Gap.com is a great source for business casual sweaters, pants, and more.  For a limited time only! Get 25% off regularly priced Gap merchandise. Enter GIFT123 at check out. Shop now while supplies last!  

We selected some of the best styles to create chic business casual looks to carry you stylishly through the winter.

This colorblocked cardigan can stand on it’s own or stand out with a scarf highlighted in hot pink. Finish the look with black wide leg trousers and pointed toe ballet flats.
Women: Colorblock cardigan – heather gray
Women: Wide leg trousers – true black
Women: Striped scarf – comet blue
Women: Sparkle flats – caviar

Feminize a military jacket with subtle ruffle trim then up the volume in a textured blouse. We paired this with denim trousers. This outfit is ideal for a business casual office, if you have a meeting on a casual Friday. You’ll still be in denim like your coworkers, but you’ll be dressed to present.  Red duffle bag is an unexpected pop of color and can have you ready for the weekend.
Women: Ruffle-trimmed military jacket – charcoal
Women: Ribbon-trim textured-stripe shirt – optic white
Women: Hip-slung flare leg denim trousers – denim
Women: Wool-blend duffle bag – cinnabar red

Shop now before coupon expires on November 22nd. Use coupon code GIFT23 at check out and save 25%.  Happy Shopping!

We went shopping around some of our favorite stores and selected a mix of basics and business casual pieces perfect for updating your work wardrobe. Then we decided to mix and match these styles to see how many outfits we could create. 

Pants: Black: City Stretch Welt Pocket Pants- Average 39.95 on sale for $19.95; Grey: Women: Straight fit flare pants – grey pearl $54.50
Dress: Color By Number Dress $69.99
Tops: Blouse: City Stretch Bias Plaid French Cuff Shirt $29.95; Tshirt: Women: Women’s Puff-Sleeve Tees – Cabot Cove $12.50 on sale for $5; Cardigan: Women: Women’s Lightweight Boyfriend Cardigans – Bright White 29.50; Blouse Ruffle Top $18.99
Necklace: Faceted Bead Necklace  $6.99
Shoes: Women’s shoes: Rampage Maycee – Black patent $39.99
Belt: City Style Gem Plaque Belt $22.95

That’s 10 pieces for under $300! Take a look at how many outfits we created:

Of course we are not suggesting you wear these outfits back to back, but you can see how you can utilize a few pieces in your closet to make a full business casual wardrobe.  Start shopping and see how many outfits you can put together.

As you know Workchic has a long list of stores we turn to for office appropriate fashion. We also have a few favorites for tall sizes that you may or may not know about.

New York and Company has you covered from Suits to Denim.  We love this cotton blend jacket in white for simple yet sophisticated spring and summer looks. Dress it up for a more professional style with Sharkskin trousers. For a casual day at the office, pair it with dark rinse denim.  Shop now to take advantage of sales and discounts. These jeans are currently only $14.99!

We love the tops Banana Republic adds to their tall collections. Both of these styles would look very chic underneath that white jacket.  One of our favorite items is their dresses. Length is so important, especially when heading to the office.  Banana Republic make sure you will look appropriate and chic with these dresses. 

Eddie Bauer also has a great selection and offers many of their styles in Tall sizes.  We love this Stretch Poplin Skirt. It comes in two different print and color options and will last you right through Spring and Summer.  This Roll-Sleeve Safari Dress will be best suited for more casual days, but would also be perfect for the company picnic.  Eddie Bauer also offers tops by fit. So not only can you find your perfect length, you can chose from shaped, classic, or easy fit. We selected this Fine-Gauge Cardigan in a classic fit, perfect for chilly mornings and offices.

Check out these stores for great Spring fashions and Sales going on now!  They will have you set for any office environment. For Business Professional start with Banana Republic then fill in with New York and Company. For Business Casual start with New York and Company and fill in with either of the other two. You can can also check out Old Navy for more business casual and casual looks. If your office is casual head straight to Eddie Bauer to get started.  Have fun shopping and let us know what you find or if you have a favorite store.

