Pencil Skirt POW: Working It Black, White, and Printed Chic Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement:  Mix your feminine, chic pencil skirt with neutral mixed prints and classy jewelry for a put-together, fun, boardroom-ready look

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the pencil skirt in general, and the cabi Fall 2016 Sigourney skirt in particular. A pencil skirt is perfect for work, of course. The chic professionalism of the pencil skirt pairs perfectly with a cute jacket or blouse for work. But it also lets you get away with some more interesting choices, as it adds professionalism to anything.  So, you can mix prints, wear a more causal shirt, and other things, and still look ready to take on the boardroom. This outfit is a fun mix of two cabi seasons and a mix of prints.

Tips:

  • Play off the professionalism of the pencil skirt for unique and fun pieces
  • For a more put-together and professional print mixing, keep your prints to the same neutral colors, like black and white
  • For all-day comfort with the left of a heel, opt for wedges
  • Professional doesn’t have to be serious, feel free to mix prints in surprising ways in professional pieces
  • Add a pop of color in an otherwise black and white outfit for a pop of color and interest
  • A bun will also add some professionalism to more casual pieces, and compliments the chic, feminine pencil skirt

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Related Posts:

  1. Plume POW: Working It Classic & Modern Coco Wednesday: Create a career outfit with the same put-together professionalism as a suit with a few modern interpretations of classic pieces.
  2. Beyond POW: Working It Long, Lean, and Versatile Wednesday: For a long, lean professional look, wear dark neutral layers over a white shirt, a longer pencil skirt, and a cropped jacket.
  3. Go-To POW: Working It Classic Nautical Wednesday posted March 23, 2016: Combine the perfect black work trousers with a classic nautical jacket for chic, preppy, and professional look that implies success .

 

 

Destructed White POW: Working It Professional, High-End, Destructed Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Mix high-end, sophisticated pieces with your destructed jean for a rich, yet edgy, boardroom look

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Destructed Slim Boyfriend jeans. Destructed jeans may not be everyone’s idea of office appropriate. If this doesn’t work for your office, consider regular white jeans, white linen pants, or other white pants instead. As discussed in Pretty in Pink & Pearls Sunday Best, the trick to making destructed jeans work for dressier occasions, like work, is to combine it with dressier/more professional pieces, even over the top dressy/professional pieces.   High-end pieces with special details can be the way to do that. Think designer. Think quality. Think professional. The high-end Cruise Jacket is a perfect example of a classy, professional piece with rich details, like gold and enamel buttons. Even with destructed jeans, you can create a rich, boardroom-ready outfit by combining them with sophisticated and classy items.

 

Tips:

  • Mix destructed jeans with high-end, professional pieces that have rich details for a sophisticated, yet edgy, office look
  • Add a lux leopard print belt for a funky, yet classy touch
  • Mix sophisticated patterns, like a nautical stripe and classy leopard print, to add class and style
  • Grab a designer handbag for a polished finishing touch
  • Look for luxurious, but not loud, accessories to add further sophistication and affluence
  • Consider rich fabrics, like suede, faux animal hair, and luxurious woven fabrics to contrast with the rips
  • Style your hair in a sleek chignon for a smooth, put-together look
  • Combine different shades of white for on-trend sophistication

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

If you want of these cabi pieces, contact your cabi stylist ASAP! The season is closing, but she may still be able to help you with samples or have access to the retired season pieces. If you do not have a stylist, please contact me in the comments or via email, reach out to my stylist, Joni Allen, via email or phone: 770 502-5243 [call or text]), or find a cabi stylist near you. 

 

Related Posts:

  1. Go-to POW: Working It Classic Nautical Wednesday posted March 23, 2016. Combine the perfect black work trousers with a classic nautical jacket for chic, preppy, and professional look that implies success.
  2. Bardot POW: Working It Wrapped, Classy Linen & Denim Wednesday posted June 08, 2016. Make your denim shirt work for work by pairing it with a classic neutral linen trouser and sophisticated accessories.
  3. Plume POW: Working It Classic & Modern Coco Wednesday posted April 06, 2016.  Create a career outfit with the same put-together professionalism as a suit with a few modern interpretations of classic pieces.

