Is it ok to wear black skinny leather pants at work?

If you work in a creative field or a more laid-back environment, leather pants are good to go (especially on Casual Fridays).  Who says you can’t wear leather pants to work when leggings and skinny jeans are acceptable?  Actually, skinny leather pants can give you some serious style girlfriend!  Nothing quite exhibits a cool vibe like a pair of sleek leather pants.  Look for pants with a simple shape in a solid hue to keep the overall look sleek.

Be careful and make sure you do it right because the last thing you want is to look like you are going to a rock concert.  Here we created a look that is both elegant and sophisticated.  Soften up the edgy pants by pairing with a blush bow blouse.  Light up the look by topping it off with a white blazer as seen here on blogger Golestaneh.  You can always rely on polished accessories to add that extra oomph to your outfit – black suede pumps, snake-print tote and a stainless steel watch.

At WorkChic, we encourage readers to ask questions or voice concerns regarding work style (or fashion in general) along with any other suggestions you might have.  We are always happy to hear from you!

What is the shortest skirt length that is appropriate for a 48 year old designer to wear to see clients in?

First, always consider the dress code at your work place.  You should project a professional image that is relevant to your career field.

Whether you are in your 20′s or 50′s, one can wear short skirts to the office (or out meeting clients) but it really all depends on how to pull it off without looking as if you are heading to a club or on a date.  But how short is too short?  A few inches above the knee with no more than 3 – 4 inches.

Think simple & elegant when wearing shorter lengths.  Go with a more conservative top and accessories to bring out the corporate appeal.  Pencil skirts or sheath dresses are fail-proof.  Especially when worn with tights as they automatically give you more coverage.  Below are good examples of wearing shorter skirts or a short dress to work.

stylejoos, botte, marieclaire

Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid anything too short or too tight in the corporate world.  However, I’d rather wear a short mini skirt and stilettos any day than show up in sloppy t-shirt and flip flops (those unsightly toes) to work.  You can manage to have your LBD as office-ready but the latter, has no hope.

More Theory…

photo credit: gettyimages

One of our beloved readers has requested that we feature attire more suitable for work environments that are not exactly ideal for skirts and pumps.  Working in fields like engineering, manufacturing, and construction requires a certain type of attire that is both functional and suitable for the job at hand.  Certain lines of work are very hands-on requiring field work where you can be on your feet for an entire day.  Keep in mind, never sacrifice style simply for the sake of comfort just because that is the easy way to go!  Smart dressing encompasses both comfort and style so that you can get your work done and look good while doing it.

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I have received some fantastic questions in the last few months from people wanting to know more about me and the site. Here is a Q&A that provides some insight on how I look at fashion and some thoughts on how to dress for work.

What made you decide to get involved with Workchic? How long have you been interested in fashion?
I started several fashion blogs a few years ago and my latest venture is Workchic.com. My goal with Workchic is to help women look good, feel good, and boost their overall confidence in the workplace by providing them with sound advice and access to the best work attire all on one website.
I’ve been interested in fashion since my early teenage years. I spent every dime of my allowance each month on clothes and fashion magazines as my interest continued to grow. So in 2007 I decided to follow my passion and began writing and blogging about fashion full-time.

In what industry do you currently work? What is the office attire like?
I currently work for myself running WorkChic and several other fashion blogs from my home office. I did however work in an office setting for several years. Even though I primarily perform my day-to-day activities from home I refuse to work in my robe or sweats. I avoid looking sloppy at all costs in order to put myself in the right mindset to start off my day.

What do you think is the most important thing people should know about dressing for work?
How you dress speaks volumes especially at work. You are not only dressing for yourself but what you represent at work and your career as a whole. I believe if you are passionate about your job you should be passionate about your appearance as well. Surveys have shown there is a direct correlation between promotions and dress style of employee’s, meaning more earning potential for those that place emphasis on looking sharp and dressing professionally.

Why do you think people usually sacrifice style in the working world? How and why should they be convinced to do otherwise?
Two of the main reasons I believe are time constraints and the “comfort factor” as I like to call it. You can still look pulled together and professional without sacrificing comfort. All you need is a little extra planning time to make a world of difference. Workchic is a great resource for ideas and the best place to have your work fashion questions answered.

Your job might be repetitive and mundane but your style doesn’t have to be.
Get out of your comfort zone and experiment! Women often underestimate their full potential in terms of their style – something as simple as a new haircut or slight makeup change can boost your self-esteem and motivation. Have fun with accessories, it’s an easy way to spruce up neutral basics by adding a colorful handbag or embellished shoes.

What do you think are the most necessary parts of a working person’s wardrobe? Where are your favorite places to purchase work wear?
I love polyester dress pants that are super versatile and ultra comfortable. They provide a polished look for work yet are so easy to wear. Stock them in different colors to wear with blouses or button shirts. Also, one should invest in a quality handbag that is timeless and practical.

For suits, Jones of New York, Nordstrom, and Macy’s all have nice inventories and offer frequent sales. I also love to shop at Asos and Yoox for their variety of chic collections including skirts, tops, and dresses. For vintage fans, ModCloth is the place to shop. I have found some lovely designer accessories at amazing prices from ideeli as well.

