04/22/13

Trend to Try: Skinnies + Heels

As we head headlong toward summer {woot!} it’s time refresh your work wear silhouette. The look of a cropped skinny pant with a tall, pointed heel is always casually cool, chic and sophisticated – our three primary Monday Work Wear requirements!

The best thing about the skinnies + heels look is its versatility. The combinations are endless. Emmanuelle Alt has turned this outfit into a uniform, simply swapping various types of denim and trading a button down one day with a blazer the next. Her closed-toe pump and clean modern accessories keep her look cool and perfectly professional. I love how modern her white denim look above feels.

If you’re concerned about feeling too casual, you can take things up another notch by sticking to a black color palette. You’ll never be accused of being underdressed.

And for those of you who dare to be a little more playful, try a pair of patterned denim or perhaps polka dotted pants! Balance it all out with a more clean, conservative top and you won’t over do it.

Top Tip: Be sure to balance the narrow pant and heel combo with a little more volume on top. A blazer, untucked blouse or longer tunic would do quite nicely!

Here are a few pieces we’d love to add to our spring wishlist.

Apartment-34-Monday-Work-Wear-Skinny-Heels-Roundup Shop Skinny Jeans: 1 MiH // 2 JBrand // 3 Current Elliott Shop Heels: 1 // 2 // 3

Clockwise: White Heavy Machine Heel, Mint Sandal, Okra & Bronze, Suede Pumps

What do you think? Are you as excited to rock this look as we are? Time to make those pedicure appointments!

image 1 via //2 via // 3 via // 4 via

11 Comments

04/15/13

Monday Work Wear: {Bed Head Hair}

Today I wanted to visit a too-often ignored component of your work wear. Your hair! Who can admit to wearing basically the same hairstyle everyday? {I can, I can!}

When I spied this mini editorial by JCrew, it wasn’t the necklaces that caught my eye, but rather the messy up-dos! I think they’d be the perfect work-hair solution for those of us, such as myself, who lack sophisticated hair-styling skill.

This hairstyle is broken into three parts. You start by pulling a chunk back off your forehead with a nice bit of volume and a good deal of messy texture. This is when a bit of frizz is a good thing!

Your next step is to twist and pin random pieces toward the back, anchoring everything around the third component – a messy bun that sits about ear-height. That height feels a little more professional than the top-knot and less severe than a low chignon.

The critical component to achieving the perfectly undone hair is the texture. You can get away without washing your hair for a day or two, but product is most definitely required. I only recently discovered the joy of texturizing sprays and the amazing things they do to my extremely fine hair. Suddenly it’ll stay where I want it to rather than fall flat!

You just want to be sure to not over do it. I’ve found flipping my head upside down and giving a quick all around spritz works great. You want to work everything into the scalp at the roots to build in the height we’re looking for.

After doing a bit of research, here is a handfrul of the most-recommended product options:

shop 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 //

The one thing I’m still on the hunt for is the very best dry shampoo. Everyone sings its praises, but I’ve yet to try one that I really love. If you have any recommendations please do let us know in comments! I’m ready to do some serious product testing.

So what do you think friends? Would you wear the un-done look to the office or do you think it needs to be reserved for the weekend?

Regardless, here’s to feeling fabulous and un-fussy this week!

19 Comments

04/08/13

Monday Work Wear: {Spring Forward}

There’s something striking about a singular color statement. When you pop one deep hue against a neutral background the look feels elegant, but bold at the same time.

Exactly what the perfect work wear look should be! It’s also a really simple way to update your wardrobe for spring. Designer Bouchra Jarrar‘s Spring Collection is a perfect example. She is fast becoming one of my favorites. She took a page right out of Pantone’s playbook by making emerald-green her standout hue in an otherwise neutral color palette; and to great effect.

The shape of her clothes are minimal, yet far from boring. They are architectural, the draping is intricate and the silhouettes unique. Collars flow, her hemlines swing and her trouser have that perfect amount of room in the leg. I don’t know about you, but I’m so excited to say so long to skinnies!

I’m also loving the way the cardigan above was styled. Did you notice? It’s tucked up into the oversized patent leather belt! Genius. Going to attempt immediately.

While these work wear looks may feature the IT color of the day, they will stand the test of time. As any truly wise wardrobe investment should.

Here’s to an endlessly chic week!!

all photography by eric guillmain for bouchra jarrar courtesy of style.com