The BCBG Max Azria show hit runways this past Friday.  Their geometric and uniquely tailored construction lend the collection toward work wardrobe styling.  Though we don’t recommend the metallic tights in the office.

Overall the collection had a very serious feel with minimal color and more monochromatic looks.  Softly draped necklines paired with a more fitted waist and soft skirts look feminine and fiercely chic all at once.  We love the way these first two jersey dresses conform to the models while the velvet and silk piecing adds an artistic line.

The striped dress is a bit more casual with a dropped waistband and over-sized bow at the collar.  Printing the stripes in grey and white has a tonal effect that keeps the look from being overwhelming.  This white suit can practically be worn off the runway into the office.  We are seeing a trend toward ready-to-wear collections walking down the runway instead of the more avant garde stylings.  Though there are still plenty of pieces you wouldn’t rock to the club let alone the office.  We’ll keep our posts to office friendly styles for you.

So how do you get the look now?  Here are our top picks in Spring colors from BCBG Max Azria.  The dresses sport geometric details and nipped in waists as shown on the Fall runway.  Add a blazer or cardigan until the weather warms up or to beat the chill in your office.

Since we don’t wear dresses everyday, trying pairing these tops with dress pants for a business casual office.  The bright rasberry style compliments the striped dress from the runways with it’s drop waist and collar details.  This color is much more appropriate for Spring and would look equally nice with charcoal slacks or dark wash denim.  Love the stripes?  Try these wide leg seersucker pants.  They are more casual and trendy so we do not recommend them for a conservative office.  Also you may want to size up.  Tight stripes are not flattering on any body type.  It’s better to buy them a little loose and have them tailored to your unique shape.  Top them off with this cap sleeved silk blouse comlete with draped ruffle details.

 

We love pouring over the runway looks every season but remember it’s Spring not Fall.  Embrace these details from BCBG Max Azria in Spring colors and fabrics.  Update your work wardrobe today.  To see more from NY fashion week, check Workchic’s blogs daily.

Runway photos from Style.com.

Our friend Mallory just achieved the 3 month mark in her new job.  Congrats Mallory!  During these past 12 weeks we have seen her transform from college student to hard working professional.  A little shy when it came to the shopping experience, Mallory has conquered her fears and can tell us all a thing or two about bargain shopping.  Here are her thoughts.. 

What bargains have you found this month?  We would love to hear about them!

Happy Shopping from Workchic.com! 

For the last couple of months, every other Thursday, we have told you how to update the basics in your closet. We feel this is very important. Creating a work wardrobe is not just about buying fun fashion pieces, though we want you to have those too, you have to first build a great foundation to add the more stylish items too. So today we are going to go back and recap the basics we have discussed so far while putting together great outfits using these basics and a few of the fashion pieces you have been craving. Ready to shop?

We started with:
White Dress Shirt * Black Pants * Cardigans * Black Pumps * Black Skirts
and showed them to you in contemporary, petite, and plus sizes. Now we are going to make two some business casual outfits in each of these sizes.

Contemporary Sizes: Let’s start with black pants, red cardigan, and black flats. Then add a plaid blouse, splurge on a grey handbag, and accessorize with a black watch.

Banana Republic, $98, Women: Martin lightweight wool trouser – Black
Old Navy, $26.50, Women: Women’s Rib-Knit V-Neck Cardigans – Crimson Red
Piperlime, $50, Women’s shoes: Rampage Hipster – Black


Quicksilver, $77.99, Plaid Ruffle Front Shirt
Piperlime, $269.50, Women’s handbags: Olivia Harris Tubular Ball Hobo – Grey with black and green
Ladies Leather Watch, $66.50, Buffalo – B542LBLK

Next let’s but together a look using your full black skirt, white dress shirt, and black boots. Then we will accessorize using a black belt and opaque tights. Wear this dress shirt updated with the bow, or remove the bow and add a beaded necklace instead.

