Guide to the Perfect Professional Wardrobe

Now that I have officially graduated college it is truly time to start buckling down in finding a “real person” full time job.  As I begin my journey in finding a job I also begin my quest in finding the perfect work wardrobe.  My mother recently pointed out to me that I need new outfits that do reek of a young college wardrobe.    As a college student we are all used to going out wearing high platform shoes that could potentially break our ankles and dresses that barely qualify as a dress.  It is now time to find lower heals and longer dresses to ensure that our outfits seem professional but at the same time fashionable and chic.

We shall start from top to bottom. 

I found this really cool MARC BY MARC JACOBS Colorblocked Silk Crepe de Chine Top.  The adorable flutter sleeves and burst of orange color gives the plain nude shirt a special style.  I think this shirt is extremely feminine and chic.  The pleats running down the front and back of the shirt also gives it an extra something.  As I have blogged in the past both nude and bright colors are in for spring/summer and the shirt embodies both of these trends.  On a professional level, the round neck does not plunge low and the sleeves cover your shoulders for a elegant professional look. 

This Aqua Fitted Girlfriend Blazer is a must have for any entry level professional.  If you do not already have a blazer in your closet, this specific one is perfect.  The fitted silhouette gives it a feminine edge.  This jacket would be perfect with dresses, skirts and pants. Blazers are a must have in the work world.  They give a statement that you are professional and serious about your work.  

Next is the very important black pencil skirt that covers more than just your butt cheeks.  Trust me, I love short skirts and dresses but in the real world they are an huge “no, no”.  This doesn’t mean that you need a skirt that comes over your knees but it is important that it comes to your lower-mid thigh.  I found this BCBGMAZAZARIA Solid Power Skirt.  I love that this skirt is still tight and still has a professional look to it.  It is form-fitting and flattering at the same time, which can glam up any outfit.  This skirt would look fantastic with a cute tank and blazer. 

For shoes I found two different looks that are work appropriate yet chic and stylish.  The first pair I found was a simple black heal which can be work with basically anything.  These STEVE MADDEN “Staciee” Platform Pumps are luscious latent leather and have a flattering adjustable slingback.  I love that these specific heals are high enough to look chic and professional.  The other office ready shoe I found was these House of Harlow 1960 “Pearl” Pumps.  The elegantly textured fish skin material adds a sense of dimension and style to these classic platform peeptoes.  I love that they come in neutral and purple which means they could simplify or brighten up any outfit. 

If you are still looking for more office choices websites such as like Bloomingdales and Theory  have specific career shop pages which have numerous  outfits that would be perfect and appropriate to wear to work.    I would also look at BCBGeneration.  

Watch Yourself

A great accessory to any outfit is a watch.  Watches are timeless and when you invest in a nice watch you most likely will have it for a very long time.  While searching for a graduation present I started fumbling through different watches and found these three that had a little something special…

This first watch is a MARC BY MARC JACOBS ‘Logo Rivera’ Clear Bracelet Watch.  Now this Isn’t a watch you would want to wear if you are tying to be professional but this watch is super fun and youthful and awesome for spring/summer.  I personally love wearing accessories that have a “kidd-ish” feel to them because they make me feel young and youthful again.  This watch does exactly that.  The playful logo is accented in tonal crystals which distinguish the striking white dial of the bracelet watch.  It is also comprised of a glassy resin and smooth silicone.  I also love that this specific watch is purple (it comes in other colors but I LOVE purple).  I love that the MARC is in purple and love the silicone wristband.  This watch is just so fun and is perfect for hot summer days.

Now brace yourself for this next one.  This specific watch caught my attention a few months ago and I have been in love with it ever since.  You cannot talk about watches without talking about Michele and the amazingness of the brand.  This watch in particular is great because it’s black (which I love because it is kind of badass) and it has DIAMONDS (you can never go wrong with diamonds).  This Deco Diamond Noir embodies bold, sophisticated style with a black edge.  Michele watches are always sophisticated and are perfect for those who are starting their life in the professional world.  I just LOVE the black band and black face (this is the first Michele watch I have found that does not have a white face) and of course…DIAMONDS!

My last favorite watch is the MICHAEL Michael Kors Women’s Chronograph Bracelet Watch.  This watch is simple yet sophisticated and has a horn-inspired acrylic bracelet strap and crystal accents.  The horn color is timeless and the crystal markers make it chic and stylish.  Michael Kors watches have been extremely popular in the past few years and this light elegant color is stunning for spring.  

Spring Statements

For those of you who do not live under a rock, you may have noticed the trend of statement jewelry.  This trend is extremely in for spring and can be really fun for when you have a boring outfit and need a pop of be-dazzle.  I love the look of a chunky necklace with a plain shirt or dress and really love rings that are big and bold!

