I know that I’ve been a bad bloggerina when Mr. Magpie emails me and asks: “Where is Mrs. Magpie? We miss her blog.” Pout. I was in Boston the majority of last week, where I was attending a work conference, getting lots done, networking my little tuchus off, and every now and then, wondering why there were so many ill-fitting suits amongst fellow conference attendees. Ahem. I get the fact that we need to look professional and presentable, but why does that need to be boring? I’ve been wearing my favorite work-appropriate Milly and Diane Von Furstenberg numbers with heels that are admittedly a touch on the high side for this staid audience, and have actually enjoyed getting dressed every morning…I hate to be snarky. And I know that fashion is not a high priority for lots of successful business women, nor need it be. I get that sometimes a loud outfit can distract or confuse, and that in certain cases, you want to telegraph a certain amount of seriousness via your carriage and the outfit you don. But what a drab melange of browns and grays, gag-worthy 1.5″ chunky heels, and awkward laptop bags. Yuck central. I’d strongly suggest a trim dress along the lines of this DVF wonder (perfect, season-less investment piece! — $400, Net-A-Porter) with some classic pearl enorma-studs (KJL, $51, Thomas Laine):
I like this with pearls — but try something with a little edge, like this neon citrine yellow-accented pearl tassel necklace ($195, Rebecca Taylor) and this chartreuse-and-camel purse ($240, Beckley Boutique):
Finish with these on-point heels ($198, BCBG):
Keeping in the same, au-courant color palette of chartreuse and nude/neutral, consider this statement blouse (Gucci, $690, Net-A-Porter) with a simple, versatile camel pencil skirt (Max Mara, $237, Matches) and some drops ($68, Nordstrom):
Finish with a structured tote (this goes perfectly! — Reed Krakoff, $1,090, Nordstrom) and these statement-making Carven heels ($665, Net-A-Porter):
If I had unlimited funds, I would just go for it. Look polished and presentable but also dress like you know what you’re doing. If we’re really talking dreams, can you imagine this bananas pink boxy top ($580, Net-A-Porter) with some fit and flare white trousers ($255, Barney’s — and PSST, these trousers are from Derek Lam’s spinoff line, 10 Crosby, which is overall lovable) and a Suzannai Dai stunner ($365, Suzanna Dai)?!
A pointy toed pump is the perfect accent-piece in any neutral shade — blush pink, dove gray, etc. {This Kate Spade pair is perfect.} But if we’re really talking big dreams, I gotta have the Valentino rockstuds ($919, MyTheresa) and this simple, structured Victoria Beckham tote (no idea why the price is so ridonculous, but from a purely aesthetic standpoint, it is a lovely bag — $2,700, Net-A-Porter):
Or — loving the idea of a nude blouse ($260, Net-A-Porter) beneath a crisp white blazer (Rag + Bone, $535, Barney’s) and some shocking pink tailored pants (DVF, $285, Shopbop):
I’d finish with these TDF Louboutins (on super sale for around $400, Ekseption) and a crisp white carry-all ($575, Barney’s):
Alternately, take things to a nautical place with some fun flower earrings (Kate Spade, $58, Nordstrom), this amazing necklace ($395, Ben-Amun), this silken dream (on sale for $225, Rebecca Taylor):
I’d finish with some statement heels (O.M.G. — Charlotte Olympia, $875, Net-A-Porter) and this printed tote (Pierre Hardy, $850, Net-A-Porter — very Goyard-like!):
If you’re looking for some investment accessories that can add interest and polish to your work wardrobe, consider these to-die-for vintage Chanel drops ($598, Farfetch), which go with an.y.thing or these open-woven flats (Marc Jacobs, $392, Forzieri):
Happy Work Week! In honor of this Monday, I have a special treat for you! Laura James Jewelry is offering one uber-lucky reader a $50 gift card! All you need to do is reply to this post letting me know which item from today’s post you’d most like to have in your closet. I’ll count your entry twice if you follow me on Pinterest and/or LIKE Laura James on Facebook! Personally, I have my eyes on these tangerine studs…
A winner will be announced this Thursday! WOO!
wow these are amazing stuff here i love the crisp white carry-all leather tote, it is so beautiful, plus i always get fixed on white, its my weakness.
followed on
Facebook jenna sara
Pinterest Jenna sara
Me too! I was just chatting with my sis about this — neither of us can get enough of little white dresses. I must have like 4-5 that look nearly the same! Thanks for entering, Jenna!
Thanks for another great post! I’d say if I could only pick one item, it’d have to be those Valentino studded shoes. They’d go great with so many things.
I’m with you, Jen. I think those would be my top pick! TDF!
Oh, hiii again Missy Magpie, I “like” Laura James on the FB and I am waiting to hit the pintrest under after grad school graduation (so as to keep my distractions at bay until then), but afterwards I TOTALLY will be all over that! Please counte twice. Gracias chicky!
Thanks darling!
The Victoria Beckham tote! I’ve been obsessed with her bag line for.ever! I’m already following you on Pinterest, but I did just like Laura James on FB!)
Woo! I know, so gorgeous.
Love that Rebecca Taylor dress!!! The navy is perfect and so soft and shimmery.
