Corporate Chic

What's the first thing you think of when someone says "work clothes" or "business attire?" My mind usually goes to boring and matronly clothes - or like 80s power suits! Haha. For some reason dressing for work can easily become a hassle, like another item on our work to-do list along with meetings, projects, and so on. I worked at a corporate office for 9 years and I didn’t always know what to wear to work. My first couple of years at the job were definitely a trial and error phase; it definitely took me some time to figure out what worked for me while still looking appropriate for the job! Working in an office environment usually comes with a dress code, yet I want to show you how you can look professional and still have fun with your style!

When putting a work outfit together, I usually start with a key piece and work the rest of my look around it. For today's outfit, the star item is definitely this cute Jules & James dress. I like to mix soft and hard when it comes to my outfits, and I love the serious (even masculine!) plaid pattern of this dress with the feminine details. The ruffles on the shoulders are super cute and playful, and it also has pockets! I mean, what more can you ask for in a dress?! I also decided to add a belt to give me more of a waist since I'm 5'1 and 0 curves (ha!). This dress would be great for a regular workday, as well as to make a stylish and professional impression when attending meetings or even giving a presentation!

Once I had the main part of my work look with this awesome dress, I added a black blazer to make it even more professional (and because my office was always so cold). Adding a blazer or structured jacket is an easy way to step up your professional look for a meeting or important event; it adds some of the classic suit look into any outfit without actually wearing one!

With the dress and blazer down, I moved to one of my favorite parts of my outfits - the shoes! I wore these black, strappy high heels because I'm addicted to heels! People at work could always tell I was coming their way from the clacking of my heels! Ha. Depending on your preference and schedule (you may be on your feet all day), swap the high heels for flats or wedges for more comfort. Just be sure you choose flats or ankle boots that still look professional so they don’t bring down your look into casual wear!

My work look was never finished without a bag, and a big bag for that matter! I tend to carry big handbags to bring my whole world with me, including my iPad or laptop if I was going between meetings; I sometimes carry snacks too! This bag is also from James & James, and it’s not only cute but also a great size to carry everything I need for the day!

To wrap up this professional yet chic look, I sprinkled some jewelry with gold and black tones. I chose this Jules & James necklace and earrings combo because I love a good chunky necklace! I needed something that didn't compete with the dress' pattern, but still added a little extra to the outfit. The earrings are classic studs, but they still stand out with their gold color and large size. To finish it off, I mixed and matched a few bracelets from Jules & James’ awesome bracelet bar!

And voila! There you have it - a look that is professional, functional (with pockets and warm for those cold office environments!), and yet stylish! I hope my look encourages you to have fun with your outfits for work as well! And remember, no matter what you wear, wear it with confidence and with a big smile - those two can go a long way!

OUTFIT:
Dress: Jules & James Boutique
Blazer: Target
Shoes: Elizabeth and James
Bag: Jules & James Boutique
Jewelry: Jules & James Boutique

This post was brought to you by Jules & James Boutique. To shop this or similar looks, visit their store in Carrollton, GA or shop online through their website or Facebook group!

Special thanks to Indiee Fox for the photos! McKenzie, you're amazing!