Lunch with the Governor

Reader Question: I have a meeting at the Governor’s office and am panicked about what to wear? I don’t want to look overdressed — my office is usually super casual — but obviously want to look nice.

Style Me Thrifty: My immediate thought to your fashion dilemma? — it’s impossible to be overdressed here!

Frankly, I’d be more worried about being too casual. A meeting at the Governor’s office (btw, hellooo, look at you!) calls for a full-on business professional outfit. In fact, any important work function falls into the “dressier is better” category.

Do you own a black blazer? A well-fitted tuxedo-esque blazer with dress pants and a colorful top would be perfect. A woman in a blazer radiates maturity and confidence. It’s also a timeless piece — which is key. You don’t want to go bonkers with anything too trendy (your hip fashion sense will be lost on the Governor!). Instead, pick classic, well-fitting items. Here’s a great outfit for any professional meeting:

Where to shop: Old Navy blazer, Target top, LOFT brooch, Express pants, Anne Klein Wedges.

One more note: you can easily up your dressy level with the material of the pants you pick. Chino pants are okay for any regular day, but to up the ante, pick dress pants (think: suit material).

If I had $98 to spare, I’d buy this LOFT dress. It’s perfect for a work function. Too much money but wanted to show you it as another idea!

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When in Doubt, Add a Belt

When in Doubt, Add a Belt

Ever have one of those mornings when you open your closet and cannot find a single solitary item to wear?

The women in my family have a coined a phrase for this: clothes crisis. Tops look blah, pants are wrinkled, nothing fits. Before you know it, your closet has exploded into a crumpled mess on the floor and you’re late for work.

Guess what? I have experienced enough of these frustrating clothes crises that I have come up a trick that I wanted to share: when all else fails, add a belt!

A belt that cinches your waist can instantly raise the bar and tie an outfit together. This morning I assembled a pretty basic outfit – a cardigan, loose tank top, and grey capris. Snooze city. Nothing special. See:

I thought, what can I do to make this ordinary outfit special? Then I remembered the fun elastic waist belt hiding in my closet. Just like that, a basic outfit was upgraded to an actual outfit that made a statement. Clothing crisis averted!

I’m especially digging elastic belts that fasten in the back, like the one I’m wearing (found it for $6.99 on the clearance rack of New York and Company!). Love a good embellishment, too. Here are a few other ideas:

Where to shop:  Express Stretch Belt  ($29.90); Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Floral Filigree Stretch Belt ($24); Charlotte Russe Lurex-Front Stretch Belt ($9.50).

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Look Polished at Work

Reader Question: What can I wear to the office to look put-together but not overdressed? I don’t want to be the most casual person in the office, but I also don’t want to show up in a suit when everyone else is in casual khakis!

Answer: This question came from a sweet coworker of mine and I can totally sympathize. There is such a spectrum of business clothes available today — how does a working gal (on a budget!) navigate all the options, while keeping in mind the norms of her office? It’s enough to force you into a rut of dumpy black pants and worn out cardigans.

Style Me Thrifty is here to guide you on how to look polished at work. I’ve got a tip for every day of the work week.

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Monday: Wear Heels
Have you ever noticed that heels make women stand up straighter and walk with more authority? These are both stellar traits to have around the office. If you have a job where you’re on your feet a lot (like a teacher), go for a sleek wedge to take the pressure off your toesies.

Tuesday: Rock a Blazer with Confidence
I have a fitted black blazer in my closet that I hesitated to wear to work for months because I was worried it would make too much of a statement at my casual office and then I realized… why is that a bad thing?! A chic blazer is a classic piece that can dress an outfit up OR down. If your office skews more casual, pair the blazer with light grey dress pants or even jeans!

Wednesday: Tuck Your Shirt In
This trick instantly preps up an outfit. It is polished, put-together, and totally free to try! Bonus points if you wear your shirt tucked into a Mad Men-esque skirt, like the cute outfit below from The Limited.

Thursday: Give a Skinny Belt a Try
This look is super flattering because the skinny belt cinches in the smallest part of woman’s waist. I suggest brown, beige, or a fun color for the summer — and wear it over a blouse, open cardigan, or dress. So classy.

Friday: Wear a Pair of Dressy Jeans
If your office has “casual Friday,” resist the urge to wear your fav pair of weekend jeans. Up the ante with a nice-fitting dark pair of jeans. If you’re tripping over the length of your pants, get them hemmed! Most dry cleaners hem pants for less than $20. It’s a worthy investment on your road to career domination.

These jeans would look super cute with this crisp top. Just sayin’…

Bonus Tip! Add a Little Color to Your Professional Life
Don’t be a ninja and dress in head to toe black. Use your go-to pair of black dress pants as the base for an outfit. Everything else you add should have color and personality. Try a colorful scarf or bright jewelry. OR — brace yourself — skip pants all together in favor of a colorful dress like the one below. Love this with a white cardigan. So fun!