Workwear Wednesday: What is Business Casual Anyway?

On Friday my husband & I are going to his (new) company party.  The invitation said "business casual" but it's in a slightly swanky location with a jazz band & casino entertainment.  He hasn't been with the company very long but it's the kind of office where most people wear jeans & t-shirts to work.  So we're kinda like, "Um, what exactly should we wear???"  With such super casual coworkers we'd hate to be over dressed!  But with all the higher-ups in attendance we also want to make a strong impression.  Should he wear a suit but no tie?  Should I wear a dress?  And did I mention it's freakin' freezing outside? Oh the choices!  So I leave it with the world of Pinterest to decide.  What do you think?

Workwear Wednesday: Gentlemen's Edition

With as much as I tend to focus on women's fashion, it's hard to believe that I got my professional start as a tailor specializing in menswear. I still love getting my hands on a beautiful mens suit and tailoring it to fit just right.  While I understand that many work environments are more casual today, guys should still know how to do it right when necessary, and SO many men don't!  So today's Workwear Wednesday is for the bros!  Specifically I am reminded of this quote:

"So okay, I don't want to be a traitor to my generation and all but I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair - ew! - and cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we're expected to swoon? I don't think so!" 

-Cher Horowitz, Clueless, 1994

To start on a friendly note, here are two of your icons, looking quite dapper!

A fedora, perfectly pulled off. Note how this man wears one while NOT evoking Kevin Federline.

Excellently executed mixture of patterns! (not recommended for novices)

These guys look more sophisticated in jeans than any man in a Men's Warehouse suit!

A denim blazer. Again, not for beginners. High attention to accessories makes this work.

Classic high quality oxfords. Throw out your square-toed dress shoes if you haven't already.

Plaid ties are always wonderful!  It's the width & colors that change style over time.

And speaking of ties, you should all know by now that narrow ties are in fashion. Look for ties that are no more than 2&1/4 inch at the widest point. If you are a slender man you can go much narrower, if you've got a broad frame, stick to the 2" width.  Have a sentimental attachment to a super wide tie?  Take it to a tailors to have it narrowed. 

A lesson in layering. Consider not just color but texture too.

He should be wearing socks, but otherwise a great outfit. Notice how the belt matches the shoes?

Very fashionable while still completely masculine. 

Oh boy, I am just loving everything about this guy!  A plaid wool sports coat & matching cap? Now there's something to swoon about! 

Workwear Wednesday: Relaxed Professional

We have those days where we are hyper focused and dress to convey it... And then there are all those other days.  Days when you don't really want to work but you have to anyways and you really just want to feel, well, relaxed.

Workwear Wednesday: Color Connection

With the holidays coming up fast, and me my husband hosting a party in (eek!) a week & a half, I'm on the hunt for a pretty new holiday dress to wear.  I guess I'm not really feeling red or green this year because I really have the erge to wear a cobalt or royal blue dress!  So with that in mind, for this week's Workwear Wednesday everything is coming up vibrant blue!

Something like this would be party perfect!

Love the simplicity of this dress... and the sleeves!

Going Old-School: Wool Plaid Skirts

available on etsy

Workwear Wednesday: Winter Outerwear

It was a mere 26 degrees outside this morning when I walked to the bank and I knew that I needed to knuckle under and wear a winter coat.  I wore my black one from last year because I'm not premiering my glorious "new" vintage coat at the freakin' atm.  It's far too lovely and I think I'll probably wait until the first snow hits the ground before wearing it!   It's burgundy from the 60's with a mink fur collar. I'm still in search of a hat.  Last winter we saw a lot of wool trench-style coats (I'm guilty too!).  Maybe this is just me, but I'm feeling like the trend this winter is going to be fur accents, as in fur collars, trims, 60's style fur hats, and fur-lined hoods.  Both real vintage fur and high quality faux fur.  That's my prediction, we'll see what happens! 

I have a friend who needs this one!

Guys need great coats too!  My husband would look hot in this!

I really think we're going to see a lot of these fur hats worn by the most stylin' among us!

I want this!

Couldn't resist adding this one!