Yesterday was my first day back at the office. And as much as my feet hurt at the end of the day, it was so nice to get dressed up for a bit. Here’s what I wore.
This screen grab was taken from my Instagram stories where I share a lot of my work outfits.
I chose this outfit because I wanted to wear black. I wanted to wear a jacket and pants because it would be cold. And I wanted it to still look feminine and a little fun.
Jacket. Express Puffed Sleeve Blazer
Top. Ann Taylor Garden Halter ($15!!!)*
Pants. Ann Taylor Seasonless Pant (40%-0ff)
Heels. Zala Pointed Toe Pumps
Mask and Mask Chain. Wolford Lace Mask and LOFT Paperclip Chain
Ring. David Yurman Continuance Ring
* Need a bra to wear with this style of top, try a front-clasp racerback.
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Love this! A nice balance of fun and formal.
I’m still months away from returning to work, but question re wearing blazers: what does everyone do to extend the wear of blazers between dry cleanings, especially when wearing a sleeveless shirt?
Same question! I do a vodka spray for deodorizing, but I tend to sweat.
I second the vodka spray for deodorizing but it should also help if you sweat a lot because the vodka helps kill the bacteria which is responsible for the smell. Sometimes I have to spray a lot. I also do 50-50 water and vodka. And then I always turn my blazers/sweaters/jeans inside out for the night regardless of if I spray or not.
Also, I have been known to put clothes outside for several hours, particularly in the winter when the temps in MN are freezing. This helps air everything out and you run less of a risk of the sun washing it out.
I am such a nervous sweater that I cannot even do sleeveless under a blazer–it’s all sleeves for me or else it would be a trip to the dry cleaners every wear, and still I deal with smell issues. One of my Ann Taylor suits is washable (!) which is a revelation for this nervous nelly.
Have you tried pit pads sewn in your suit jackets? When I was in theatre, that was a big help. We put them in with snaps and then could wash them.
News to me! This sounds like a great idea—thank you!
Also glad to know I’m not the only nervous sweater 🙂
I buy the disposable Stainblockers Underarm Garment Liners off Amazon. Sometimes I can find them in the local stores. They stick to the arm scythe (yes that’s the technical tailoring term), the underarm area of the blazer or dress, and they can be peeled off and replaced as needed, every day or two. They are white, sometimes a black or dark set can be found. But hey, who’s looking at the underarm area of your blazer?? The vodka spray works, and also the Laundress company makes a spray-on fabric refresher.
Abra, thank you again for your example to our MT Legislative staff–and hopefully female legislators–for attractive professional workwear. Montana IS the last best state, but our casual lifestyle leads us to think we can wear hiking gear to the office and call it all good.
Looking forward to your posts.
Thank you for sharing!
I’ve always loved your OOTDs! It’s always cool to see how fashion starts with selecting/purchasing items and then translates into actual lived outfits. I know you have a lot on your plate these days and have always been clear that you’re not the kind of fashion blogger who posts photos of themselves, but I’d love to see any more OOTDs!
Yep, copying this outfit for my first day of state legislative session next week!
YES YES YES.
I am so excited for these posts! I live in the dark ages (no social) and so appreciate seeing these on the blog.
Good luck!
Signed,
Former long-time legislative finance committee staffer
Love this! And I hope you share lots of your legislative outfits! We can live vicariously through you as we WFH forever
You look great!
It’s so nice to see photos of you, a real person, wearing outfits!
Can you talk about how to wear same color pants + blazer when they’re not part of a matching suit? It bothers me when the color and fabric are similar but not exactly the same, but maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing and nobody else notice.
This is a concern of mine, too – would love feedback on owning it.
Happy to see all of these photos and links! I just realized it’s been so long since I wore heels that I don’t know what kind/how many/what condition my black heels are in….if I can justify new ones these are on my list! Love that they’re under 3″.
And the block heel is so stable, it’s hard for me to go back.
Just have to say how much I LOVE your hair, it really suits you. You look great and have inspired hope that I too may one day look like a functioning adult again.
I was also just thinking that her hair looked so nice and healthy! And also maybe I should get those bangs…
You look incredible! Best wishes for a productive and successful legislative session. Would love to see more of your outfits if you have the time to share them!
love your outfit (and seconding that your haircut looks amazing too), you look perfect! that little puff shoulder detail is amazing! thanks for sharing and hope you’re able to share with us more outfits as the season goes on
You look great! Thank you for sharing. Would love to see your entire capsule wardrobe for session. And after session hear what you would have done differently. Thank you for all of you thoughtfu content.