We get this question ever so often – what are some of the best styles for office wear? Our dear friend and fellow blogger at Vanilla Extract posted some style ideas and tips about work attire that are definitely worth sharing…

+++

I received an email from someone (who will remain nameless) and it went a little something like this…

“I want you to blog about work attire soon. It’s hard to find a middle ground between looking respectable and looking sexy. And then there’s this other fine line between looking like a young professional and looking like a grandma. I somehow end up dressing like a toddler and a grandma at the same time.”

Dear Lover of Toddlers and Grandmas,

The good news is that you’ve managed to bypass the whole skanky look altogether by opting for toddlers and tiaras grandmas. There are plenty of ways to still dress feminine and professional without diminishing your street cred. It’s all about starting with the basics, and then learning how to mix and match from there.

My favorites: Lace Peplum Topshop; Black structured blazer Topshop; Gray blazer Wallis; Navy dress Dorothy Perkins

TIPS + TRICKS FOR CHIC OFFICE ATTIRE

Back to Basics: You should own at least 3-4 of the following (and then build from there): blazers, cardigans, blouses, trousers, pencil skirts, dresses.

Fabric: Invest in seasonless fabrics so you can stretch your wardrobe across multiple seasons. I’m talking light fabrics that can stand alone in Spring, but be layered for Fall. Also reach for richer feeling fabrics like silk or wool over cotton.

Color palette: Black, tan, and gray never go out of style and can be easily carried from one season to the next. After you’ve mastered the basics though, it’s time to incorporate rich Fall colors like plum, burnt orange, and navy into your wardrobe. Too many patterns or pastels might tiptoe into grandma land, which is why I favor solids. They’re also less memorable incase you have to repeat them more so than you’d like. Make sure you wash dark clothes with Cheer “For Darks” detergent! It will save them from looking cheap and faded.

Accessories: Fun accessories like statement necklaces, stackable bracelets, or printed scarves will instantly add style to a basic dress or trouser and blouse combo. If you want to stretch your money, don’t buy one pair of pants; buy three necklaces, two bracelets, and a pair of drop earrings from Forever 21. You don’t have to spend a pretty penny to look like a dime piece. You just have to be a smart shopper.

And remember, it’s attitude over everything.

Xo,
Nichole

Original article posted here. Follow Nichole on Twitter at @nicholeciotti!