What to wear to work now & in the fall

I saw this a few weeks ago and I have not stopped thinking about it ever since. It is one of those numbers that I wouldn't generally think I would be drawn to, but you know, I kinda love it.  

It is the perfect dress to layer a white button down with or to wear on its own, perhaps with just a camisole underneath. Perfect for the warm summer days we are having at the moment and totally workable later in the year when the weather cools down again.

I would pair this with a navy or black blazer and pumps. Perfect with the blazer for the office and just as perfect for an al fresco dinner in the summer heat without!

Image courtesy of Kule.com

Full skirts for work

It is supposedly a balmy 22 degrees outside right now (in American that is about 72) which is basically the height of summer here in London, as I am learning. So right now all I can think about are skirts.

Wide Skirt £34.99

Crinkled Skirt £24.99

The skirt of the moment that I have been spotting more and more in The City, are full skirts. I love how lady like they look and I can already tell that they will work will all my weekend wear as well. Given a few spending splurges as of late I need to reign in the spending on this one, so here are two great options from H&M that certainly won't break the bank.

Lucky for me that H&M is right down the alley from my office. Happy Friday!

Peter Jensen. Work Wear Separates

This past Friday I attended a talk at the Victoria & Albert Museum, featuring fashion designer Peter Jensen and Julie Verhoeven, the artist and illustrator. I had been captivated by Peter's Spring 2014 Ready To Wear Collection from when I first saw it late last year but wasn't sure it fit with The Work Look but I certainly could not pass on an opportunity like this. 

style.com

style.com

style.com

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Image from: 'Peter Jensen & Mary Miles Minter & Mildred & Emma & Olga & Nancy & Gertrude & Cindy & Tonya & Fanny & Sissy & Helena & Tina & Christina & Mink & Candice-Marie & Jodie & Jytte & Laurie & Muriel & Shelley & Anna Karina'

Peter Jensen's collections are based on female 'muses' with Spring 2014 inspired by Diana Ross. His collections are filled with whimsy and beauty, inspired by real women who live life by their own rules, for better or worse. That is the kind of woman I want to surround myself with, in this case, through Peter Jensen's eyes.

metallics for work

Top Row: Whistles £125, Zero+Mariacornejo via The Outnet £282, Lulu Frost via Whistles £125, Whistles £65 Second Row: Zara $119, J. Crew $248 Third Row: Kate Spade NY $258, Hunter via The Outnet £53.40 Fourth Row: Kate Spade NY $78, Kate Spade NY $225 Fifth Row: Burberry Prorsum £1,795, Jimmy Choo £450, J. Crew $188, COS £69

Mexico on my mind.

Mexico is always on my mind. I love Mexico. It is a place that is home for me. My grandparents spent almost their entire lives in Mexico. My mother has spent her entire life ensuring that I understand the culture and the people through the language. I grew up eating Southern Californian Mexican food. I almost got married in Mexico. My husband has just returned from a two week road trip through Mexico. Mexico is always on my mind, right now just a little bit more than usual. 

Just like anything a bit more 'embellished' mix these separates with basics, like a grey or black suit or a very sleek blazer.

Vanessa Bruno via Net-a-Porter $575, Anthropologie £78, Needle & Thread via Net-a-Porter $330, Day Birger et Mikkelsen via Net-a-Porter $185, Trina Turk via Bloomingdales $238, Rebecca Taylor via Bloomingdales $225, Anthropologie £118, Two by Vince Camuto via Bloomingdales $90.30, Anthropologie £58

Editorial images courtesy of Visual Optimism 

work essentials. The side slit skirt

Remember when side slit skirts were all over the Pre Fall and Fall 2014 runways? No? Quick recap:

Yigal Azrouel Fall 2014

Reed Krakoff Fall 2014

Thakoon Pre Fall 2014

JC de Castelbajac Fall 2014

Altuzarra Pre Fall 2014

Burberry Prorsum Pre Fall 2014

Altuzarra Pre Fall 2014

And here:

Altuzarra Fall 2014

Altuzarra Pre Fall 2014

Adam Lippes Fall 2014

I realize that many of you, right at this moment, cannot fathom the idea of a side slit skirt as an essential. BUT, it is. 

I bought a side slight skirt back in 1998(ish) and I wore it none stop for a number of years. A fantastic camel colored BCBG skirt. That I still own (and fit into) to this day. I am even wearing it here. It is because of this specific skirt and the fact that it honestly has been one of the more timeless pieces in my closet that I am telling you, the side slit skirt is something you must own.

