From runway to office: stripes

DKNY made it clear in their fall 2011 fashion show that stripes are in – beyond the standard nautical navy/white stripe combination.

This is a really easy trend to wear in the office as seen on Jaime. Here are just some of the many cute striped shirts, jackets and dresses that would work well for the office (click the image to buy if you like them!)

How do you wear stripes to the office?

What to wear to work: being resourceful

Allie’s outfit looks great for the office, right? Well, guess what? That dress was also worn on Halloween! She came across this dress at H&M for only $15 when trying to come up with a costume. It’s hard to see in this picture, but the dress has fringe over it just like a flapper dress. So she wore it for her flapper costume and now wears it at work. Very economical!

Dress – H&M

Tights – Urban Outfitters

Jewelry – H&M

Sweater – Target

Shoes – Nine West (from Marshalls)

Black nail polish – Sally Hansen

What do you wear to work? Send me a picture! 2 outfits is even better! kristen@theclothingmenu.com

kristen
31st January 2012
fashion interview
2 comments

I came across Jess’ blog, The Style Bakery, last year and have loved seeing her outfits. What’s cool for us Americans is that Jess is a stylish blogger from Germany so it’s fun seeing the different brands she wears that we don’t have in the U.S. Now that I think of it, I need to plan a trip abroad to see these styles for myself!

Here’s some Q&A with Jess:

Why did you start The Style Bakery?

I used to spend a lot of time on lookbook.nu and once recognized I didn’t get the feedback I wished, I decided to create a space of my own.

Who takes your pictures?

Most of the time it’s me, but I also take every chance to convince my boyfriend and family. It gets more and more easy with every invitation and collaboration because they see how worthy some pictures may be.

What are your favorite fashion brands to wear?

I adore ZARA and the whole Inditex Group (Bershka, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti…) for fashionable items. I love Furla, especially the Candy Bag. And I of course like high fashion designer’s pieces, like my Hermes Kelly watch. I think they are good investments

What city do you live in? How would you define the style there?

I’m from Hamburg, Germany. The style in my hometown is very casual, classy, and traditional. One can easily find out trends (e.g. the Hamburg Winter uniform: Woolrich Parka, UGG Boots, Louis Vuitton Speedy).

I personally like the style of Hamburg, it’s kind of luxurious- although we don’t show much individuality in that way. Trends come up very fast and it seems like people are copying styles even faster.

That’s also one of the reasons why I concentrate on what I see in fashion magazines or blogs from all over the world. There are so many interesting and inspiring people out there thanks to the internet!

What to wear to work: skinny jeans

Allie’s outfit is a smart, stylish outfit for a casual Friday or any day you want to wear jeans (if your company allows that Monday through Thursday). Her blazer, which looks great, is also good proof for not judging a piece of clothing by the label (see below).

Top – Frenchi (Nordstrom)

Jeans – Jolt (Nordstrom)

Blazer – Miley Cyrus for Max Azria (Walmart)

Necklace – Street Vendor in NY (for only $15)

Bracelets – H&M

Flats – Nine West Outlet

What do you wear to work? Send me a picture! 2 outfits is even better! kristen@theclothingmenu.com

From runway to office: colored pants

I was excited when I saw this trend on the runway. Wearing colored pants (green, blue, purple, pink) is a great way to brighten up the drab blacks and grays that are usually seen in the winter. This is a trend though that is only appropriate for creative work environments, lika a PR or advertising agency, a magazine, a start-up, etc. It’s best to tone down the bright color with a neutral top in black or gray or white.

I wanted to get a pair of jade colored jeans, but didn’t shop around enough. I went to Urban Outfitters and tried a couple pairs on, but they didn’t fit right. I gave up after that. The thing is, although this is a fun trend, it’s something that probably won’t last too long. So this is a trend where you want to shop around and get a good deal on it. That may even include shopping at places or buying brands that you usually wouldn’t in order to get a good price, like these:

Candie’s – $32.99

Aeropostale – $24.70

Forever 21 – $29.90

Celebrity Pink Jeans (from Macy’s) – $29.50

Do you own a pair of colored pants? What color?

What to wear to work: dressing up jeans

I think everyone would agree with me that a good pair (or two or three) of boots is a winter staple. Right? They keep you warm and there are so many style variations to choose from. I really like Alison’s boots here. I like the brown color and the heels are the perfect size for the office. Hint – avoid boots with super high heels..they’ll look a little too Pretty Woman (before she met Richard Gere if you know what I mean). And how do you dress up a solid color blouse? Add a fun necklace, like Alison!

Shirt – Ann Taylor (sale rack!)

Boots – Vince Camuto (from DSW)

Necklace – Banana Republic

What do you wear to work? Send me a picture! 2 outfits is even better! kristen@theclothingmenu.com

kristen
24th January 2012
fashion interview
2 comments

Check out the blog Amateur Couture. Each post is a combination of art and fashion that complement each other. I have been a follower of the blog for a couple years and am always so amazed and impressed by how M. Fay, the blogger, comes up with all these pairings. Well I was lucky enough to find out how in this interview with her:

1) Why did you start the blog?

I started Amateur Couture one evening on a whim. My intention was to create a journal of sorts…a place where I could keep my favorite things. Basically, I would post inspiring finds and share them with my friends and family. I never planned for it to grow into anything else, but organically it evolved into a blog celebrating fashion and art and how they relate to each other (often in the most literal of ways). Yep, it’s a simple as that!

2) What is your background? Is it related to art and/or fashion?

I have always been a lover of fashion and art, but my background is actually in dance. I studied ballet in college and found myself/lost myself in a sea of all things art. I’ve been “swimming” ever since.

3) What is your process for finding the art/fashion pairings?

The process is something like a memory game. I save images that I like and eventually they’ll match up in my mind. I love when that happens!

4) Who is your favorite artist right now?

My favorite artist is Irana Douer. Her work shakes me and sings to me. It’s magic.

5) Who is your favorite fashion designer right now?

My favorite fashion designer….can I have more than one? HA! You would find my closet filled with Alice + Olivia, but I dream of wearing Sonia Rykiel (remember those pom pom head pieces from the Fall 2010 collection? I’m still obsessed). I’m always inspired by Valentino and Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, but the artist in me loves Mary Katrantzou. I could go on and on and on……

What to wear to work: a classic blazer

If you’re in the mood for wearing jeans to work (and at a company that allows you wear them), the simplest way to make the jeans appropriate for the office is to wear them with a blazer, like this one Alison is wearing.

Jacket – Vertigo (purchased at Marshalls)

Jeans – Rich & Skinny (purchased on Rue La La)

Boots – Steve Madden (purchase on Piperlime)

What do you wear to work? Send me a picture! 2 outfits is even better! kristen@theclothingmenu.com

From runway to office: plaid

Plaid has gone in and out over the years. Remember Angela Chase’s clothes in My So-Called Life and the whole grunge period in the late 90s? (I miss those days..) Anyway, plaid made a comeback this year on the fall 2011 runway, like this dress by Thakoon: