We had a great reader question this week that both Jennifer and myself can relate to when being petite and curvy.  Finding pants that fit well seems to be the number one fashion and fitting room dilemma!  Here is what our reader wrote:

WorkChic,

I like to think of myself as the shopper of all shoppers, but I am having a serious (well okay not serious, but ongoing) problem! I cannot find pants appropriate for a professional environment in the fits that I want. I am looking for a pair that fits in the waist, but is much less fitted in the hips/butt and flares out into a wide leg. I have a smaller waist, but was blessed (or not so blessed) with very muscular legs and booty. I also would like to find a pair of skinny or pencil leg dress pants that I can wear with looser fitting tops and flats or boots. I just feel like the typical work pants that are at most stores do not fit me right (ie. Express, Limited, Ann Taylor, etc.) and seem to only come in the most blah and boring colors and styles. Any suggestions? I can’t be the only girl out there with this problem right?

Michelle
http://pinqueblog.com

Well Michelle we definitely feel your frustration.  We personally found that the fabric of the pant you are looking for definitely will tell you about the fit.  If the dress pant is made of 96% polyester and 4% spandex then you know the pant is going to cling in all of the wrong places.  You want to look for pants that are classified as curvy fit. At the Gap, I purchased the Curvy Fit which I felt fit perfectly in the waist and hips.

They may not be the most exciting pants but they fit really well.  Banana Republic also makes the Jackson Fit which is more contoured and again fits a curvier body like ours.

Now if you are looking for a skinny jean, we have a ton of our readers tell us that they love J Brand.  Our curvy readers tell us they love how they fit!

I also have personally bought the Honey Jean and the Muse Jean from Joe’s Jeans. The Honey (on the left) is designed for the curvier shape but have a smaller leg opening then that of the Muse (on the right).  They may not be as skinny as the J Brand but they solve our fashion dilemma and are roomier through the thigh area.

Just remember to take a look at the fabric of the pant.  A wool/viscose blend is perfect for the winter.  It drapes away from your body.  In summer, a poly/rayon/cotton blend is fine but make sure to look at the spandex content.  That is going to be a huge factor in determining where the fabric accentuates your curves.

If you have any suggestions on solving this fashion dilemma we would love to hear your feedback/ideas!  Just email us at info@workchic.com! Thanks Michelle for your great question!

 
This week we spoke with our friend Melenee Suarez Burns an executive recruiter at a high-end retailer.  Melissa and I turn to her when we have questions, so we wanted to share her advice with you.  We all know times are tough but there are still companies hiring new employees. Melenee has some tips to help you improve your job search and interview skills. Read on to learn what she looks for in potential employees, good ways to  network for new jobs, and of course a few of her fashion do’s and don’ts.
 
 
1- As an executive recruiter, what is your role?
I work with hiring managers to create job descriptions & identify potential candidates for open job. I research the position and post the job on various job sites. I conduct phone interviews and face-to-face interviews in order to narrow the candidate pool for the hiring managers. Once I have a handful of qualified applicants I present their resume to the hiring manager and set up interviews accordingly.
Once the hiring manager selects the applicant s/he feels is a perfect fit for the position. I extend and, if necessary, negotiate an employment offer.

2- The job market is tough right now, what are your top resources for finding qualified candidates?
1) Current employees
2) Referrals
3) Professional networking sites such as Linked In & Plaxo

3- How do you recommend job seekers utilize social networks?
Be sure you have an updated and professional Social Networking page. Use site like Linked In for employment opportunities. If you have a page on Facebook or Myspace, be sure your Privacy settings are turned on. If you are active in blogging or such activity and feel it may be racy for the corporate arena or a conflict of interest with the company you want to work for, use a pseudonym.

4- When you receive a resume, what’s the first thing you look for?
1) Structure; is it easy to read (ie. bullet points)
2) Spelling and grammatical structure
3) Consistency (ie. all the same font, font size, did you use NY, NY in one place & then New York, NY in an other)
4) Objective (does it fit the job you are applying for)

5- We all know a first impression is important, remind us why.
People do judge books by the cover. (It is human nature…It is the trigger to our flight or fight mechanism.) So sadly the first time we meet someone will be the picture we form all else on…

6- How does one give off a confident impression? What are the traits you look for?
Posture
Eye contact
Smile
Voice (tone & pitch)
Handshake (if applicable)

7- For an interview outfit, what is an absolute don’t in your book?
Jeans
Tight or low cut
Sandals, thong or flip flops
No make up

8- Do you have a good story of someone showing up inappropriately to meet with you?
This isn’t the worse story ever but recently I interviewed a young lady for a very technical job. She was currently doing the same type of job for a company in the financial industry. She was wearing a suit, but had on some sort of graphic tee underneath.