There is no better time than now, as it is making a huge comeback, alongside the wrap skirt, and yes, I realize some of the runway options I have featured are actually wrap skirts, but work with me here. It is that subtle show of leg that is feminine, empowering and still work appropriate enough to get you taken, very, seriously.

The following options are in stores now. If you prefer to wait until the fall lines hit the shelves, around August/September I assure you there will be about a million more options out there. 

Opposite: Lafayette 148 New York via Nordstrom $278 

Row 1: Armani Collezioni via Nordstrom $445, St. Johns Collection via Nordstrom $495, L.K. Bennet £145 

Row 2: J. Crew $118, Zara $99.90, J. Crew $110

So go get one of these NOW! 

What to wear to work? Helmut lang

I once passed up an opportunity to buy a gorgeous Helmut Lang sweater and I still regret it to this day. Helmut Lang speaks to my New York City sensibilities. The pieces are basic but have edge to them. The color palette is generally black, white and grey which means I can wear each piece with almost anything. These are the pieces I want now for my work wardrobe. 

Top row: Matches £250, Net-a-Porter $335, Matches £170 Bottom row: Matches £510, Matches £210, Matches £540

Helmut Lang is widely available so certainly check out your local retailers as well!

Deconstructing runway looks for work

There are a million runway looks every season which leave a large segment of the population scratching their head because, 'Ok it is beautiful and I love it but how am I every going to really wear that?' The challenge can be less daunting if you look for a theme or a singular piece and work just that into your wardrobe.

Here is my take from some Fall/Winter 2014 looks and how to deconstruct them for work.

The embellished top

Wear this Mulberry embellished top with a simple solid colored higher wasted skirt, whether it be an A-Line skirt or a pencil. Black, navy blue (like the Zara option), white or even a red skirt would work. Tuck your top in and throw on some pumps, done. From top left in clockwise order: H&M $49.95, Zara $59.90, H&M $24.95, Whistles £135

The knit top

This top from Narciso Rodrgiuez Pre Fall 2014 is the perfect example of the knit top trend that you can work into your wardrobe. While the look from the collection's lookbook is casually smart, it isn't quite dressed up enough for my work place. I would pair it with something more tailored. The beauty here is this top goes with almost anything really. Pair it with a flared skirt, wide leg or skinny trousers, even a printed skirt in the same color family works! For an extra polished look pair a knit top with a button down, buttoned all the way to the collar, some pearl earrings and patent pumps. Clockwise from top left: H&M $29.95, Zara $59.90 Zara $59.90, Zara $59.90

The oversized/menswear inspired coat

When you think of a military coat you don't immediately think work place staple but it can be. I am lusting over this coat from Preen by Thornton Bregazzi for their Fall/Winter 2014 collection.  Pair something unexpected for work with something more traditional, like a sheath dress, but with a twist to make it feel more modern and day ready. The army green pairs perfectly with slightly brighter shades. A satin or satin blend offsets the wool and keeps everything modern and sleek.  From top left The Outnet £688.50, MyTheresa $1,972, Zara $79.90. From bottom left Reiss £195, Zara $79.90, The Outnet £288

The Graphic Top

Something graphic on top is about as easy as it gets. Not sure what to pair with something like this Narciso Rodriguez top from Pre Fall 2014? Throw something basic on for bottoms, some simple pumps and you are ready for anything. For a little extra twist think a wrap skirt or a peplum. From top left The Outnet £332.50, MyTheresa $466, The Outnet £175 From bottom left The Outnet £856.90, The Outnet £464, MyTheresa $395

Inspiration. The power suits second coming

All images courtesy of Visual Optimism 

What to wear to work. A silk top.

I am still trying to get into the swing of things in my new job. Particularly balancing work, the blog and sleep. I have slept so little in the past 2 weeks that it is shocking, and it hasn't been because I am working on the blog! Concealer is my new best friend. All I want to wear to work when I am this tired are things that are 'easy'. All I want to wear right now is this top with everything.

Image courtesy of Club Monaco. Samantha top $225

Everything about this top perfect. The silk is thick and the shoulders have slight padding which gives it a more polished finish. The length of the sleeves is sheer perfection. I could wear this with any skirt or pants in my closet and look instantly ready for anything the workday throws my way, you know, like that tube strike tomorrow...