A strand of pearls can add a classic touch to any work outfit.  If you want to make a jewelry investment this season, consider buying pearls that you will have in your wardrobe for a lifetime.  Whether it is a pearl necklace, earrings, or bracelet- these are items that will never go out of style.  You can see the hottest trend seen on celebrities this season are the long strands of pearls which adds instant workchic to a black dress or business suit. Images courtesy of Google images.

The name Mikimoto has become synonymous with the highest quality of pearls. Only 3-5% of all cultured pearls will carry the Mikimoto name.  We couldn’t help but salivate over the Mikimoto Pearls found at JR Dunn. Here are our favorites that will never go out of style no matter what outfit you may be wearing.

Happy Shopping! 

We have something big to share with our readers.  Work Her Way has officially launched and Workchic was asked to be part of it!

What is Work Her Way exactly?

It is the source for all the help you need for your career and your life in and out of the workplace . If you have questions, need information, want to vent about your day at the office, or simply need to connect with others in the working world this is the website for you!  Work Her Way has launched with a team of experts, ready to tackle all of the issues that you may have whether big or small.

This special community has been built by Carolyn Kepcher, formerly of the Trump Organization and the popular TV reality series- The Apprentice. Carolyn will also be starring in an upcoming TV series that will be debuting soon. We’ll make sure to keep you posted! Image courtesy of Google images.

So who are the expert contributors? Click here to find all of the experts.  The Workchic posts can be currently in the Brand You section of the website.

We are so excited and honored that Carolyn asked us to be on her team of experts! We would love to have you check out the site and let us know your feedback!  Just leave us a comment on this post or email us at info@workchic.com. Remember to join the conversation on http://workherway.com.  Leave a comment or tell a story  you have to share! 

We were chosen for the Oct 29th edition of Links à la Mode.  Here’s our post and lots of fabulous others!

Links à la Mode : The IFB Weekly Roundup

Posted by Julia • October 28th, 2009 • Printer-friendly

Our Differences Unite Us

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily

Coming off of Ashe Mischief’s Independent Fashion Blogger’s Post (Good Cop/Bad Cop: Participating in Links a la Mode), you all brought your A-game in posting the links a la mode — which made it extra hard to edit! This week, the theme that I saw emerging throughout the posts is one of celebrating our unique diversity; each site has a different take and approach to fashion, art, beauty, media, lifestyle, music – you name it! From the dry shampoo trials at Dramatis Personae to Le Petite Cecile’s observations regarding the bleached eyebrow trend, you all brought a new perspective to each topic at hand, a sign that indicates how wonderful and creative the blogosphere truly is. Get even more excited for Halloween with cmykaboom and Idiosyncratic Style costume suggestions that are sure to make you smile, along with DenimDebutante’s discovery of the “zipholder”.  All in all, one things’ for certain: we’ve got an amazing community of bloggers!

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

Links à la Mode : October 29th

• Clutch 22 -A Blogger’s Fairytale – The Making of Seattle Indie Designer Jesica Milton’s “Jordie” Dress
• cmykaboom -Halloween Hauteness: Top Ten Halloween Costume Ideas
• Dramatis Personae – The Dry Shampoo Trials (Part 1)
• DenimDebutante – The Zipholder
• Fashion Pulse Daily -Favorite New Eco-Find: the Cool Indie Designer Eco Duds at Green is Black
• ferOHHHsh – To Ugg or not to Ugg?
• girl friday -A Guide to Styling & Buying Scarves.
• Idiosyncratic Style – Stylish Last Minute Halloween Ideas
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Good Cop/Bad Cop: Participating in Links a la Mode
• Le Petite Cecile – To Bleach or not to Bleach, That’s the Question.
• Lillys Garden – Dirndlpunk ROCKS
• Mama Fashionista — So What if I’m a (Perfume) Slut?
• Prom Mafia -Warning:This Image has been Photoshopped: Should a Disclaimer be Used on Photoshopped Models?
• Oranges & Apples -Flats or High Heels? Investigating Shoes that are Both Comfortable and Stylish
• Queen Gilda: Thesis Collection: Sketching, Fabric Choices, and Final Edits
• Retro Chick -Style Snapshot – 10 Questions with Eyeliah of Style Symmetry
• The COVETED -Learning More About Vintage from The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping
• The Demoiselles – Pay Homage to the Classic Graphic T-Shirt
• Think Thru Fashion – Behind the Scenes at a MAC Halloween Photo Shoot
• Vue Society – RTW + Alterations vs. Custom Made
• Workchic – Shoe Smitten Shows Workchic Readers the Best Tall Boots for Those with Hard to Fit Calves