Since I recruit for a high-end retail, sometimes people come in wearing every bit of couture clothing they own… Not a good look!

9- So what is your advice on landing the job when so many people are vying for the same position?
These days, follow up with a thank you note (email is fine) but be sure it’s not a cut & paste job. Be sure to include something personal about our meeting as well as an honest recap of my business & what you will bring to the job.

10- Any other tips you’d like to share with us?
Be sure and confident about you salary expectations / needs. I can’t believe people are selling their skills & experience short by saying I was making 75K but with the market being what it is I will take 65K.
For me that reads: you feel you were being over paid in your last job. And at the first sign of the economy picking up you’ll be looking for a new job.

We love real life practical advice that we can all apply to our lives. Even if you are not currently job hunting. It’s good idea to keep your online profile’s up to date and free from anything you don’t want a potential employer to see. Plus you can take a look at your resume now and clean up that formatting. The next time you go on an interview remember to smile and make eye contact. Of course we know you will be dressed Workchic and avoid being someone’s inappropriate story. Don’t forget those thank you notes and our favorite advice- be sure and confident!

Special thanks to Melenee for taking the time to share her advice with our Workchic readers. If you’d like to learn more, leave a question in our comment area for Melenee. She will do her best to answer them. We all wish you Good Luck on your next interview!

Sydne Summer is the author of Think Thru Fashion, a blog dedicated to smart styling for today. She breaks down the trends and shows women simple ways to incorporate them into their existing wardrobes. One of our favorite segments is One Item/Different Lookswhere Sydne takes one item out of her closet and shows 4-6 different ways of wearing it. This is truly a great way to reinvent your look. Since she obviously has amazing style herself we want you to Steal her Style!

Her first outfit is complete with a Theory pencil skirt, Forever 21 v-neck tee, Forever 21 necklace, and Prada pumps
Sydne’s take on this simple chic look, ”I think every working woman should own a black pencil skirt. I wear mine with silk blouses in a more business setting and with v-neck tees in a more business casual setting. I’ve worn a white t-shirt and black skirt for years now, but make it look different every time with seasonal necklaces. Right now I’m really into colorful bib necklaces. Last season, I wore this outfit with layered, rocker chic chains. For winter, the skirt looks great with a belted boyfriend cardigan and black tights.”

Her second outfit starts with a Vince floral dress and is accessorized with Hyde Collection bow belt, BCBG cardigan, Calvin Klein pumps.  ”I love to bring color into the work place. Life would be boring if it was always black, white and gray. I just bought this feminine chiffon dress on sale at Saks and plan to mix it up with different color cardigans. I have a similar one in more jewel tone colors that I wore last fall with black tights, booties, black motorcycle boots and leather jackets. It was fun to mix such a lady-like piece with edgy accessories but this summer I’ve been sticking to a more garden party look. When I take off the cardigan, this dress works great for a date or an early evening fashion event,” she says.

We asked Sydne a few more questions about her style to help you recreate it with ease.

1- Describe your office’s dress code:
I work in entertainment. And it’s California, the land of casual. So basically anything goes. Some people show up to work in jeans and flip-flops while others look like they stepped off a J. Crew catalog.
Overall, people’s style ranges from casual to business casual. The only people in the building dressed in business attire are the lawyers!

2- Working in a fashionable environment, What steps do you take to maintain your professional image?
I always make sure I look put together. Even though I can dress casual, I prefer to dress up a little more than others. I’m not a morning person, so I usually plan outfits for the week on Sundays. I might change my mind in the morning but at least if I press the snooze button too many times, I already have a chic ensemble planned, and I don’t have to waste time searching through my closet. “I had nothing to wear” is not a good excuse for showing up late to work.

