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.

 

Run Around POW: Simple Elegance Sunday Best

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Outfit Mission Statement: For an elegant, sophisticated outfit that is easy and comfortable, pair your black skirt with a neutral silk and similar accessories

Sunday Best POW outfits are special occasion clothes for dinning, theater, opera, holiday parties, church, and other such occasions that need something special. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Run Around Skirt. Sometimes simple is best. Take a black skirt add a silk blouse and there you go. The ease and comfort of the Run Around Skirt suggests an easy comfortable dressy look, something of simple elegance. Don’t get me wrong. This skirt can be dressed up all sorts of ways—lace, sequins, chiffon, more drapes... the list goes on.  For instance, this skirt is a knockout with Tivoli Top and the Vita Blouse (see Simple Affairs Date Night for the Vita with black pants for an example outfit with the blouse and black on bottom). Or you can go for power and elegance of all black with a black top. Consider either the white or black Sophia Sweater (with sheer lace backs) for another dressy look. This skirt is versatile and easily dressed up.

But, you can also pair it with a simple silk blouse in a neutral color for a classic, but easy, look. This gives you a fun base to accessorize. You could go for bright colors to really pop them. Or go for a more sophisticated look by playing off the color of the blouse, such as I did here—gray blouse and silver accessories and shoes. With the draping and layered skirt, gray silk, and silver accessories you have a sophisticated, elegant look that is easy and comfortable.

 

Tips:

  • For a simply elegant look, pair the draped black skirt with a simple neutral silk blouse
  • With a gray silk blouse, you can play up the color with silver accessories (if going with a cream or brown, consider gold)
  • Keep things simple by keeping your hair down
  • With neutral garments, you can show off a statement necklace as the highlight of your outfit
  • For a layered, wrap skirt, consider D’Orsay heels to compliment the lines
  • Choose a neutral silk blouse with minor embellishments, which as the slightly draped neckline, to keep with the simple elegance of the outfit

 

Outfit Breakdown:

 

Photography by Bill Ruhsam of The Evil Eyebrow. Check out more of his photography.

Go-To Week in Review

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Our fifth POW (Piece of the Week) is the cabi Spring 2016 Go-To Trouser. With this practical, modern, and chic take on the classic black trouser, we learned about black and white style, preppy & professional nautical style, a simple date night look, classic and simple special occasion dressing, dressing down for casual fun, versatile blackout looks, and styling denim on top. While clearly professional, the  Go-To Trouser can be styled for a huge variety of events.

Without further ado, let’s review this classic week! Which is your favorite?

Manic Black & White Monday: Rock your black pants in a long, lean, chic, and cropped black & white outfit.

Outfit: Go-To Trouser, Crop Top, Piazza Jacket, Dolce Charm Earrings, all from cabi 2016 and the Acme Bootie by Crown Vintage sold at DSW.

March 21, 2016

No Place Like Tuesday for Sky & Earth Explorers: Dress down those work-appropriate black pants with a boxy tee, explore vest, and handmade jewelry.

Outfit: Go-To Trouser, Sky Stripe Tee, and Explorer Vest from cabi Spring 2016. Bronze & Gray Druzy Earrings by Live Love Boutique. Citrine Crystal Wire Wrapped Pendant on Vintage Brass Chain by Shine Chaser Jewelry. The bracelet is the cabi Fall 2015 Heirloom necklace. These are older shoes and I’m not sure of brand.

March 29, 2016

 

Working It Classic Nautical Wednesday: Combine the perfect black work trousers with a classic nautical jacket for chic, preppy, and professional look that implies success.

Outfit: Go-To Trouser, Marisa Top, Cruise Jacket, Dolce Charm Earrings, and the Locket Necklace from cabi Spring 2016. The shoes are beige suede pumps from Target last year.

March 23, 2016

The Versatile Blackout Thursday: For a trendy yet classic versatile look, choose black pieces with a twist.

Outfit: Go-To Trouser, Tivoli Top, and the Sorrento Cardigan from cabi Spring 2016. Acme Bootie by Crown Vintage sold at DSW. Brynn Lariat Necklace by Stella & Dot. Gilded Leather Cuff Bracelet by Bauble Bar. Old antique gold style hoops with hoops.

March 31, 2016

 

Simple Affairs Date Night: For a simple date night look, take your wardrobe essential black pants, add a romantic & sexy blouse along with a few accessories and you are good to go!

Outfit: Go-To Trouser and the Vita Blouse from cabi Spring 2016. Ice Infinity Pendant & Pisces Strands from Bauble Bar. Old clutch from Coldwater Creek. Cherry Quartz Gemstone Earrings from Shine Chaser Jewelry. Ivie Bangle by Stella & Dot purchased in 2014. I think the shoes are very old Aerosoles. 

March 25, 2016

Denim on Top Saturday: Wear your denim on top with classic black pants for a casual, fun, and modern outfit with a touch of class.

Outfit: Go-To Trouser, Bardot Shirt, Layer Tank in Tiger Lily, and the Flora Scarf from cabi Spring 2016. Long Multi Beaded Necklace with Suede Tassel from Target. The earrings are made for me by Solid Treasures. Restricted Newport Flat from DSW.

April 02, 2016

 

Classic Pearls and Lace Sunday Best: Sometimes simple is special—keep it simple with black pants, a lacy sweater, and classic accessories.

Outfit: Go-To Trouser and Sophia Sweater from cabi Spring 2016.  Simple Cami from a previous season of cabi. The pearls were a wedding gift from my husband and they are from Robert Lance Jewelers. The L&M convertible reversible black and gold handbag or clutch. Unisa Eavvi Sandal sold at DSW. This lipstick is Sizzling Red by Mary Kay.

March 27, 2016