It’s been a difficult week, so last night, I decided to play a dangerous game called, “I’ll get up early and write Four Ways in the morning.”  Sure, I will.  Let’s just call this post fashionably late, but worth it.

Featured Item Sam Edelman Hair Calf Pumps

The key to choosing leopard shoes for work is to focus on the color of the animal print.  Avoid dark yellows or prints with an orange hue.  What you want is softer, subtler tones.  These Edelman pumps have a more muted brown and taupe color scheme which makes them a bit more wearable.

Edelman also makes a black and charcoal grey leopard print.  If you wear wider shoes, these Lifestride pumps are nice.

One. AG Farrah High Waist Jeans // J.Crew Faux Wrap 365 Crepe Top // Gorjana Power Charm // DKNY Noho Medium Satchel (on sale!!!)

This outfit is a riff on the all-black look that is so many of our stressful-morning, nothing-to-wear fallback.  This blouse from J.Crew is impossibly flattering once it’s tailored to fit you (my alterations were $22).  And with a high waist jean, trouser, or pencil skirt, it looks amazing.

Add a simple black pendant necklace and a black satchel (I cannot believe the price on this one) and this simple, casual work look is complete.

Two. J.Crew Supersoft Turtleneck // J.Crew Double Serge Pencil Skirt // Furla Medium Saffiano Satchel // Lauren Button Studs

Tone-on-tone dressing is simple, elegant and timeless.  To do it right, mix pieces in the same color, from the same maker.  This gray turtleneck and pencil skirt is an easy work look for a light day or a not-so-casual Friday.  Other color combinations to try?  Navy, burgundy, camel, and ivory.

A burgundy bag is my go-to pop of color for fall.  I love this Furla satchel for its simplicity.  If you need a work bag with more room, this Ralph Lauren satchel has a great shape to it and clean lines.  For something under-$100, try this New Day bag from Target.

Also, for those who prefer silver-tone metal, I featured these button studs in a mixed metal from Ralph Lauren.  They blend the yellow and white tones seamlessly.

Three.Vince Camuto Angled Sheath Dress // Kayu Crushed Velvet Clutch // Jenny Birds Drop Earrings

This dress is a copy of a Reiss dress that Kate Middleton wore on her Canada tour a few years ago, but it’s a fabulous copy.  This is not the best photo of it, and I encourage you to see how it drapes on the model.  The style would be perfect for a day when you need to go to work, but you have a post-work holiday party to attend, so I styled it for evening.

These Jenny Bird earrings from Nordstrom are the perfect understated drops.  They’re sculptural and modern, but still elegant.  For something similar, under-$50, these Arielle drops from Anthropologie are perfect.

Looking for a different clutch?  I also love this black bow clutch and this sleek burgundy snap clutch.

Four. Iris and Ink Button-Detail Dress // Urban Originals Vegan Leather Satchel // Malandrino Interlocking Hoop Earrings // Brooks Brothers Wide Suede Belt

How phenomenal is this green dress?  A mock neck, a little detail on the shoulder, to die for.  Replace the belt with this wide chocolate one for a more structured look, or leave the tie belt for a more relaxed vibe.  If you love the color, I also like this Modcloth a-line belted dress, also in plus-sizes.

I kept the accessories simple for this outfit.  The Brooks Brothers belt is a workhorse that you can wear with any dress.   And these interlocking earrings have been posted before; I adore the way they’re structured.

{image by Trent Smolznick; this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author}