A Classy Chick's Guide to Dressing in the Workplace

Every young professional lady has problems with collecting, yes - I said collecting, a wardrobe for the workplace. Lets just face it, there aren't too many stores that offer enough styles that are youthful, chic and appropriate. Here in St. Louis, I rely almost solely on Express and The Limited for my work attire. Unfortunately, even they do not have a wide variety of choices for the workplace.

Here are some tips that might inspire your own professional wardrobe.

Tip #1: Think comfort and versatility. Black pants and a black blazer paired with an interesting shirt that adds color can take a classy chick a long way. If you have a job like me, you do a lot of walking, attend a lot of meetings and even have the occasional press conference or major event to tend to.

Day at the Office by Millenial featuring Steve Madden shoes

Tip #2: Start from a neutral base and add pops of color. Find a look that works for you and suits your job and duplicate it with a twist. The more you can mix and match your wardrobe the more options you will have.

Work Wardrobe by Millenial featuring Jessica Simpson shoes

Tip #3: Choose pieces that can easily take you from day to night. Don't forget to pack your clutch inside of your tote for easy transitioning.

Work to Evening by Millenial featuring Catherine Malandrino dresses

Tip #4: When it comes to work parties and dinner events, keep it classy. Cover up your lady bits while staying youthful and chic. (Side note: one or two cocktails is always classy and fun. Don't get sloppy drunk. Trust me you will regret it and no one will forget it.)

Work Holiday/New Years Party by Millenial featuring kate spade bags

To recap, consider the following when adding to your professional wardrobe:

• Start with neutral staple pieces.
• Always have one piece that is interesting and funky (i.e., jewelry, scarf, top, shoes).
• When wearing heels, always keep a pair of flats close at hand.
  
• Find totes that are large enough to fit clutches.
• Make sure that your outfits are actually work appropriate. That means covering up your lady bits.

I hope this post provides you with some inspiration to collect your very own work wardrobe.

What tips do you have for dressing as a young professional?

With whatever you do, keep it classy.

SH

Wardrobe Staple: The Perfect Leather Jacket

"You know that thing when you see someone cute and he smiles and your heart kind of goes like warm butter sliding down hot toast? Well that's what it's like when I see a store. Only it's better."
- Confessions of a Shopaholic

So true. So true. Except, in our case it wasn't just shopping. Oh, no. It was the Leather Jacket (and yes, it deserves to be capitalized).

True story: SH and SS were shopping one day (the usual), and they happened to be talking about their fashion wish lists. The one thing that was on both of theirs was the "Perfect Leather Jacket". Cropped just above the waist, small stand-up collar, vertical pockets, fitted, and of course, the perfect shade of black. And that's when they saw it. Heaven in the store window. Staring back at them, calling their names, taunting them with its beauty and perfectness, there it was. THE. EXACT. JACKET.

So of course, they did what any sane girl does when she swears she's just window shopping and has no intent of buying anything. They bolted for the store and begged the salesgirl for their sizes.

We can literally swear, we felt like we had died and gone to heaven. It felt like sex. Only better.

SS is about to cry cause she wants it sooo bad, SH is just delirious.

45 minutes later, after swooning our hearts out, we left, teary eyed, but vowing to ourselves that it would be ours. Oh yes, it would be ours.

And it was. And it is soooo damn good.

- - - - -

The perfect thing about a leather jacket? You can literally pair it with anything and it looks PERFECT. Seriously. Once you have one, you are set for life. It can go anywhere from super casual, with a t-shirt and flats, to mega-glam, with a mini-dress and stilettos. It reeks sexiness.

So, here are a few of our favorite outfits, but feel free to explore your imagination and remember: there are NO limits.

PS - In order to remain ultra-badass, SH and SS named their jackets (Bonnie and Clyde, respectively). Not kidding.

Outfit One: Comfy Casual (Perfect for a low-key dinner/movie date with the girls.)


Outfit Two: Dressy Casual (Date night with the boy.)


Outfit Three: Super-Chic (Ready to roll for a night out on the town.)

So there you have it. Go find your perfect leather jacket and release the Fonzie within.
-The Classy Chicks