I'm not shy about color, and I wouldn't hesitate to wear a bold look like this around town. This week I had a Skype session with a girl working in a business casual environment in the Midwest though. We talked at length about how much color you can get away with in the office. It's not just about "what if someone doesn't like my outfit?" When you work in an office, you also have to consider - is this going to make my boss uncomfortable? Am I going to look like I'm showing off? Will people be so distracted by my clothes, that they miss my skills and hard work? Ultimately I think we found a place where she is comfortable - fun, colorful clothes without going too far (and we made more than 30 new outfits from her closet!). I would love to hear where you fall on the color spectrum - would you rock a head-to-toe colorful look like this to work (or elsewhere)?
ps. Yesterday's Olivia Palermo inspiration was more of a literal translation whereas today I took her periwinkle + hot pink combo and ran with it. And just kept running. :-)
pps. In a work environment, proceed with caution on the length of this skirt, it might be a couple inches too short for some work places. Also, the middle outfit is meant to be daytime, while the right outfit I removed the cardigan + added a brooch for an easy switch into more of a nighttime look!
Inspiration photo: Who What Wear
Shirt: Banana Republic, $35 (old)
Skirt: Banana Republic, $15
Cardigan: H&M, $18
Shoes: Michael Antonio, $48
Clutch: c/o LOFT, $28 (recent)
Brooch: c/o Catherine Nicole, $30
Rings: LOFT pink stone ring $11, My Stella & Dot website $49
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Banana Republic, $10, My Stella & Dot website $49
1. Anne Klein periwinkle shirt, $20.70
2. LOFT pink skirt, $49.50 (another option, $39)
3. Mango mustard cardigan, $38.99
Those shoes are killing me. In such a good way! I'm not sure if I'd be able to get away with a tank at the office, but the cardigan looks great! Sometimes ruffles do strange things under sweaters, as I'm sure you know.
ReplyDeleteWahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! (that's me crying) I wish I was brave enough to wear color like that!!! I'm a "curvy" girl and I'm too self conscience to wear bold colors all over...BUT I LOVE the outfit, and you look amazing as always! xoxo!
ReplyDeleteI really like the yellow clutch and brooch added to the look on the right! I really like the color of your shirt and love the ruffle detail!
ReplyDeletePip
http://chicstayathome.blogspot.com
Can you show us what your closet looks like??? I'm dying to see it!
ReplyDeletehttp://vtobvi.wordpress.com/
love this look! so so vibrant!
ReplyDeletewww.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.com
is that skirt from Banana Republic ($15) new?
ReplyDeleteI bought it about 2 months ago on clearance, no coupon. Here's a link to my post "Secrets of Shopping at Banana Republic" - I utilized #1 and #3 to find this deal. :-) http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2011/04/todays-everyday-fashion-secrets-of.html
ReplyDeleteHere is a video/photo tour of my old closet. My new closet is organized the same way, but it's a lot bigger! :-) http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2011/06/peek-inside-my-closet.html
ReplyDeleteI have that skirt and wore it in one of my first blogs posts, seen here:
ReplyDeletehttp://fashionatforty.blogspot.com/2011/12/horizontal-stripes.html
It is a very short skirt (also got the colbalt blue version). Tights were a must with it. For summer, I'm going to have to keep it as a weekend skirt as I feel it's just too short for the office. Niki
www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com
Yep! As I said in my ps. - proceed with caution on the length of this skirt!! I have worn it in a professional setting, but it was a styling gig, so I felt it was okay. A retail store would also be fine, but in a conservative office, I wouldn't recommend it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Natalie! The sleeveless outfit is actually meant to be for a night out! :-) The idea being that you could wear the middle one to work and easily transition into night by removing the cardigan and adding a fun clutch instead!
ReplyDeleteIt is definetly a hard balance to find with work clothes.. I love this look and would totally rock it!
ReplyDeletexx
Julie
http://lovecardelia.blogspot.com/
Oh, duh! I should read more carefully because you totally said that in the original post. haha! I love outfits that can transition like that! :)
ReplyDeleteWay to go, J! Another great use of color! That pink and periwinkle go together so well! And the mustard is a nice touch :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this look! I would wear this to a bridal shower or church, but I could not wear this to work in my very conservative (very male dominated) environment. I can barely wear a skirt without getting awkward comments, so I try to not wear clothes that make me stand out for the wrong reasons, while still looking cute of course! That usually means a lot of neutrals with only one pop of color per outfit. Outside of work is a different story tho!
