Two Ways: Yellow Pencil Skirt

Skirt: Double Serge Pencil Skirt (J.Crew, $110)

From the Left, Blouse: Dot Popover ($88) Sunglasses: similar AX Exchange Sunnies ($65) Bag: Brahmin Glossy Bag ($295) Shoes: Aldo Vanliere ($41)

From the Right, Blouse: Malene Birger Tie Neck ($285) Sunglasses: Karen Walker Perfect Day Sunnies ($180) Bag: Modalu Florence Oak Clutch ($162) Shoes: Slingback court Shoes ($215)

While I like the look that layering pieces can provide, sometimes you just need a simple outfit that you can throw on in the morning.  These two work looks are stylish and easy to recreate. 

For the Office. A brightly-colored pencil with a patterned blouse is a great look for spring.  Here, I mixed a citron skirt with a neutral, polka dot blouse.  This look combines two trends but also has a classic feel to it.

For the accessories, I love this Brahmin bag.  It’s feminine details and vintage-inspired shape make it a great addition to any wardrobe.  I also carried the slightly vintage feel into the shoes and sunglasses by choosing t-straps and a sunnies with a slightly-oversized cat eye shape. 

While there is no jewelry in the set, I’d wear this with simple diamond and gold studs and a gold cuff.  I’d also roll the sleeves to relax the look a bit and show off the bracelet.  If you wanted to wear something bolder, you could leave the blouse unbuttoned at the neck and wear a black bib necklace.

As for the hair, I would wear a wavy, pretty updo.  And for the makeup, I would choose a palette of muted Earth tones on the eyes, a rose cheek and a slightly glossy lip.  I’d also wear red polish on my toenails.

For the Office. Longtime readers of this site know that I love to mix green and yellow.  It’s one of my favorite color combinations.  Here, the palette gets new life thanks to this season’s brightest shade, citron, and a deep emerald green.

I love tie-neck blouses.  I like how feminine they are. I like that they feel pulled together.  And I like that they look great with or without a jacket.  I would seriously own one in every color, but that might be overkill.

When dealing with such a vibrant palette, light brown shoes just don’t have enough force.  So I used cognac and British tan accessories instead.  Add in a pair of tortoise shell sunglasses and the look is complete.

Again, no jewelry in this set, but I would do a big green cocktail ring and some sleek drop earrings in gold.  I just think with this color palette, gold is the richer look over silver.

For the hair, I would wear it half-up/half-down and straight.  For the makeup, I would wear grey shadows with charcoal liner and a berry lip.  I’d also wear greige or pale pink on my nails