Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Workwear Wednesday

As most of you know, before I recently made the switch to the interior design industry, I worked for a few years in the energy industry.  At my previous job, the environment was much more professional and we were expected to dress "business casual" each day.  Today, my job at the design firm allows me to dress a little more funky, but it's still important to look put together and fresh for business meetings and presentations.


Since it's June, and there are likely many of you who just graduated college and are entering the workforce, I thought it'd be a good time to talk about fashionable work wear.  The most important thing when putting together an outfit for work is to dress for your environment.  Is it business professional or business casual?  Is it a creative environment where self-expression is welcomed?  


First, I thought I'd tackle business professional dress.  If you are interviewing for a job, I suggest wearing a blazer and slacks or a skirt, aka "business professional."  This shows you are serious about your career and want to make a good impression.  Even if you know the environment is more casual, it's always smart to dress for the job you want, not the job you have or are interviewing for.  But that doesn't mean your outfit has to be boring!


The two things that really distinguish a business professional outfit is a blazer and closed-toe shoes.  For interviews, I'd wear a matching jacket and pant or skirt.
I actually have that Rebecca Taylor dress in a green shade, and it's seriously the most comfortable dress I own.  I highly recommend it for work or everyday wear.

If you are interviewing for a job in a creative field, a great way to be remembered is to wear something that helps define your personality.  When I interviewed for my interior design job, I wore a blue silk dress with a tie at the waist.  I paired it with simple gold earrings, strappy heels and a fun chunky necklace that the principal designer actually complimented me on.  It's good to be remembered for great style!  Here are a few business casual outfits I put together...






















J Crew bag/Bow Peplum Blouse/Zara Trousers/Snakeskin Flats/White Bow Blouse/Leather Skirt/Carven Bow Pumps/Kate Spade bag


If you're a freelancer and work for yourself, you have a little more freedom when it comes to work wear.  I loved this leather mini skirt from Rebecca Taylor in a camel color balanced out with a classic white bow blouse.  


What are your favorite pieces to wear to work?  Do you work in a more professional environment, or one where you can dress more casually?

24 comments:

  1. cute :)))

    www.live-style20.blogspot.com

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  2. That white blouse is work day perfection! Actually I'd wear it just about anywhere. Great picks!

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  3. Great post! It's a good reminder too! Loving those bow pumps

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  4. Great post! Knowing the environment is so helpful when deciding on an outfit!

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  5. This is a great post even for someone that's been in the workforce for 9 years!! Wow, I feel old just by typing that.

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  6. I love anything with a bow so the white blouse and pumps made me drool! My daily work attire is professional/business, but that doesn't mean that I don't have fun by adding feminine touches to a suit (ie belts, necklaces and fun shoes)! Thanks for sharing these fun photos!

    Raegan @ frillylittledetails.blogspot.com

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  7. Love all the looks but that business casual for the freelancer is near perfection :)

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  8. Anh always tackles the sophisticated, business casual, chic look so so well! Love your choices.

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  9. So cute! I need to up my wardrobe ante. I must have that white bow blouse!

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  10. these are all awesome, but i agree BCF is my fave!!!

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  11. I love work clothes ! Especially pencil skirts with shirts tucked it . . . def rocking it today!

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  12. Love this post!! So well done!

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  13. Really loving these outfits, that Rebecca Taylor leather skirt is adorable!

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  14. Love the mint pumps and the white bow blouse!

    This is a great series, I love it.


    Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget

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  15. Sam I love what you pulled together. Classy and yet not too much work to pull together in the morning. Haha

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  16. Interesting post with some great suggestions. I especially love the first outfit.
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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  17. I love all of the workwear you featured!
    it's flirty, feminine,and fun...but still work and business appropriate!

    <3Amanda
    feast.fashion.faves

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  18. I just pinned the second photo - so adorable!

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  19. I love your style, Sam! That cute blue top in the second picture is my favorite! I love all the other outfits you have picked too, everything is so stylish and fun!

    Thanks for your lovely comments today! You are so sweet! :)

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  20. Love your business casual look! Love!

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  21. I love these looks Sam,especially the business casual looks. A blazer easily adds to creating more of a professional look + can make such a difference! xx

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  22. Thanks for sharing the information I really liked these.Workwear

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  23. Awesum collection of workwear. I will definitely buy this.

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What say you? I'm all ears.

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