(Liked Laura James on FB — Shana Hattis)
Thanks for entering, Shana! You’ve been counted twice 🙂
Every item in every post is always so dreamy it is hard to pick…even though at first glance i die for that silky rebecca taylor dress. it had me at navy. BUT. i really REALLY think i need must-have-but-will-never the Victoria Beckham tote in all its simple, sexy, smoky gray-ness. Great giveaway! Oh, and i follow you on pinterest already 🙂
Thanks, Summer! That VB tote is TDF!
Thanks, Adele! xxx
I “like” Laura James on Facebook too.
I love the blue Rebecca Taylor dress.
I also like Laura James Jewelry on facebook.
The Valentino Rockstud Pumps ….love love love!!
love love lovin the grey tote. It’s perfectly understated and classic. great post! xo
Thanks, Diana 🙂 That gray tote is unbelievable. I just don’t get the price tag, though…
Loving the silk Rebecca Taylor dress. SO versatile. I follow you on pinterest!
YAY! Thanks, Sarah!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Carveen heels!!! (…AND everything else!!!), but you asked us to only pick one!!
Ooh, a girl after my own heart. I’m smitten with those puppies, too.
I’ve been missing Mrs Magpie too (both in real life and your blog)! I totally agree with this post though. My roommate and I talk pretty much every week about how strongly we feel about presenting yourself nicely at work/classes. I mean, around here it sometime’s feels like you’re lucky if girls are wearing bras and guys have showered in the past week, which is just so baffling to me. Obviously a bit of a different problem, but still. And there are plenty of ways to look put-together and cute without sacrificing professionalism. Plus… getting dressed/putting makeup on is fun, even beyond all the other reasons I do it. Anyways. I actually totally love that first pair of pearl earrings– so gorgeous.
Love you!
x
Thanks, Bella! For context, El goes to school at U Chicago…aka Hipster Central. Haha, j/k (?) Anyway, clearly I’m on the same page. Love you!
I am in love with those vintage Chanel earrings, they’re just beautiful. I also really like the lapis cocktail ring on Laura James’s website! xx
Thanks, Courtney! There are so many goodies over at Laura James’s site…I’d have a hard time picking. Thanks for entering!
The Chanel earrings. Gorgeous and perfect ans classic.
I know! LOVE. Thanks, Claire!
This whole post is fantastic, but I literally just started drooling over those Valentino shoes. They would be the perfect way to un-borify so many outfits! I too am a lawyer and my co-workers are 90% guys, so I am constantly trying to balance fashion with getting taken seriously! Now where oh where did I put that extra $919?!?
UGH. I know. I die over them. It’s sort of (?) a blessing in disguise that they sell out super quickly and are hard to find in any range of sizes…or else…I might one night, after one too many glasses of vino, “accidentally” click “buy.” Thanks for reading, Daphne!
The DVF dress. I try to have my work clothes play double duty in my life. That dress could be perfect for work and totally dressed up for evening.
Totally agree! The color is perfection. Thanks for entering, Beth!
Thanks, Katie! It must be tough in a law firm to vary your duds. I have a friend who works on a trading floor for a big bank in NYC and she literally can only wear suits and is always asking for tips on how to introduce color/style…it can be hard! Those earrings would be a nice way to begin! Thanks for entering!
I work at a law firm and am always trying to find new and fun ways to vary my wardrobe instead of just wearing suits. The DVF dress is beautiful. Such a classic piece and so versatile! I also loved the vintage gold textured studs on the Laura James site. Great post!
I know, isn’t that blouse the bomb.com?! Thanks for entering, Britton!
I would absolutely love to have the nude Gucci blouse!! What a perfect addition it would be to my wardrobe!!! Awesome giveaway!!! I am also a follower of yours on pinterest!!!
Happy Monday, fellow Magpie-devotees! As a Boston to DC transplant, I completely know exactly what you are taking about. Us Yankees pride ourselves on our “practicality over style” mantra, perhaps steming from years (and year and years) of donning L.L.Bean monogrammed turtlenecks and wide whale cords until we went off to college (and most likely to some small NESCAC school where we “upped” our tastes a smidge to “Fratagonia” (read Patagonia) or (gasp) maybe a nice J. Crew silk top to counter all the guys and girls in polo shirts at bars (whatever, it has a collar, hence- its totally dressy). Anyway- as a last semester grad student in DC with a job at an auction house, I love the idea of the versatility that comes with the DVF dress that is listed in the first look. I can imagine it wrapped with a gorge Hermes scarf and a blazer over the shoulders look, with some chunky jewels or even just keeping it simple. If I were to pair it with my own little slice of heaven, I’d choose these:
http://www.laurajamesjewelry.com/products/vintage-gold-disc-peridot-glass-stud-earrings (which I would LOVE to half pay for with said gift card if I was lucky enough to win!!!)
Neutral hues (no matter what your skin/hair color) work in the workplace as a great staple. Without being “too showy,” you can truly make it your own. In the art world, we have a little bit more wiggle room for “creative interpretation,” but this is certainly a dress that I could see on my fabulous Hill friends, as well as my do-gooder teacher gal pals and lawyer friends alike. Please PICK ME, SENORITA MAGPIE!! I would LOVE to wear these earring (linked above) to my master’s program graduation next month!!
Hi Kirsten! OMG, loved your entire comment and read it with rapt attention. Completely agree with everything you said. (If I could, I would “like” this comment on FB.) Thanks for entering darling!