ReplyDeleteLove this Mila! I would also wear this to a bridal shower or church, and sounds like I wouldn't feel comfy wearing this to your workplace either! :-)
ReplyDeleteI do miss the opportunity to dress up regularly in my current non-traditional work environment, although having also worked in a very conservative workplace in the past (no open toe shoes, for example), I don't miss some of the restrictions. That said, I think this outfit could be modified for most workplaces, and it's so bright and happy and lovely! The yellow clutch is such a fun, unexpected detail. And I *really* want those shoes now. :)
ReplyDeleteI could wear this to the office....but I don't know if I would! I honestly don't have many bright colors in my wardrobe but I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteTotally obsessed with this outfit - the look on the right is SO me! I did a colorblocked look in my post today too - but went with coral, turquoise & neon yellow...LOVE it! :)
ReplyDeleteFound your blog trhough Pinterest of all places!! LOVE all of your outfits!!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the bright colors you are rocking in this outfit! They balance each other out so nicely. When I wear color I tend to only wear one bright piece at once but am trying to push myself and add more- I love this look!
ReplyDeleteI'd wear colorful outfits anywhere! life's too short not to!
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J, I noticed the comment up there you made about "am I showing off?" I feel this way about my office. I love clothes and fashion like you do but I work in a place where women can be catty. My work attire is much more conservative than my street clothes yet I still feel the negative energy given off by them. From what everyone tells me it's jealousy because I'm pretty and petite like you are but curvaceous as well but I don't feel this way. They go out of their way to make me feel like I disgust them I've tried killing them with kindness but doesn't work. How do you recommend I dress If my usual dress slacks and cardigans is deemed too sexy even.
ReplyDeletereally like this outfit! I need to start wearing more color!! : )
ReplyDeletehttp://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
I wear Care Bear scrubs to work so wearing color to work isnt' quite a big deal for me. However, I totally love this color combo!
ReplyDeleteI have and will in the future! I work for a corporation in southern Indiana and just wore bright orange and pink. Just another day in the office for me. :) Thankfully, my job requires creativity, and one way I express it is through my clothes. I can understand why people might feel awkward about wearing it themselves, though. Personally I'd love to rock this look!
ReplyDeleteHi J! I of course LOVE this outfit! The 3 color combo rule is such a good one. The yellow really pops. I think I could do this at the new job but I might have to do a different shoe. My new boss is short and I'm afraid I would tower over her. Thanks so much for the skype this week. You seriously were awesome and I got a lot of comments on my day 1 outfit. Bird shirt was a hit! Also gotta admit I love the mini shout out on the blog :) I think our session was exceptional but I might be a little bias. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteps. searched high and low for plum pants yesterday at the plaza and could only found red ones. ugh! dont these people know who important it is i add them to my wardrobe!! :)
Aww, yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed the Skype session and didn't mind the mini-shout out. I'll keep an eye out for a pair of plum pants for ya!!
ReplyDeleteI *l.o.v.e.* your bright PATENT shoes, with your bright blouse and bright skirt----(which both have a slight SHEEN to their fabrics)----and your bright cardigan!! Both versions of your outfit are simply lovely; and they also genuinely project *happiness*!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I never really thought about it, (i.e., until now!!), I wonder............ (in some of your readers' more-conservative workplaces)............ whether or not head-to-toe (bright) color might be *MORE acceptable*............ if shoes, and clothing fabrics, simply had MATTE finishes............ i.e., instead of, say, patent shoes; and clothing that has a sheen to the fabrics?
Rosanna - I totally agree, shiny fabric and patent shoes add to the "flashiness" of this outfit! You could easily tone it down with matte fabric or even slightly less dramatic colors. :-)
ReplyDeleteloving all the color! I'm lucky as a teacher I'll be able to wear as much color as I want to, especially in a classroom of 5-6 year olds I'm sure they will appreciate it.
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