Looking workchic doesn’t just apply to your outfits.  How about with your office accessories? Look no further because our twitter friend Sayeh owns this great website http://sortingwithstyle.com that will get you organized in style. 

Want to incorporate some color into your life? You can’t resist the Blue themed business card holder, notebook, scissors, and notecards. 

Are you dreaming of visiting the City of Lights but are on a major budget?  Dream away with these Paris themed file folders, eraser, notebook, and calendar.

Want something more eco-conscious?  Here are some notebooks, file folders, and agendas that are not only super cute but green friendly.

No matter what your mood you will feel inspired when shopping for these elegant yet efficient office accessories!

Happy shopping from Workchic.com!

Reading our favorite magazines over the past couple of weeks we have noticed the editors focusing more on work apparel then usual. Personally we are excited about this, but not about the reasons behind it. Obviously the current state of the economy has changed our views and buying habits substantially. Those of us that have jobs are taking extra measures to keep them and those without are putting all their resources into finding one.  This means more then a good work ethic and a polished resume, this also means looking our best.

Here at Workchic it’s always our mission to have you looking professional, feminine, and chic everyday.  We want you to be able to utilize the pieces in your closet and make key seasonal updates to put your best foot forward.  Over the last few months we have paid extra attention to interview outfits and basics.  We share this mission on Twitter and Facebook and have also had the opportunity to share it on site’s such at Shop It To Me, Marie Claire, and Polyvore.  We know you are carefully deciding where to spend your tax returns and how to improve your professional image.  Today we wanted to remind you we are here to help. Please send us any work wardrobe questions to info@workchic.com or connect with us on our social networks. 

Make sure you are dressed to impress for that next meeting. A blazer can go a long way to polish off your look.  If your office is business casual or casual and you feel over-dressed in a jacket, wear it into the office and then leave it on your chair during the day.  Then just slip it on as you head in to pitch your big cost savings plan to the president.

Another tip we have is regarding shoes.  Sometimes we select an ok shoe due to the weather or how far we have to walk.  Don’t look like you gave up half way down.  Throw a pair of shoes in that giant tote and change when you get into the office.  This may seem like a no brainer when it comes to rain boots, but maybe you have been testing the waters with your weekend skimmers or fashion sneakers.  Complete your look! Remember this is about putting your best foot, or stiletto, forward!

As always we have many more tips to come.  Keep your heads up ladies and promote yourself with a chic and polished professional image.  We would love to hear what you are doing to step it up around the office! Please add a comment.

 We are loving the Safari trend this Spring season!  This trend can carry over into any season and mix easily with other pieces in your work wardrobe. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wear head to toe black and white zebra print to incorporate this trend!   We started with one neutral item below -the Cotton mandarin-collar jacket in Sisal from Banana Republic (on sale for $69.99) ,then layered on some Safari inspired accessories to the jacket.  Whether it is a belt, wood or beaded chunky bracelet, or embroidered gauzy scarf it can make the Safari trend look fresh this season. Look what we found below:

 
Tory Burch Kerry Resin Clutch- $255.50 (on sale)
Elastic clasp belt in Natural-$49.00 at Banana Republic
Beaded Safari Bracelet-$8.04- Steal!
Lightweight Embroidered Scarf in Vermillion -$12.50- Steal!

We couldn’t resist more Safari finds at kohls.com.  Look at the bargains below!

We started off with a Safari theme tunic paired with neutral items- Black pants, Black Convertible clutch, Black Heels-and layered in some fun jewelry and tortoise rimmed aviator sunglasses.  Instant Safari chic!
Batwing Tunic- Sale $36.00
Dana Buchman Flawless Fit Pants- Sale $35.00
Sonoma Floral Bracelet- Sale $8.04
Dana Buchman Aviator Sunglasses- Sale $18.00
Dana Buchman Convertible Clutch- Sale $39.60
Sonoma Beaded Drop Earrings- Sale $8.04
Merri Dress Strappy Heels- Sale $32.99

 Stay tuned for more Workchic trend alerts!

As you know Workchic has a long list of stores we turn to for office appropriate fashion. We also have a few favorites for tall sizes that you may or may not know about.

New York and Company has you covered from Suits to Denim.  We love this cotton blend jacket in white for simple yet sophisticated spring and summer looks. Dress it up for a more professional style with Sharkskin trousers. For a casual day at the office, pair it with dark rinse denim.  Shop now to take advantage of sales and discounts. These jeans are currently only $14.99!

