October 24, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: Leather at Work


I've had this inspiration photo saved for ages, and when I realized my latest Stella & Dot necklace was a good match, I knew I had to re-create. It took me a couple tries to get the tones right - a gray skirt I was planning to use had too much brown in it and not enough blue, so I went with this seafoam skirt instead. I'm happy with the result and I love the idea of wearing a leather jacket over a conservative work outfit. Not sure if a leather jacket would fly in most offices (if I've learned anything from talking to women about style, it's that company dress codes could not be more different!), but I at least like the jacket on the way to work, and you could remove it, revealing a cardigan in a similar black, navy or monochromatic gray color to wear around the office. Would you wear leather at work? If so, how?

Inspiration photo: InStyle
Leather jacket: Victoria's Secret, $257
Shirt: Banana Republic, $35 (similar)
Skirt: LOFT, $55 (similar, similar) (similar pants)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $79
Shoes: Banana Republic, $50 (similar, similar)
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $39 and $69
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $32 and $39 and $79

1. Express  2. ModCloth  3. Urban Outfitters  4. New York & Co  5. Lord & Taylor  6. Bluefly  7. Arden B  8. Mango
Top two rows are vegan; bottom row is genuine leather.

36 comments:

  1. I think this look is so chic with a hint of bad ass! I wish I could wear my leather jacket to work but I agree that it's a great idea to opt for a cardigan or blazer instead :)

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  2. This is a great look!  The colors are very pretty with the tough looking leather jacket.

    I have a leather pencil skirt that I wear to work with a blazer and heels or knee high boots.  I would love to have a leather peplum top for work too.  Heather

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  3. Love the look but not sure I'd do a full on leather jacket through out the workday.  Maybe a blazer style leather jacket.  I'd really like a sheath dress in this combo of colors and fabrics with leather trim or side panels!

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  4. I work in an overly casual environment (construction!) so I could wear pretty much anything!

    I do have to be careful to not look too, uh, feminine (?) because it evokes responses I just don't want. In fact, today I'm just wearing heels and a dress and some guy just said "You're all dressed up today. Have a big date?" in a super creepy way as he eyes me up and down. I wear this outfit all the time, just without heels, and it is certainly not what I'd call "sexy." And bam, one small change and I illicit things I just don't want. Ugh.

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  5. Kim, I just got all momma bear for a minute and wanted to tell that guy off haha! I hate that kind of attention more than anything so I know what you mean. Maybe wear a leather jacket and signal that you are street and no one should mess with you (lol). :-)

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  6. Love the idea of leather trim for the office! Just a hint of trendy, great suggestion!

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  7. ah! I LOVE that moto jacket on you, J.  I've been looking for a new one, but have yet to find the perfect one.  I'll definitely have to check out your picks.  The really love the collar on your Victoria's Secret one.  I hope you had an awesome seminar! =D

    http://sensiblestylista.blogspot.com/

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  8. Great look! Such a cute skirt!

    http://www.natinlove.com?cm=1

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  9. I totally love your look better. I think a leather jacket is appropriate for work. I could wear it to work but then would have to take it off for something sexier like scrubs :)

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com

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  10. Once again, I like your look better than the inspiration photo.  The seafoam is beautiful, and the softness of the top and skirt go great with the leather jacket.  I just scored a faux leather jacket at Ross for $30, and I'm super excited to explore out all that I can do with it.  Your blog is MY inspiration!

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  11. (Changed "figure out" to "explore," but forgot to delete "out."  My bad.

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  12. Great outfit!  Love the leather jacket with the conservative outfit - makes the outfit look a bit more edgy

    Megan
    budgetfashion101.blogspot.ca

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  13. I absolutely love that color combination! So pretty!

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  14. I have both a leather pencil skirt and blazer that I have recently worn to work. I think it depends on the shape/style, but I work in a very conservative office. 

