On the second Monday of every month a group of style bloggers and I pick a theme, style an outfit based on that theme, and then do a link up together where you can join too! This month's theme is "Work Wear". Since a lot of teachers and other women are returning to work after a summer of fun in the sun, we thought we would share some ideas of new outfits you can wear to work.
This month's challenge was a hard one for me because I don't work outside the home. For six years I was a manager at a fabric and crafts store, but we had to wear a uniform, so I never had to worry about what to wear. I honestly thought of putting on my bibbed overalls and taking pictures of me working in my garden, since that's more realistic for me. π. In the end, I decided to play 'Make Believe' and like a little girl play "Dress Up". So forgive me this one post for not being true to myself. I really only like to show my readers what I actually wear.
However, I DID actually wear this outfit, I did not wear it to work, but to church! So I guess I really am being true to myself after all.
When I thought about what to wear for the "Back to Work" challenge, I thought about what would I choose to wear if I worked in a corporate office setting. I know some of the ladies in the challenge chose blazers because for one, they are really "in" right now, and they definitely scream "corporate", however, I have never liked blazers. I never liked the way they looked on me. I always felt they looked too masculine on my body type. I also hated the way they felt...very stiff and uncomfortable. And it was then I realized how I wanted to approach this challenge: COMFORT. Anyone who has read my fashion posts for very long knows I won't wear something that is not comfortable. If I have to sit at a desk for eight hours a day, I want to be comfortable! And that is how this outfit came into being.
To meet my comfortable, yet professional challenge I chose to wear a metallic tee shirt, with an elastic and drawstring waist skirt, and flats.
The tee is a crew neck, not a V-neck, which makes it more modest for work. The material has a nice metallic sheen to it, which gives it a polished, dressy look unlike a regular cotton tee.
The skirt has an elastic waist with a drawstring to tighten it a bit more if I wish. Because there are no buttons or zippers, it's very comfortable to sit in for hours. The skirt is below the knee, which makes it work appropriate.
For jewelry, I chose yellow earrings and bracelets to bring out the yellow color in the skirt. I did not wear a necklace because I felt the metallic sheen in the tee was enough.
And finally, I chose a pair of pointy toe flats for footwear. Flats are always more comfortable than heels, and the pointy toe and little bows add a dressier look than a rounded toe would.
I shopped my closet for this post. The skirt is new, but it is thrifted. I picked it up for $3.00 a few months ago at a thrift store.
All the pictures were taken in my own hone office, so if you're ever wondering when you're reading my blog where I am when I write my posts, this is it! Except I wouldn't look like this π! I would most likely be in my PJ's, with no make up on, and a cup of coffee in my hand. Like I said at the beginning of this post, I want to keep it real!
And now, lets see what the other ladies are wearing and be sure to link up your outfits with us at the end of the post too!
Shelbee
Shelbee - Shelbee on the Edge - When I was in my 20’s into my early 30’s, I worked in NYC when your personal style was just as important as the quality of your work. It’s been a hot minute since I dressed for corporate America, NYC-style and this is sort of how I imagine I’d dress if I magically dropped back into that life.
Joy
Joy - Joyous Styling My Full Time job title is Executive Clinical Account Specialist in Women's Health.
My work wardrobe is business professional. I love easy sophisticated looks. An easy back to work look. I love a light plaid high waisted midi skirt for a sophisticated business look. I paired it with a classic satin ivory blouse and my favorite cap toe sling-backs. Jewelry added is my white Abalone KS choker.
Suzanne
Suzanne - Ask Suzanne Bell - One take away from working at home over the last year and a half, is that comfort does matter - and that comfort and business fashion CAN co-exist. As we begin to work our way out of joggers and leisure wear, it’s important to have a few basic essentials, like this pair of linen pants, to help make creating work-ready looks a bit easier. Dressing for work in the California heat can be a challenge, see how I make these pants work multiple ways (and stay cool) in today’s blog post.
Nina
Nina - Sharing a Journey -Whether you work from home or are heading back to the office, August marks summer’s last fling. This post is packed with fresh ideas for work including great at-home styles, looks for teachers and great options for those headed back to the office. Plus a few bonuses to make getting back into your post-summer routine with ease.
Emma
Emma - The Style Splash - There’s no dress code where I work - pretty much anything goes - but I still like to make the effort and dress smartly. Most of my work is done from home lately, but I do have the odd few days in the office. I would like to wear heels, but in reality I can only wear them for short periods of time. I’ve had this skirt for a couple of years but haven’t worn it before. The top is an old one that comes out of storage every summer. My red bag is one of favourites for work as it holds all of my essentials.
Michele
Michele - On Instagram as Seechele_styles
This Amazon red swing dress is perfect to head back to my kindergarten classroom in September Comfortable and I look put together paired with Target neutral slides.
Nicole
Nicole - High Latitude Style - In a casual work environment, a solid color shirt dress is a great option in summer. I loved the all black of the 1990s. Thus, I own a couple of LDB in different styles. This black shirt dress is my favorite work dress.