We love the tops Banana Republic adds to their tall collections. Both of these styles would look very chic underneath that white jacket.  One of our favorite items is their dresses. Length is so important, especially when heading to the office.  Banana Republic make sure you will look appropriate and chic with these dresses. 

Eddie Bauer also has a great selection and offers many of their styles in Tall sizes.  We love this Stretch Poplin Skirt. It comes in two different print and color options and will last you right through Spring and Summer.  This Roll-Sleeve Safari Dress will be best suited for more casual days, but would also be perfect for the company picnic.  Eddie Bauer also offers tops by fit. So not only can you find your perfect length, you can chose from shaped, classic, or easy fit. We selected this Fine-Gauge Cardigan in a classic fit, perfect for chilly mornings and offices.

Check out these stores for great Spring fashions and Sales going on now!  They will have you set for any office environment. For Business Professional start with Banana Republic then fill in with New York and Company. For Business Casual start with New York and Company and fill in with either of the other two. You can can also check out Old Navy for more business casual and casual looks. If your office is casual head straight to Eddie Bauer to get started.  Have fun shopping and let us know what you find or if you have a favorite store.

Our fabulous friend, Malie who owns the http://vintageshoppingguide.com  featured us in a post on her ezine last month.  She has great insight on how you can incorporate vintage pieces into your work attire .  Here is what she wrote:

Recently I had dinner with two friends of mine, Jennifer and Melissa, who own Workchic.com. We were naturally conversating about the recession and how it is giving a bit of a revival to work appropriate clothing, and interview attire. This got me thinking about how one can combine their love for vintage and their personal style in with their professional wardrobe.

 As much as fashion magazines try to push these super fashionable outfits as day into evening, the truth is, one should always dress appropriately for the office. One of my favorite quotes is “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” Studies indicate that good-looking people get paid more and climb higher than plainer folks. The confidence one finds through style and grooming are essential components of attractiveness. We all would like to think that our talent and work should speak for us, but the right image can validate you. Would you hire an accountant to do your taxes if they looked disheveled and their office was a pig pen? Would you go to a hair stylist whose own do was stuck in the 50’s? First, figure out the impression you want to make and then, its suitability for your industry, company, location and/or lifestyle. Here are a few guidelines:
•Stay away from provocative clothing. Whether working in the front or back office, baring a little too much can undermine a woman’s power•Avoid sloppy, soiled or frayed clothing and scuffed, down-at-the-heels shoes. Whatever you put on should be cared for, clean, neat and pressed—no matter what your title. •Accessories are where you have a little more leeway in spicing up your outfit. Consider vintage jewelry, scarves, handbags, and hats to add color and show off your style.•There are many classic vintage skirts, dresses, and or suites that could work for your work attire, but I highly recommend NOT dressing head to toe. Mixing a vintage top with a updated suite or skirt will give you just enough unique quality to your outfits without looking too out there.

  Of course, clothes don’t make you, but they do help to tell the world who you are. And now, when snap judgments are the rule, you don’t have a second chance to send the right instant message.Thanks to http://shop.cmadeleines.com for the outfits above.   Check out some of the goodies we also found on http://www.vintageshoppingguide.com!

I visited my local Target this weekend and I have to say I am really loving the current Merona collection.  The quality is great and the trend is part vintage/part preppy chic.  I couldn’t resist and bought the following pieces to layer into my business casual wardrobe.

Merona Ebony/Cream print cardigan-$29.99      Green Pinwheel Top $24.99

Belted Black Dress- $49.99                Blue Floral Elizabeth Slingback wedges-$24.99

Here are some other cute finds from the collection that I missed in the store!

Deep Navy Button Collar Dress- $39.99            Navy Button front Cardigan- $29.99

Plaid Cropped Blazer-$49.99                                    Refined Denim Skirt-$24.99

So what do you think of this latest collection?  Have fun shopping from Workchic.com!

We understand, you crawl under desks and schlep around computer parts, but we are no longer giving you a reprieve from looking Workchic.  You may be the only women in your dept, or feel excluded from the office dress code policy because of your job responsibilities. This can make it difficult to put together outfits. We have some ideas for you that are comfortable, professional, and still don’t require excessive dry cleaning accounts. Yes, we have also heard this concern. No chiffon here ladies. Just Workchic clothes you can really work in.

