I was so inspired by the white blouse we showed from Charles Tyrwhitt this morning, I searched out a few more in different size ranges. As you know, basics are a key building block of your work wardrobe. A white blouse is at the top of our list. Since it’s practically summer, we think it’s time to pick up a style that’s a little less basic. Each of these pieces will still achieve the polished finish of your classic long sleeve style, but feel fresh for summer.

Macy’s selection of petites was well rounded with an amazing number of prints. Of course our hunt is for white blouses today, so we selected Alfani Petite Top, Stretch Cotton Rosette Trim Blouse,  INC International Concepts Petite Top, Cap Sleeve Zip Front, and Jones New York Petite Blouse, Cap Sleeve Pleated Georgette each with their own unique details.  Add a skinny belt in black or a summer pop color to the Alfani funnel neck top.

Lane Bryant was the perfect place to start for plus sizes. Sateen short sleeve buckle shirt has flattering shirring at the bust and buckles at the sleeve hem. We were also blown away by the Grecian draping on this Icon Collection draped woven top. A quick stop at Torrid revealed this White Pleated Cap Sleeve Top with tuxedo detailing.

Visiting the Tall Girl Shop we found some nice blouses amongst the Long Tall Sally collection. Buttermere Blouse has embroidery details, lace hem, and back tie to create a flattering waistline. At Banana Republic, Tall eyelet bib top is 100% cotton in a flowing silhouette. We also found Banana Republic Tall 3/4 sleeve safari shirt with rolled cuffs.

These blouses can mix and match within your wardrobe to create Workchic looks all summer long.  Here are a couple more finds in regular sizes.

Short Sleeve Pleated Shirt from Anne Klein is nicely contoured and available in regular and petite sizes. Jones New York Paper Cotton Short Sleeve Wrap Blouse is playful with a voluminous bow.

Happy Shopping!

While shopping Women’s wear at Charles Tyrwhitt., we came across this chic asymmetrical blouse. Crossover neckline is flattering and front and back darts ensure a sleek fit.

We adore this contemporary styling for a wide range of business casual offices. How would you style it with your existing work wardrobe?

Wearing white is almost synonymous with summer. There are some basics we recommend for every woman’s summer work wardrobe. These pieces will make hot days seem just a little bit cooler and make for easy layering. Plus vibrant necklaces, printed skirts, and stunning sandals simply glow against a solid white canvas. Here are some of our must haves for the season.
 
1- Short Sleeve Blouse

A flutter sleeve blouse like, DKNY Jeans Top, Short Sleeve Pleated Blouse for $64, is perfect for summer.
 
 
2- Long Sleeve Blouse

Charter Club Blouse, Long Sleeve Fitted with Polka Dot Accents has a touch of whimsy. Available for $34.98. Multi-Button Classic Shirt is $44.50.
  
  
3- T-shirt

Scoop Basic Tee has a fitted silhouette and is available for $24.50.
  
  
4- Layering Tank

Ruffle Seamless Tank adds a touch of feminine style for $29.50. Exclusively Misook Scoopneck Tank is constructed of machine washable, wrinkle-free synthetic yarn with the look and feel of silk and the durability of wool.
 
   
5- Demi-cami

Sara Demi-Cami from Second Base is perfect for layering under low cut dresses and blouses. Available for $29.

Each of these pieces will be easy go-to solutions all summer long. Stay tuned for more Workchic basics to keep your work wardrobe polished all year round.

We all know the importance of those go-to black pants. What we also all know is, sometimes they can be impossible to find. Melissa and I have been struggling with these ourselves lately. Sometimes you try on 20 pairs and don’t find a single one that fits!

So what’s the solution? And how can you make shopping for the perfect black pants easier online? We have a few suggestions.

The first step is to identify which fit is most flattering on you.