Lucy
Lucy - Lucy Bertoldi.com Back to the office means back to the classroom for me! Always feel like I owe it to my fashion students to look bright and colourful and happy to see them (even if still online!). In keeping with a professional look, thought this fun skirt paired with my favourite colour of blouse would be just on point to make them smileπ
Nancy
Nancy - Nancy’s Fashion Style -Work wear looks is a bit of a tricky one for me as I have been out of work for 9 years due to my illness. In addition, I have never worked in an office and when I think of a work wear look I always think of an office. And if I had worked in the office I would often have worn a suit. In the store where I was manager, we always wore the clothes from the store. This suit is from that store so I'm basically killing two birds with one stone
Julie
Julie - Fashion Trends and Friends and Instagram FashionTandF - Many of us are heading back into work versus zooming from home; or perhaps you're doing a combination of both. As an educator, we are heading back into work in person and very excited about it! I am my school district’s Prevention Coordinator, which allows me to work with and train staff across the district. Therefore, I tend to dress up more so than most educators. Plus you know that I just like to be fancy, including going to work daily. The first day of school is still a special event requiring a special outfit!
And Me!
Amy - Amy’s Creative Pursuits - There’s no reason why we can’t be both comfortable and professionally dressed at the same time. Here I pair a comfy metallic tee with an elastic waist skirt. Pointy toe flats keep the look dressy without the pain of heels.
Have A Great Day! Amy
Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!
Amy, you look quite stylish and chic because of all of the little details like the coordinated accessories and the pointed-toe flats. This is a great back-to-work look.
ReplyDeleteRena
www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks Rena! I find that you can take any simple outfit and make it more stylish & chic by adding accessories and a great pair of shoes.
DeleteSuch a great look, Amy! A metallic t-shirt does dress up an outfit so nicely!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellie!
DeleteIt's such a pretty outfit, Amy! And I love that you kept it true to yourself by wearing it to church. I love the print on the skirt and what a wonderful thrifted bargain. I struggled a bit with this theme as well because I work from home but I don't mind playing dress up...like all the time! I can't get rid of that little girl desire to play with clothing! Great post!
ReplyDeleteShelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks Shelbee. If my memory serves me correctly, I think I only played dress up once before...maybe more during the pandemic...I really like to post only what I actually wear because to me that's what fashion blogging is all about...seeing what regular women wear in their regular lives.
DeleteEasy, chic and so pretty any time- but it definitely is perfect for work too- love it!
ReplyDeleteWell, that's my style: easy, chic, and pretty. You nailed it!
DeleteI always love how you keep it real Amy. Everyone's work is so different but for the idea of professional, you look fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteXOOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! I think that's why I struggled with the challenge, because all women work, and most don't stop working for the summer, and then go back to work. It was hard, but I figured out a good approach to the challenge eventually.
DeleteNice office there.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is a joy to work in this space, it's so lovely. My husband made the desk and bookshelves himself. All solid oak.
DeleteThat is a lovely skirt Amy! And I don't work either but we don't watch telly all day do we! Lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Ha ha! Yes! That is so true. I work so hard everyday, and most days I can't believe how fast the day went by.
DeleteThis was perfect! This challenge makes me think of next weeks for the ageless style group: I ended up with a regular look for me of a back to school pick up mom! Love the comfort of your look.
ReplyDeletewww.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you. Yes, the challenges are very similar, so I wasn't exactly thrilled when Leslie picked the theme. I was going to say something because I wasn't sure if she wanted a theme so close to another group's theme, but then I thought "well, they are slightly different". Then my husband came up with a great idea of how to approach Leslies theme, so it all worked out for me after all. It's funny, because whenever I am stuck with what to do for a group challenge, he's been the one to give me the ideas! It was his idea to do the photo shoot in my office too!
DeleteHi Amy! I hear you in the blazers, I think I own 2, BUT I do have quite the collection of cardigans - thats my replacement to the blazer. Or I will wear a knit blazer. I have to be able to move! I love your look, you nailed it - cute for church, work or just about anywhere!
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Suzanne
You know, I have quite the collection of cardigans myself and I think that's what I use as a replacement to the blazer as well. Thanks so much!
DeleteYou are a lovely crew of bloggers!
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteHow lovely you all look - thanks for sharing your super outfit Amy. x Jacqui x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! I think you can be professional looking and comfortable. All of my blazers are comfortable on me or I wouldn't have purchased them. Your shimmery tee is so fun! Another fun collaboration!
So nice to have a like-minded fellow blogger. I have very broad shoulders, and I think that's why blazers are uncomfortable on me. I have the same issue with a lot of jackets, and if I go up a size, then it's too big everywhere else.
DeleteYour skirt is so cute and I like the grey tee with it! :) Since I discovered jersey blazers I really loved them - I think you call them knit or sweater blazers in the US? They are so comfortable, used to be an office staple for me but now I work from home more than going into the office. Still feels novel when the team arranges an in office day, haha!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! Hope you are having a good weekend :) We spent some time at the park today, it was lovely.
Away From The Blue
thank you. I actually had a knit blazer once, and you're right it was a lot more comfortable, but I still didn't like the way I looked in it, so I got rid of me. I just feel they make me look to masculine. I'd rather wear a cardigan.
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