3- What style advice would you give to a young fashionista starting her first job?
First impression really is everything. But I know when I started out I was so confused on what I should be wearing that I lost sleep over it. The first day of work, I suggest sticking to the conservative side. Of course, you want to be fashionable but you don’t always want to be known as that girl in the hot pink dress. My first day I kept it simple in a black top and black skirt, but made a statement with stylish red shoes. If I had to do it again, I’d wear the exact same outfit. Once you’re there for a few weeks, you’ll start to understand the office dress code. Again, my rule of thumb is a little dressier is always better than a little too casual. And just like in grade school, if everyone else is doing it, it doesn’t mean you have to. Since I work in entertainment, mini skirts are perfectly acceptable—as are supershort shorts. But that’s not the image I ever wanted to project. So while other girls my age wore what I used to wear in college, I went for a more sophisticated look. It paid off. I got a promotion in four months.

We have to say congratulations to Sydne on her quick promotion! We love to hear those type of stories and hope that it encourages you to take a second look at your professional image.  Also, hopefully you picked up on the pre-planning your outfits tip. This is a great idea for anyone strapped for time. Now, let’s Steal her Style! Here are a few more of her tips along with some styles she loves.

Sydne says, “I love tucking ruffled blouses into pencil skirts. When I’m wearing jeans, I tend to go for looser tops and cardigans, or a belted top to show off my waist.”

“I think every working woman should own a black pencil skirt. They can be dressed up or down and look good whether you’re curvy or a toothpick. But I also love graphic swing skirts. I wear them with t-shirts and high-heels and feel just like Carrie Bradshaw. While I love my distressed denim, I usually stick to darker washes for work. They just look more professional. I tuck tops into my bootcut jeans and wear my skinny jeans with boyfriend cardigans and ballet flats. And I probably wear my skinny black pants every other week. They look great with flats or heels.”

“You can re-wear a simple black dress every week and nobody will notice as long as you switch up the accessories. I recycle mine but styling it with cardigans, brooches, statement necklaces and cool belts. Shift dresses are also ideal if you need to go straight from work to a function or a date. You can never go wrong with a wrap dress. It flatters everyone! If the neckline is too deep, add a button or layer with a cami in a contrasting color.”

“Statement necklaces and pendants are the easiest way to update a dress or top. And I always use belts over dresses, cardigans, and tops to create womanly curves. It’s an appropriate way of being sexy at the office.”

“I’m short, so you’ll usually find me in a pair of heels. But I do try to wear ballet flats at least once a week so I don’t kill my feet. I go for a nude color to elongate my legs.”
   

Sydne runs Think Thru Fashion and is a Fashion Editor at MyStyle.com.  If she can keep her look professional, feminine, and chic with all that on her plate- the rest of us have no excuse!

Jennifer and I love vintage shoes but often are hesitant to buy them . Our friend Malie who owns http://vintageshoppingguide.com , wrote a great post on how to clean vintage shoes.  Here is what she wrote below:

Vintage shoes can be a great addition to your wardrobe, but many people are a bit squeamish about how sanitary they are. We don’t blame you! Don’t turn down those fabulous pumps just yet. Here is what you need to know about buying vintage and used shoes and how to make them ready to wear once again. First, let me point out that not all vintage shoes are even used. Many vintage dealers buy their products from what they call “dead stock” which means from the original manufacturers trying to offload old merchandise. Now this is certainly not the case from all vintage shops and/ or thrift stores. If you purchase used shoes you will want to disinfect them before wearing them, unless this has already been done for you. Follow these easy steps to disinfect and clean your used shoes. 

