On Monday, I shared the MM.LaFleur Bento Box. Today I'm sharing two of my favorite pieces I received in my Bento Box; the Winfrey top an the Soho skirt. I fell in love with these pieces after reading this article of Narie Forster, who is the COO of MM.LaFleur.
The pieces can be worn together and resemble a dress, but can also be worn as separates and still be appropriate for the office. I imagine wearing this top with wide leg trousers and the skirt with a printed buttondown shirt. The soft jersey knit fabric is comfortable for any day at the office.
For anyone who missed it, use the code CORPORATECATWALK for a free copy of Wear to Work with their first Bento Box. If you've ever torn your closet apart in a state of early-morning outfit angst, this book is for you. We know how hard it can be to shop for work and to balance personal style with the sartorial codes of the office. Our advice? Get a uniform! In this manifesto, we'll show you how to build a career-making wardrobe in four delightful steps.
This post is dedicated to one of my readers, Emily. Last month she asked for recommendations on tops to wear to the office. Today's post is all about three basic tops to have for your work wardrobe this Fall/Winter.
There are three types of tops to extend your work wardrobe; camisoles, button-downs and sweaters/cardigans. What you'll find is that most of my work tops can be worn several different ways. Remember, you don't have to spend a fortune to look professional at work.
Camisoles
These can be worn with any blazer and cardigan. They're lightweight and don't add bulk to your outfit. As much as I love silk, I'd recommend getting a polyester camisole, simply because the material is durable for the busy corporate woman.
Start building your work wardrobe with a white, black and blush pink camisole. These colors go with traditional blue and black trousers.
*the above photo, you can easily switch out the ripped denim for a black skirt or black trousers to complete your work look.
Button-downs
One of my favorite work shirts, especially in the fall and winter. If you find a button-down that fits well, get it in a few different colors and/or patterns. These can be layered with sweaters, blazers and dresses. I love the sophistication of button-down shirts. For those ladies who are a little curvy, invest in an undershirt likes this one from spanx, this will eliminate the embarrassing cleavage gap in button-down shirts.
Start building your work wardrobe with a white and striped button-down.
Lightweight sweaters and cardigans will keep you warm at the office (because we all know it's an icebox 90% of the time) and extend your work looks. J.Crew is my favorite store for sweaters and cardigans. The photos below show layering with a button-down, but cardigans can be worn over camis and sleeveless work dresses. Basic sweaters are nice because they can be paired with basic trousers. That's what I typically wear when I don't have the time to put together a look in the morning.
Start building your work wardrobe with a black and nude cardigan and white sweater. Slowly start adding colorful sweaters like orange, pink and blue for more variety in your looks.
Today I’m excited to share a recent collaboration with MM.LaFleur. MM.LaFleur is the premier direct-to-consumer wardrobe solution for the professional woman. MM’s core mission is simple: to take the work out of dressing for work. Not only does MM create incredible corporate pieces, but they also have MM Bento Boxes, which are made for the busy professional woman.
The Bento Box provides the professional woman with a new way to shop by developing a system whereby a handpicked selection of looks are delivered to the customer’s home free of charge.
When you sign up for the Bento Box, you’re asked a series of questions that enables the MM.LaFleur team to better understand your style and personality. After you submit your answers, the style team sends you an MM Bento Box that is specific to you. It includes wardrobe staples and accessories to complete the look. It’s targeted for professional woman, with the idea of helping her build her ideal work wardrobe with minimal effort. Not everyone enjoys shopping for work or has time to plan an office-appropriate outfit each morning. With the introduction of its “non-shopping” model, MM takes the “work” out of shopping for work and makes getting dressed an easy and empowering experience.
When my Bento Box arrived I received two dresses, the Nisa and the Sarah. The dresses were work appropriate and flattering to my petite figure. Two of my favorite pieces were the Winfrey top and the Soho skirt. They’re a soft jersey knit fabric that’s also flattering to my natural curves. Keep your eyes out for this look on Friday! I also received the Angelique and the Scattered Stone Necklace; two accessories that are key to any work wardrobe.
After trying on all the pieces, you decide what you want to keep. Any items that don't work for you, simply return with the pre-paid label. The Bento Box is a great way to start building your work wardrobe without the hassle of trying on work dresses on your next shopping trip.
Use the code CORPORATECATWALK for a free copy of Wear to Work with their first Bento Box. If you've ever torn your closet apart in a state of early-morning outfit angst, this book is for you. We know how hard it can be to shop for work and to balance personal style with the sartorial codes of the office. Our advice? Get a uniform! In this manifesto, we'll show you how to build a career-making wardrobe in four delightful steps.
When I originally got these trousers, I wasn't sure how I'd look in wide leg pants. It's a trend that I've always loved, but have never been able to find the perfect pair of pants to make the leap. The Reiss pants were an investment, especially after the tailoring and frequent trips to the dry cleaners, but have been worth every penny. Since I tailored the pants, they always look polished, even at the office.
Here are a few other ways I've worn these pants. Here with an off the shoulder top and here with a transitional button down top.
