So far this month you have cleaned out your closet, updated your basics, and dropped off select pieces at the tailor. Now you want to make your work wardrobe feel fresh but don’t want to spend a fortune. Don’t worry; we are here to help you with that too.  We recommend setting a seasonal budget and allocating between basics, tops, and accessories to maximize your impact.

Once you’ve taken the time to get your basic foundation pieces in place- have fun with accessories. A statement necklace makes a tee and cardigan feel fresh. This Double Stranded Bead Necklacefrom Charlotte Russe is only $6.99. The
Beaded Dangle Earrings are only $4 and will draw attention up to your face.  Never under estimate the power of a scarf to update your look. This Linen style from Silk Road Spirit is $27.95 and can be styled in many ways.  That’s less than $40 on three new looks.
 

Blouses are what make the biggest change to your work wardrobe. After all you spend most of your time seated at a desk.  Selecting one piece in a fun print will liven up your look mid week.  To learn which prints are right for your age and office, check out our post on trends at any age.  New York & Company Women’s Grey Floral Drop Shoulder Slouchy Sweater is available for $39.95.  Brustroke Blouse from Apt 9 is $21.99 and AB Studio Circle Yoryu Blouse in green chiffon is $24.99 at Kohl’s. 

Color makes a big impact, but so does style and texture. That’s why this Bow Detail Crew from The Limited caught our eye at $29.99 along with Laura Ashley CROSS PLEAT BIB BLOUSE.  Our final blouse selection is from Modcloth.com.  Love ‘Em and Leaf ‘Em Top top is $29.99.

If you’re on a tight budget and want the maximum impact, keep your bottoms basic.  Use your budget on high impact accessories and unique blouses.   The six styles we selected add up to less than $200. Select your favorites, add on some accessories, and maximize your basics.  Challenge yourself to create as many unique looks for the office as you can. Happy Shopping!

MaxStudio.com has a great range of products for your office. If you haven’t checked them out before, now’s the time. 10% off for FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS with coupon code “WelcomeMax.”  You can shop by category or outfit, plus they have a sale and super sale section.  Here are a few of the pieces we are coveting for the office.

These tops can be mixed and matched into business casual or casual outfits. Layer the cardigan over short sleeve tops for simple fall layers. You can can also tame volume with a belt or blazer.

With constantly unpredictable weather, having a great trench on hand is key. From wool to lux jacquard, you will be set for many occasions. Start shopping today and take advantage of his first time customer sale. Not a first time customer? Then you already know how chic Maxstudio.com is.  Let’s go shopping!

Soft and feminine florals are easy to pull off in the Spring. Keep this trend fresh during fall months too!  Look for patterns in long sleeve blouses or wear layers over you favorite Summer pieces. 

Some patterns have more of a fall color story then others. If you are shopping now, look for dusty tones and less tropical florals like these two dresses from Modcloth.com. The Phipps Dress has bold color impact but is toned down with purple hues. Pair with a light tan jacket for the office. Our second dress, Spring Benefit Dress,also plays up lavender shades and then grounds them in black. Pair this with opaque tights and heels for the season and finish the look with a belted cardigan for your business casual office.

Some prints hint at floral without a full on garden scene. For example, this Printed Petite Blousefrom TheLimited.com has abstract brush strokes that could easily be interpreted into flowers. We also found a great blouse to layer under you suits. You can imagine painted daffodils poking out from the release pleats in the sparkling midnight print on this Pleat Neckline Top.

Styles from ShopBop.com may be a little more of a splurge, but now that you know how to make florals season-less, we thought they were worth a peek. Catherine Malandrino Belted Floral Dressis so classic and chic it can be worn for years. Belting the dolman sleeve silk dress gives it a flattering shape.  Another way to embrace floral is with your accessories.  Felix Rey Zip Top Flower Clutch is fun for more casual days in the office. Or just keep it in your tote for a little pop when you run out for coffee.

To help bring these styles into fall- add layers. They will keep you warm and add professionalism to your look. We have lots of jackets and cardigans available on the site. You can shop these great stores and more all in one place. Look for more of our tips on transitioning your wardrobe into fall.  If you have questions, send them to info@workchic.com today!

We received a great questions from one of our readers. She wrote the following:

“I am required to wear all black to my job. I work in retail sales and the dress code is business casual or business depending on the department you work in. Usually I wear black dress pants and a button down or knit top.  What can I do to feel more unique with this limited dress code?

This is a great question Rachel! Even without color limitation dress codes can feel stifling. But they should not, you still have plenty of room to express your individuality. Here are some of our creative ways to showcase your own style.

Since you usually wear pants, try mixing things up with a dress or skirt. This Max and Cleo Dress has a fun bead detail to accentuate the waist. If you are aloud a splash of color, as long as the majority of your outfit is black, try this Floral Jersey Dress.

