vestements: wear to work

Perhaps the most versatile shoe in our closets, although personally I believe, like Bach, in variations on a theme – hence I have a collection, not a closet. Just one black pump is never enough. You need different heels, different vamps, different fabric. That said I do subscribe to the idea that there should be a black, rather plainly classic shoe in one's collection. I have two - one pointy, one rounded.

The stripper shoes of last year – rounded toe, super high heel, platform – are on their way out. Round toes are rare. The hottest shoe currently is the D’orsay pump, here executed perfectly by Vince:

Asymmetry by Wang (lust):

Lower heel, wedge by Sigerson Morrison (want!):

Black does not have to be solid – a little variation can do wonders:

If you are absolutely against a pointy toe, here’s a classy option:

Want a sturdier heel?

It is spring, even in polar-vortexed Boston. My fingers are itching for a new wardrobe. To exorcise my lust, virtual shopping ensues.

A few caveats, ladies, before we dive into this.

‘Wear to Work’ – does not mean YOUR work. It is that perfect, imaginary workplace, both chic and slightly formal, where you dress up, but are allowed every now and then to dress down. A place where you want to look professional but funky, formal yet retain your edge. Most of us do not work there. That said, most of the basic rules that underlie these posts are applicable to all wardrobe – just take it down a notch or two on the ladder of formality. How? Lower the heel, remove the structure from the garment, dull the color contrast – and presto, you’re in your average office situation.

“Wear” has to do with real bodies, of different shapes and sizes. There is no ONE FIT ALL rule in dressing well. If you have short legs you can’t wear the same color contrasting bottoms as a girl with mile high ones. If you have hips stay away from peplum tops. The list goes on, but like with caveat number 1, you can adjust.

So let’s get crackin’.

In a neat fashion dogma reversal, if you asked me 10 years ago what I thought of folded or pushed up blazer sleeves I would gag, with an image of Don Johnson’s large, pinkish, blazer with upturned sleeves burning a hole in my mind’s eye. Now? I love ‘em. Black blazers are fantastic, but easily transgress into dressy. There is always gray, the new black, and my personal preference.

But - How About Navy?

Navy, color of the Sloane Rangers. Color of neutral respectability. My mom’s favorite hue. It is a tricky color to get funky with.

My suggestions are:

1) The most obvious: Navy blazer + White slacks. Not too slim cut, for that Katherine Hepburn look with a good dash of sailor drag thrown in (needless to say I adore anything sailor. I own more striped items of clothing than a 19^th century prison, and if I had the hips I’d never get out of sailor pants). Pair with solid color, probably white or dove gray on top, white shoes. Sandals would work too.

High End:

- wide

- Not that wide, but in my book a bit blah:

Given the neutral color architectural detail can work but will be tricky depending on length of blazer:

2) Punch a dull navy with color, like so: Navy Blazer + Red or Orange cropped pant. Slim cut, rolled up. Red and navy are an expected combo, but orange and navy (especially if the navy is on the duller side tone-wise) is an awesome look. Pair again with either white, dove gray, or stripes. This one you can pull off with oxfords on the bottom, but if heels are your thing go for white or nude pumps. Again, sandals would work as well.

- Killa:

- Hot

- I love the 'good girl' vibe of these if contrasted with some harder edge jewelry:

Cheaper version:

super classy:

3) Tone-on-Tone: Navy blazer on top + Different shade / pattern blue pant on bottom. Again, I would advocate for a slimmer cut, although here given that the color is not as wild as in option 2 you can go for structural detail – pleated waistline for example. I would recommend slightly rolled up hems for a spring-time look. Pairing here truly depends on your choice of pant and is therefore hard to generalize.

High End:

- Different blue 1