this mustard color I feel like people would start to think I was sick. However, if you are someone who keeps your tan or cheats and goes to the tanning beds maybe you could give this color a try. Here are some affordable and trendy items.

Lyra Mustard Dress from Etsy

Mustard Yellow Lace Sweater from Etsy

2. Lace

Move over Victoria Secret lingerie apparel. You aren't the only one wearing lace this year. This is one trend you have to be careful with because if you overdo it with the "froufrou," the joke ends up on you. If there is one thing about fashion designer, Jason Wu it would be that he loves him some lace. Take a look at his RTW 2011 Fall collection. 

Images by: NewYorker

 P.S.- Yes that is a mustard colored skirt paired with lace. Two trends in one. Notice how Wu pairs one thing lace with a solid color avoiding too much pattern clash. Another tip to picking out your lace item is to avoid wearing too much of the cream color because then you just look like your grandma's curtain/tablecloth and who wants that? Not me.  But unfortunately us college students can't always afford to buy Wu's eclectic taste in lace, but there are some affordable, trendy solutions.

All items can be found at ModCloth

3. Vintage Chokers 

Dresses from the 60's and 70's have yet to fall out of style this year and with that being said, add a choker necklace and you have the very next trend. And this is no joke when I say the bigger and bulkier the choker, the more of a statement you are going to make. Here's a few I really liked.

Choker necklaces by Etsy

4. Bright Colors

This is one trend I never get tired of seeing from season to season and this Fall color is one thing that is not lacking. Just because it isn't summer anymore doesn't mean you should trade in your reds, yellows and oranges for browns, grays and blacks. Much like lace color should be worn in moderation. Take a look at some of the bold and bright colors incorporated in DKNY's Fall 2011 collection.

DKNY Collection- Photo Credit

Where to buy your bright colored clothes to stand out this Fall 2011?

All items can be found at TopShop

5. Plaids and Polka Dots

Tartan plaid and girly polka dots are two prints that seem to have taken off for Fall/Winter 2011. Take a look at the runway and how designers incorporated both designs in their collections and find out how you can get the look for less. 

From left to right, Rachel Comey, Steven Alan, Suno & Burberry. Photos: Imaxtree

Look for less? Items all available at ModCloth.

Keep it classy,
<3Elizabeth