• PLEASE READ IF YOU’D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE:

  If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

This post is dedicated to all young professionals out there that are wrestling with the idea of looking professional but expressing your sense of style while at work.  We couldn’t help but get inspired by an article we read yesterday that explained of one young professional’s grapple with wearing a suit and just not feeling like herself. You can read more of the article here.

We can’t stress enough that if you work for someone else then you should adhere to their expectations of you as an employee and that sometimes means dress code.  Some companies are very easy going when  it comes to the dress code policy and think that the more casually dressed the environment the more productive a worker will be.  However there are other employers that feel the only way an employee can look professional is by wearing a suit.

We’ll post a suit each week that when styled with your own sense of style-whether it be a blouse, accessories, or even a belt can make you feel comfortable and look professional at the same time.

Here is a suit we found that doesn’t scream basic, boring suit. We love the ladylike and vintage touches on the jacket for a professional look at the office.

What would you add to this suit to make it more your personal style?  We would love to hear your feedback.  Just leave a post here or email us at info@workchic.com.

Stay tuned for next week’s Suit of the Week!  Happy Suit Shopping!

Oprah has a new pair of favorite jeans and she is telling everyone about them!  She recently discovered CJ by Cookie Johnson jeans on a cover shoot for her O, Oprah Magazine.  “The perfect jeans for real women with real booties.”  Both Jennifer and myself were extremely excited to hear about a new denim line for curvier silhouettes!  Here’s Oprah wearing a pair below.  Photo courtesy of Oprah.com.

The collection was created by Cookie Johnson who happens to be the wife of basketball legend, Magic Johnson.  She teamed up with Michael Glasser, who created denim lines such as Seven for all Mankind and Citizens for Humanity, to create a collection with clean lines and higher rise in the back to avoid that gaping hole syndrome that us curvy ladies all have experienced with our jeans or pants.

The collection ranges in retail price from $141 to $198 which is a bit pricey but remains competitive within the contemporary denim world. The size ranges from a 24 to 38 which translates from a size 2 to 18. 

These jeans are selling out everywhere.  You can find these jeans at Designs by Stephene.  Hurry and order now if you want November delivery! Featured from left to right:
CJ by Cookie Johnson Love Boyfriend Jeans in Twilight Vintage (Oprah’s favorite)-$196.00
CJ by Cookie Johnson Grace Bootcut Jean in Filmore-$189.00
CJ by Cookie Johnson Faith Straight Leg Jean in Rinse- $141.00

We would love to hear if you purchased a pair of the CJ by Cookie Johnson Jeans!  Are they your favorite jean?  Just reply to this post or email us at info@workchic.com. Read more about CJ by Cookie Johnson Jeans on Oprah.com.

We are anxiously awaiting the shopping event of the Fall season that is “Lucky Shops”, coming up on November 6th and 7th.  Who can resist deals at 75% off retail, cocktails, and giveaways?

For one lucky Shop It To Me member, Lucky Shops is giving away a VIP gift bag filled with fun goodies, valued at $750! Inside you’ll find Amrita Singh bangles, Kiehl’s products, a Clu tanktop, tons of other fun beauty products and more.

To enter, just do the following:

* Visit luckyshops.com to become familiar with the event (you may want to consider buying tickets if you’ll be in NYC!)
  * Leave a comment on this Shop it to Me blog post about what you think is the most exciting part of Lucky Shops.
  * You must be a Shop It To Me member to win so register before you make a comment.  In case you need even more information just click here.