 1.    Pour half a bottle of rubbing alcohol on the outside of the shoes and let them sit for at least five minutes, killing any present bacteria. Be careful not to use an alcohol-based solution with more than 10% water, because this may water damage the shoes.
2.    Place the shoes in direct sunlight for two hours. This will dry the alcohol and help to remove any germs in the shoes.
3.    To disinfect the inside of the shoes mix 1/4 cup bleach with one cup water. Spray the mixture into the shoes. This will kill germs and fungus. Make sure that the bleach only touches the inside of the shoes. Allow the shoes to dry thoroughly. ***Note bleach may damage certain materials such as leather! This is why we say to be sure to only spray the inside of the shoes. As an alternative you can use a spray bottle full of antibacterial solution such as Lysol or another anti-fungal spray to the inside of the shoes. This will kill any fungus, such as athlete’s foot, and help to prevent it in the future.
4.    When in doubt, replace the insole completely. Dr. Scholl’s has really stepped up the technology on their famous insoles. You no longer have to settle for big, ugly pads. They even make an open toe version.
5.    To clean the outside of the shoes use a hand cloth and wet it with an alcohol-based cleaning solution. Rub and clean the outsides of the shoes. This will take any dirt out of the shoes.
6.    Spray the outside of the shoes with a disinfectant spray. This will kill some germs, but disinfectant sprays will usually only disinfect non-porous surfaces.
7.    To deodorize shoes try two options. 1) Fill two stockings with cat litter and baking soda. Place one stocking into each shoe. 2) Dust baking soda, any kind, on the insole. Leave overnight and dump out the next day. I think the first option is less messy personally.
8.    Air the shoes out for a night. Remove the laces and pull the tongue out as far as possible if applicable.If you don’t want to go through the hassle of cleaning your new vintage shoes yourself you can always take them to a nearby shoe repair shop. Thanks Malie for the great tips!  Read more of Malie vintage tips and tricks on http://vintageblog.nerdmoon.com/.  If you have any tips and tricks you would like to share with us just email us - info@workchic.com.

We received a question from one of our readers asking; “Is it ok to wear black slacks in the summer? What should I watch out for?”

Kim, it is absolutely ok to wear black pants in the summer months! This is a work wardrobe staple no matter what season we are in.  To help you keep your wardrobe fresh, we have selected the following lightweight styles ideal for hot days.

Summer wool or light weight wool is a great place to start. These styles are worth splurging on because they will hold up for many season’s to come.  Ideally lining should only go to the knee and be in rayon not polyester. The first pair we found is from Brooks Brothers available in regular and Petite Plain-Front Caroline Fit Gabardine Dress Trousers. They are $148 or 2 for $249. Pick up a pair in black and khaki today.  At Dillard’s we found a wool/Lycra blend from Anne Klein New York in a boot-cut fit.  Women: Jackson lightweight wool wide-leg pant - Black is at Banana Republic available for $98.  This style comes in regular, petite, and tall sizes.  All three of these styles are in light weight wool and are an ideal addition to your summer work wardrobe.

Cotton and Linen are more natural fibers ideal for summer. We went to Gap for these Women: Curvy flare leg pants - true black. They are a cotton/spandex blend sold for $54.50 and come in different lengths plus petite and tall sizes.  Old Navy also has these different sizes available in Women: Women’s Cotton Twill Wide-Leg Trousers - New Black for only $32.50. Our last style was found at SmartBargains.com, it’s an Elie Tahari Black Stretch Linen Pant on sale for $59.98. Shop these cotton and linen styles for smart business casual summer looks.

Lastly we found some capris to help you finish out the summer in comfort and style. Banana Republic Women: Martin slim ankle pant - Black comes in regular and petite sizes for $59.50.  This style is machine washable in a cotton/spandex blend. Vince Pleated Cropped Pants, have a button-tab detail with gathers at the hem creating a chic and trendy pegged leg without sacrificing professional style.  They are currently on sale for $115.50.  For casual days at the office, try Women: Black cropped skinny riding jeans - black from Gap.

Remember, black pants are a basic which means then can and should be worn year around. Especially to the office where this work wardrobe classic really makes a polished statement.  Shop our top picks in wool, linen, and cotton now!

Color is both art and science, and it has evolved since the 1980s when color analysis was first introduced to the public. Here color expert Lauren Battistini of Color My Closet discusses what’s new in the field of color, as well as how women can use color in their wardrobes to achieve phenomenal results.

Workchic: What has changed since the 1980s as far as color is concerned?

Lauren Battistini: Because of the wide range of skin tones found in all ethnicities, the science of color now accounts for the two-thirds of women who are neither cool nor warm in undertone, but neutral. This means that they don’t fit neatly into the traditional four seasons of summer, winter, spring and autumn. Color analysis has expanded into 12 categories, with 8 of them for neutral undertones. Color choices are now more abundant, a woman’s palette includes 64 colors that mix and match seamlessly, and the process of color analysis is 3 times more precise than ever!

Workchic: Why is color so important to a woman’s look?

