My all time favorite work essential is the pencil skirt. Pencil skirts are feminine without being too sexy; polished without being too stuffy. You can't go wrong wearing this to work when paired with a button down or a simple shell and jacket.
{If you're looking to purchase your first, I'd invest in a flawlessly tailored black pencil skirt like this one}
My second favorite is a dress. I'm petite and more often than not, finding a pair of work trousers that I don't have to get tailored is extremely rare. Even trousers that are meant for petite women are still too long. So, I cheat and wear a dress as often as I can get away with it. You can either go with a basic, black shift dress that you can add a chunky pearl necklace and a pair of tights in the winter. Or, a fun color or print wrap dress.
{This chartreuse beauty is perfection! Fashionable and yet still very professional}
Another work essential is a pair of skinny pants. Fit is key. Similar to the pencil skirt, skinny pants can be paired with a blouse or a tailored jacket.
{When I think of fabulous, I think of Victoria Beckham.
This ensemble is a perfect example of how to wear this look}
These are the three key pieces I can not live without for work. If you're only starting to build your work wardrobe, this is a good start. Add in a neutral blouse and a tailored jacket and you're on your way!
My three best tips:
1} Buy pieces you LOVE. If they're financially out of your reach at this point in time, then save. Don't go broke, just buy quality pieces that will stand the test of time.
2} Tailoring. I know I mentioned earlier that I try to avoid trousers because I try and skip the extra step to taking them to get hemmed. However, that's not to say that you should leave the house in ill-fitting clothes. If you must, then get them tailored!
3} Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Emulate someone you admire at work. Follow their lead. You may not have the same salary as an executive or director you admire at work but that doesn't mean you can't find similar wardrobe pieces for a fraction of the cost.
{ Here's a Zara black pencil skirt I have for sale in the GSG Closet. See link above}
xx, Shiela
