Dressing for Success: The New Way Women Are Dressing for Work

I recently helped a friend decide what to wear for a speaking engagement. She is an entrepreneur who helps students become financially robust after graduation and often gets asked to speak on television and for banks. She wondered what would one wear for such an occasion. I wondered what couldn't she wear for such an occasion?

Both women and men today have so many more options for work attire than we used it and it is largely because our workplaces have transformed quite a bit. Companies are a lot more focused on productivity than following traditional work practices, and part of maximizing productivity is making employees happier at work. This means allowing greater flexibility and versatility, which has given rise to a more casual work place setting with flex-time, hot desking, centralised management -and you guessed it! Relaxed work attire policies. Below are some of the recommendations I came up for my friend, which you might not have traditionally seen on someone presenting to a bank.

Formal Trousers + Patterned Button-Down Shirt

Pencil Skirt + Button-Down with Rolled up Sleeves

Relaxed Blazer + Tucked-in T-Shirt + Mismatched Trouser

Sleeveless Blouse + Tapered Trouser 

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Fall/Winter 2016 Trend: The Slip Dress Makes a Comeback

Kate Moss wearing the slip dress during the nineties.

Halloween shall no longer remain a stand-alone day for women to leave their houses and wander their neighbourhoods in lingerie liberated from the shackles of judgement! The slip dress is back. And it has stripped itself of its stripped-down innocence and simplicity. Initially, brought out of the boudoir for sexy evening excursions, accompanied only, perhaps, by some Mary-Janes and a spritz of Chanel No. 5 -slip dresses are now the ultimate layering piece.

Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw wearing a barely-there slip dress with the minimal styling that characterized this look back in the nineties.

Of course, you can still pair a slip dress with some beautifully understated jewelry, slip on a comfortable shoe and head out the door as if you simply forgot to put on your clothes -but with the breadth of options shown on the runway this past season, it almost seems like a waste not throwing on some thigh-highs a la Wanda Nylon or a chain harness as demonstrated at Calvin Klein.

Fall/Winter 2016/2017 Runway looks from the left:
Wanda Nylon, Versace, Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, Dries Van Noten.

Or perhaps you'd like to throw a floor length cape, reminiscent of a Persian rug over your shoulders and stack your arms with gold cuffs, like Mary-Kate Olsen? Better yet, why not throw a jean jacket over top a punchy pink lace-trimmed slip, tie yourself into some tennis shoes, and go full nineties, like Rihanna? There's something deeply satisfying about capturing the entire spirit of an era. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment as you wrap a black choker around your neck and lock its clasp into place. And what better era to channel than the nineties? It is, after all, the last decade fashion had before it was digitalized, celebritised, and globalised. Yet it still enjoyed a transformative integration with entertainment, and last, but not least, brought us Kate Moss.

From left: Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, Mary-Kate Olsen.

Even Tim Blanks, the widely-recognized, and indisputable voice of fashion, calls the nineties the golden age of fashion. But enough about the bigger picture, let's get back to the details, which are entirely up to your choosing with this figure-clinging, uber feminine frock. "Don’t work with the slip, work against it!" advises Mimi Hecht, one of the two creatives forces behind the label Mimu Maxi. What does this mean exactly? Wear textures that will juxtapose its dainty touch.

Fashion bloggers give their chic takes on this revitalised silky staple.

Throw it under a chunky knit (or over), slide up some trousers under it and then belt it for a more polished work-appropriate ensemble. A pair of oxfords with an ankle sock can also help give some structure and formality to this risqué frock. Explore the incredible versatility of this piece and it will soon become a staple in your wardrobe, becoming no less treasured than your favourite tee or nude pump. 

New Yorkers have given prominence to the slip by pairing it with a shirt, which instantly makes it day-time appopriate.

The key here is to look outside-the-box and no longer view it with the limitations of a nightgown. Pretend it is no different than any other dress and proceed accordingly. If it turns out a bit too crass or gets overwhelmed by the other layers you select, then adjust accordingly. You will never know how far you can take this look until you give it a go.

More casual takes on the slip dress from the fashion blogosphere.

Good luck! - T.M

Rihanna 80s Style

While I may hate the vile music that came out of the 80s (here's looking at you Beverly Hills Cop), I have to say the fashion is TOO MUCH FUN. It's so ironic and horribly tacky, but within it's own bizarre twisted framework it actually works. Rihanna is one of the few celebrities I have seen pull off the 80s look and this is probably due to the fact that she is a rock star. When I previously said "bizarre twisted framework" what I actually meant was "on a rock star" or "at a theme party". THOSE ARE THE ONLY TIMES IT WORKS. Unless you're a model, and then everything just works on you all the time and the rest of us secretly hate you for it.

If you are a rock star, heading to a theme party, or a cursed model, then take note of the fabulous styles above you may draw inspiration from: shoulder-padded over-sized blazers (once referred to as "power dressing" *barf*), leotards and dance wear, crazy mofo hair, washed out denim, leopard and houndstooth print, designer sneakers and tennis shoes, anything "punk" or "metal head" esque, and over-sized questionable sweaters.

(photo credit: rihanna-pictures.com)

90s Flashback: Ladeez Knot Yo Shirts!