We find a boot cut or straight leg to be the most universally flattering. You want a nice line falling from the hips. A flare will work better with heels then flats. Wide and skinny legs can look trendier. If you like either of these looks, we recommend having them as an option and also having a more traditional cut to balance your selection. This way you won’t be limited in the morning to blouses that work with those styles.

Secondly, know your size. We have created a universal fit chart to help guide you in the right direction. Since each brand cultivates their own measurements, we’ve also provided quick links to some of our stores. You will find more companies publishing not only their fit charts, but also garment measurements, customers review on fit, and even tell you what size the model is wearing. Tobi is a great example of a website giving you all this info and more. We found these Theory Max C Trousers that come in black as well.

Third, consider the fabric options. Do you want wool lined pants, or summer weight cotton? This will also affect the fit. A lined pant tends to smooth and shape, but will also be more costly to tailor. A lighter weight or fitted style with stretch worn to tightly can show details you may not want your co-workers to see. You may need to adjust your sizing to avoid any mishaps. Dressy Stretch Bootleg Trouser from Jones New York has a contoured waistband for optimal fit. You can also reference a fabric glossary on their site to help you make your purchasing decision.

Armed with this information you can quickly eliminate those styles that will not be right for you. Then it’s time to go shopping. Here are a few styles we love in different categories and fits.

Petite
Banana Republic Womens Black Petite 215 Martin Classic Trouser Pant

Plus
Lane Bryant Right Fit Lafayette pant

Tall
New York & Company Women’s Brown, Red 7th Avenue Bootcut Pants – Tall

For more Workchic styles visit our pants section and sort by price, office environment and size to find your perfect style. Stay tuned for more tips on utilizing your basics to create chic outfits for your office.

We all have our days. Sometimes you don’t want to get out of bed, let alone dress to impress. We understand. That’s what we’re here for- to take the stress out of getting dressed for work. Even when you don’t want to put in the effort to look presentable, you should have a couple of simple outfits that always look polished and chic. After all, you never know who will be standing behind you in the line at Starbucks.

So how do you achieve truly effortless style? It comes back to your basics. They will be a lifesaver time and again, even if you are running late to the office.

One of our favorites is the little black dress, always classic, always chic. And it’s one piece! It doesn’t get much easier then that! All you need is shoes, maybe a necklace, grab your favorite bag and you can leave the house.

Not a fan of all black? A printed dress can have the same impact without even adding accessories.

For another last minute option, you should always have a pair of black pants ready. They go with just about anything. If you’re truly having a bad start to your day, shimmy into these pants. Then we have two options for cheering yourself up so you can start your day with confidence. Our first choice would be to wear your absolute favorite shirt (graphic tees do not apply) under a blazer to add a bit of professionalism. Option two is a basic blouse or tee and pile on the necklaces. A little glitz is sure to wake you up. Again a blazer or cardigan can take this look from casual to office appropriate in the blink of an eye.

Don’t let running late ruin your day. Instead try one of these simple suggestions to turn your morning around. Presenting yourself professionally is always important. It will also lift your spirits so you are more prepared to take on the day. This month we have focused on ways you can reinvent yourself the Workchic way. Don’t let one hectic morning come between you and your Workchic style. Organize your closet so that these outfits are ready and waiting for you.  Good Luck and Happy Shopping!

We’ve told you how we plan to help you jump start 2010 with chic style, top notch career advice, and even some life and nutrition tips.  Now it’s time to dive in at the foundation- Your Basics!

These are the key building blocks of your professional wardrobe. Whether you have a last minute meeting or a hectic morning, with these pieces you will never have another “I have nothing to wear” moment.  We’ve discussed some of these items in previous blog entries but here we will reiterate our top 10 must haves for your work wardrobe.

1- Black Pants
2- Solid Skirt
3- White Blouse
4- Fitted Blazer
5- Cardigan
6- Solid Dress
7- Black Shoes
8- White and Black Tshirt
9- Classic Watch
10- Tote Bag that will fit your resume

With these pieces alone you could make several outfits for the office. Here’s an example using your black A-line skirt, tshirt, cardigan, black heels, watch, and tote bag. You are instantly Workchic!