 

Bardot POW: Working It Wrapped, Classy Linen & Denim Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Make your denim shirt work for work by pairing it with a classic neutral linen trouser and sophisticated accessories

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Bardot Shirt. Of course, the easy way to dress up a denim shirt for the boardroom would be to add it to a two piece suit, or wear a blazer, or do any number of rather predictable, but interesting, things. However, for a lovely denim shirt with special details, like this one, you don’t need to go the easy way. Simply add professional, quality pieces that say class and sophistication, and you can make it work!

Tips:

  • Dress up your denim shirt for work by pairing it with a nice, professional pair of linen trousers in a neutral
  • Add classy accessories and shoes to add sophistication and professionalism
  • Consider mixing lighter neutrals for a cultured look, such as cream, beige, burnished gold, and leopard print
  • A fine quality leopard print belt can add class to a work look (but be careful of going overboard, leopard can get trashy is there is too much or the quality is poor)
  • Just because it is a button-down, it does not mean you need to button it all the way down!  Consider a diagonal wrap instead (see directions below)
  • Want more sophistication? Add a designer handbag
  • Consider a nice crisp cream linen, for a more refined look
  • Tuck in your shirt for a dressier look

 

Directions for Wrap Tuck:

  • Start with a denim shirt that is baggy on you (a size up)
  • Button the buttons down to your bust or a bit lower (more or less depending on the amount you want to wrap)
  • With your pants undone, take the shirttail of the piece that is on top (has the button holes), and wrap around you, creating a diagonal line
  • With a safety pin, pin the shirttail into this diagonal shape, making sure the pin stays below where the pants will tuck (if needed add more above the tuck line, just find ways to do it invisibly)
  • Tuck in your shirt, making sure to keep the diagonal
  • Add a belt for additional waist slimming attention

 

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Related Posts:

  1. Bardot POW: Ponte and Knotted Manic Monday posted June 6, 2016. For a comfortable, professional Monday outfit, dress up your denim shirt with a navy ponte pencil skirt
  2. Plaid POW: Working It Flannel Wednesday posted February 24, 2016. Even flannel can work in a formal office when combined with very professional pieces
  3. Plaid POW: Manic Flannel Monday posted February 22, 2016. For a cozy yet professional look, take one casual flannel and add lots of professional pieces

Plus, check out the other Working It Wednesday posts.

 

Bardot POW: Ponte and Knotted Manic Monday

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Outfit Mission Statement: For a comfortable, professional Monday outfit, dress up your denim shirt with a navy ponte pencil skirt

Manic Monday outfits are easy career clothes to throw on for manic Mondays. This Monday we focus on creating an professional, comfortable work outfit. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 of Bardot Shirt. The denim shirt in general, and the Bardot in particular, dress up very nicely for a casual work look. The embroidery on the Bardot gives it a special touch that works well for a casual Friday or Monday. Any casual button down shirt can be quickly and easily dressed a with a nice pencil skirt. The pencil skirt adds instant professionalism. And no one has to know if is the amazing, comfortable ponte knit (remember, I’ve suggested a ponte knit pencil skirt is a must).

 

Tips:

  • To make a casual skirt work appropriate wear it with a pencil skirt—make that pencil skirt ponte for added comfort and ease (for more see dressy ponte pencil and work ponte pencil)
  • For a casual work look, you don’t have to tuck your shirt in—consider tying it in a knot at your waist for something a bit different (and that emphasizes your waist)
    • Just make sure you are appropriately covered and are not showing belly or too much chest for work (think professional, not teen girl in the summer)
  • To up the professionalism, go for a single strong neutrals, like navy, for your skirt and cami
    • The navy works especially well with the Bardot because it matches the navy embroidery, creating consistency and looking more put together
    • Navy is also very in right now, so it makes you look on-trend
    • See more about wearing navy in general and to work
  • Consider a nice pop of color in your accessories, jewelry, or shoes, such as red wedges
  • Otherwise, go with simple neutral jewelry to keep it professional, or if your work environment favors casual or creative, add more color and pop with your accessories
  • Consider rolling your sleeves for a modern, getting-down-to-business look

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

 

I love this picture of us!