Lord & Taylor, $38.69, LAUREN RALPH LAUREN Ozzie Silk Skirt
Lord & Taylor, $99.59, Ellen Tracy Button Front Shirt with Removable Tie
Naturalizer, $55.99, Black Boot featuring N5 comfort system
Lord & Taylor, $40, Betsey Johnson Wide Black Patent Belt
Bebe, $24, Textured Rib Tights
My Jewelry Box, $44.99, Multi-color Fresh Water Beaded 7-10mm Pearl Necklace 36 inch

Petite Sizes: Slim black pencil skirts with a belted cardigan look amazing on petite frames. Wear your black pumps and add jewelry for more personal style. Don’t forget to add a cami underneath this cardigan.

Petite Sophisticate, $27.65, Stretch Twill Pencil Skirt

Fossil, $58, Wine Logan Cardigan
Old Navy, $7.99, Women: Women’s Cinched Waist Camis – Stainless Steel
Onlineshoes.com, $89.95, Trotters Nadia Black Pump


Lucky Brand Jeans, $65, Enamel Plate Necklace

Lucky Brand Jeans, $64,

Next let’s make an outfit using your black pants, white dress shirt, and ankle boots. We’ll add a purple tote and belt to accessorize the look.

Banana Republic, $79, Petites: Petite jackson stretch trouser – Black

Banana Republic, $69, Petites: Petite fitted ruffle-front tuxedo shirt – White

Piperlime, $55, Women’s shoes: Unlisted by Kenneth Cole Ready To Spike – Black

Piperlime, $99, Women’s handbags: Melie Bianco Frame Lock – Purple

Brooks Brothers, $168, Striped Silk/Wool Oblong Scarf

French Connection, $55.99, Croc Belt

Plus Sizes: Before selecting these styles, we spoke to Johara from Luvin’ My Curves. Here’s what she had to say. “Basics are essentials to ANY girl’s closet, whether she loves or loathes clothes; they are the perfect combination of versatility, serving both as a foundation to build upon or the perfect add-on to make that outfit “just right”. It can tone down a loud outfit or add a touch of elegance to something that’s extra casual – If you have no basics, you have no foundation. If you don’t have a foundation, your closet needs some help!” Now, let’s put together an outfit utilizing these great foundation pieces. We will use your black pants, white blouse, cardigan, and black flats. Then we will add a red bag, sleek black belt, and red beaded necklace.

CJ Banks, $45.50, Textured Stripe Pant

CJ Banks, $39.50, Fitted Layering Shirt

Old Navy, $39.50, Women’s Plus: Women’s Plus Rosette Cardigans – Light Heather Gray

Piperlime, $98, Women’s shoes: Boutique 9 Stanton – Black suede
Piperlime, $62, Women’s handbags: Chinese Laundry Ring Tote – Red


Old Navy, $22.50, Women’s Plus: Women’s Plus Leather Belts – Black

Old Navy, $12.50, Women: Women’s Faceted Bauble Necklaces – Crimson Red

Next let’s use your black skirt and pair it with a blue knit top and jacquard jacket. Then we will add some oxford pumps, a dark blue wallet, and fun printed scarf.

Lord & Taylor, $53.09, Calvin Klein Yoke Skirt
Kohl’s, $21, daisy fuentes pintuck tee
Kohl’s, $42, Sag Harbor Jacquard Jacket
Endless, $98.90, GUESS by Marciano Women’s Yerex Pump

Endless, $95, Lodis Veloce French Wallet
Fossil, $34, Green Dots Leslee Scarf

Now that we have put together a few great business casual looks, you have no excuse but to have a workchic closet at your disposal. We aren’t quite done building out this foundation, but we are going to give you a break until after the holidays. In January we will talk about cleaning out your closets and picking up some more necessary basics. You still don’t have a go-to blazer, or great bag big enough to slip a fresh resume into. Not to mention our ladies with more casual offices who made need a new pair of dark wash denim. We assume anyone with a business office has a wardrobe full of suits, but how is that go-to black suit looking these days? So we have lots more to talk about. Until then we will let you have some fun. Look for blogs on stylish accessories, gift guides, and all your favorites like recaps on the CW’s Stylista over the coming weeks.