I just found this STUNNING Milly Teardrop Statement Necklace and had to share it with everyone immediately.  I love the vintage look with the chic glass beads mixed with the lovely Milly fabric.  The peach, turquoise and green colors would look absolutely amazing with any nude or black dress.  I love this specific necklace because of its bright colors and drastic stylish design.  The  necklace also goes perfectly with the tribal trend for spring.  Make sure to check out Milly's website for other amazing statement necklaces! 

Another great Milly necklace I found was this beautiful Milly Rhinestone Knot Necklace. This necklace could be worn with a casual outfit and adds a dash of nautical style to your look.  I love that it is dark blue and not black, so it is can be worn better with summer clothing.  The blue sailor knots also are really in this spring and fall into the nautical trend.  The rhinestone embellishments make the necklace pop and add a taste of elegance. 

  This necklace is long and perfect for any plain outfit.  It comes from the Bloomingdales brand Aqua which had tons of great jewelery and clothing.  This necklace caught my eye because of the many glittering strands of beads tied together and its gorgeous contrast with earthy suede ties.  This necklace comes in turquoise and cream colored.  I love long necklaces with high-waisted skirts or any plain dress that needs a certain pop of accessory.  

 

 

Crochet It Up For Spring

As we enter the long awaited season of spring it is FINALLY weather appropriate to start wearing dresses and tanks on a regular basis (thank goodness).  Because I am an avid shopper, I have been looking around for new spring apparel to add to my already spring favored wardrobe.  For some reason I have really fallen in love with the crochet look for this season and here are some fabulous things I found…

I was shopping at Urban Outfitters the other day and found this really fun crochet romper.  As many of my friends know, I love rompers and usually walk around all day saying that I am “romptastic.”  With that said this romper is great.  I love the grey color with white lace over it.  The lace also consists of the tribal trend that is in right now.  I also love the drawstring around the waist which can show off any girls waistline.  I tried the romper on and it has a 70’s roller skate outfit feel to it and really shows off your legs.  This romper is simple and fun and is perfect for end of school activities and any outside event. 

My next fun find is this BCBGMAXAZARIA dress.  This dress is awesome because it has a real romantic feel while at the same time the back stripes add a twisted edge.  The dress is also nice because of its carefree flutter-sleeves.  The back of this dress is really special because of the way it swoops down and shows off your back.  I love the lace texture and am really in love with the way it shows off your back.  The dress is fun, fashionable and perfect for a night or day event.

Another fun spring/summer crochet look is this Free People Crochet Tank.  This tank caught my eye because of its hippy, summer and laid back feel.  I love the elaborate crochet inset and fluttery hem.  This shirt would look great with dark shorts or jeggings with a high nude pump.  It is also perfect for any day event or even a bathing suit cover-up.  This tank really reminds me of something worn in Dazed and Confused which is a all time favorite movie of mine.  I really love the hippy look for summer, it is timeless and extremely comfortable for the warm weather. 

Now get shopping!!!

Dress It Up For Graduation

As graduation approaches there are a few things that come to mind.  For high school graduates it is the growing anticipation of college, new friends, new experiences and the excitement of leaving home for the first time and living independently on your own.  College graduates on the other hand have less excitement about leaving their new best friends, need to find a “real person” job and are now embarking on their new life as a professional adult.  As the big day approaches there is one thing that I am actually excited for…shopping for a graduation dress!

Now, lets be real.  You are going to be taking lots-o-pics before and after your graduation ceremony so it is important to look your best and to find a dress that fits your body and personality.  Most graduation dresses are white but they do not always have to be!  It is important not to fear stepping outside the box to wear something chic, sophisticated and fabulous!

The first dress I found that would be PERFECT for graduation is this Free People “Love and Liberty Cross Over Dress.”  This dress is appropriate and trendy due to its delicate floral embroidery and ruffled v-neckline which are perfect for hot sunny spring weather.  The light cream color is also beautiful and will not show through light colored graduation gowns.  I also love the drawstring waist tie which will emphasize a petite waist.  The v-neck is also perfect because it does not swoop too low and shows the perfect amount of chest without it being too provocative.  This dress could be match perfectly with nude pumps or trendy espadrilles with a light pop of color. 

This next dress is  STUNNING and I am very much in love with it.  The BCBGENERATION “Pleated-Bust Strapless Sundress” is absolutely gorgeous and is the quintessential graduation sundress.  This dress has pleated detail on the bust and then flares out around your waist and also has side pockets (I love pockets on dresses).  I find this dress to be extremely elegant and charming for any day event and could be worn for any summer gathering.  The fact that is it stripped and not plain white adds a simplistic chic look.  I love that the top is not straight and smooth but has crisscross detail which takes the dress up a level of looking more  graceful than plain.  As I look at the dress over again I think it would be absolutely perfect for a graduation ceremony and may even wear it myself… (MOM!! Hint hint!!)

