work essentials. The white button down

The button down white shirt is everywhere, and to prove it here are some great, work appropriate stylings, from across the internet and blog-o-sphere. 

This months work essential item is the white button down. Every woman, no matter your vocation, job position, or pay grade needs at least one of these in your closet. This item is so simple, but right now the options are endless, which means you probably need two styles. An important tip, one that I learned too late, when you do find that 'perfect' white button down, buy two, maybe three, because white shirts sadly do not last forever. I will never forget you my Zara white button down!

My current closet favorite is the from Uniqlo (available here, for £19, also available in the US). The weight of the cotton is perfect, it doesn't gap in the chest and the collar has buttons, which gives you options and I love options. 

JNY via Bloomingdales $79

JNY via Bloomingdales $79

Lafayette 148 via Bloomingdales $348

Lafayette 148 via Bloomingdales $348

Equipment via Nordstrom $208

Equipment via Nordstrom $208

T by Alexander Wang via Nordstrom $265

T by Alexander Wang via Nordstrom $265

Uniqlo £19

Uniqlo £19

Images courtesy Elle Canada, Style Caster and The-Opsis

Work Essentials. The sheath dress

Today I am launching a new monthly post, Work Essentials. I will cover those go to items that any woman in the corporate world MUST have in her closet and I am kicking it off with the sheath dress. 

I am finally starting my new job, the first since landing in London back in October, on Monday. Over the course of my interviewing I realized that only once did I reach for a suit. Every other interview, first, second or third, I defaulted to a sheath dress with a blazer. 

The sheath dress is a closet essential. Having a few basic ones, a black and a grey for example, are perfect for power dressing.  After that having a few others that are a bit more playful is a great way to round out your work wardrobe. One of my favorite of all time is a Mondrian-eque Kenneth Cole Reaction dress (on instagram here) that I got years ago from Nordstrom. The best part about a sheath dress is you only have to put one thing on and you are pretty much out the door.

All the dresses featured are from Nordstrom. Their online site is chock full of great finds at all price points, I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't.

ABS by Allen Schwartz $268, Alexia Admor $239, B44 Dressed by Bailey 44 $148, Adrianna Papell $138, BB Dakota $46.80, Cynthia Steffe $278, Narciso Rodriguez $995, Elie Tahari $398, Felicity and Coco $98, French Connection $88.80, Erdem $1,390, Halogen $118, Ivanka Trump $118, Halston Heritage $245, Ivanka Trump $148, Jill Jill Stuart $298, Jason Wu $2,990, Lela Rose $1,995, Marni $1,900, Narciso Rodriguez $995, St. John Collection $795, Cynthia Steffe $315, Mcginn $146.98, St. John Collection $895, T Tahari $94.80, Tadashi Shoji $226.80, Jones New York $119, Yigal Azrouel $1,095