I love this picture of us!

 

Related Posts:

  1. Plaid POW: Manic Flannel Monday posted February 22, 2016. For a cozy yet professional look, take one casual flannel and add lots of professional pieces.
  2. Plaid POW: Sparkling & Flannel Sunday Best posted February 28, 2016. Turn flannel elegant by adding a dressy skirt and accessories.
  3. Go-To POW: Denim on Top Saturday posted April 02, 2016. Wear your denim on top with classic black pants for a casual, fun, and modern outfit with a touch of class.

Run Around POW: Working It Office Goddess Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Bring some Grecian Goddess-inspired style to your office with draping in all the right places

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Run Around Skirt. There are a lot ways you can dress this elegant, comfortable, and easy skirt to make it work for a more formal work office. Wearing it with a black jacket will create a formal suit look with the added elegance of the skirt. I decided to mix it up some with bright colors and a fun jacket, while maintaining a professional look. The same discussion I had for Manic Monday’s outfit on wearing this skirt for work still applies—wear this in place of a more typical A-line or pencil skirt. The drape gives it a Grecian Goddess feel—a power piece in any office, right? For the added professionalism of a Wednesday outfit, make sure you added more professional pieces. Instead of a cardigan, wear a jacket. Instead of a tank, wear a blouse. Instead of strappy sandals, wear peep-toe heels. Add some professional jewelry, and you are ready to rock (or rule over from Mount Olympus) that boardroom presentation!

Tips:

  • Check out the tips for Manic Monday, as many fit here too
  • Mix classic work pieces, like a blouse and jacket, with a unique skirt for new take on boardroom goddess chic
  • When wearing neutral and smaller prints, consider popping a bright color in your blouse or accessories to add interest (and fun!)
  • As mentioned in the Plume Manic Monday, roll the jacket cuffs for a more modern take on the classic (and keep cooler during the summer heat or a hot flash)
  • When wearing a distinctive skirt and bright shirt, consider keeping your accessories and jewelry more neutral and basic, especially in more professional settings—but you do not need to be boring
  • Remember you can change the formality of the outfit by zipping up (or otherwise closing) the jacket some or all the way—the more closed the more formal
  • Power pieces for work can be ones that bring out the inner goddess in you, such as the draping on this skirt!

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Plume POW: Manic Pretty Strong Monday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Mix a military-inspired jacket with skinny jeans and a feminine top for a strong, pretty, casual, yet professional work look

 

Manic Monday outfits are easy career clothes to throw on for manic Mondays. This Monday we focus on creating a chic work outfit. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2106 Plume Top. While styled with the ease of a tee shirt, this blouse can easily be styled up for work. It especially works is a more casual work look with a blazer and jeans. I’m a huge fan of the blazer and jean combination anyway. Add this Plume Top and you have an amazing, casual apropos of work look! Due to all the colors in this top, you can easily pop any of them with your accessories or shoes. I felt the orange made a nice contrast to the green and was less expected than purple or magenta. This top is great for the casual office look for many reasons, but one of my favorites is layering! If you get hot, you can take the jacket off, and not worry about showing off too much (including a bra strap). Make sure you have some blouses like this in your work (and rest of life) wardrobe!

Tips:

  • For a casual work look, combine a pretty top, nice fitting blazer, and skinny jeans
  • Pop a less expected color in the blouse with your accessories or shoes for added interest and sophisticate styling
  • Roll those jeans to show off your shoes and look more put together
  • Roll the jacket cuffs for a more modern take on the classic (and keep cooler during the summer heat or a hot flash)
  • Consider playing off the safari feel of the jacket with some fun shoes
  • Contrast the femininity of the blouse with a safari- or military-styled jacket for a strong, yet pretty look that is ready for anything
  • When doing business casual, lean towards darker washed jeans, as they look more professional
  • Look for blouses that layer well and can work without layer on top for when you get hot
  • With a neutral jacket and dark wash jeans (also a neutral), you can grab any blouse for a quick, professional work outfit

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 
 
 

Go-To POW: Working It Classic Nautical Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Combine the perfect black work trousers with a classic nautical jacket for chic, preppy, and professional look that implies success

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Go-To Trouser. These are the perfect professional pants—classic with an updated, chic silhouette. A good pair of black work pants are clearly a wardrobe staple and easy to style in a professional look. Anyone can throw on a jacket and blouse and have a more formal business outfit with these pants. But, you can also take the typical black pants outfit to new place—like say the sea?