Styles shown from:
Jones New York: Black Ponte Belted Skirt, Ships 1/7, The Ruffle Trim V Neck Cardigan in grey, White Solid Puff Sleeve Tee.
Nine West: Barbe pointed toe pump, Amelia Laptop Tote
Dillard’s: Emporio Armani Classic Black-Dial Watch

Now you can personalize this outfit with a statement necklace, chandelier earrings, or swap out the tshirt for a printed blouse.  We pulled the Artemus Stone Necklace and Gemma Stone Earrings from Stella & Dot and also selected Hanii Y Brick Print Blouse as an unexpected alternative from shopbop.com.

To keep you moving in the right direction we have created 4 more looks building on your basics. Check them out and shop now for regular, petite, tall, or plus sizes.
 
 
For Petite ladies we started with a basic black dress and built up a business casual outfit from there.  Fashion cardigans can be just as useful as your basics when pairing them with neutral colors. That’s why we selected the pop of pink to highlight this wrap dress. The delicate nature of this styling called for your basic black flats as well. Cluster drop earrings and Celtic knot inspired ring completes your simple and professional look.

Styles shown from:
The Limited: Draped Wrapped Dress, Grosgrain Flower Cardigan, Cluster Drop Earrings, Crazy Eight Ring
Heels.com: Tamia Flat – Black
 
 
For Plus Sizes we used your black blazer, pumps, and tote bag.  For your personal touch of style, instead of a basic black dress we showcased one with a bold graphic print along the hem. To keep things office appropriate try a Second Base Demi-Cami underneath (newly available in plus sizes). Finish the look with teardrop earrings and black stud bracelet.

Styles shown from:
Lane Bryant: Black Knit Dress, Updated career jacket, Flame teardrop earrings
Dillard’s: Liz Claiborne New York Beaded Stretch Bracelet, Jessica Simpson “Josette” Peep Toe Pump, Fossil “Hathaway” Glazed Leather Tote

  
For all you tall ladies, we understand your issues finding pants and shirts that are the right length. So that’s where we started with your outfit. We pulled black pants and a white dress shirt to lay the foundation. Then we added on a pink cotton scarf from Silk Road Spirit, skinny belt, and copper bracelet. To finish the look we pulled back in your basic black flats.

Styles shown from:
Banana Republic: Banana Republic Womens Silky Coal Martin Skinny Pant, Banana Republic Tall french cuff shirt, Banana Republic Skinny stone-belt, Banana Republic Sandie knotted peep toe flat
Dillard’s: Fossil Stretch Bracelet
 
 
As you can see having these core pieces in your wardrobe make building outfits easier and more fun. After all, accessories always look best glinting off a simple palette.  We want you to feel comfortable and confident in your clothing. It should be an afterthought once you walk out the door. Take one last look in the mirror then get down to business. Stay tuned while we turn some or our focus to your successful career.

Over the last couple of months we have talked about updating your basics and building a solid foundation for your work wardrobe. With the holidays upon us, we are going to give you a break for a couple of weeks. First, we want to look back at the five key pieces we have updated and put together a few more chic outfits with fun accessories.

LBD too Red by Workchic featuring Banana Republic

We showed you the black wrap dress and rounded toe pumps previously. Add some color with a Second Base demi-cami in a vibrant scarlet that’s carried into the earrings. The crystal rings in this bracelet from Heart’s Desire will pull any color in the rainbow. Let it play red today and look brand new tomorrow against something blue. Together these pieces will update your classic LBD and make it seasonally fresh.

Basics Combine by Workchic featuring Banana Republic

Our second look contains a blouse, skirt, cardigan, and ballet flats we’ve shown you before. But did you ever think about putting them together? Don’t worry, we did it for you. Then warmed it up with a colorful scarf from Silk Road Spirit. Together or separate these pieces are classically feminine and chic.