When selecting tops, try to find something with one interesting detail. This Giedre Blouse for example has a pleated stand up collar. This EMBROIDERED CRINKLE SILK BLOUSEwill look chic over a simple cami with trousers or an A-line skirt.

Another way to create individuality is with accessories. We kept our selections to black, but if you can add color, this is the perfect place to do so.  This Seed-Bead Necklace also has a chain link styling.  Just putting a Steve Madden Ruffle-Edge Belt around a simple cardigan will add some interest.

We hope this helps you update your work wardrobe. Since we are going into cooler weather, add layers and play with different fabric and textures.  This will help give your outfits added interest. 

Our goal is to help take the stress out of getting dressed for work while still maintaining a feminine, professional, and chic image. If you have questions on how to do this, send them our way. Just email info@workchic.com. We look forward to helping you dress to impress!

The full line will be available on Workchic in a few weeks, but today we just had to give you a sneak peak. We have been doing some shopping ourselves and found some very Workchic looks to share with you. These next outfits are right from our own shopping carts!

I fell in love with this skirt and knit top combination! Pair it with a beaded bracelet and black tote to finish the look. I pulled a pair of peep toe pumps out of my closet too.

Ribbon Detail Tee, $39.50

Bold Box-Pleat Skirt, Reg $59.50, currently on sale for $29.75
Bead and Metal Stretch Bracelet, $22.50
Grommet Hobo, $59.50

This black and white skirt is on Melissa’s radar. She will look chic wearing it tucked in and accessorized with a belt. Finish the look with a sophisticated necklace and clustered earrings.

Applique Afternoon Skirt, reg $69.50 on sale for $34.75
Bib Pleat Button Front Shirt, reg $44.50 on sale for $22.25
Obi Belt, $34.50
Sculptural Bead Pendant Necklace, $22.50
Beaded Cluster Earrings, $19.50

Here are a few more styles we love, with a little more color, from TheLimited.com. They put together a collection accentuated with painterly prints in fall tones called Art Works.  Some of our favorite styles include the Fan Detail Top, Ribbon Zipper Tank Dress, and Pleated Ruffle Neck Top.

We are excited to have The Limited on board and hope you are too. Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

It may be difficult to put together stylish looks when you know finger paint is in your near future. You can still look chic and professional whether working as a nanny, preschool teacher, or with any small children. Our keys to your work wardrobe success are easy care washable items. Not only do you want to look pulled together for your personal image, but it will give you confidence when meeting with the child’s parents or your administrator.  We will also cover what to wear when interviewing for these positions.

For day to day activity we like khaki’s instead of denim. We had fun with a floral printed blouse and added a light weight cardigan. Finish the look with on the move ballet flats.

Women: Straight khaki trousers – mission tan, $49.50 available in regular, petite, and tall.
Women: Women’s Sheer Ruffle-Trim Shirts – Purple Floral, $24.50
Women: Women’s Shirred Lightweight Cardigans – Bradley Brown, $14.50
Women’s shoes/bags: Very Volatile Betty Suede – Brown, $60
We found this whole outfit within Gap shops, so you only have one shipping charge!

When interviewing, step it up another level. Now is a great time to wear a skirt or dress. We went with a simple wrap dress it is sophisticated without looking like you’re afraid to get dirty. We layered a cami underneath and paired with a low wedge. The adorable bag will fit your resume perfectly, but is also a diaper bag so your are work ready.

stretch rayon dress, $79.50
Nunzia – Baby “J” Baby Bag, $129.00
Etienne Aigner Women’s Garrity Peep-Toe Wedge, $65.95
Gypsy Brass Necklace, $70.00
Women: Women’s Shelf-Bra Camis – Lead Pipe, $12.50
Geneva Platinum 7198 (Women’s) – Black/Gold, $33.45

Keep these in mind the next time you are about to slip into your jeans. You can put together these casual chic looks just as quickly and easily. If you are planning to wear blue jeans, pair them with printed blouses or belted cardigans and keep the cartoon tees at home. Ballet flats are a stylish alternative to sneakers or flip flops in the summer. We know taking care of children and helping to educate them for the future is not an easy job. We’re here to help you with the style portion- now go do a little “back to school” shopping!

Tops and blouses are a fast way to update your work wardrobe with immediate and recognizable impact.  Here we selected some styles by size and office type.  It’s amazing what a blouse can do!

Petite Office Tops by Workchic featuring Dorothy Perkins

If you have a petite frame and are looking for a unique piece to add to your work wardrobe, keep the details smaller.  For a casual office we chose a neutral shade, yes olive is a neutral, and let the embroidery be the focal point. In a business casual office we selected a bold cobalt blue with subtle ruffles along the placket. For business we chose a printed blouse then layered on a black jacket to tone down the effect.  Finish you business and business casual looks with a black A-line skirt and neutral heels. These heels, the bracelet, and earrings are selected to go with all three looks. Now you can see how versatile a blouse really can be.

