dotty, flats, and a giant pink scarf

[wearing]
tee: american apparel (exactly)
pants: j.crew (similar)
scarf: ebay (similar)
flats: old navy (similar)

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today's staple: nude flats
i bought these flats last summer and have been amazed by how often i wear them.  the slightly pointy toe makes them seem a wee bit fancy.  and they are perfect for days when i'm not feeling so good and i wander into work wearing fancy sweatpants and a crazy-bright scarf.  

[previously on] nude pointy-toe flats

dotty, pipes, and jackets

[wearing]
jacket: gap (similar)
top: joie (similar)
pants: silence+noise (similar)
wedges: apt. 9 (similar)
pearls: thrifted (seriously, the best way to buy long strand of "pearls")

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today's staple: the piped jacket.  this particular one has jersey piping, so it simultaneously dresses up and dresses down an outfit. it also makes these pajama-like pants look work-appropriate.






[previously on] jersey-piped jacket

*i never have worn shorts to work, the outfit on the far right is just because i like how versatile this jacket is. anyway, it's linkup day over at the pleated poppy! 

dotty, white collars, and old shirts

[wearing]
shirt: new york and company (exactly)
skirt: the limited (similar)
tights: apt. 9
wedges: elie tahari (similar)
belt: forever21 (similar)
bag: banana republic (similar)
goggles: warby parker

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today's work wardrobe staple is a super exciting one...a white collared shirt! this one i'm wearing dates back to 2006 and is one of the few pieces that i bought for my first grownup job that i still wear.  

[previously on] white collared shirt

dotty, staples, and gray pants

i've gotten quite a few questions over the past few months about how to build a professional wardrobe.  my best advice is to ignore any preconceived notions of what you feel you should be wearing to work and figure out what you feel comfortable in.  i'm not talking about sweatpants-type comfort, but what makes you feel confident.  it's taken me five years of getting dressed for work to finally have a good relationship with pants and my style has definitely shifted based on the different office environments i have worked in.  so, this week i thought i would share with you a few of the pieces that i consider to be staples for my work wardrobe.  

first up, since i already mentioned pants, is my gray wide-leg pants.  last winter i went on a pants quest and got hooked on the j.crew  "hutton" fit.  

[wearing]
top: joie (similar)
pants: j.crew (exactly)
belt: h&m (similar)
scarf: ebay (similar)

[previously on] gray wide-leg trousers