For a Business Casual Office:  Start with a relaxed fit pin-stripe pant and pair with a knit top. Both are easy to care for and machine washable. We will keep accessories to a minimum with a belt and watch. For a little kick, some drop earrings.  For shoes we will stay away from heels and instead opt for a comfy ballet flat echoing the purple top.

Women: Hip slung pinstripe slub pants – blue stripe, $59.50
City Style Funnel Neck Top, On-sale for $17.47
City Style Oval Logo Belt, $15.96
Arcatus Jewelry Gold Fill Falling Leaf Earrings, Splurge- $213
Vestal – Mini Destroyer (Polished Silver/Pink) – Jewelry, $101.79
Hush Puppies Women’s Romance Ballet Flat, $44.59

For a Casual Office Environment: Yes, you can wear your denim! Keep it neat and tailored. We prefer a dark wash in a flattering fit. Again we went with a knit top for easy movement and washability.  Add a cardigan for chilly offices and some bright yellow ballet flats.  Finish the look with a sophisticated mixed metal necklace.

William Rast Stella Classic Rise Boot Cut Black Hills, $189
Sonoma Crochet Top, $15.99
Women: Women’s Cardigans – Shimmer, $22.50
Naturalizer Yellow Snake Skin, $69
Women: Knotted short necklace – Mixed metals, $29

Another way to personalize and make your work appearance more feminine is with office accessories. Check out what we found!

See we told you can work with the boys and still feel like a girl. It’s our mission to keep you looking professional, feminine, and chic everyday at the office. Check back often for more Workchic tips.

We receive alot of emails asking our advice on what to wear to an interview.  Everyone seems to have their own interpretation on what you should wear given the industry you are interviewing in.  We stumbled upon this post on 39th and Broadway ’s website that gives their thoughts on what to wear if you are interviewing for a position in the fashion industry.  Being  fashion industy veterans ourselves, we have seen practically everything when it comes to interview attire.  The team at 39th and Broadway offers pretty sound advice on how to adjust your interview style to this type of interview.   Check out their post below:

(Fashion interview Don’t)

“ It seems many newbies are getting ready for their fashion industry debut, while at the same time, fashion veterans are back on the job hunt due to the recession. Many online websites will give fashion advice for job interviews that is completely outdated and not appropriate for the fashion industry.  For example, About.com gives the above picture and description of what a typical women’s interview outfit should be.  Now while the fashion industry is pretty flexible on what to wear, the above outfit is definitely not recommended, especially for those of you in the creative departments. So once your resume is perfected and your portfolio is of mind blowing quality, the next hurdle is figuring out what to wear to your interview.  Now in any industry deciding on an appropriate outfit can be stressful but in the fashion industry it can be truly ulcer inducing.  We’ll let you in on a little secret about your wardrobe; it’s not that serious.  Contrary to popular belief, the fashion industry is not full of gorgeous size zero girls parading around in couture outfits.  The reality is, it’s a business like any other and you will mostly be judged on your abilities i.e. your portfolio/resume, your experience, and your salary requirements. 

If you are interviewing for an accounting, sales, production, sourcing, or any other non-design/art related department then a simple conservative look is perfectly acceptable.  Even a more casual ensemble is appropriate as long as you are well groomed and put together.  For those interviewing in the more creative departments dressing fashionable is key.  The first step is to tailor your look to the brand you are interviewing for, if it’s a young edgy brand, dress young edgy, if it’s classic and tailored follow suit, and it’s not unheard of to wear jeans when interviewing at a denim company.  If you are new to the industry or interviewing for a lower level position, do not worry if you don’t have high-end designer duds for your interview.  So, long story short, this is real life not a Hollywood movie.  Dress fashionably, which often means, well styled, not necessarily designer labeled.   

 For those apparel and graphic designers most fashion forward outfits are perfectly acceptable for an interview.  The only traditional “interview rule” that we agree applies to the fashion industry is: do not show too much skin, so basically, no cleavage, no micro-minis, no short-shorts.   We decided to post some pictures (from streetpeeper.com) of appropriate interview outfits for the more creative departments.  Just remember the biggest factor in choosing what to wear is what company or designer you are interviewing at and what position you are applying for.  We have picked a couple random people and labeled them according to what position they could be applying for.”

            Design Director                                 Designer

  VP Design/Merchandising                      Art Director

             Graphic Designer                       Technical Designer

                   Designer                              Head of Production

                   Artist                                Associate Designer

        Technical Designer                              Senior Designer

 
     Assistant Designer                                  Sales

So what do you think of these outfits above for the fashion industry?  Do you agree they are interview appropriate? Tell us your thoughts!