Did you miss any of the fun. You can go back and check out our post on Cardigans, Skirts, Black Shoes, White Blouses, or Classic LBD’s at any time. After the holidays we will return with tailored blazers, black trousers, and more key items to round out your perfect, professional wardrobe. 

We use Polyvore to help us organize these looks to share with you. You can check out more of our Polyvore outfits and start creating some of your own by visiting Polyvore.com today!

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.

As we discuss updating your basics, one area we must touch on is black shoes. After a little shopping this weekend we were very inspired to discuss the subject.  Depending on your lifestyle, this may be a ballet flat or a 3″ stiletto. In our book it’s one of each.  Check out our post on Polyvore to see how to work black shoes into your work wardrobe. Plus we’ve selected some of our favorite styles under $100 from Piperlime so you can start shopping today!

Very classic styles do not have any embellishments on them. They can be round or pointed toe, thick or thin heel, no heel at all, or anything in-between. Some styles we love in this category are:

Pointed Toe: Women’s shoes/bags: Enzo Angiolini Natia – Black $89
Rounded Toe: Women’s shoes/bags: Jessica Simpson Jessica – Black leather $69
Ballet Flat: Women’s shoes/bags: Kenneth Cole Reaction Slip On By – Black patent $59

Your go-to black shoe does not need to be as simple as our first three options. It all depends on your personal style.  We love peep-toes, buckles, stitching, ruffles, and charms to liven up our favorite shoes.  These added accessories do not mean we wear them less. In fact, we probably wear them more because they are so fun.

Women’s shoes/bags: Nine West Namely – Black $79
Women’s shoes/bags: Naturalizer Hilary – Black $75
Women’s shoes/bags: Two Lips Parker – Black $80
Women’s shoes/bags: Enzo Angiolini Rubies – Black $89
Women’s shoes/bags: AK Anne Klein Wake – Black suede $89
Women’s shoes/bags: Seychelles Runway – Black $80

Any of these styles will easily update your work wardrobe and make getting dressed that much simpler in the morning. While we had fun looking at different styles and creating outfits on Polyvore, these shoes really are a basic. You may be tempted to pick them up in red, silver, or a fun animal print- today let’s stick to the basics. Make sure you have this area covered and then start shopping for the extras. 

Whenever you set out to build something it is always important to start with a strong foundation. This goes for your work wardrobe as well. Without sturdy building blocks you cannot create a stable and professional look. 

We think Fall is the perfect time to take a look at your wardrobe and make sure you have all the right pieces to build around.  You will be putting away your flimsy summer clothes and relying on more durable styles. Over the next two weeks we’d like you to take a look at styles you would consider the basics of your wardrobe. What shape are they in? Make sure they still fit, the hems are intact, and none of your buttons are missing.  Have any blemishes repaired.  These are the go to pieces in your wardrobe, they need to be ready!

What do we consider basics?  Black is generally considered a core basic in almost any article of clothing. We want you to take a look at the colors in your wardrobe and identify the best neutral shades to compliment your wardrobe.  This may be brown, charcoal, or even olive.  Here are some more items we will be covering over the coming months.

1- Black Pants
2- Solid Skirt
3- White Blouse
4- Fitted Blazer
5- Cardigan
6- Solid Dress
7- Black Shoes
8- White and Black Tshirt
To name a few of the looks we will be reviewing.

We will be showing you styles by size and highlight unique details to make your basics feel special. We will also work with Polyvore to show you how important basics are to making your outfits simple and chic. For example, this outfit utilizes your black pants, white blouse, and cardigan. Then popped the look with shoes and jewelry.

Classic Business Casual by Workchic featuring Antica Murrina jewelry

Ready to take initiative and put your best shoe forward? We are here to help. Keep an eye out for our bi-monthly post on updating your basics.  If you have questions send them to info@workchic.com. We also have our Fitting Room Series every Friday to help you find the right silhouettes.  So stay tuned and start sorting out your closet.