corporate fashionista

Last Week, Today

My office wear series continues with more shameless bathroom selfies and corporate business casual looks that I made happen last week.

I’m hoping they’ll bring you some inspiration for your stylish selves this week 🙂

Sweater Weather….Ooh LaLa

I’ve yet to turn over my closet from summer to winter. And I’m doing everything I can to avoid wearing pantyhose until absolutely necessary. Enter knee-high knit socks.

**How I Got The Look**…..Sweater: *Old Navy* (click here for other looks); Bird skirt: *Old Navy* (click here); Knee-high socks: *Ardene;* Shoes: Nine West (click here)

What I’m loving about this look is how easy it is, but looks like I spent time coordinating colours and graphic prints. Pssst….I didn’t!

Check my Instagram for more pics and to find out how I got this outfit inspiration in the first place 😉

Camel Cutie

This sandy camel colour sweater is an XL from JoeFresh. Totally fell in love with the adorable and detailed neckline.

I struggled a little to find a way to wear this sweater that WASN’T a basic black bottom.

And then I remembered this batik printed skirts I picked up from The Central Market in KL, Malaysia ….

**How I Got the Look:** Sweater, JoeFresh; Skirt, travels to Malaysia click here; Flats from Payless, click here

Casual Friday Pawfection

Do you remember this doggie sweatshirt I picked up recently?

I totally didn’t need it. It was a total impulse buy. But I managed to take it to the office on my first “casual Friday” #ootd in a long, long time.

**How I Got the Look:** Sweater & Jeans, *F21+*, Scarf, *H&M;* Boots, *Payless*, Earrings, MyBeadedDesigns

It just so happened that I had the paw-fect earring set to match too! Click here to read more about these PAWs and how to get yourself a pair.There you have it friends. A few of my real life “outfit of the day” from last week.

Did you like ’em? Got a favourite? Let me know in the comments section below … always love hearing from you! xo

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Office Jumpsuit

Since I’m usually a work-from-home kinda gal …. these last few days of having to get up, dressed and out the door to go into the office has created a lot of alarm clock anxiety in my life. I find myself waking up multiple times in the wee hours of the morning (4am, 5am, 6am..) freaked out thinking I’ve overslept.

Well, this fear became my reality the other day, when I opened my eyes to see that it was 8:14am and I was still cozy under my comforter with my first meeting downtown beginning at 9am!

What’s a girl to do outfit wise when time is NOT on her side?

It’s Office Jumpsuit time!

How perfectly did this selection work out. No need to worry about coordinating tops to bottoms. No need for hosiery. Just cover it up with a cardi or a blazer and BOOM – office ready!

As I was running late, I chose to go with my light leather jacket (Danier) and simply wore it all day as a chic blazer to help bring this Summer jumpsuit Fall wearability. [SIDE NOTE: This lamb skinned jacket hasn’t fit me in years – and now it zips up and everything! Woot! Woot!]

Now, I wasn’t always so keen on this onsie-look. Click here for my initial reactions to this plus-size fashion trend. Click here to see how I wore this jumpsuit in the Summer months.

Some general rules I think need to be followed to take a jumpsuit into office wear:

Choose a jumpsuit that is simple and basic. No sparkles. Nothing with a deep-v – keep ‘the girls’ workplace appropriate.
Cover up with a jacket, blazer or cardi to create a more conservative look and neckline.
Keep your jewellery and accessories simple.

I would have loved to rock some pointy toed heels with this look to give me some height and make my legs look longer, buuuuuut as you know I was running late. So flats that matched my purse was all I could swing I’m afraid. Plus, they facilitated in my mad dash into the downtown core as fast as my little legs would carry me!

Who’s already jumped on bringing a Jumpsuit to the office? Would love to know what you did to make it work for you. Use the Comments section … tell me everything! 🙂

How I Got The Look: Jumpsuit from Reitmans; Purse from Kate Spade New York; Jacket from Danier Leather; Swarovski PAWS Jewellery by MyBeaded Designs; Shoes thrifted

Statement Jewellery May Help You Network

My apologies for the long absence….. seems my day job and life have been keeping me from blogging. But I’m back and ready to share some insights on some things I’ve observed whist being a more corporate fashionista the last week and a half.

I have found myself in numerous situations where there network opportunities to broaden my professional-social-circle have presented itself. However, developing rapport with strangers in professional, office-workplace settings has always been something I find tricky to do….

So, my go-to strategy once I’ve found someone I’d like to network with, is to begin by offering them a compliment.

Often time in those painful elevator rides where EVERY button is illuminated, and we’re all staring at each our feet, I’m usually the first to notice a fellow corporate fashionista standing next to me with fantastic shoes. I’ll look up at her and tell her so. And immediately we’ll be in chit-chatty conversation until we’ve arrived at our respective floor destinations.

Compliments are an easy ice-breaker. This means you want to use them to your best advantage and turn compliments into conversations. This totally works for men too. Plus, when another professional feels compelled to let you know they like something you are wearing…it’s as if you instantly have something in common. And possibly have them start thinking, “I wonder what more we might have in common?” 😉

Jewelry has been the most successful fashion conversation starter at networking events, or so I’ve found. Both women and men feel comfortable complimenting or commenting on a piece of jewelry. It’s considered in the safe zone. For men think: cufflinks, watches and tie pins (although rarely worn).

Multi-strand Pink & Coral Stones, Stella&Dot

Hello Yellow bib & earring set, Expressions – Hudson Bay Co.

Cherry pendent necklace & matching earings from Jubly-Umph Originals, Doll Factory by Damzels (pic links to post)

My favourite, and most impactful pieces that yield the most compliments and conversation-starters are necklaces. Likely, because they’re at eye level with other networkers. Of course, earrings, rings, bracelets and other jewellery could do the same thing too. If its a morning breakfast-networking event or cocktail-event, be sure to wear it on the hand that holds your drink beverage or food plate. So that your fellow networkers can the statement jewellery and make it a conversation starter. 🙂

Mint Stone Necklace from One Girl Who (pic links to post)

Black and Gold necklace, Aldo Accessories

Take a look at a few from my personal collection that has gotten the most ‘action’ in terms of conversation starting with networkers, in addition to my colleagues within my work team, managers included! I’ve provided captions under each picture and links to more details posts if I’ve worn this piece within a previous Outfit of the Day post.

I recommend wearing one eye-catching piece of jewelry to networking events. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top or uber expensive to be effective; it’s most important for it to be visually appealing and personally flattering.

What is your go-to or favourite statement piece of jewellery? What is it about this piece that makes is special to you?