Posts filed under 'Ready Made Outfits'
Temperatures may be rising, but that doesn’t mean your style quotient needs to drop. You can beat the heat and still dress professionally with Omiru’s Beat the Heat at Work style tips:
Why does this outfit work?
Layering: The key to any hot-weather outfit is to wear layers. Sure, it may be 100 degrees outside, but when you head into the office, it can get pretty chilly. (Especially if you sit under the AC vent. If you do, sweaters are your friend.) The cropped box jacket gives you an extra layer, and it helps for your personal temperature regulation as you go from the chilly office to the sunny outdoors and back again.
Color Coordination: This outfit is built around the striped tank top, which features shades of yellow and brown on neutrals. The bright yellow skirt picks up on the yellow from the tank top, while the shoes and handbag echo the brown tones of the shirt. The white box jacket grounds the outfit with a neutral color. This kind of color coordination helps to make you look put together, even when you’re wearing a tank top and short sleeves to the office.
Coordinated Accessories: Look at how the chocolate brown of the bag is echoed in the brown heels. The turquoise necklace pairs beautifully with the browns, and it provides a nice contrast to the dominant color in the outfit, yellow. Note that while the accessories are definitely coordinated, they don’t match perfectly. Coordinated is good, matchy-matchy is not.
Breathable Fabrics: Last but not least, we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about fabric choices. Natural fabrics (with a loose weave) are going to be your best bets for temperature control. I like looking for garments that are 100% cotton–or even linen for a more casual look. The beauty of these natural fabrics is that they allow air to pass through them. That way, you won’t trap hot air in between you and your clothes.
What do you wear to work to beat the heat? Share your style with us in the comments!
May 16th, 2008
Whether you’re getting your diploma or attending graduation as a guest, the ideal graduation outfit is dressy enough to respect the occasion–but casual enough to be comfortable. You’ll be facing high temperatures (hello, summer!), intense sunlight (there’s never enough shade to go around), and a long walk (Murphy’s law dictates that the higher the heels you wear, the further you’ll have to walk to and from the car). Let’s dissect the five pieces of this dressy-casual graduation outfit:
Breathable Hat
Keep your cool with a breathable hat–it’ll shield your eyes and keep your head (and hair) from overheating.
Sunglasses
Oversized sunglasses are an au courant–and dramatic–look for a graduation ceremony.
Brightly Colored Dress
Bright colors feel right for May and June graduations. The weather is warm, and the inspirational nature of graduation should be celebrated with a brightly colored dress. White can work, but it’s so easy to get dirty, especially if you’re sitting on stadium seats. And black just doesn’t seem right for the joyous event, particularly because graduations are typically held during the day or early evening.
Heels
You can tell how dressy or how casual an outfit is by the shoes. This bright yellow pair of sandals is one part casual (with the loosely woven strappy style) and one part formal (with the heel height). Perfect for a dressy-casual event like graduation.
Small Purse
If you’re a guest at graduation, you can carry a small clutch or handbag. Note how this clutch coordinates with the shoes, not only in color but also in formality. Both the clutch and the shoes are one part dressy and one part casual.
What are you wearing to graduation? Share your style with us in the comments!
May 15th, 2008
Every woman has a Little Black Dress…or two, or ten. And they’re great as a go-to outfit for cocktails, dinner parties, and other evening events. But how many times do you really get to wear your LBD? If you’re anything like us, it’s not very often. So let’s get some extra mileage out of our LBDs during the daytime with some clever accessorizing. Here’s how to accessorize a LBD:
Why does this outfit work?
Visual Interest through Pattern: Both the gingham scarf and the newsprint belt add visual texture to the LBD. And since the two patterns are in the same color scheme, they complement one another rather than compete with one another.
A Splash of Bright Color: All work and no play make Jack a dull boy–and all black and white and no color can make for a dull outfit. So we added a splash of bright color for a jolt of energy. We love bright green as a fresh foil for black and white–but any bright color will do. Try royal purple for a distinctly elegant look.
A Touch of Mystery: Finish off the outfit with a pair of oversized shades. The air of mystery the sunglasses creates is a secret ingredient for standout style.
How do you accessorize your Little Black Dress (LBD)? Share your style tips with us in the comments!
May 6th, 2008
Q: I have a black, medium-chunky-knit cocoon sweater. The only way I know how to wear it is with jeans and a solid-colored stretch v-neck long sleeved shirt underneath. How else can I wear it?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Cocoon sweaters and coats, though potentially unflattering, are surprisingly versatile to wear. The key to wearing them is to balance out the volume of the sweater with a slimmer silhouette on the bottom. This can be the jeans you described, narrow pants, or a slim-cut dress or skirt. The beauty of the cocoon sweater is that it’s such a distinctive style that you don’t need to enhance it with much flair.
One of our favorite ways to wear your cocoon sweater is to pair it with a jewel toned short sleeved dress, black tights, and ballet flats (pictured). This outfit also has the benefit of being figure flattering–because these clothes are body hugging, you won’t lose your shape in the sweater. Plus, the black tights keep the line of your look cohesive and clean.
Or for a fun evening look, add colorful elbow length gloves (bonus points for a striking color like french blue) and keep the rest of your outfit very simple.
Lastly, for a simple yet chic look, you could also wear leggings or a black short skirt with a simple t-shirt and throw on the sweater for some extra visual interest.
Have a great tip about how to wear a cocoon sweater or coat? Share it with us in the comments!
April 18th, 2008
Classic Chic Trenchcoat
Feeling the love for this outfit? Here’s more information about it.
Fashion Formula = Trenchcoat + Brightly Colored Sweater + Top + Knee-Length Skirt + Oversized Sunglasses + Handbag + Boots.
Where to wear it? Wear this modern classic to work. Bonus points for brightening the office with a brightly colored trench.