 (photo credit zimbio, tfs, fashion mogul)

Oh, knotted shirts! Where do I begin? You bring me back to Christina Ricci duck tapping her boobs in Now and Then and Kurt Cobain being a hot mess before hot mess was even a term. You're basically all sorts of edgy do-it-yourself fun and I don't even have to wait for retailers to stock up on you because you can be easily created with any button down and two hands. Actually you can even use any loose t-shirt for this look (take a looksie below). How rad can you get? I should have seen this one coming with all the cropped turtlenecks and plaid flocking the streets these days.

What I really like about this look is the updated high waisted take on it celebs like Annalynne McCord and Kiera Knightley are trying. It's some sort of mutt mix of 70s and 90s. Radness my friends. Radness.

 (photo credit Carolines Mode)

Trend Spotting: Pajama Pants

Michael Kors S/S RTW 2010

Runway designers are often inspired by celebrities and some have been known to design entire collections around a particularly innovative and fashionable celeb. The Olsen twins have been one of these influencers before and I believe that they have done it again, only this time it's just one particular garment and just one Olsen twin.

Ashley Olsen rockin' the PJ Pants.

Typically it's Mary-kate who selects kooky looks to traipse around NY in, but every now and then Ashley wears some outlandish fur coat or in this instance, PJs. I never thought I would be an advocate for this look, but dammit I am. It's sort of grandma chic and when you're in your twenties, grandma chic is cool in an ironic no-other-age-group-including-grandmas-could-pull-this-look-off kind of way (yay hyphens).

I think I will try this look out, but just to make sure everyone is clear on the fact that I am at the forefront of a very avante guard trend I will wear heels. I wouldn't want people thinking I am one of those lazy high school students that can't be bothered to change in the morning, now would I?

(Photos credited to TFS and style.com)

Cruella Deville featured on Spring/Summer 2010 Runways?

Oscar De La Renta                                                               Victor & Rolf

Chanel                                                                             Zac Posen

Perhaps my imagination is just running over time tonight, but seriously. What is going on here??

(Credited to Style.com)

The "I can See Your Underwear" Movement

Remember Dolce & Gabanna's panty parade? It's catching on.

Would you go sheer down there?

(Credited to Fashionising & Stockholm Streetstyle)

Trend Spotting: Maxi Skirts

  

How to Wear a Maxi Skirt

• Because your lower body is swamped in free loose fabric you want to give yourself some form on the upper half. Wear a fitted top/jacket, tuck your top in, pull a waist belt over your skirt, or even show some belly in a cropped top like the girl on top above.
• Unless you are wearing a floor sweeping maxi length skirt you want the bottom of the skirt to hit below the half way point of your calves (where your legs are at their narrowest).
• If you are shorter you will want to skip on any heels with ankle straps as they will abrupt the eye line and therefore shorten the appearance of your legs. 
• For those that are under 5'5" you may want to wear platform heels or wedges of some sort to counteract any swamping effect a long skirt will have on your frame (this will in fact create the illusion that you are taller). A drooping V-neck will also help lengthen out your body. 
• Lastly, have fun! Maxi length skirts are dramatic and command attention so go for it. Fur vests, motorcycle jackets, gladiator heels etc...unless you are wearing a skirt with an interesting print you will be a blank slate unless you add some flair.

(Credited to Because I'm Addicted, Fashion is Playground, The Satorialist, Natalie Off Duty, Fashionising, Vanessa Jackman)

Trend Spotting: Maybe Clogs Aren't So Bad After all.

Normally I am quite excited when an unusual trend presents itself. Every now and then, however, something questionably ugly comes along that makes me wary. I know I am probably the last person on earth to embrace clogs, but something typically associated with Dutch dancing (clogging) and gardening gives me reason to remain skeptical. "Comfortable slip-on shoe" doesn't exactly ring style savvy to me either. However, after Karl Lagerfeld gave us the nod with his Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection last year and with every fashionable celeb now following suit, I find it safe to say: clogs are O.K.




Sometimes I feel manipulated by Karl. Sometimes I feel he does things just see if he can get away with it, like when he debuted furry monster boots earlier this year. Some people would call that an abuse of power. Not cool Karl. Not cool. With that said, these chunky wooden-bottomed shoes have grown on me, unlike the yettie boots. Also, all the cool kids are wearing them and I want to be cool.



As we can see from this selection, clogs are incredibly versatile. They can be worn well with a loose trouser, cuffed jeans, wool leggings, a sexy dress and bare legs etc.... They even look good when Ashley Olsen wears them with pajamas. It would appear one can't go wrong with them, but lets not forget we're looking at runway models and heavily photographed celebs. If you have larger calves I would avoid this trend or stick to the more dainty styles like Sarah Jessica Parker's above. Dresses and skirts should also be kept above the knee as well. This keeps the shoe looking youthful and fashion forward rather than something resembling clunky, garden footwear.

My clog pick is from Gucci's Hysteria collection.



Now THAT is a clog I would be proud of wearing. Elegant, sexy, refined and it's also conveniently on sale at Neiman Marcus right now. These Stuart Weitzman clogs aren't so bad either. Now to find $267 US to mindlessly blow on shoes...