The trendy, yet always chic, nautical style easily works in a formal office setting, especially with such a lovely, tailored jacket as the Cruise Jacket. The fine details, like the buttons and double-breasted styling, take it beyond your normal jacket or low-end nautical style. This preppy or even bon chic, bon genre jacket speaks of wealth and success. It also combines two power colors—navy and red! And yes, the navy striped blazer can and should be worn with black pants. Wearing navy and black together is not only very in, but is a classic and French look (adding even more sophistication to the outfit—see previous discussions about the combination here and here). In addition, it can be easier to combine black and navy than either color with itself. I’ve found it tricky to take two black separates and combine them. Often the blacks are close enough in color but do not fully match color exactly—so it looks a bit off or even like a mistake. The similarities and slight differences create a conflict the eye stumbles over—say with two separate navy pieces. However, you can take one black piece and one navy piece and easily combine them. The differences are enough that your eye recognizes them as intentionally not the same color and doesn’t stumble.

 

Tips

  • Do wear navy and black together for a sophisticate, smooth, and classic look
  • When wearing nautical pieces in a formal office setting, go for rich, preppy pieces that pull on the classic, tailored look
  • As discussed before, and especially in a more formal office setting, limit the nautical pieces to one  
  • Look for fine details like flattering seeming, special buttons, and delicate lace details to display professionalism, prep, and success (but not scream it)
  • A simple bun always works for more formal office dressing
  • To really play off the classical feel of the nautical style, choose vintage or vintage-feel accessories, like this classic locket
  • With such bold and strong colors, consider a neutral shoe to put focus on your outfit

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

 

For this photo shoot, I am modeling the sample cabi Spring 2016 Go-To Trouser, which are a size too big. My own pair did not arrive in time. Keep in mind these should be a bit tighter and smoother if they fit correctly.

 

Plaid POW: Working It Flannel Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Even flannel can work in a formal office when combined with very professional pieces

 

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the L.L. Bean Slightly Fitted Scotch Plaid Shirt in Deep Evergreen Tartan. This was a fun outfit to put together. I wasn’t sure if I could make flannel appropriate for a more formal office, and, look, I can and pretty easily. This outfits takes the tips from the Manic Flannel Monday post, where I discus show to do a more casual flannel work outfit, and applies them with even greater professionalism. So to incorporate professional clothing, make sure it is very professional. And nothing is more professional than a black or dark suit. Add a black suit jacket and black pencil skirt and you have an outfit that should work in the tenue de ville (or international business attire/informal [which is actually two steps up form business casusal]) office setting. Keep it going with a more formal hair style, such as a bun, and simple jewelry. Go with simple heels to look professional from head to toe. You can heighten the professionalism even further by wearing a long sleeves black jacket, which I discovered I no longer have. Now, don’t you want to rock some flannel in the workplace?

 

Tips:

  • Even the most casual of shirt (such as flannel) can work for more formal work environments if combined with a dark suit 
  • Keep accessories simple and fairly small
  • If you have longer hair, wear it up in a bun, French twist, or other more formal hair style
  • It is okay to go with trendier items as long as the pieces are not loud—like this three-quarter sleeve longer collarless jacket
  • Keep the shoes simple to and match them to the color for the suit for added professionalism

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Want to work a Spring version of this outfit? Consider this outfit that applies the same rules from the cabi Spring 2016 collection, but uses a denim shirt instead of flannel: Lido Jacket, Bardot Shirt, and the Lido Skirt. Accessorize with the Aurora Necklace, Aurora Stud Pack  and the Artisan Marquis Cuff by Stella & Dot. Then, slip your feet into the Good Lux heels by Aerosoles for the finishing touch.


