Cool and Casual

Working in the financial services industry for the past 8 years, I’ve come across a phenomena that occurs to those who have taken great comfort in the assumed ease of Mon.-Fri. suit-wear. A three piece suit can be a no-brainer for many (although I have seen many a faux paus in my day)…you get a matching suit and then stick a blouse underneath it. But then on days that HR departments nationwide have coined “business casual”, all (excuse my french) hell breaks loose. What exactly business casual is can differ amongst industries, but whether you work in finance, publishing, marketing, or education, you have got to get this right.

Or how about the people who are dapper during the week and then on the weekend they pull out the 80s jeans, dingy tee, and the big sneakers? Help is on the way!!!

Charmane Cotton Jacket $24.80 at Forever 21 Slim Stretch Shirt $58 at J. Crew Trouser Jean in lightweight denim $95 at J. Crew Clea Printed-fabric Ballet Flat in Amethyst $118 at J. Crew

If you work in an industry where jeans are acceptable, try a dressier pair like the denim trousers shown above. They give you a more grown up and polished look than those dreaded 80s jeans. Pair your jeans with a basic white button-down and then jazz it up with a colorful jacket and printed flats.

Then add these super-cute accessories:

Woven Doctor Bag $58 at urbanoutfitters.com Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Business Card Holder $180 at eluxury.com Monsieur Z Notebook with Hard Cover at Baghouse Blackberry World Edition

If you want to dress things up a bit, pair tweed dress pants with a sweater coat and a funky top (if you’re not feeling very daring, you can just let a sliver of the top peep through the sweater by keeping the sweater buttoned up) and then give the whole outfit a pop of color with the deep red patent pumps.

Sweater Coat $79.50, Empire Tee $39.50, and Editor Pant in Tweed $88.00 all at Express. Brytni Pump in Deep Red Patent $99.95 at Steve Madden

To complete your look, cinch your waist with the skinny belt, add on the gold accessories & watch, and don’t forget the bag!

Betsey Johnson Resin Bangle Watch $65 at Urban Outfitters,
Patent-leather Skinny Belt $34 at J. Crew
Down the Line Doctor Bag $68 at Urban Outfitters
Assorted Gold Accessories $10 each at Express

If you work in a more conservative industry that
still allows business casual, try something like this:



























Ruffle front blouse $39 at Victoria's Secret
Wool Crepe Pencil Skirt $78 at J. Crew
Blythe Peep-toe heels $168 at J. Crew
Jewel Box Necklace $18 at Urban Outfitters

Weekend:

Just because it's the weekend it doesn't mean you have
two days off from being fashionable.

Take a cue from these stars who do dressing down right:























































Weekend Style Essentials a la Jessica Biel & Camron Diaz

Slouchy Ribbed Beanie
$28 at Urban Outfitters














Deux Lux Pintuck Satchel
$68 at Urban Outfitters












Deux Lux Perforated Foldover Bag
$49.99 at Urban Outfitters













Intyce Cognac Boot
$199.95 at Steve Madden














 Tom Ford Margaux Sunglasses
$340 at Bergdorf Goodman

















Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
$79.99 at Gap














7 for all Mankind Kate Straight Leg Jean
$235 at Macy's
















Helmut Lang Trench
$715 at net-a-porter.com