Fiscally Feasible Fashion: Dressing It Up
May 13, 2010
On Thursday nights, Capitol Hill comes alive with fundraisers, receptions and Happy Hours. Staffers, interns and the occasional MoC leave the confines of their cubicles to have a few drinks and swap war stories in celebration of the coming weekend. This is the Capitol Hill way.
So on Thursdays, I always make sure to wear something that I want to be seen in. This means dresses and skirts, ladies, dresses and skirts.
Now some of you will see today’s outfit and cry out in horror: But Belle there’s no jacket! And why Belle, why did you choose a dress that is so tight?!?
To these questions, I respond: Just because this is a professional workplace doesn’t mean that showing a little arm is off limits. However, if you’re cold, you can certainly add a blazer or cardi. I recommend something in grey or beige, or if you want to go really bold, green. But certainly not black.
Also, just because something is form fitting doesn’t mean that it’s off limits for work. As long as you buy the appropriate size (the dress shouldn’t ripple or ride up, and you should be able to breathe without difficulty both before and after lunch), a dress can show your curves and still be professional.
If you’re concerned that the dress is too tight, buy the bigger size and visit a tailor. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Wonder Stretch Dress (French Connection, $99)
Louiselle Necklace (Chico’s, $44)
Patent Peep Toes (Forever21, $24)
How very Joan from Madmen. Love it!
Love this! It reassures my recent purchase of a similar dress, which I have boldly worn on the hill.
Yes Ladies!!!! Boldly GO, Go, Gooooo.
This dress is great but I have a few problems with it. For one, the necklace is entirely too busy for a dress that is cut so high in the chest area. I think you should either go with something much more simple, or nothing at all. Also, I hate the bag. I think you should have chosen maybe a large clutch. They even have bags that are just as large as that one, but can roll-up into a clutch for the evening. But I love the dress and the shoes. I really do.
That’s not a great pic, the bag is darker green in real life.
I initially looked for a clutch, cause you’re right, I thought it would be more chic, but I couldn’t find one in the color I wanted. But a clutch would be awesome as well.
Carey Torrice (The politician from MI) wears pretty clothes like this and they have a flippin heart attack. Good thing you’re in the scandelous white house!
Hmm… everything looks perfect together… but much too Republican for my tastes! I adore that necklace, though. How do you have time to find all these things?!
SS-What would make it Democrat? I’m dying to know!
I don’t sleep. I also spend most of my weekend working on it. 24 hours in a day, and I’m using them all 😉