rediscovery – navy blue dress i wear in the summer can be taken into the early fall or worn with a pair of skinny’s and boots, and cardi
dress – joe fresh (2010)/ blazer – gap (2009)/ tights – hue (2011) /handbag - marks & spencer (2002) /shoes – franco sarto (2011)
me
rediscovery - this dress i bought early this year for a wedding. it’s been sitting in my closet ever since. this is how i will ‘work’ it:
red dress - mango (2011)/ blazer - jacob, part of a suit (2006)/ belt - mexx (2008)/ leopard scarf - mom (2006)
inspiration: le chateau f/w 2011
me
office party + alcohol + the funky chicken = career suicide
‘tis the season and the holiday office party is around the corner. You and your co-workers got plans to get dolled up and party like it’s your birthday or like it’s 1999 depending on how old you are.
don’t
do
go ahead, look your best, have a drink or two, hit the dance floor and shake-what-your-mama-gave-ya. It’s the holidays and it’s a party! but keep in mind that just because you’re not in the office doesn’t mean that you’ve left the office behind - it’s still a ‘work’ function.
remember, the impression you leave on your co-workers and boss in a social setting may be a lasting one - it can end up being career limiting. so while you’re planing what to wear, what time to leave, you should plan to party and drink responsibly.
Look great, have fun and be safe.
me
start your shopping trip without considering how much you’re comfortable spending - unless you last name is Trump, in which case this might not be an issue.
do
have a budget (a realistic one) – you should have an idea of what you are prepared to spend on your day of shopping.
this can reduce the risk of spending reflux (kinda like acid reflux – just as unpleasant) – the feeling of tightness or burning in your chest and nausea you get when you tally the bill.
me
Rediscovery - magazines are a great place to find inspiration when you’re suffering from wardrobe fatigue.
inspiration: magazine ad for dynamite
interpretation:
blouse and camel trouser – joe fresh (2011)/ leopard cardi – banana republic (2010)/ red shoes – …me too (2011)/ handbag - fiorelli, asos (2011)
me
dear high school,
remember how I didn’t like it the first time around? Remember how we’re grown ups now?
stay classy.
ac
my friend wrote that and it reminded me that the cube dweller’s experience can sometimes feel like being in high school all over again.
and why not?, you’ve got all the players: the principal (the boss whose office you never want to be sent to), teachers (supervisors who are there to teach you stuff), and the kids (the overachievers, underachievers, cool kids, mean girls, geeks and everything in between).
what’s also reminiscent of high school is the bullying, gossiping, and cattiness that can happen in the workplace because people forget that they’re not kids in the hall anymore - think of workplace email slandering, fb misuse, cyber-bullying.
in the workplace we should remember to behave like the grown ups and professionals we are. seriously, who really wants to re-live high school (especially if you went during the ‘80s)?
leave the high school antics on the playground or save it for when you get your own reality tv show. always stay classy in the cube.
me
Rediscovery – dress from uniqlo. bought it in nyc spring 2010
dress – uniqlo (2010)/ white belt - joe (2011)/ shoes – franco sarto (2011)
me
the splurge
last weekend found me in the mall. it was ‘friends and family’ event at banana republic.
i was looking for a new interview suit but then had a change of heart after i asked whether i can still ‘work with what i got’ - i own a black pant suit (2009) - i don’t love but can make it work. so, instead of a suit i bought:
and purge
when i got home i decided to take an “in-with-the-new-out-with-the-old” approach and did a quick closet purge. my ‘donation’ pile now includes:
it felt really good.
me
when recounting events with colleagues, please refrain from speaking like you hang out with wayne & garth:
“and i was like dude! and he was like yeah, and then i was like no waaay! and then he was like, way! and then…”
unless you’re starring in a remake of dumb and dumber just stop it.
do: use ‘adult’ words
speak in a professional manner. people will be more inclined to take you seriously and listen to what you have to say. this is particularly important when you’re a young professional looking to make some serious strides in your career.
the statement you make in your style and presentation will give you office cred, so go ahead embrace the english language and save the urban dictionary references for when yu hang wit yo peeps in da ‘hood, ahh-rite?
me
so you’ve decided to buy some new gear for work, you’ve got your list, and your budget (and hopefully, you’ve received your emails about deals to be had).