How do we know? Lots of great Twitter feedback about the skirt we posted for Apple figures last week. Check it out here. 

We decided to bring you more Ikat, western, and tribal finds that you can easily work into your office attire.  Let’s get started.

Tops like this, Ikat Voile Smocked Top, from Lucky Brand Jeans look great on casual days with jeans, but can also be dressed up with taupe khaki’s.  Try these from Gap,Women: Hip slung flare leg pants – terrain, and business casual will come easy.  We also love this tribal print tee from ModCloth.  Layer the, Bohemian Rhapso-Tee, under a Jade Pleated Crop Jacket, for less then $30, and finish the look with those basic black pants you love.  This last look should be kept to younger more creative offices, but will look stylish with you black pants too.

You can also incorporate the trend into  your accessories. Try a bag or belt with tribal pattern or simply add this scarf on chilly mornings.  Probably goes perfectly with your new spring trench.

Lucky Brand Jeans and Modcloth.com are two of our favorite destinations for unique pieces with this Ikat twist.  They may come across as casual but follow our suggestions to bring them into your work wardrobe. Part of embracing business casual is by finding more personalized items that still look professional. Remember, adding a blazer can do wonders!

We found another great article on theladders.com  by Joyann King that we thought we should share with you. The article was written for both men and women but we paired it down to focus on women.   We added in our clothing suggestions to her tips below.

Dress to Network — Every Encounter Counts Tips on how to avoid overdressing or underdressing at everything from job fairs to barbeques Joyann King    Got a lunch date with a friend who knows a friend who has a friend who is hiring? Did the boss invite you to join him at the Yankees game? Schmoozing at a gallery opening? If your calendar is chock-full of potential networking opportunities, it’s time to make an appointment with your closet as well.
Networking outside the office is your best chance to meet new people beyond your corporate circle who can help promote your career. It’s also a no-man’s land when it comes to the dress code.
Networking is not an interview, and once outside the office, the strict rules of the dress code no longer apply. You’re left on your own to overdress and look like you don’t belong or underdress and look like you’ll never belong.To help you dress properly for the occasions you might encounter on the job search, here are some common networking scenarios as well as some stylish solutions for women facing each event.
Reminder: Dress for success every day, no matter what’s on the agenda — you never know who you will run into on your lunch break!

A job fair
Attending a job fair is basically like speed interviewing. You should be dressed for the possibility of in-the-moment interview. In others words, wear a suit.  A dress is appropriate as well, when paired with a tailored jacket. Choose shapes that work for your body. Stick to a flattering palette of black, navy, gray or cream. Keep jewelry delicate, but carry a chic tote. (It’s not fashionable to schlep a canvas bag full of resumes!)




Lunch with a connected friend
Your old college buddy wants to do lunch and might be bringing a big-time player in your industry along. A business associate wants to get your thoughts over lunch on a new venture he’s considering. Whatever the circumstance, lunch can be a tricky style situation. You want to be dressed to impress, but too formal sends the impression that you are too eager and don’t respect the social aspect of the meeting. In other words, the goal is to play it cool while looking casually sharp. My rule is wear business casual with an emphasis on the casual.  Wear your favorite separates, like a slim pencil skirt and printed blouse. Avoid looking staunch by ditching your jacket, close-toed shoes, and oversized work tote. Opt for pretty heels and a smaller handbag — no resume required!




A conference or seminar
A gathering of top industry professionals or a business seminar is a great way to network with names with whom you are probably familiar but have yet to meet face-to-face. With an opportunity to zero in on specific industry influencers, it is key you make a good first impression.  Your look for these opportunities should be business casual, with an emphasis on business. Use this opportunity to wear a flattering shift dress in a rich color. Closed-toed heels and a sleek tote will ensure you look professional. Bring a tailored jacket or cardigan with you  in case you get cold.



Tickets to the big game
What to wear when drinking beer and eating nachos with the boss while watching his favorite sports team? In such a casual environment as a sporting arena, dressing with a business purpose in mind is tricky. The key to looking relaxed yet professional is choosing the right fabrics and showing the appropriate amount of skin. Although you might usually grab a tank and shorts for game day, when networking is on the agenda, opt for a little less skin. Try cotton shorts with at least a 5-inch inseam, and tuck in an airy button down in linen or chambray. Wear flat sandals, no flip flops.
Good luck networking from Workchic!