Elegantly Formal Trenchcoat
Feeling the love for this outfit? Here’s more information about it.
Fashion Formula = Trenchcoat + Dress + Clutch + Jewelry + Heels.
Where to wear it? Date night, whether you’re going to dinner and a movie or a swanky lounge.
Casually Playful Trenchcoat
Feeling the love for this outfit? Here’s more information about it.
Fashion Formula = Brightly Colored Trenchcoat + Colored Top + Jeans + Tote Bag + Flats.
Where to wear it? Out to lunch with the ladies–or even for running errands on a Sunday afternoon.
April 10th, 2008
Q: I am attending an engagement pool party. Since I live in a sub-tropic climate, it already feels like summer. How do I combine an outfit for an engagement party with one for a pool party?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Dressing for an engagement party and dressing for a pool party sound like wildly different things, but you can combine pieces from each one in order to create an outfit that works for both. When creating your outfit, your first order of business is to dress for a special occasion. Even though it’s a pool party, you want to dress in a way that respects the special celebration. Then, taking into account the climate (sub-tropic) and venue (a pool), you’ll tailor your outfit for fun–and swimming.
The base of your outfit will be your swimsuit. Choose a suit worthy of a special occasion–one with special detailing, such as arched cutouts or metal fastenings. On top of your swimsuit, add a sarong that’s pretty enough to serve as a cocktail dress–and large enough to cover your swimsuit in a sophisticated fashion. When you’re not swimming, wear a pair of strappy sandals (but carry an extra pair of flip flops in your tote bag).
Should the party be a more formal affair, we recommend a brightly colored, breezy dress over your swimsuit, paired with a sparkly necklace for an extra dash of formality.
Last tip? Don’t forget a pair of oversized sunglasses (oh so dramatic) and a bottle of sunscreen!
Have a great tip about how to dress up for a special occasion pool party? Share it with us in the comments!
April 8th, 2008
Our recent article about How to Dress Up Jeans for Work seemed to strike a nerve, so we wanted to give you some more Wear to Work inspiration. In this Nautical Business Casual outfit, we see the seafaring theme in the chain-link print on the shirt, the stripes on the scarf, and the navy and white on the tote. Note also how the gold in the shirt is echoed in the gold ballet slippers–and the gold piping and buttons on the military-style blazer.
April 1st, 2008
Q: I am to be the featured artist at a gallery art walk in a city by the water north of Seattle. What do I wear? I want to look classy, yet artsy. I am 51.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: At fifty-one, you fashion priority is to select a dress or suit that is not only sophisticated but also suits both your coloring and body type. For a classic yet artsy look, build your outfit with classic foundation elements. A little black dress is always appropriate—but if you dare, you may want to wear a splash of color.
- If you have an hourglass figure, try a sleeved wrap dress to accentuate your curves.
- To elongate a fuller figure, you can try a suit with a high stance (where the two lapels meet in front) and strong vertical lines.
- If you’re blessed with a long, lean figure, a colorful maxi dress may also fit the bill. A maxi dress gives you full coverage, and it also has a bohemian air to it.
Finish off your outfit with a pair of comfortable flats or low heels. You’ll be standing for hours, so choose a pair of shoes that will allow you to focus on the event—not your aching feet.
Style tip? After thirty-five, the color black tends to drain color out of a woman’s face. Should you choose a black dress, make sure to accessorize with colorful jewelry (or a scarf) and give yourself some extra color with your make-up.
Have a great tip about style in your 50s? Share it with us in the comments!
March 25th, 2008
Q: I just got a black fitted vest/waistcoat and I’m not sure how to integrate it with the rest of my wardrobe. I’m still a college student and I don’t want to necessarily look like I’m heading towards the office or anything. Is there a way I can wear this more formal piece while still looking young and casual?
by Tamiko Kelly, Fashion Expert and Style Maven at Margarite Elaine
A: Traditionally a men’s wardrobe staple, the fitted vest (aka the waistcoat) has migrated over to women’s wardrobes. This trend has been popularized over the last few seasons, and it still has a cult-like following. With this set, we wanted to show you how to give a young, hip/funky edge to a wardrobe staple.
The vest look on the left is based on a neutral palette. The result is at once sophisticated and youthful, right down to the silver-grey ankle boots. The vest look on the right, on the other hand, is all about personality. Note the use of color in this outfit: the reddish-purple color on the shirt is echoed in the shoes, clutch, and earrings.
Have a great tip about what to wear with a vest? Share it with us in the comments!
March 20th, 2008
Q: I work in a super chilly office, and I have to dress somewhere between business casual and business. Everyone has instructed me to wear jeans (since I wear skirts all the time). What is the proper way to dress up jeans?
A: The key to surviving the cold in a chilly office environment is layering, layering, layering. Because while your cube may be freezing, the conference room with southern exposure (and floor to ceiling windows) may be an oven. Layering your clothes allows you to add and remove layers as the temperature around you shifts.
It sounds like your personal style falls on the dressier side, since you’re big on skirts. Like skirts, dark jeans are the way to go for a dressier look. The darker the jean, the dressier the look it creates.
Here’s three basic fashion formulas to get you started:
(1) Blazer + Sweater + Tee + Jeans.
(2) Cardigan + Button-down Shirt + Tee + Jeans.
(3) Jacket + Sweater + Blouse + Jeans.
Finish the look off with a pair of low heels (or boots) and a killer bag.
P.S. If it’s unbearably chilly, you may also want to go hunting for the thermostat or call facilities to adjust the temperature. In a pinch, you can also cover up an air vent that’s blowing directly at you with a plastic trash bag and duct tape.
Have a great tip about how to wear jeans to work? Share it with us in the comments!
March 10th, 2008
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