This next dress is not exactly my style per-se but would be perfect for someone who wants to be both conservative and stylish.  This Shoshanna “Scalloped V-Neck Sheath Dress” is beautiful with a timeless romantic feel.  The ladylike appeal in this lace sheath dress is absolutely stunning.  I like that there is a slight v-neck (your chest is going to want to breath under that hot graduation gown) and the tight waist line give the dress a eye-catching feminine look.  Lace is also very trendy this spring.  Another appealing aspect of this dress are the flared thick straps which gives the dress a little edge and takes it away from being another boring lace dress. 

My last find is a little out of the ordinary for a graduation dress but it caught my eye because of the amazing colors and the fact that it is super trendy right now.  This French Connection “Cleo’s Dream” Embellished Dress is tribal inspired (very in right now and a trend that I am currently shopping into) and is perfect for those figures that are not feeling their thinnest the day of graduation.  The dress is not skin tight and has a flowy feminine feel.  I love the green, blue, orange and silver beading at the top of the dress and their different shaping and texture.  They give the dress a certain edge and elegance. 

There you have it.  My top graduation dresses for this season.  Get shopping and a very large, happy congratulations to those graduating this spring! 

Bring on the Bracelets !

Stack em’,  mix em’, color coordinate them, or wear them solo.  Bracelets are a HUGE accessory for Spring 2011.  While looking through fashion magazines this past weekend I found a colorful reappearance of celebrities wearing numerous styles of brackets.  After realizing this trend I immediately hopped online to shop around to see what amazing finds I could dig up. 

The first beautiful set I found was a colorful stack of RJ Graziano Wrapped Bangles.  As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, bright colors are a fun popular trend for spring and these 15 bangles are embraced with color with an armful of blue, green, purple, red, turquoise and orange mixed with gold, silver and sparkles.  With a mixture of colors and patterns this stack of bangles adds a great blast of color to a black party dress or a neutral outfit.  Another reason this set of bangles are great is that you can pick and choose which to wear with each specific outfit if one color does not match!

My next favorite find are MARC BY MARC JACOBS Hinged Bangles.  These bangles caught my attention because they remind me of the enamel Hermes “H Bracelets”  which may not be in everyone’s price range.  These Marc Jacobs bangles are great because they have a cool, younger, hip feel to them and add a certain statement style to your look.  When you wear a single chunky bracelet like this there is no need for other bracelets because the intensity of the bulkiness and color makes a big enough statement on its own.  I especially like these bangles because the red and pink have a beautiful pop or color. 

Last but not least I found these stunning Nadri Single-Row Bangles.  These specific bangles lend impeccable elegance to a set of gold and polished rhodium and gunmetal, finished with gleaming crystal pave.  I love the mix of glamour, elegance and neutral colors and the crystals on top add amazing sparkle and shine.  I personally love the shade of gunmetal because of its hard look and timeless color.  This set can dress up any outfit and adds a certain sense of sophistication to any look. 

Bags To Get Carried Away With This Spring!

We all know that no outfit is ever complete without a fashionable bag.  As I have mentioned in previous blogs Spring 2011 is all about flaunting vivid colors and is truly inspired from the 70’s, a time when women experienced freedom like never before.  

My first choice for spring is this fabulous “Rocker Crossbody Bag” by Rebecca Minkoff.  I am currently in a Rebecca Minkoff phase where I think all of her bags are amazing wish I could buy them all.  Because I cannot I have chosen this specific bag for spring because one: it has sparkles and everything with sparkles is awesome and two: the fact that the bag is small and crosses over your body makes for a light and easy bag to wear without having to carry it and straining your arm.  The nude tone also goes with the theme of spring along with the embellishment of the three tough-luxe zippers.  What is also great about this bad is that the crossbody strap is convertible so you are able to use the bag as a clutch as well, which is totally clutch!

No closet is ever complete without the go-to MARC BY MARC JACOBS Classic Q Hillier Hobo.  I have always been a huge fan of the hobo trend and think ever girl should have at least one in their wardrobe.  This specific best-selling silhouette is updated every season with new colors.  The leather adds a certain polish to your daytime look and this specific blue color I have picked definitely adds a pop of color.  It also comes in a bright yellow color which I love because as we know, bright colors are a huge trend for spring. 

You cannot go into warm spring weather without having a white bag.  This 5-Zip clutch by Rebecca Minkoff (I warned you that I like her bags) is perfect for spring.  The chain strap and gold zippers adds a little edge to this classic white look.  I also really like the crossbody look for spring because you are still accessorizing with a bag but you also have your hands free. 

My last favorite for spring is a bag by Abaco.  This specific bag is great because it can be a crossbody bag as well as a shoulder bag.  I love the embellishments of buckles, chains and the front flap with snap closure.  The taupe color also is great for spring and the distressed leather adds a nice neutral look.