Two Ways: Cobalt Pants for Fall

Pants: Topshop Side Pipe Trouser ($90)

From Left, Earrings: Linda Hematite Studs ($24) Ring: Foxy Originals Empire Ring ($30) Bag: Black Juno Detail Bag ($88) Shoes: Audrey Brooke Hylda Pump ($60) Jacket: Rag & Bone Leather Lapel ($297) Top: Alice + Olivia Striped Tee ($148)

From Right, Necklace: Imperial Cabochon Necklace ($78) Bag: Steve Madden Studs Satchel ($78) Shoes: J.Renee Aziza Pump ($100) Sweater: Cable Stripe Sweater ($70) Top: Equipment Hunter Tuxedo Shirt ($230)

The pants in the photo are from Topshop.  I chose these trousers for the set because they were the only pair I could find without a model in the photo.  The pants that I featured this morning, the one’s I actually own, are from Banana Republic.  They’re also 40%-off today.

For Casual Monday.  What is a casual Monday?  It’s a day on which you have no meetings and no big events.  Where you will spend most of the day at your desk, but it’s not Friday, so jeans are out of the questions.  In other words, it bridges the gap between professional and business casual.

The cobalt pants are such a bold choice that I decided to keep the other pieces neutral.  You could wear this jacket-top combination with any color pant you wanted, like tomato red to burgundy.  You could also pull in a pair of 7 Dojos for a pulled together casual Friday look.

To make the stripes work with the contrast lapel on the tuxedo jacket, they need to be a bit wider than your standard stripe shirt.  Of course, if you don’t have a wider one in your closet, narrow is just fine, it’s just isn’t ideal.

Want a cheaper tuxedo jacket?  There aren’t many to choose from, but I like this one from Wyatt at Bluefly.  If you need something under-$50, Forever21 has a jacket that might work.  Not interested in purchasing a tuxedo jacket?  A plain white blazer would work too.  This DKNY shawl-collar blazer is a great option, and it comes in plus-size.

For the accessories, I chose this inexpensive black bag for its structure and metal accents.  I also added a pair of Hematite studs and a geometric cut-out ring.  The ankle strap pumps are a good option, but if you want something a bit more basic, I can’t get over how sleek these under-$100, Charles & David Pact pumps.

For the makeup, I would contrast the blue pant with a red lipstick.  If you’re looking for an inexpensive one, Rimmel’s Kate Moss collection has the best one.  For the hair, I would wear it down with some teasing at the crown for volume.

For Not-So-Casual Friday.  Sometimes, jeans just aren’t an option on Friday.  Either because your dress code won’t allow it, or because you have a meeting.  Unless it is a very important meeting, most visitors expect to see a relaxed dress code on Fridays.  So for this outfit, I created an ensemble that has all the elements of business casual with a relaxed feel.

I vastly prefer a silk button up shirt to a cotton one.  For me, it’s a bit more feminine and a bit more chic.  If you’re looking for a less expensive option, Ann Taylor has a great shirt that also comes in petite and tall.  If you prefer a cotton shirt, try Brooks Brothers no-iron shirt.

Since the other outfit is stark black and white, I wanted to add some color to this one. I like teal and cobalt together because, unlike orange or red, the mix isn’t overwhelming because it’s in the same color family.  I also found this Charles Tyrwhitt v-neck sweater in a dark teal, in case that’s a more flattering cut for you.  If you want something even more approachable, try a navy or sky blue sweater.

Looking for a teal sweater in plus-size?  Have a look at this Debbie Morgan sweater from Macy’s.

Grey accessories seemed like a natural fit, so I tracked down these super chic J.Renee pumps in metallic pewter.  (Want a flat? Try these pewter Via Spiga flats.)  I also added a charcoal bag.  As for the necklace, I think the hints of dark purple, mixed with pewter really pull the look together.  The purple complements the teal well and the consistency of the grey makes the look cohesive.

For the hair, I would wear it up in a side bun.  For the makeup, I would choose a plum lip color like Stila color balm in Gemma.  I’d also choose a purple nail polish.  My personal favorites are NARS Purple Rain and Tokaido Express.