Lauren Battistini: This is a great question, ladies, and an important one to address. Women now feel more pressure to look their best in both work and personal settings, and color accounts for up to 90% of her appearance. It’s her secret beauty weapon—if she understands how to use it strategically. Color has the power to visually shave 10 pounds and 10 years from a woman’s look. It is truly the all-in-one visual face lift, wrinkle reducer, teeth whitener and weight loss agent. On the other hand, the wrong colors can add 10 pounds and 10 years, while also drawing out any skin imperfections and blemishes.

Workchic: How can women use color when wardrobe planning?

Lauren Battistini: Once a woman has her palette of colors in hand, she can mix and match them seamlessly because they all have a similar look and feel. A woman has her best light, medium, and dark neutrals, along with dozens of color choices to complement those neutrals. I always advise clients to follow my 2-1 rule; that is, choose any 2 neutrals to mix with 1 color, or any 2 colors to mix with 1 neutral.

Workchic: What do you say to women who tell you they cannot wear certain colors?

Lauren Battistini: Hogwash! Women can wear any color, as long as it is in the right tone. Tone refers to a color’s undertone (cool, warm, or neutral), value (how light or dark it is), and chroma (how soft or intense it is). Today’s color science gives women more—not less—color choices.

Workchic: Are there some universal colors that all women can wear?

Lauren Battistini: Yes, there are 4 universal colors: true red, teal, turquoise, and eggplant. These colors are all neutral enough to work on any skin tone.

Workchic: How can businesswomen working in conservative settings add color to their wardrobes?

Lauren Battistini: This can be a problem area for women who want to express individuality and at the same time respect corporate dress codes. My advice is to pick 2-3 of your favorite colors and incorporate them by way of necklaces, handbags, and silk tops that can be worn underneath conservative suits and jackets. A little bit of color goes a long way in the workplace, and even something as simple as a printed scarf adds that extra pizazz to an outfit.

Workchic: Does a woman’s color palette change during summer months when she has a tan?

Lauren Battistini: No, a woman’s color palette is based on her unique skin undertone, so it doesn’t matter is she is tanned or not.

Workchic: What role do hair color and makeup play in color science?

Lauren Battistini: This is my most important color tip to discuss. To use color strategically, it is key that women bring their total look—hair color, makeup, wardrobe, and accessories—into alignment with their skin tone. If any one of those beauty components is off, then it throws off the whole look for a woman. In other words, a woman who is neutral should color treat her hair with neutral tones, use makeup in neutral tones, and wear clothing and accessories in those tones.

Workchic: What colors should women wear to job interviews?

Lauren Battistini: I get asked this question a lot and with reason, especially in today’s competitive job market. You can never go wrong with blue, as it is the most universally appealing color—to both men and women. Conservative shades of green are also good choices, because they lend an air of peacefulness and calm. Shades of deep purple and mauve also work well because they are regal and express individuality. On a personal note, I interviewed for a position at a CPA firm right out of college in a hot pink linen dress—and landed the job on the spot. It was a risk that paid off, but I do not recommend going that far out on a limb when interviewing in conservative industries.

Workchic: What advice can you give to the woman who is stuck in a rut of wearing only black and white?

Lauren Battistini: First of all, reconsider your neutrals. Black and white may be too strong and/or too cool in undertone for many women. Other black equivalents exist, such as navy, charcoal grey, or deep brown. Secondly, branch out of your comfort zone with only 2 to 3 colors that you received compliments on in the past. Lastly, experiment by buying inexpensive tops and jewelry in new colors, so that you have not invested too much in a potentially wrong color choice.

Workchic: Many women have no idea of what colors look right on them. Any advice?

Lauren Battistini: There is no substitute for a professional color analysis, which will put everything from hair color to makeup to wardrobe and accessories into perspective. An accurate color analysis is a valuable tool that saves a woman on average $5000 each year, because she will never buy that wrong lipstick or wrong top color again—nor will she ever get her hair color treated wrong again. Companies invest billions of dollars to select the right product and packaging colors, and I feel that each and every woman should do the same by investing in herself to discover her best colors. It’s all about developing her personal brand, and color is a woman’s best and most powerful beauty weapon!

We enjoyed discussing color with Lauren and learning more about how to make color work for you.  For more tips visit her site; colormycloset.com.

