Above is a picture of my newest office shoes that I bought at Violette (hopefully more to share about that store later).   I was hesitant to buy them at first because they’re not your typical office shoes with the studs and all.  However, I went ahead and took the plunge to add a smidgen of excitement to work outfits.

I haven’t really invested in a new office wardrobe in a long time since I’m coming off of a long break and my previous job was pretty casual.   I mostly wear what I have now and make it look a bit more polished while slowly adding in an item here and there.  I’ve been trying to see how I can keep elements from my personal style and incorporate them into the office environment (plus, it saves $$$).  So, on my morning walks to work and during my lunch break, I have been comparing my outfits with the other ladies and came up with a few observations:

• Shift dresses = much easier to throw on and look put together in a matter of minutes.

• Leggings as pants?  I’ve seen that a few times and I always thought that leggings were to be worn with a dress or maybe a long sweater?  Are they legit as pants these days (I’m honestly asking).

• I still haven’t warmed up to the idea of  wearing gym shoes to work and then changing into work shoes once I’m there.  I feel like it’s just easier to wear a comfortable pair of shoes that can work throughout the entire day.  No?

• I’m mourning not being able to wear anything with skulls.  This means no Wendy Brandes skull necklace or Alexander McQueen skull scarf.
• Skinny trousers that hit right above the ankle the best.  Always.

• I like to defer to wearing all black, but I’ve found that it can make me look a bit depressed.  I mean, when the guy at Starbucks keeps asking if you’re okay, geez.   So, I’ve compromised with wearing more gray and brown with a pop of color here and there.

• Menswear-like looks are so easy and work so well for the office.  Blazers+trousers+oxfords is the best combo.

So, what’s your professional style like?  I’m still observing and learning how to put my own twist things over here, but I’d love to hear what everyone else thinks!

I bought Amanda Brooks’ 2009 book,  I Love Your Style, a few weeks ago after casually flipping through it at  Borders.  I was sold due to a sweet discount and after being to the inspirational pictures and tidbits scattered throughout the book.  Admittedly, I had no idea who Brooks was in the fashion world, but found out via her autobiographical account that she was the Creative Director and Muse of Tuleh and recently  appointed to Barney’s VP, Women’s Fashion Director.

I really like how Brooks broke down each chapter by style genre/type and further went on to highlights key closet staples, style icons that represent the genre and sources for further inspiration.   There are also many of great tips and quotes scattered throughout the book.  As for the photos,  Brooks showcases just about every stylish celeb/icon from Sophia Coppola to Brigit Bardot and Diana Ross.

I wouldn’t call I Love Your Style a “how-to” guide per se, because I think that style is much more organic than a paint-by-numbers guide, but I do think that it’s a nice source of inspiration.   Or to put it this way, it’s one of those books that you put on your coffee table and you leaf through on a lazy Sunday.

Beauty, Style, & the Blogosphere

Edited by Ashe Mischief

Beauty and Style come in many forms, and this weeks Links á la Mode choices showcase the many discussions entering the world of fashion blogging at the moment: excessive judgments, the value of personalities, and cultivating your inner beauty as well as your outer beauty. Bonne-Vie challenges the values of the show “More to Love” and Fivve Blog shares model sensation Lara Stone. Newcomer Jaka’s Tea Party calls to action with the Wholestyle Manifesto and Betsey J asks “Are we too judgmental as fashion bloggers?”

Not to overshadow this weeks Links á la Mode with too heavy of discussions, we’ve also go a great roundup of make-up tutorials & inspiration, along with great DIY projects & giveaways in the forums!

