The Rundown:
22 + 23 + 26
J. Crew Ribbon bow pin thing - 2009 - $7 (similar here and here)
Urban Outfitters double-finger ring - 2010 - birthday present (here)
Pearl necklace - 2007 - wedding present (similar)
Target faux pearl and rhinestone earrings - 2010 - $5 (set of two: these and plain silver balls) (similar)
What worked:
Today was probably the last we'll see of summer weather (although I'm sure I thought that during our last mid-70s spell earlier this month). By Sunday it's supposed to be 50 degrees and rainy. Oh well. This was my last ode to summer. I grabbed these pumps during the Piperlime birthday sale. While they're not really "nude" on me, they're nude enough, and they're a great height and comfy.
Hemlines are always a debate in office-appropriate fashion, and I have to admit that this is the shortest skirt I feel comfortable wearing to work. And today wasn't exactly the best day to wear it. I knew we had a special all-staff meeting this afternoon, but what I didn't foresee was taking photos of it...I ended up kneeling and bending all over the conference room trying to catch the keynote speaker from different angles. I think I managed okay, though.
What didn't:
The slight A-line of the skirt (as opposed to a straight or pencil shape) and the empire waist gives the dress a bit of a little girl feel, and the fun bow didn't really do me any favors on that front. I think the pumps really toned that down, though.
What are your thoughts on "cute" in the office? What items or styles do you feel give off a too-cute vibe, and how do you work around that?
Ok, we both know I don't know squat about office appropriate attire. That being said, I freakin' LOVE that gift bow broach! And the pearls, which always look good to me, and I read as being "grown up" and "polished."
ReplyDeleteThe shoes are tasty. There's something about patent "nude" which I saw a lot of last year, that is very appealing. Very grown up, but not stodgy. Fresh even.
I wouldn't have thought it, as I love the A-line and empire waist business, but I think you're right: a straight skirt silhouette shows more power than an A-line. Now I know.
Would you wear a pencil skirt that short, ala Ally MacBeal?
"Too cute" is something I run up against since, even over age 40, I can look rather young & girly. Working at a super-casual tech company, that means I avoid the jeans & T-shirt look that sooooo many people wear! If I'm wearing a skirt or trousers & pumps, I'm automatically "dressy" & not cute ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't see your outfit as cutesy at all. The bow is understated & adds a bit of panache. Plus, I love A-lines bec. they're universally flattering (also more variety than the same-old pencil). Finally, the color scheme reads very mature / proper / classic.
Your nude pumps are the perfect way to go from cute to chic. Love them.
ReplyDeleteI think your pumps set off the cutesy-ness perfectly, creating a perfect mix of strong, feminine, & sweet!
ReplyDeleteLove all the details!
Hi! I just found your blog and you have such a classic style! I love your accessories, they're always so unique.
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thanks for visiting my blog and your sweet comment. I really like your professional, modern style - great job on the outfits so far!
ReplyDeletelove this!! You have a very cool blog! I love your style, very classic chique :)
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Thanks for your comment. I love your nude shoes. I am always after my clients to add a new shoe to their wardrobe!
ReplyDeletelook at you looking so chic and sleek and stylish!
ReplyDeletei love the details of the earrings and the brooch and your heels! love it!
Wow, this is an overall stunning office outfit! Perfect for a big meeting where you know you'll be seeing a lot of people. Perfect choice :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm totally paranoid about my hemlines... my legs are out of proportion to my short torso, so some dresses tend to be just a smidge shorter than I prefer. I balance by wearing the right shoes (more coverage through boots, shorten legs through flats) and/or tights in the cooler weather.
~Nicole
I think that length is just fine...even for crawling around taking pictures! I was recently at a meeting and the CEO of the organization leading the meeting has a skirt on that was so short it made me embarrassed for her. She had bare legs, which I think made it worse. Solid tights would have saved the day.
ReplyDeleteThis dress fits you perfectly! I think the length is great - until you consider the kneeling and crawling around. I'm sure no one thought it was too short, though.
ReplyDeleteThe Auspicious Life
I love this dress! I also love the nude pumps, I love a good pair of nude pumps!
ReplyDeletesuper cute dress.
ReplyDeleteLoving the dress! Although I have little need to dress too professional these days-grad school and whatnot-I've always erred on the side of funky for professional dressing anyway, and sometimes you just end up being cute! It's not too terrible, you do a great job of not being boring!
ReplyDelete@ citizen - thanks, hon! I'd probably be just as self-conscious about a pencil skirt that length--it's just a little short for office wear, especially with my ungracefulness.
ReplyDelete@ trystan - thanks...I try to dress a little more professional because of my age, but more because I'm younger than most managers at my work.
@elisabeth & ashley - thanks!
@ amy z - thanks and welcome!
@ alessandra - thanks! Really enjoying your blog and remixes. :)
@ emilie - thank you!
@basiccravings - I totally agree--I'd been checking out nude pumps for a while but the piperlime sale was what I needed to actually buy.
@woodycakes - Thanks, lady!
@ nicole - I agree balance is key. I think the hemline isn't so obvious on this dress because of the high neckline, and the closed-toe pumps also help with balance.
@ martha - I had bare legs today, too. :P
@ linda - I hope they didn't!
@ kinsey - me too! I had no idea what I was missing before now (but now it's too cold to go bare legged as much)
@ melody - thanks, dear!
@ ashleysheets - I think I have a complex against being cute/young at work (one of my coworkers even called me out the other day for being obsessed about age). I need to get over it.
GASP !
ReplyDeleteGASP !
That "Pin ribbon thing" GASP !
I am all over it.... it is gorgeous.... :)
On the "cute" subject, I think for example that wearing a Hello Kitty pendant to work is ok IF casual wear is accepted and also IF everything else is toned down.
Yes I like cute.
Thanks Lorena!
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ReplyDelete@womenandpower - welcome!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have thought it, as I love the A-line and empire waist business, but I think you're right: a straight skirt silhouette shows more power than an A-line. Now I know.
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