Here are a few other things to consider before embarking on your shopping mission:
me
every now and then i come out of my cube and into the light (by “every now and then” i mean like as rare as a solar eclipse).
anyhow, i went to a theirry mugler event last night - the room @ the bay - with my cousin jerome. jerome’s a big fan of mugler’s creative director nicola formichetti (who also works with lady gaga) and i basically invited myself along.
jerome and nicola formichetti
we spent the evening wandering amongst some very fashionable peeps, like socialite suzanne rogers (she brought marchesa to toronto this year and oscar de la renta last year), suzanne boyd (editor-in-chief zoomer magazine), anita clarke (blogger - i want i got), fashion designer jeffery micheals, and people i recognized from fashion magazines.
despite feeling out of my element Jerome and I had a good time and we met some lovely people.
discovery: i need to get out more. also this was a good example of why it’s important to look your best no matter where you work. you never know what opportunities might pop up where you get to attend a great event, meet some cool people, and network, network, network. if you’re lucky it will be an event that includes free champagne and fancy finger foods. it can happen.
me
rediscovery: since i discovered my old leather pants, i’ve been playing dress-up. here are 4 ways i can ‘work’ it:
Look 1
sweater - joe fresh (2011)
white tee - gap (2009)
necklace - fragments jewellers (2011)
belt - mexx (2009)
mustard handbag - matt and natt (2010)
booties - franco sarto (2011)
Look 2
pinstripe shirt - h&m (2011)
leopard flats - kenneth cole (2011)
red trench -old navy (2009)
Look 3
sweater - winners (2011)
white shirt - banana republic (2010)
shoes - joe fresh (2010)
paprika handbag - bought at treasure trove boutique (2009)
Look 4
white tee - gap (2009)
blazer - gap (2010)
leopard scarf - jacob (2010)
shoes - sam edelman (2010)
braclets - aldo accessories (2009)
me
this weekend i discovered my leather pants. they’re an oldie but goodie – had them for over 8 years. and they still fit!
leather pants - dynamite (circa 2001 maybe)
blue blouse - zara (2011)
leopard wedges - 9west (2011)
blazer - gap (2010)
and the purging continues: i gave away 2 tops, a pair of boots and a pair of evening shoes.
me
f@#* me!
f@#* off!
no f’ing way!
get the f@#* outta here!
are you f@#*ing kidding me?!
that’s f@#*ing bulls@#*t!
that’s really f@#*d up!
i once worked for a guy who used to drop f-bombs on the regular. i found it jarring and offensive so i asked him, politely, not to use that language when speaking to me. he stopped.
maybe you think it’s funny, or you and the boss are tight like that so you’re comfortable sharing expletives, or maybe the boss is just the expressive type. what’s the big deal, its harmless, right?
dropping the f-bomb or other expletives, shouldn’t be how you communicate in the work place. it’s inappropriate, can be offensive to others, and just down right unprofessional.
unless you’re in a profession where it’s part of normal business practice, or if you’ve found yourself accepting an oscar award and in the excitement you accidently let it slip, leave the potty-mouth for outside the office.
me
the style strategy list the black pants as one of the essentials for ones wardrobe.
here’s how i’m ‘working’ it (well working one pair anyway…):
black trousers – banana republic (2010)
blouse – joe fresh (2011)
blazer - h&m (2007)
belt – gap (2011)
shoes – 9west (2006)
discovery: the h&m corduroy blazer - forgot i had it. also i shop at joe fresh far more often than I thought. huh.