What makes an ideal interview outfit?
Your goal should be to make a lasting first impression. What you wear and how you wear it really make a difference. Not all job settings require business attire but one should still dress up and look polished for the interview unless told otherwise. An ideal interview outfit for an office setting would be a structured dress with a smooth line for a look that’s sharp yet feminine. Put on a tailored blazer and complete the outfit with a briefcase and solid color pumps.

Skip the perfume or cologne and do not over-accessorize.
Let your personality shine instead of your jewelry. Last but not least, watch your posture. Stand tall with absolute confidence!

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!

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!

This question seems to come up about this time every year. Yes! You can wear white pants to the office. It’s all about how you style the look. Last year we showed you 3 casual and business casual outfits with white pants perfect for the office. This year we searched Polyvore for looks we would deem office appropriate.

White pants for spring/1 by Jelena M S featuring Burberry Prorsum pants

For a business casual office, layer a light weight cardigan over a simple tank. Jelena M S finished the look with a light blue satchel and pearls.

Morning: At coffee table by Seelah featuring Chloé tote bags

Going from the office to dinner and drinks with friends? Pairing a satin blouse with a blazer and peep toe pumps makes the look professional during the day and easy to transition for a night out on the town.

159:shape by butterQ featuring Steven Alan tops

For a casual day in the office we referred to butterQ’s set with a cotton rolled sleeve blouse over white pants. Gingham clutch is adorable for summer.

marine II by Nadine B Martin . featuring Planet tops

Our final look has the most classic business casual feel. Keep your white pants Workchic with a blue striped shirt and navy cardigan.

Our friends on Polyvore are very creative! These looks will definitely be inspiring our summer work wardrobes. We would love to hear how you style your white pants for the office. Leave us a comment here or share your sets with us on Polyvore.

 These two styles of white pants are perfect for the office.

Silk pants from Bien Abye have a short slit at the hem to expose your summer sandals. For a more casual alternative, try Gap White Linen Pants.  Happy Shopping!

This week while discussing office dressing in a career forum, an interesting topic was brought up. Jess said,

“I think the hardest thing about dressing for work these days is not overdressing. If I want to wear a nice dress or skirt, I often get jokes about “where are YOU interviewing today?”

This is an unfortunate reality of corporate America becoming increasingly casual. In too many offices, people are not expected to dress up and we go from business casual to in the blink of an eye.

Our suggestion to overcome this casual rut would be; slowly start transitioning your wardrobe into a more professional feel. If you add pieces to your look little by little, in a week or two, no one will be caught off guard when you wear a dress. And if they do say something, we love a witty retort…

Here are a few dresses perfect for a casual office this summer.

You know we would have a cardigan or blazer on hand to finish these looks. How would you accessorize these dresses for a casual office?  We’d also love to know how you deal with coworkers comments about your style. Leave us a comment below.

We received the following question from Vicky yesterday:

“Hi Workchic- I normally wear all black in my work wardrobe but I am getting tired of it.  I want to wear color.  Any suggestions?”

Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner so why not embrace color?  In fact if you take a look at the June issue of Lucky Magazine bright tailored blazers are a trend this season.  It is a good way to infuse color into your wardrobe without feeling too much out of your comfort zone.  We love the following below when paired with a neutral bottom or when you are really feeling adventurous-a printed skirt.   Pictured from left to right:  Victoria Secret Linen Boyfriend Blazer $78,  Milly Ruffle Jacket $416,  Talbots Pocket Tie Jacket-$169, and Jones New York Jacquard Collarless Jacket- $209

Would you wear a bright blazer to work?  We would love to hear what you would wear it with!  Feel free to post a photo or leave a comment below or shoot us an email at info@workchic.com!

This week we received a timely question about dresses for the office. Katie asked the following:

“I keep seeing some really cute summer dresses but many I have come across are strapless. Can I wear these to work?”

Well Katie, our gut reaction is no you shouldn’t bear that much skin in the office. But there are ways to make some strapless dresses appropriate. First let’s take a glimpse at styles that we recommend you avoid.

This long floral maxi dress, should remain at the beach. It’s fun for the weekends, but not for the office. Anything with a smocked or elasticized bodice, both in a dress or top, is not ideal for the workplace. The styling lacks the structure needed for a professional look.

To take strapless dresses to the office look for structure, fabric, and then add layers. For example this printed Sleek Strapless Dress from The Limited has a fitted bodice, is fully lined, and then accessorized with a belt.  The print is trend right in a graphic pattern. Take the look to the office with a Bow Sleeve Jacket.  You can wear the belt over or under the short sleeve blazer.

Another option is Banana Republic Linen chevron dress. This style is also structured with a simple silhouette and flattering darts. We would layer a lightweight cardigan over the soft watercolor print. The Banana Republic Long sleeve silk-back cardigan is a mix of soft and shine with the cotton front and silk back. It will take you from the office to dinner in style.

Remember it’s all in the details. Finish these looks with flattering necklaces and more conservative pumps. The skirt length should also be just above the knee.  By mixing in layers, selecting structured silhouettes, and adding the right details your strapless dresses can be office appropriate.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this summer trend. If you have a question for the Workchic team, send it to info@workchic.com.

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