Pinterest Mondays: Smart Casual

Mar 10, 2014

rsz_screen_shot_2014-03-10_at_124421_am1. Vince Long Sleeve Tee ($95) // 2. Lanvin Textured Pencil ($766) // 3. Michael Kors Flex Pump ($99) // 4. Ray-Ban Wayfarers ($150) // 5. Nicholas Gold Plate Belt ($120) // 6. Vince Camuto Jace Satchel ($298) // 7. Athena Ela Scarf ($368) // 8. Nyla Star Chain Bracelet ($70), Kate Spade Locked Bracelet ($65) and Michael Kors Bradshaw Watch ($250) // 9. G. Pressed Ring ($55) and Pressed Taner Ring ($25)

Many women work in offices that fall somewhere between business casual and conservative attire, a dress code that I’ve heard referred to as “smart casual.”  Today’s Pinterest outfit found on Riches for Rags, with a relaxed tee and a slim-fitting pencil, is an excellent illustration of this style.

My advice for wearing t-shirts at work is three-pronged.  First, don’t wear a t-shirt under a suit.  If you need to wear a business suit, you need a better blouse to go with it.  Second, make sure that the t-shirt is a heavy material that isn’t see through or too snug.  Third, wear a t-shirt bra, smoothness is critical.  I like this Wacoal Smooth Complexion bra.

I like these Vince tees because they’re a good thickness and very soft.  If you’d like something in a lower price point, this Bowery tee from Gap is a great alternative at $13.  I know some of you own J.Crew t-shirts, but I find them to be too thin for the office.  I like a bit more weight for work.

Since Lanvin is out of most price ranges, substitute this Hugo Boss Vida skirt is on sale at Off 5th for $84 with most sizes still available.  If you want something with a bit of texture, this under-$75 Aqua pencil skirt is a good choice.  Plus-size?  The only option I could find was this Eileen Fisher skirt.

When you’re dealing with two simple pieces in neutral colors, choosing accessories that add style and flare without overwhelming the look can be a challenge.  I like how she used the scarf, with shades of blue and orange, to bring the purse into the outfit and add more color.  For a less-expensive option, this Olsenboye tribal-print scarf is a great $20 alternative.

The shoes are the “nude” pumps that many women wear all spring and summer long.  These Michael Kors Flex pumps are very comfortable in either the 3.5″ height or the 2.25″ height.  I cannot recommend them enough.

As for the rest of the accessories, I like the relaxed-cool that the Wayfarers bring to the look and the gold plate belt.  Need a cheaper belt?  This ASOS plate belt is under-$30.

This outfit is perfect for offices that hover between casual and conservative.  It’s also a good choice for when your casual wardrobe needs a jolt or for a casual Monday in a more conservative office.

Style

share this post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. JD says:

    When you wear a belt over a waistband that lacks belt loops, how do you keep the belt in place? It always rides up when I try it, especially when I move from sitting to standing. I find myself constantly readjusting it.

  2. Cammy says:

    If you can wear a nice t-shirt with a pencil skirt and have it look good enough for work, I don’t see why you shouldn’t wear a nice, fitted t-shirt under a suit. You can dress it up with a scarf or necklace. I find a t-shirt much more manageable than a blouse: it stays in place, is less likely to come untucked and feels smooth against the jacket.

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

The Beauty Edit: An Under-Eye Concealer That Actually Works

My dark under eye circles have been the bane of my existence since I was 12. Is the cause lack of sleep? Dehydration? Sinus issues? Stress? Who the hell knows. But there they are, every day, telling the world that I am an exhausted working Mom.

7

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

The Range: A Business Look from Boden

Every now and again, I spot a piece on sale and I have to have it. I need it. I cannot live without it. Recently, I spotted a jersey tee at Boden that takes a casual top to the next level, and I just needed to share.

5

READ MORE 

Saw It On Social: The Battle of the Spendy Swimsuits

Sloane loves the pool. She jumps from the deck into the water with a crash, never considering her own safety, only to emerge on the surface, shouting “Again!” The pool is my daughter’s happy place. But no place where I need to wear a swimsuit in public is a happy one for me.

22

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Beauty, BPGP, Top Posts | July 25, 2024

The Beauty Edit: An Under-Eye Concealer That Actually Works

My dark under eye circles have been the bane of my existence since I was 12. Is the cause lack of sleep? Dehydration? Sinus issues? Stress? Who the hell knows. But there they are, every day, telling the world that I am an exhausted working Mom.

7

READ MORE 

Features, Posts, The Range | July 25, 2024

The Range: A Business Look from Boden

Every now and again, I spot a piece on sale and I have to have it. I need it. I cannot live without it. Recently, I spotted a jersey tee at Boden that takes a casual top to the next level, and I just needed to share.

5

READ MORE 

Features, Posts, Saw It On Social | July 24, 2024

Saw It On Social: The Battle of the Spendy Swimsuits

Sloane loves the pool. She jumps from the deck into the water with a crash, never considering her own safety, only to emerge on the surface, shouting “Again!” The pool is my daughter’s happy place. But no place where I need to wear a swimsuit in public is a happy one for me.

22

READ MORE 

Features, Monday Mornings, Posts, Style | July 22, 2024

The Mondays: July 22, 2024

The Crowdstrike/Microsoft Meltdown forced me to take a few days off this weekend. No laptop. No billable hours. So we packed Sloane up for a visit to a local llama farm, stopped by the pool, went for coffee, etc. Few things are as funny as watching a 23-month old feed carrots to a ravenous rescue […]

2

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO