What to wear today? A drop waist dress

I was recently in NYC for a friend's wedding and of course I went shopping, maybe I did a lot of shopping even. While trying on all of what the wonderful world of NYC had to offer I tried on a drop waist dress. It wasn't quite perfect but 2 weeks later and I am craving the shape. I know that it is something I need in my closet sooner rather than later. The hunt is on. 

Reiss £159

Reiss £159

What should I buy for work?, she asks

A friend asked me to help her out. She doesn't enjoy shopping but wanted some new work pieces to help round out her wardrobe, so would I help?  Of course.  She already had all the essentials so now it was time to perhaps have a little more fun with her 9-5 wardrobe.  Here is what we found.

This midi skirt from Zara in a jewel toned green. The possibilities are seriously endless and midi skirts are everywhere.

Pair this with a simple button down, like this one from Uniqlo, which is my favorite out there at this price point or add a little personality with checks via this shirt from Zara.

This skirt would also look great with a fitted turtleneck (aka roll neck) like this merino one from the Gap or a longer sweater in a similar color family like this one from Madewell

Either of these looks would be perfectly finished off with a pair of patent classic pumps. How about these from Sarah Jessica Parker's line? (Be still my heart.....)

 

Zara £35.99 

Zara £35.99 

Anthropologie

Anthropologie

Work with me for one second because this image does NO justice to how cute this skirt was in person, which is just one reason as to why I am not a huge online shopper. This little number from Anthropologie, sadly no longer available, but I think this is a good alternative, and was exactly what my friends' closet needed.

She hesitated at first, and I will admit I was a little concerned about the length as her job is very corporate. But she tried it on and I could honestly not stop grinning, it was stunning on her. 

The neon stripe was exactly the right pop of color, and this is again easily paired with a button down or a simple black sweater with tights a black blazer and pumps (see recommendations above)and would work for any  corporate environment. 

This is also the perfect piece to work into your weekend wardrobe or date night. An absolute gem.

Wear me forever and with anything is what this 100% cashmere crew neck sweater from Uniqlo screams.

Do you seriously need to see what this sweater can go with? I mean it really is the wear with ANYTHING number in a color that is never going to be out of style. As we transition into fall I would wear this with a thicker cream/white skirt, go on, you chose the cut. The cream/white and beige color palate looks great on almost anyone but especially if your skin is a darker tone. Play this very classic look up with some fun shoes like these or these from J. Crew and a great fall coat, perhaps even a leather jacket, this one from Banana Republic would do, or a puffer vest, this one from J. Crew, for those drinks with friends post the end of a long work day.

Uniqlo £59.90

Uniqlo £59.90

A little color, unexpected shapes and of course wear forever pieces are always great closet additions.

Three pieces, wearable to work, on the weekend, and for fun nights out aren't much, but if you already have the staples you really don't need to buy much each season, or break the bank, you just need a few one offs depending on the trends you like and want to work in.  Et voila! 

Coats, consider yourself warned.

We all have a weakness right? Yours may be ice cream,  flamin' hot cheetos, lipstick or shoes. Mine is coats (ok, as well as flamin' hot cheetos). I have more coats then I need but it is because I buy one about every two years but refuse to throw any of my old ones out. I think I finally got rid of a cream coat, that just wouldn't go back to being cream no matter what my dry cleaner tried. I had this thing for 8 years. Do you know what an 8 year old cream coat ends up looking like? And still the decision took hours. 

What I am getting at is that I am obsessed with coats, so brace yourselves, many a post on coats for fall/winter 2014/15 starts today. Hello current obsessions, thank you & Other Stories and their Ada Kokosar 'story'.

The coats are all classic shapes with just the right updates. You have the classic trench shape in the burgundy, the double breasted coat in a gorgeous turquoise (also comes in black), note the slightly popped collar for the extra edge, and finally the navy coat with the notched standing collar. In order of appearance these run £165, £165 and £185.

P.S. don't forget & Other Stories is slated to open their first brick and mortar store in SoHo NYC before the end of this year. 

What shoes you need this fall

When starting your fall shopping sprees, which will undoubtably be fueled by every September issue out there alongside all the newly arriving items in all your favorite shops, you will need to be focused. What do you already have in your closet? Well some of these things I am sure you already have, but some, you probably don't yet.  

So when it comes to buying shoes, keep these things in mind. Low/kitten heels, animal skins (faux is just fine by me), animal print, calf hair, rich colors, metallics and loafers.  

Zara $49.90

Zara $49.90

Zara $59.90

Zara $59.90

Some Fall Editorial Inspiration

Fall collections are all over the September issues, and while a lot of is not styled for work, here is part of a great spread featured in the UK edition of Marie Claire. Time to start thinking about your fall shopping lists....

Images courtesy of Visual Optimism

Skirts to wear to work now.

It has been a manic two weeks. Work, Sweden, friends, work, house hunting, work. You get it. 

I am back though and getting used to the cool evenings and even cooler mornings. That being said the weather is still just right for some skirts. Here are some perfects skirts to wear now.

Asos £30

Asos £30

Zara £35.99

Zara £35.99

Asos £40

Asos £40

Zara £29.99

Zara £29.99

Asos £30

Asos £30

Office space

I dream of the day I have the corner office, mostly because then I will be able to add a bit more life to my desk. Sitting on a trading floor is certainly not the environment that fosters customization when it comes to your work space.

Until that day the corner office is mine I will just have to settle with upgrading my phone case and perhaps getting a nice pencil pouch or a pencil holder.  For the rest of you out there, here is some great stuff that are all fairly easy on the wallet.

Rifle Paper Co. $36

Rifle Paper Co. $36

Little paper planes $18

Little paper planes $18

Anthropologie £10

Anthropologie £10

Anthropologie £20

Anthropologie £20

Liberty £24.95

Liberty £24.95

Anthropologie £28

Anthropologie £28

Lberty £55 

Lberty £55 

Etsy $25

Etsy $25

Kate Spade $24

Kate Spade $24

Anthropologie £8

Anthropologie £8

Rifle Paper Co $34

Rifle Paper Co $34

Anthropologie £20

Anthropologie £20

Rifle Paper Co. $7

Rifle Paper Co. $7

Jackets to transition into fall with

Summer is far from over, but the morning and the nights are starting to cool down in London. Here are some perfect little jackets, all from Club Monaco, that you can get now and that will carry you effortlessly and stylishly into fall. 

Danny Quilted Jacket $189.50

Danny Quilted Jacket $189.50

Nolicia Striped Moto Jacket $189

Nolicia Striped Moto Jacket $189

Marteena Jacket $279

Marteena Jacket $279

Jasna Blazer $398

Jasna Blazer $398

Lillian Cropped Wool Jacket $179

Lillian Cropped Wool Jacket $179

Iva Knit Jacket $249

Iva Knit Jacket $249

All images courtesy of Club Monaco 

Can you literally fall in love with shoes?

It is Friday. My feet, my body; everything is tired. Then, THEN, I saw these. If I could just put any of these on my feet I would be happy, rejuvenated, and ready for anything this Friday could throw at me. Ok, I get that maybe these are not work appropriate but at the very least you could float into the office in these, and then float out to start the weekend. 

€ 595

€ 595

€ 560

€ 560

€ 535

€ 535

€ 285

€ 285

€ 595

€ 595

€ 595

€ 595

All images courtesy of Charlotte Olympia