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  15. Loving this look! I have been looking for some affordable, leather jacket options forever! Thanks for the post!

    xo

    -Allison

    www.thesistersinthecity.com

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  16. I love that you put the leather with such lovely muted tones. Of course I would wear leather to work, but I would probably feel like I was wearing my outside coat inside all day!
    work-it-blog.blogspot.com

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  17. This is one of my favorite outfits you've done.  I want to go out and get every single piece.  Way to go!

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  18. really appreciate you picking and pointing out some vegan leather options!! : )

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  19. I would wear leather to work, but maybe not a motorcycle-styled one.  I think the amount of zippers/buttons will determine if it is too casual for work.  Perhaps the #7 would be appropriate.  Love your look, thanks for the ideas.

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  20. I am lucky I work for a fashion eCommerce company so we have the option to wear what we please. I love how you paired it with the sea foam blue skirt instead of grey, it goes with the shirt too! Your leather jacket is amazing I love the style of it.  Your Stella & Dot necklace is amazing! I love coral pieces.

    XO http://shesaidhesaid-fashion.blogspot.com

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  21. I LOVE leather jackets. i have 3 in different colors and styles. my work is VERY casual so I could definitely get away with wearing one. :) (Heck, we can wear flip flops in the summer) I love the outfit you created! You have the best collection of pencil skirts, I must say!

    -Courtney
    www.415bond.blogspot.com

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  22. I wouldn't wear leather to work except for a leather jacket and/or shoes. Tops and bottoms would be way too risque and inappropriate!


















    thriftthick.blogspot.com 

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  23. I love the look! Gorgeous!


    >>Doing a jewelry giveaway on my blog. Check it out!<<www.kimarijai.com

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  24. Love this work look, professional yet edgy. I would probably take the jacket off at work, but rock it on the way in and out!

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  25. My mom has a black leather pencil skirt from when leather was last in style and it fits me perfectly now. I'm not sure I could pull it off as a teacher, though. Maybe on Halloween? :)

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  26. Absolute home run, again. That color combo is perfection.

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  27. I would absolutely wear a leather jacket to work.  I like to go for the sugar and spice kind of look when I wear leather.  I think wearing a "sweet" shirt and bottom tones down the leather's edgy look.

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  28. I always wear my leather jacket too the office, and then I just wear a cardigan underneath.  That way at least I can be rock n roll on the way to work and then still professional while I'm there.

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  29. I like your outfit 1000x more than the celebrities outfit! I wish I could wear this outfit today!
    xoxo
    Megan
    www.arayofsunblog.com

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  30.  You could to totally wear it to work...as long as it isn't too tight. You just need a feminine shirt (like J's) and a cardigan.

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  31. I love your outfit.  The softness of the pastel outfit is such a beautiful juxtaposition against the leather jacket.  I do wear my leather jacket when I am formally dressed for work but I tend to take it off at the office.  Typically, I wear it it as a I would a blazer, over a blouse and dress pants. This is one of my Casual Friday work outfits where I wore my leather jacket: http://coverupchic.blogspot.ca/2012/10/casual-fall-attire-dots-and-flares.html

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  32. I love wearing leather to work! I'm a teacher, and my high school students love it too! I think leather can be absolutely professional as long as the jacket is structured and polished as opposed to too "motorcycle gang-esque." I also think that paired with ultra-conservative pieces, like tailored slacks and a crisp button-up, leather can be the perfect accessory.

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  33. Love this work look, professional yet edgy. I would probably take the jacket off at work, but rock it on the way in and out

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  34. wow...i like your outfit & color combination also. i always wear leather jacket to work. i love wear a leather pencil skirt with beautiful cream silk shell...it gives stylish look & professional look also.today all girls prefer wear a leather dresses with accessories at work & it is sophisticated.

    i always like pencil leather skirt from:
    http://www.leatherfads.com/stylish-textured-pencil-leather-skirt-2571.aspx

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