I love wearing dresses especially in the Summer.  But I as get older (and wiser mind you) I don’t exactly feel comfortable wearing the minidress styles that I am constantly seeing out in stores this season.  Give me an A-line or Wrap dress and I’m happy!   I came across Shabby Apple and love how their dresses fit to flatter women.  They celebrate your silhouette and help you find a dress that will best suit your assets.  You can shop their site by body type: athletic, pear, womanly, tall or short. Shop for a dress by occasion.  Shabby Apple even sells jewelry and accessories to complete the entire look.

 I picked out the following business casual options below.  From the left:  Command attention with the CEO dress.  Everyone will know you mean business!  The V.P dress  is professional and chic with its cap sleeves and A-line skirt.   The Champs Elysees Navy Pleated Dress can be paired with a cardigan or white blazer for a more business casual look.

Want a more casual look?  Here’s a peek at some of my faves:

You can never go wrong with a white wrap dress!  Accessorize the Bonheur Dress with a statement necklace or cuff bracelet for an appropriate office look or dress it down with wedge espadrilles for brunch on the weekend.  L’ete combines the figure flattering look of a wrap dress with the details of your favorite shirtdress.  The Manager Director dress is a perfect shade of cobalt blue that will brighten up any day at the office!

All of these dresses I picked above are under $100! That is a great value for a professional and feminine piece that you will have in your closet for years to come!

Happy Shopping from Workchic.com!

We received the following question from Tammy in Austin, TX:

“Hi Workchic- it is so hot during the summer months here in Texas.  I don’t feel like carrying a leather handbag.  Can I carry a lightweight nylon tote or canvas bag and still look professional at work?”

We know it is hot out there and the last thing you want might want to lug around with you is a heavy, leather bag.  We found some lightweight and chic alternatives at one of our favorite online retailers- Shopbop.

Tired of carrying the Black or Brown handbag? Try the L.A.M.B Freestyle White Brandywell Cross Body Tote which is shown in Picture #1.  White is a classic summer neutral that will go with the basics in your work wardrobe.  If you want something more classic or sophisticated we love the J.W. Hulme Co. Sahara Excursion Tote in Picture #2. Need a tote that will also hold your laptop?  The LeSportsac Lexie Tech Tote in Picture #3 makes a great laptop or interview tote.  It looks more sophisticated than your average nylon tote! Want a fun option for Casual Fridays at the office? We love the Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Damisi Collage Tate Tote shown on the bottom right picture #4.  It will brighten up any outfit while staying chic and professional.

 

Stay tuned next week as we answer our latest Workchic reader question!  Have a question you would like to ask us?  Just email info@workchic.com!

On a tight budget this summer? Looking to add a little life to your work wardrobe?

We find one of the easiest ways to add life to your work wardrobe on a budget is by coordinating new pieces with your basics. Here are a couple great examples of pieces you can use to update your existing basics for Summer.

Keep your black pencil skirt Business Casual and add a feminine printed blouse for some personal style. Finish the look with your black pumps and a complimentary bracelet. Free as a Bird Blouse and Oh Pear Bracelet are both available at Modcloth.com.

Wear your basic black pants or khaki trousers with a new paisley printed cotton cardigan. The mix of materials is hot this season, cardigan has a woven front and knit back. Complete your business casual look with t-strap wedges in fuchsia.

 

Polish this Gap Pleated Floral Skirt by adding your basic white blouse or a simple tee. Finish with a statement necklace.

With a few new pieces you can easily create fresh looks for the summer. Happy Shopping!

Enjoy this article? Follow Jennifer on your favorite network.

Jennifer Lynn Diana
@Workchic_Jenn
Jennifer Lynn Diana

Our good friend and Workchic guest contributor, Stefanie Ziev, is auditioning to be the next big star on the new Oprah Network. Read more below and remember to vote!! 

Help Stefanie “Go Big” on the Oprah Winfrey Network!It took 6 people, 5 weeks, 4 rewrites, 3 tries, and 2 last minute edits  to successfully submit my 1 audition video to have my own show as “America’s Life Coach” on Oprah’s new network, OWN!   Now I need your help to make it happen… 

The clock is ticking.  Voting ends July 3rd!  My Big goal is to receive over 1 million votes by then!  Can we do it?  With your help, yes!  Here’s how:   It takes 4 easy steps:

 
Stefanie Ziev, CLC, ACC
America’s Life Coach
Ziev Coaching
“Get Your Shine On!”Stefanie@ZievCoaching.com
www.ZievCoaching.com

We love finding new designers that are all about providing chic options for our work wardrobe.  Our friend Dayanne Danier, owner of the Bien Abye Collection expresses her enthusiasm for women’s apparel through a combination of tailored techniques paired with a feminine twist.  We love her latest collection and how it is perfect for your work wardrobe.  

Dayanne tells us that her inspiration behind this line “is all about feeling alive. With this collection I wanted to make my customer feel confident. I continued to carry through my signature details into this collection but I played around more with color and fabric selection so that the styles are more versatile for the summer and make great transitional pieces for the fall season.
The color palette this season is fresh with pops of sherbet, strawberry, and sunshine yellow.  I also included neutrals of ivory, khaki, and navy to keep the look sophisticated and chic.”

Here is Jennifer’s favorite pick from the collection – The Front Ruffle Tank in Sherbert.  Looks amazing on its own or under a suit jacket!  