me
think you need to buy an entire new wardrobe all in one go? thnink again.
do
make a list – even if you aren’t entirely sure of what you need, a list is a good place start.
this will help you focus on the key items (the must haves) and hopefully keep you on track and on budget while you shop.
you can modify, add to, or remove items from the list as you go along; use your smart phone to keep track and check it before you go shopping.
my winter wish list looks like this at the moment:
· Tall leather boots for work
· New winter coat
· Cashmere cardigan
· White turtleneck
· Chunky knit sweater
· Black wool trousers
me
saying, “i need everything!” will only get you in trouble when deciding to do a big shopping trip and is not likely to be true - unless you’ve just suffered a natural disaster and really do need everything.
starting from the position that you need to buy everything all at once will probably leave feeling overwhelmed, disappointed, and more than likely, wandering aimlessly for hours in the mall.
do
stick with one area of your lifestyle: do you need work attire or weekend-wear?
this will help you stay focused, cut down on the amount of stores you’ll need to visit, and make you less stressed.
Once you’ve tackled one area of your life then you can plan to tackle the other. and yeah, it’ll mean you’re back at the mall at some point but if you approach shopping more strategically, you’ll be in and out in less time and hopefully be less stressed as a result.
me
Mixing pattern and texture. how i can ‘work’ it:
skirt – (2011) *$20 at a boutique at my niece’s college
tweed blazer – jacob (2006)
blue button-down shirt – jacob (2009)
snakeskin purse – banana republic (2011)
discovery: i love this blazer. also it’s alright to mix my animal prints - grrrr!
me
this lwd was bought this summer. i didn’t wear it – i thought it was “too” white. *head slap*.
how i will work it:
white dress – zara (2011)
shoes – franco sarta (2011)
blazer – gap (2010)
necklace – fragments (2009)
discovery: i love white
me
i bought a jacket in h&m in Spring 2010 and thought it would look great in the summer with a pair of wide-legged white trousers – that i didn’t own… *frown*
according to flare mag - trend addition - peplum is a big deal this fall. well, this is peplum-ish…
how i’m working it now:
blue jacket – h&m (2010)
gray cropped pants – joe fresh (2011)
shoes – winners (2011)
handbag - marks & spencer (2001)
discovery: i can work this jacket with a skirt, dress, or with a turtle neck in colder temps.
me
you know that credit card commercial that asks, “what’s in your wallet?” well, when thinking of doing a major shopping trip, either for the season or because you only shop once a year (tsk, tsk, tsk), first ask yourself, “what’s in your closet?”
do
start with your closet – since we’re talking about work-wear here, take a look at the key basics like black pants and pencil skirts, are they in good condition, any loose threads, holes, or are they worn out?
check your white shirt(s) for fading and armpit stains – i now, gross but it’s even more gross when you’re wearing it.
take the time to figure out what you own and what needs replacing/updating. this will allow you to be more focused when you begin your shopping mission.
me
cropped pants aren’t my favourite trend - they always seem to look so much better on other people.
how i work it:
pants – gap (2011)
blouse – gap (2011)
jacket – h&m (2007 - gift)
shoes – marc fisher - winners (2011)
discovery: i’ve come to embrace the cropped pant
me
chilly: “i hate shopping!”
me: “well, when you only shop once a year i can see how you could feel that way.”
as much as i enjoy looking stylish for work i don’t enjoy spending hours in the mall or trying on outfit after outfit. i’m well aware of how so not fun shopping can be.
shopping more than once a year and shopping smart can ease some of that pain and be less taxing on your wallet in the long-run. Here are some other tips to help you deal with the ordeal of shopping:
i’ll share more on each of these tips over the next few weeks.
me
i bought this skirt at joe fresh in the summer – i really liked the pattern. here is how i’m ‘working’ it for fall (i’ll add a blazer for the office):
skirt and belt - joe fresh (2010)
bow blouse – mango (2009)
me