Plus Size Work Blouses by Workchic featuring Old Navy

We chose bold prints to update your work wardrobe if you shop plus sizes.  Pops of color show style in a casual office, while a more geometric design is ideal in a business office. For business casual we played with animal print in a tie-waist cardigan. Here you have black ballet flats with a woven strap across the toe, a leather tote, and bronze pearls to complete these three office looks.

Workchic Blouses by Workchic featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

For standard sizes we played with ivory blouses and black details. For a casual office we went back to bohemian embroidery and styling but paired it with a denim skirt and sleek black wedges to keep the effect chic and modern. A lacy cardigan is perfect for business casual, while a tie neck blouse commands attention in ivory with black placket and tie. Wear it under a charcoal suit with the wedges and lace inspired earrings. Take this look right to your desk with a pretty black and white desk tray.

As you can see a blouse can makeover your entire look. We even kept the same accessories for each office environment. Keep this in mind when you are shopping.  Many office have different dress codes on different days of the week. If you plan your outfits you can multi-purpose your accessories for each style. Have fun shopping!

Every season we try to give you a way to update your work wardrobe for under $100.  Summer is here so we found 5 pieces you can buy, one for every day of the week, to update your look now.

Start with a sleeveless blouse in a Rose Ikat Print. This one is available at Target, Merona Sleeveless Ruffle Top, $14.99. Pair it with black or navy trousers for the office.

We found this City Stretch Tiered Print Dress at New York & Company currently on sale for $30.05.  If the neckline is to low or revealing try layering a lavender cami underneath.

Wedges look perfect with summer dresses and these will look equally chic with denim for casual days in the office.  Pick up Diba Women’s Delight Wedge Sandal for $20 at Endless.com.

This second top utilizes another one of this season’s hot trends, color-blocking.  City Stretch Matte Jersey Colorblock Top is also available in a more traditional color combination of Tan and Coconut Brown. Pick it up at NY & Co for $17.97.

Dress up your basics and make them feel brand new with a statement necklace.  City Style Multi-Bead Illusion Necklace also comes in black, orange, and yellow for $16.95.

Our grand total for these 5 summer items is $99.96.  Remember many of these prices are based on current sales. So shop now to update your work wardrobe for under $100.

Last week we asked our twitter friends for requests about dressing for the office. This one made us laugh and we just knew we had to address it.

“Would love to see what you do with white pants. I look like a sailor every time!”

It’s funny, but so often we talk about the fabric or construction of white pants to make them work appropriate. What about the styling? Well we utilized the outfits section of our site to better answer this questions. Here you can see some looks depending on if you are dressing for a casual or businesss casual office. 

BUSINESS CASUAL OFFICE

These three business casual outfits will have you looking chic and not sailor for the office. Soft feminine blouses do the trick withe these styles. Plus playing with fun prints and strappy sandals helps too. Shop our outfits to reel in these looks for Summer: Printed Blouse – Grey Blazer – Blue Blouse

CASUAL OFFICE

Back in the middle of Spring we started getting excited about white pants and put these looks together for a casual office. Avoiding Navy, Red, and stripes is a great start to maintaining a non-sailor look. We like the idea of adding jackets to casual white pants to make the looks more professional. Soft feminine florals are always nice in the summer. Capture these looks yourself by shopping our outfits: Taupe Short Slv Jacket – Casual Pink Blouse – Max Studio Casual

We hope these looks will help you feel sophisticated and professional in your white pants. If you are really up for a challenge, try this white suit from Banana Republic.  Good Luck putting your looks together!

If you have questions about keep your look Workchic, send them to us: info@workchic.com. We love answering your questions!

By now you know chic tops are the quickest and easiest way to update your work wardrobe. Here are 10 tops you can pick up for summer, all under $30! We have sorted them by office type to make shopping easy.

Business Casual: 
Pin-tucks, feminine prints, and unique pleat placements will make your business casual stand out. Shop Women: Women’s Picot-Trim Pintuck Tops – Lemonade, $26.50; Classic Elements Shirred Neck Top, $18; Apostrophe Pleat Shirt, $14.98.

Business:
Any of these blouses will look chic under your suits and blazers. From a classic khaki print to a bold floral we have you covered for your Business Professional office.  Shop City Stretch Print Short Sleeve Shirt $29.95; Merona Shirred Shell – Orange Blaze, $22.99; Fred David Elbow Sleeve Ruffle Front, $19.99.

Casual: 
Instead of a basic tee try one of these blouses for the office on casual days.  Shop Merona Square Neck Top – Tan Print, $17.99; Volcom Geo Stripe Top, $17.99; ELLE Floral Crochet-Trim Top, $21.99.

Must have summer cardigan, Women: Women’s Crochet-Trim Cardigans – Bright White for $26.50, is perfect for chilly offices. Feminine summery details will take your right into fall.

Update your work wardrobe today with these simple tops all under $30.  Plus remember you can always sort the topsin our site by price and office type to find more Workchic recommendations. Happy Shopping!