Last week we focused on the fashion dilemma of being an inverted triangle.  So what if you are just a triangle? What does that mean?  Well generally your hips will be more than 5 percent wider than your shoulder or bust measurement. So what looks best to balance out your lower half?  Here are some of our suggestions:

1. Wide leg pants help slim wider hips. They float away from the body at the bottom of the leg.

2.  A Boatneck silhouette whether on a blouse or dress gives the illusion of a wider shoulder area which ultimately balances out your hip area.

3. A-line silhouettes are key for this shape. They are figure friendly!

4. Wear brighter colors on top to take emphasis off your lower half.

5. Printed skirts can sometimes make your hips appear larger.  Try to keep with a darker background print.

6.  Flutter sleeves can add some bulk on top while balancing out the bottom half.

7.  Stick with flowing fabrics rather than clingy jersey that will put more attention on the lower half.

Here’s what we found that follow the rules above:

New York & Company Women’s 7th Avenue Wide Leg Pants - Petite-$39.95
Sunshine On My Shoulders Top-$64.99

Juicy Couture Ruffle Button Down Blouse-$47.40

 

Mink Pink Navajo Waisted Skirt

Phoebe by Kay Unger Silk Flutter Sleeve Dress-$340.00
Sommelier Dress- $57.99

  
Stay tuned for more Workchic Fitting Room series.  Happy Shopping!

Our post Blouse Makeover was selected for this week’s IFB links a la mode! Learn to update your work wardrobe with a few new blouses! Keep reading for more great posts from our fellow bloggers.

Style Cravings & Indulgences
Edited by Jordana

This week’s edition of Links à la Mode provides a variety of sweet treats. We’ve got hair how-to’s from Fasshonaburu and Bonne-Vie, sorbet inspirations from Idiosyncratic Style, Paris Couture collection picks from Fashion Pulse Daily and interviews galore, among other juicy additions.

I also want to give a special shout-out to IFB editor Ashe Mischief of Dramatis Personae, who is celebrating her two year blog-aversary with a special giveaway.

Links à la Mode : July 23rd

We added scarves to Workchic.com from The Sabina Les Collection.  She has unique prints available in square and oblong silk scarves perfect for accessorizing your work wardrobe. To make sure you know how to wear them, she shared her top styling tips with us.

Sabina’s scarves can be worn in elegant, sporty, classic, and casual looks. It’s all about how you style them. These next few tips will have you looking professional, feminine, and chic!

This asymmetrical style looks professional with slacks and a simple top.

Step 1. Fold the 36” large square scarf in half.
Step 2. Drape the newly made triangle over shoulders hanging more on one side and loosely twist the opposite side.
Step 3. Take the end and loosely loop one over the other, make a large knot and let the remaining scarf part hang as a tie in the front.
Step 4. Adjust the scarf so one side is draped over a shoulder and the arm and the opposite twisted side has a narrower about 2” wide strap look.

Draping a scarf works for any occassion.

Step 1. Place 21” medium size square scarf right (printed) side down to make a triangle shape.
Step 2. Drape the scarf in the front and tie the ends back at the neck.

This unique twisted style adds an elegant and unexpected interest to your outfits.

Step 1. Fold 10”x60” long oblong scarf in half.
Step 2. Twist the scarf and fold it half making a loop on one side.
Step 3. Wrap it around the neck and have one end pass through the loop.
Step 4. Make a knot and loop the knot through the scarf in the front until it’s all the way up and adjust the ends as necessary.

These three style tips are a great start to help you accessorize your work wardrobe with scarves. You can shop more Sabina Les Workchic Scarves or visit her site for additional styling tips.  Have fun shopping!

We love all the collaborations that Target works on with the hottest fashion designers.  Now Target has teamed with celebrity style guru - Jaye Hersh who is the owner of the trendy LA boutique- Intuition.  This collection brings accessible glam accessories at affordable prices!   Look at our favorites below.  They are so fun for summer!

Hollywood Intuition Multicolor Scarf-$16.99
Hollywood Intuition Purple Tote-$29.99
Hollywood Intuition Bracelet Set-$9.99

Hollywood Intuition Mixed Media Bracelet-$9.99
Hollywood Intuition Clear Fashion Tape-$9.99
Hollywood Intuition Glamour Necklace-$14.99
Hollywood Intuition Green Belt Bag-$19.99
Hollywood Intuition Black Sunglasses-$14.99

Have fun shopping from Workchic.com!