The Shop it to me team will  pick a winner on Friday, October 30th at 5pm PST by conducting a random drawing among all comments left on the blog post.

Please take a note:  Prize can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address.

Good luck and Happy Shopping at Lucky Shops!

Having a great neutral skirt in your basic work wardrobe is important. Notice we didn’t say black, this skirt should be in a solid color that will mix and match into your existing closet. Some colors to consider are tan, brown, navy, charcoal, and of course black.  We have discussed in other blog posts the best skirts to fit your figure.  You should also consider the types of tops you have on hand when you pick out your basic. To get you inspired we have put together some outfits on Polyvore.  Then we went shopping and found you the best basic skirts to add to your wardrobe today.

Banana Republic Women: Wool-blend textured pencil skirt - Carob chip $90, available in regular, petite, and tall sizes.
Old Navy Women: Women’s Essential Pencil Skirt - New Black $29.50 available in regular, petite, and tall sizes plus also in grey and dark brown.

At Dillard’s Alex Marie “Jamie” Skirt, $89 and Westbound Gored Skirt in Navy, Chocolate, or Black for $30

For Plus size options we turned to Lane Bryant.
Belt trimmed skirt, $49.50

High-low hem skirt, $49.50

Any of these skirts will make a beautiful update to your work wardrobe. Stay tuned to Workchic.com to learn about creating a solid foundation in your closet to build remarkable outfits around.

We have been getting several reader questions from all different size ranges on what to wear on casual fridays at the office when the temperatures outside can’t seem to make up their mind!  One minute it is 40 degrees while three days later it is reminiscent of early May.  The best advice we can give is to dress in layers that way you have the option to remove your cardigan or blazer when you get too warm.  Now you don’t want to layer as per Meredith  from the Office below.  If you are a fan of this show like we are her Casual Friday outfit caused quite the commotion at Dunder Mifflin! Image courtesy of Google images.

While yes she is technically layering it just happens to be the wrong pieces she is layering over! This is an office Don’t!

We found some casual friday separates from Banana Republic’s Limited edition Heritage collection that are perfect not only for the office but the weekend as well.

Happy Friday from Workchic.com!

Knits have truly made a comeback this Fall season.  Whether it is the exaggerated cowlneck scarf or sweater, jersey dress, or long drapey cardigan this fabrication proves that it can still be chic and comfortable for the office.  You can read more about the flexibility of the knit trend as reported in the NY times this week click here to read the post.  Speaking of knits,  We couldn’t help but covet the following knits from Chanel this season! Images below courtesy of Google images.

We found some knit items on Workchic.com that will translate into your business casual or casual work wardrobe. Whether it is a cable knit eternity scarf or knit skirt or jacket-they will keep you warm and chic this Fall season.

Happy shopping from Workchic.com!

You can stay on stop of the Fall trends this season even if you are on a budget.  Here are three of our favorite Fall trends that you can incorporate into your work wardrobe. Stay tuned for more next week!

Tweed Jackets- We love how this season’s tweed jackets are trimmed with different fabrications like chiffon or metallic thread.

Nic+Zoe Textured Tweed Belted Jacket (Pewter Mix)
Walter Black & White Wool Blend Tweed Jacket
Daniele Alessandri deluxe blazer
Daslu Sao Paulo Blazer

Strappy Heels- These look great paired with opaque tights for the cooler fall months ahead.

Charles by Charles David Zesty in Caramel
 Fergie Justice - Dark purple leather
 Nine West Ketu - Cognac
 Michael Antonio Segar - Black

Printed dresses- Prints are on trend this Fall no matter if it is animal print, abstract, ethnic or a floral print.

Nicholas K Stanton Dress
Tucker Paris Metro Ride Dress
Animal-print cowlneck dress - Brown combo
Silk abstract shift dress in Black

Stay tuned for more Workchic trends!