Links à la Mode : August 20th

• Ask ThinkThru: – What Can You Wear From the Office To an Event?
• Betsey J: – Have we become too judgemental when it comes to fashion & style?
• Bonne Vie: – Fox is doin’ it wrong with new reality show “More to Love”
• BRICK MY LANE: – 3-in-1 DIYs: Ripping, slashing andd patching everything, rock’n’roll style
• Broke & Beautiful – International Indie Designers can be found with Novica, plus an opportunity to REALLY make a difference by shopping.
• Confessions of a Fashion Editor – Fed up of emails from big fashion brands demanding interviews, I decided to speak to a young, bright and new designer instead.
• Denim Debutante: – How to Clean & Care for Your Premium Denim
• fivve blog: – If you have a fashion mag addiction, then you probably have seen who W Magazine is calling the “fashion it-girl” Lara Stone.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: What’s so great about Gravatars?
• Jaka’s Tea Party – A mission statement for a new movement that believes style isn’t about the clothes you wear, it’s about being a whole person.
• Little Miss Makeup: – Pretty makeup is an evergreen fashion trend. Get the low-down on how to get the look!
• Meilily: – Highlights the debut collection of Project Runway phenom Christian Siriano for VS Makeup.
• pie wacket: – yesterday I worked with Kiehl’s to create a wonderful late summer giveaway and shot an original beauty story to demo the products.
• Rags to Reverie: – 2 days ago Space 15 Twenty’s Pangaea Pop-Up makes deka ray’s architectural jewelry available for the masses
• Retro Chick: – Why we buy – One woman’s journey in fashion and the decisions we make every day.
• sweet archivia: – Anthropologie’s Secret Code – In-House Brand Guide
• THE COVETED – The Coveted: Make that a double: Take Off Your Clothes Double T-Shirt Dress
• The Demoiselles – Jennifer Nicole uncovers the secrets behind the new PETA ad, which degrades women based on weight.
• The Fashion Planner: – The Fashion Planner’s Guide to Chicago offers great places to eat, shop, and more.
• The Midnight Feast: – Did I really just put on black lipstick? How to tackle this trend: a guide for those who would prefer to leave the gothic look in the 90s.
• Unfunded – Unfunded: White Rabbit Inspired Baubles
• Wit & Whimsy: – First Look: Michael Kors Goes Hollywood Glam with the launch of VeryHollywood.com

WWD posted designer sketches that were submitted if they were to design for the future First Lady’s innagural activities. For the most part, I liked many of them. Mrs. Obama has been hailed as a fashion breakout star during the campaign citing Chicago-based designer Maria Pinto as her early favorite.   And I personally loved her Thakoon floral print dress that she wore to the Democratic National Convention pictured above.

The opportunity to dress Mrs. O for the Inaugural activities and beyond would be exposure great for any designer.   Jacqueline Kennedy’s chose Oleg Cassini and current First Lady, Laura Bush, has favored Oscar De La Renta during her time in the White House.   However, with the exception of Maria Pinto and possibly Narcisco Rodriguez (who, by the way, I am surprised that we didn’t see a sketch from), I feel Mrs. Obama will switch it up a bit more and her fashion choices will make for an exciting and interesting four years.

Here the sketches that I think will be the most interesting if they were brought to life:

I think the red would really pop on Mrs. Obama.  Plus, I love the one-shoulder aspect.

I’m a professed Rodarte fan for the most part, so I’m always intrigued by the Mulleavy sisters.  I think the delicate design might work for Michelle and the Obama daughters.

This is pretty simple, but Winter White from Peter Som could be pretty nice.

And I know Oscar De La Renta has been in the fashion game for the White House First Lady’s for awhile now, so it’d be nice for a change, but I think the floral print would be nice.   This design would be a pretty safe and conservative choice.

And I’m not a Michael Kors fan generally, but I think the blue would be a nice color and the dress would work with her tall and slender figure.

Kid Sister. She hails from Chicago and is pretty new and fresh to the rap scene. If you want to get technical, her style of music would be labeled as “club rap”. Catchy and fun tunes meant to keep your head moving. I first heard her song “Pro Nails” featuring Kanye West over a year ago and I’m anxious to hear her album Dream Date, which drops in January. Plus, I like her style. Lots of bright colors for clothing and makeup.   Plus, her nails are always on point.

Here are some more pics of Kid Sister:

I do not have a McQueen piece in my closet, not even his famous skull scarf. I always said that if I bought a Mcqueen piece, it’d be from his RTW line.  But now, I am excited as it has been announced that he is going to be producing a line for Target that will launch in March 2009. Everything is going to be priced under $129.99. I’m hoping that I will like the line he produces since many of the diffusion lines from Target are either hit or miss with me.

Here are just a few of my favorite McQueen creations(there are  more, but I can’t post them all!)

pictures from Style.com:

I can’t say that I am a big fan of everything that she wears, but I will admit that I still find most of her style choices to be interesting. People are always interested as to how she has managed to be labeled a “socialite”, but however she got to where she is, it looks like she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Some may call her style boring or typical of the New York social scene, but I do think that she always manages to add some type of twist in her style. Here are some of my favorite looks: