As temperatures are rising, so should your summer work style sense.  This Avonlee Silk Georgette Top offers a sensationally chic, sophisticated style with lovely ruched sleeves.  Sleeves are a perfect place to have ruching accent adding just enough texture to this soft gray top.  It’s one of those tops you can get a ton of mileage out of by wearing to work with trousers, a pencil skirt or with jeans and belt on Casual Fridays.  We often invest money in either shoes or bags, this time let it be a top that is timelessly classic and versatile.

Here are three stellar looks styled with a same top that will take you from the board meeting and beyond!

Business – Top, Blazer, Skirt, Pumps

Business Casual – Top, Pants, Bag, Pumps, Belt

Casual – Top, Shorts, Slingbacks, Satchel, Watch

Right now The Limited is having their semi-annual suiting event offering $100 off suits.  Seeing what they have in stock currently it looks like you can easily pick up pants or a skirt with blazer for less than $100 total.  In some cases less than $80 for 2 pieces!  Here are some of our favorite suits from their inventory.  The sale ends on March 6th so there are only a few days left.

24-Hour Career Sale: Save Up to 75% off at Anne Klein! Shop now thru 11:59pm ET! Discount reflected at checkout.   Enjoy Free Shipping on orders of $75 or more from Jones New York! Hurry Offer Ends 2/28/2011!

Today’s inspiration comes from the Gap Fall 2010 Collection.  This modern yet conservative look says you are ready to get down to some serious business.

Each of the pieces are from Gap (except for the pumps).  Go from dressy to more casual just by switching out the top and the shoes.  As for pants, we prefer the slim yet relaxed style of the Boy fit pants & Modern boot pants.

Double-layer tuxedo blazer, Perfect Shirt, Back button scoopneck T
Boy Fit Pants, Modern Boot Pants, Peep-toe wedge booties, Nine West Rocha Pumps

Bags are perhaps the most popular items to invest in along with shoes.  They are often the first accessory people notice.  Every working woman needs a quality bag that is timelessly chic.  We love the refined style and the organizing ability of briefcases.  So we set out on a quest to find a luxury briefcase that doesn’t scream “boring”.  After some digging (without the shovel) we found one that is sure to upgrade your workwear instantly.

Mulholland Brothers’ Angler’s Bag Flapover Briefcase provides function and fashion with ample size of 16.3″x13″x5.3″ in durable leather.  This stylish leather carrier flawlessly transitions from casual to dressy, pantsuits to jeans with ease.  The nice thing about a briefcase is that it can easily be unisex including this one.  Comes in four gorgeous colors including canvas/leather combo.  Prices range from $339 – $499 now with limited quantities left.

Just because Cyber Monday is behind us doesn’t mean all the good deals are gone.  If you are looking for business suits or chic coats for the winter season you can save big at JNY right now with a massive 75% off sale!  Here are our favorites but there is plenty more. Hurry because the sale ends at midnight tonight!

After a hard day at work you definitely deserve a fun night out especially on Fridays.  Here is an easy way to transition from office to out just by switching the accessories. You might not even need to go home to change.  Nice!  We love that both blazers have quarter sleeves so when you wear the blouse, the cuff will show through.  For going out, the sequin jacket & lace booties add a glamorous touch.  Now you can look fashionable at work and refreshed for happy hour!

office – Pants, Blouse, Jacket, Pumps

out – Pants, Blouse, Sequin Blazer, Boots, Clutch, Earrings

As the season changes our wardrobe changes.  Coming up with new & season-appropriate work outfits can be daunting.  We have selected inspirational looks from Fall 2010 Collections to give you ideas on how to be more flexible with key pieces.  Mix and match different styles – incorporate one casual piece such as a simple tee accessorized with a pearl necklace worn with trousers.

Skirts & Dresses – put on a skinny belt to give it a more structured look

(Dsquared2, Dolce & Gabbana, Victoria Beckham, Luca Luca)

Suites & Pants – spice up the suit by layering a fun top underneath

(Doo Ri, Ralph Lauren, Rebecca Taylor, Gucci)

Shirts & Sweaters – chic-ify simple tops with dressy pants or skirts

(Prada, Jason Wu, Rebecca Taylor, Michael Kors)

Jackets & Blazers – play it with different lengths

(Proenza Schouler, Stella McCartney, Blumarine, Marc Jacobs)

Tweed Jackets – these add warmth & style

(Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta, Suno, Chanel)

(photos from style.com)

It has been awhile since I posted the Workchic suit of the week but with Fall just around the corner (I hope!) I couldn’t resist longing for a new suit.  A classic black suit can look instantly updated when paired with a blouse that is right on trend for the season.  Take for example the suit I found at The Limited can be purchased for $250.  That’s right the suit plus the blouse for approx $250!  You can easily go from the office to dinner out on the town with this outfit!  What do you think? 

Stay tuned for next week’s suit of the week!  If you have found a suit you just have to share with us just email us at info@workchic.com or leave a comment below.

I can’t fathom wearing a long sleeve blazer in the weather we are experiencing in New York City.  So I began my search  for some short sleeve blazers that would give me that professional edge of a suit jacket yet still keep me cool in the home stretch of these hot summer days.  I also plan on getting use out of them in the cooler months by layering a cotton or jersey top underneath!  I decided to go to my favorite sale destination in July- The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

This Tweed Short Sleeve Blazer on the left is from Classiques Entier at Nordstrom.  It can be dressed down when worn with denim and a T-shirt underneath.  A ruffled collar and hem add some unexpected femininity to this Alberto Makali khaki jacket giving it the versatility one needs in their work wardrobe.  Not only do I love this Nanette Lepore Jacket being worn as part of a suit but I could see myself also pairing it with a black a-line skirt or charcoal grey wide leg trousers.  I also can’t resist the deep berry color!   Another fave of mine is also by Nanette Lepore.  Instead of a button closure there is a toggle closure which gives this short sleeve jacket just enough edge yet still remains professional for the office.   I love this jacket when it is paired with the matching pants but I would definitely wear it with my black pencil skirt or over my black sheath dress for that perfect business casual look!

These blazers show that you can still be stylish and chic in this heat! Stay tuned every Monday for our Business Casual find of the week!