Speaking of the holidays, have you signed up for our Workchic Newsletter? Our first round of coupons went out today!

Remember, start with your basics, then have some fun with prints and accessories so you always look Workchic!

Two weeks ago we started our series on updating your basics. We showed you classic white shirt options and some styles with a fashion twist. Now we need to talk about what you are wearing these shirts with. Regardless if you went classic, updated, or picked up one of each, black pants are the easiest solution.

Black pants are your ultimate office staple. While you may need to make more of an investment here, the amount of use will make them well worth the price. Keep reading to find a pair in your size and some useful coupons to help keep them in your budget. As you browse you will notice that we have avoided pants with flair legs and pleated waists. We tried to suggest styles that are most flattering for the majority of body types and basic enough to carry you through many seasons. Let’s get started!

Contemporary Sizes: When looking for professional trousers in black, the first store we thought of was Brooks Brothers. Here is a pair of slim fit Wool Gabardine Catherine™ Trousers. We also found a pair of Plain-Front Fluid Stretch Dress Trousers in a wide leg, also available in Petite. These Margaret M Cuffed Pants are from Dilliards as well this Sleek Straight Leg style. Any of these styles will make an excellent building block for your work wardrobe.
Shopping on a budget? Try Gap, their pants are also available in Petite and Tall. Women: Straight leg pants – black or Women: Demi boot cut pants – black are two of our favorite choices.

Petite Sizes: As we mentioned both of the Gap styles shown above are available in petite sizes; as well as the Brooks Brothers wide leg pant. With a contoured waistband and straight leg, these Petite Wool Trousers are another great Brooks Brothers style.
These next pieces are on sale, so don’t hesitate, great sales items sell out quickly. Petite Sophisticate has a fully lined side zip trouser; the 7th Avenue Pant is from New York and Company; and save big on this Atelier Beason Straight Leg Pantfrom SmartBargains.

Plus Sizes: We’ve gone back to Dillards for plus sizes and found these Nygard Wide-Leg Pantsand fully lined Jones New York Pants. This Textured Pantfrom Bedford Fair lifestyles not only has a matching jacket, it is also available in regular and petite sizes. Visit Lane Bryant and pick up a universally flattering Houston Pant finished with a cuffed hem.

We hope you found the perfect black pants to update your work wardrobe. Wear these with you new white blouse and a beaded necklace and show up at the office looking Workchic!
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Brooks Brothers has two different sales happening right now. First, Save $10 when you register at Brooksbrothers.com. Then Save up to $200 on women’s clothing & accessories at Brooks Brothers – Offer Code WWFA08. This discounts ends in a few days, so shop now!
New York and company is offering buy one get one 1/2 off on select pants plus free shipping on orders over $75. We also have discounts from Eddie Bauer, Bedford Fair, and Lane Bryant. Shop now to take advantage of these sales!

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We will be discussing cardigans in two weeks. Be sure to check back or sign up for our RSS feed and stay up to date on everything discussed at Workchic.com!

It’s a new year filled with new goals and resolutions. Here at workchic.com we want you to make a resolution to Work Chic! Start with these resolutions:

1) Update your basics

Basics are an important part of every work wardrobe, but they get tired and worn out. Take a look at yours and replace anything that is not up to par.

2) Pick your favorite new trend and buy one piece

Color is big for Spring, from pastels to neon pop colors. A new sweater in your favorite Spring color will compliment your new basics.

3) Don’t let winter bring you or your outfit down

Keep your look fresh with new winter accessories. And keep a pair of flats under your desk so you can discard those winter boots when you get in the office.

Remember spring is right around the corner and some new trends are popping up all over the magazines. Check back here soon. We will be bringing you more great tips to keep your look workchic!