Five Item Work Wardrobe | Style Guide

I started my career in Corporate America while I was still in high school for a huge oil and gas company. Between then and now, I can’t (and don’t want to) begin to imagine how much money I’ve wasted on pointless pieces for my work wardrobe. If the following items were the only things I had to rotate in my closet Monday through Friday, I’d be perfectly OK with it.

A Step Up from the Classic Pump

I hardly ever feel it necessary to wear any heel outside of a closed-toe pump to work. They’re comfortable and classic; pair perfectly with pants, skirts or dresses and come in so many different colors and patterns they’re hard to get tired of. I go for those that have unique detailing such as an ankle strap, or come in a beautiful hue (blue suede) or detailed pattern (snakeskin) – that way even if I’m wearing all black I still stand out.

A Handful of LBD’s

Little Black Dresses aren’t just for weekends. I’ve collected a dependable amount and have several that span from casual swing dresses to classic pencil dresses. This is especially helpful on mornings when I don’t have the time to put too much thought into what I’m wearing. I can throw on one of these (granted my legs are shaved) and look effortlessly put-together. Add a blazer or jacket to go from casual to formal.

Side note: Appropriateness and professionalism go hand-in-hand. Pick dresses that are close to knee-length and give a relaxed fit. Can you raise your arms if needed to? Can you bend over comfortably if you dropped something? If not, leave the dress on the hanger.

An Unordinary Blazer

I shared with you guys in this post how I love buying coordinates so that I can wear them separately. I have a collection of fun blazers that I pair with basic items in order to fancy up my ‘fit. While a classic black blazer is a no-brainer (and a necessity) I also like to have several on stand-by, like tweed, floral or solid colored blazers in feminine colors such as pink or turquoise. Pair one with pants or a solid color dress to complete the look.

Statement Necklaces

Statement necklaces are so distinctive that you could wear the same thing twice and no one would notice once you added the necklace. Wear them around the collar of a button-down for a more polished look or double them up for something slightly edgier.

A Classic Watch

A quality watch is one thing that I’m willing to splurge on and one thing I don’t leave the house without. My dad would always tell me never to date a man who didn’t wear a watch, because he didn’t value time – I hold myself to the same standard. All the men I work with are pretty old… school and are quick to ask me what time I have. There’s something about them needing me to tell them what time it is, and me looking down at my watch to tell them that makes me feel important.

What items can your work wardrobe not go without?