Love POW: Working It Lady-Like Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Look for feminine details, like gathers, ruffles, and flares, and add a feminine blouse to turn a blah business suit into lady-like office style

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi fall 2015 Love Blouse. This blouse makes a great pop of color in an all-black (or other neutral) suite, as you see here. I paired the Abbott Jacket with the Skater Skirt, creating this black suit. Black suits can often appear harsh, but I tone this one down not only with the feminine Love Blouse, but also by choosing suiting options with feminine features. The Abbott jacket has amazing three-quarter length sleeves with gathers and a twist to give them a unique and very lady-like appeal. The Skater Skirt has a fit and flare styling, which give it swing and more femininity. Together we have gathers, flares, ruffles, and twists for elegant business wear of the tenue de ville (or international business attire/informal) level of dress code. The skirt is also the very comfortable ponte knit I mentioned before—perfectly professional and perfectly comfortable.

 

Tips:

  • Tone down and bring a lady-like style to the stark black suite with feminine details, like a flared skirt or gathered sleeves
  • Add a pop of feminine color with a lovely blouse to also tone down the starkness of a black suit
  • As I said in Monday’s post, get ponte knit career clothes, if you don’t already have some (and add more if you do
  • For more formal office, keep your accessories small and neutral (such as gold or silver), but feel free to sneak in extra touches, like a belt
  • When you have a lovely collar, pop it up over the jacket collar
  • Create your own suit from separates, so they work great together and apart

 

Outfit Breakdown:

The clothing items in this outfit are all cabi Fall 2015, and no longer available. Contact me if you must have something and I may be able to direct you to a stylist who has it. Look for substitutes from your own closet or check out the alternatives below. I normally with make the POW a currently available item, but my blog launched later than planned and I wanted to share these outfits. The next POW will be of an available item, I promise!

  • Blouse: This is the cabi fall 2015 Love Blouse. To find a substitute from your own closet, look for a feminine blouse with a special feature. If you don’t have quite the right blouse to substitute in your closet, consider these cabi Spring 2016 alternatives:
    •  Vita Blouse: This gorgeous draped blouse is also sleeveless, and has a sexy cutout in the back. 
    • Bella Top: This feminize, fluttery blouse has a similar feel to the love blouse. 
    • Plaza Top: This classic, flowing blue and white blouse has a cute Henley collar.
    • Tivoli Top: This fierce black and taupe blouse has plenty of cool features.
  • Jacket: Shown is the cabi fall 2015 Abbott Jacket. For a business look, any jacket could work. But for this look, something with feminine details is best. 
    •  Verde Jacket: Not as formal, but t has his cotton/spandex mix is soft and stretchy and this green color is amazing! It also has lovely feminine details on the jacket pockets  
    • Lido Jacket: Also not as formal, this longer navy ponte jacket pairs well with the XXXX shirt for a suit look 
    • Cruise Jacket: Not as formal, but this nautical theme jacket can work in dressier business settings with ease
  • Skirt: This Skater Skirt is also from cabi Fall 2015. There is one skirt in the cabi Spring 2016 collection that could work, the Lido Skirt. This classic pencil skirt is in navy and has a tiered hem for a feminine touch. It is a works perfectly with the Lido jacket to make a skirt. Some skater or fit and flare skirt options: 
  • Shoes: These are older black open-toed shoes with a bow detail. Consider instead:  
    • Good Lux: Aerosoles with an open toe and buckle detail
    • Benefit: Peep toe shoes with a bow details, also by Aerosoles    
    • Benn Station: Also peep toed, with a punch design that almost looks like lace, by Aerosoles
  • Jewelry: For belt and bracelet, I am wearing the cabi Fall 2016 Heirloom necklace—the necklace converts into several different pieces. My earrings are Vintage Stud earrings for cabi Fall 2014. The cabi Spring 2016 Locket Necklace is also a convertible piece and can be worn as a bracket and belt also, and has a similar feel to the Heirloom. The Dolce Charm Earrings go well with the necklace, and continue the feminine feel.
 

Want to work a Spring version of this outfit? Consider this outfit that applies the same rules from the cabi Spring 2016 collection: Lido Jacket, Bella Top, Lido Skirt, Locket Necklace, and the Dolce Charm Earrings. Add the Good Lux: Aerosoles for the finishing touch.