I couldn’t decide so I went with two of my faves.  I am all about versatility right now so I love the look of the Asymetrical Pleated Shell and Box frame skirt.  It looks like a sheath dress when worn together!  I can still wear the shell and skirt with different items in my closet.  Same goes with the Short Sleeve Jacket and Straight Leg Slit Pant! 

If you want to find some new and interesting pieces for your work wardrobe we recommend stopping by http://bienabye.com.   Remember to mention Workchic when you order and get 15% off!

Happy Shopping from Workchic! 

Being the first day of summer yesterday reminded me of days when it was so hot in the NYC that I don’t remember why I bothered to do my hair or put on makeup for work.  Here are some summer faves that we found at Sephora that will aid in looking your best at the office on those hot summer days!

If you are like me that when you walk out the door with straight hair and by the time you get to work it is a frizzy mess try:

I always keep Boscia blotting papers in my handbag and in my desk for when you want people to be focused on your input at a meeting rather the shine on your nose!  There are 100 sheets for $10.  You will be thankful you have them!  I also love the Tarte T-Zone Travel Kit that contains a duo of powder and blotting sheets that you can use discreetly to freshen up. This duo contains Skinvigoratingâ„¢ ingredients such as camellia extract, which helps to reduce puffiness and inflammation, red tea leaf extract and aloe leaf extract, known for it’s soothing, healing, and antiseptic properties.

I am also a big fan of Laura Mercier’s Secret Mattifying Finish.  It is light enough to wear over any foundation yet the lightweight gel formula removes shine for hours while leaving a translucent, matte finish. 

For $28 you can’t go wrong with the Sephora Waterproof Bronzing collection.  This six-piece collection brings you water-resistant beauty, just in time for the steamy summer season!

Do you have any beauty tips or tricks on beating the summer heat?  We would love to hear them!  Leave us a comment below!

Can you imagine having one skirt in your closet that goes from Business Casual to Weekend Casual with a whole new look? We found that skirt at White House | Black Market.

During the work week this versatile smocked skirt, trimmed in wispy, frayed chiffon, looks Workchic with a cami and short sleeve cardigan. Accessorize with bold red heels for extra punch!

Then on the weekend it easily converts to a strapless or halter chemise.

Convertible Printed Skirt was designed to be worn two ways. Would you style it as a halter or keep it strictly business?

A simple sheath dress is the perfect staple for any office. With a few accessories you can take a basic dress and give it a new style.

Hourglass-Business Office by Workchic featuring Jil Sander dresses

Here we took a pleated dress and added 3 different styles of shoes to update the look. It’s a perfect example of how shoes can change the look and feel of an outfit. For a business office we recommend adding a blazer and utilizing the high stakes heels from modcloth.com. We had some fun with a statement necklace in lavender hues that goes perfectly with the smoke print heels and peep toe style.

Pleated spot print dress, 1,000 GBP
K Karl Lagerfeld Wool-blend tailored blazer, $213
High heel pump with Smoke Print, 370 GBP
Ravel Chaussures Peeptoe Courts, 45 GBP
High Stakes Heels in Smoke-Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes, $38
Lanvin Strass crystal necklace, $2,730

Our friend Yvonne just loved the flattering neckline and empire waist on this dress, so she set out to find the perfect accessories. She played on a natural color palette featuring the neutral dress, gold jewelry, and black handbag.  Subtle hits of color were added in the animal and leaf print wrap along with burgundy trimmed pumps. You can pick up this dress and the chic accessories following the links below.

Spiegel V-Neck Sheath Dress in Linen
Hidden Painted Animal Ruana
Champagne Dish Necklace
Kenneth Cole New York Layered-Circle Ring
Kathy Van Zeeland Monte Carlo Belt Shopper

Both of these examples featured accessories that can mix and match back to your work wardrobe with ease. Have fun adding accessories and creating your own personal style.

We received a question from Amy that we wanted to share with our readers:

Q: Hi Workchic- I am on a tight budget and was recently invited to a summer wedding.  Can I find a dress that will work both for the wedding and the office?

A: Of course you can!  We found some versatile dresses on Piperlime that can be accompanied with a blazer or cardigan for work and then dressed up for a wedding. We love the Milly Ruffle Wrap Dress featured below for the office when paired with a cami, cardigan/blazer, and heels.   For the wedding why not add a statement necklace, fun clutch, and some strappy sandals that will complete this summer wedding look.

We would love to hear about your favorite versatile dress that has taken you from the office to a party or even a wedding reception.  Leave us a comment below!

Black and White punctuated with bold Blue, you know I couldn’t pass by this organically printed and draped blouse. I’ll start by admitting this look may not fly in all offices. But if your workplace is more contemporary or leans toward the casual side of business casual, you can pull off this top. Simply pair it with straight leg black trousers and sleek black heels or even ballet flats. You may also want to layer a demi-cami underneath, to avoid any issues as the neckline inevitably shifts.

While your first thought may not be Business Casual, I immediately fell in love with this top and set out to make it Workchic.  So turn to those basics and create a chic look for yourself!

PS: Robert Rodriguez Draped Print Silk Top is currently on sale.

Enjoy this article? Follow Jennifer on your favorite network.

Jennifer Lynn Diana
@Workchic_Jenn
Jennifer Lynn Diana