If you are just starting your career or have been working for a while…this post is for you. Every working girl needs a few staple pieces to complete her work look. These are pieces that transcend through time and trends to keep you polished in your everyday life. I am a firm believer in the idea that dressing well for work helps promote your success. People notice professionalism-trust me. These 5 pieces are so essential for every working girl to achieve a polished look. I included this in my “work week” series because it took my years to realize how important staple pieces are when you work full time and on a budget!
(1) Work Pants: I actually recommend getting quality work pants in three colors: black, navy, and gray. You can get the same pair of pants in three colors (I’m pretty guilty of always doing this). By adding these three colors to your wardrobe, you can mix and match any color top to create a new look. I cannot stress enough just how important it is to buy quality items. Quality items do not have to be crazy expensive. I just bought three pairs of work pants from Express at 40% off. I also shop the sale rack because work pants are pretty standard and never really go out of style. My favorite places to shop work pants are: Express, Gap, and White House Black Market. Essentially, all of my work pants come from these three stores. You would be hard pressed to find work pants from anywhere else in my closet.
(2) Plain White Top: As I write this post, I am wearing my favorite white top because I wore it to court today. I kind of became obsessed with a simple white tee when I was doing trial team in law school because I had to wear a top that wasn’t distracting to a Judge (no cheetah or hot pink). There is something so simple yet sophisticated about a plain white tee. In the past, I’ve bought these tees from J. Crew and Gap because once again…quality. A simple shirt can be paired with your “fun” skirts, blazers, or pants which makes your wardrobe more versatile. This one is so cute!
(3) Closed Toe Heels: Nice shoes go a long way. I’ve always been a shoes kinds gal. I love shoes and I think Forrest Gump is right when he said you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear. So, for that fact, invest in a nice pair of work shoes. I say closed toe heels because those heels will work in the summer and winter. When buying heels, make sure they are comfortable. I recommend a lower thicker heel like the shoes I am wearing in this post. In my humble opinion, I don’t think stiletto heels look very professional. A lower heel that you can actually move in looks more classy and graceful. For this shoe, I recommend a gray or neutral tone so your shoes can be worn with various outfits.
(4) Blazer: Buy a blazer! You won’t regret it. I’ve personally wore a blazer with jeans and people have commented about how professional I look. It’s kind of a magic trick. Add a jacket and suddenly you are Ms. Professional. My absolute favorite blazer is from Banana Republic (I bought two). I love the fit of mine and ¾ arm length. I recommend going with a black or gray blazer to get more use out of it. However, I also recommend buying a few “fun” ones like tweed, pink, or printed.
(5) Black Skirt: You know the rule that everyone needs a LBD? Same goes for a “little black skirt.” I personally love a pencil skirt but I totally understand that they are not for everyone. I love pairing my black skirt with graphic tees or a button-up top depending on the occasion. The key to looking professional in a skirt is getting an appropriate length. You don’t want a short skirt or a very long shirt. I suggest just above the knee. My rule is, if you wouldn’t go to church in it then you probably shouldn’t wear it to work.
[Shirt]: Gap, [Pants]: Old, Similar, [Shoes]: Slate, [Sunglasses]: Free People, [Earrings]: Kendra Scott
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