LADIES WORK LOOKS FOR SPRING

As the weather gets warmer, here are a few styling tips to make your look transition from winter to spring for work.  These tips can be worn in all age groups and body types.

1.  Layer your look.  Wear a woven pant with a fun patterned camisole and layer with a cardigan over top and belt the cardigan under your ribs.  As the day heats up take off the cardigan and lower the belt to your waist, or shed the belt.

Banana Republic Gold Button Sweater Jacket, $89.50.  Banana Republic Textured Mini Skirt, $98

 

Add a white button down shirt or navy blue to this look.  Tory Burch Snakeskin Leather Belt, $195

 

2.  Add color.  Try a bright colored pencil skirt in green or yellow.  For a more corporate look, wear with white button blouse.  Add a cropped blazer in black, navy, or khaki.  Add strappy leather high heels to show your style.  For more creative fields, try a patterned blouse with the bright colored skirt.  

Trina Turk Textured Skirt, $22   

          

                                                            59th Street Green Pencil Skirt, $12

 

3.  Cropped Pants.  Ankle length pants and calf length pants are great options for the work place.  Try a straight leg look versus baggy to be office appropriate.  Patterns can be worn, such as white on white, or sand and creme pattern, or try a bold hue with neutrals.  The color top you wear and the fit of the top determines how corporate your look will be.  Wild prints and colored pants with bold top are great for creative fields versus pairing neutrals and corporate high heels or sandals for straight lace work environments.

Ann Taylor Loft                                             Calvin Klein Straight Leg Cropped Pant, $69.50

  

4.  Shirt Dress or Wrap Dress.  Try a bold colored print.  Navy, purples, reds, and deep pinks can still be very corporate looking.  Pair with gold jewelry or silver to remain more neutral.  Add a bold colored necklace to show some creative flair.  The length and flow of the hem determines how "serious" your dress is.  A flowy hem is seen as more flirty and fluid.  Great for creative fields but not for corporate.  

Creative

Camilla Halter Wrap Silk Printed Dress, $498.  Calvin Klein 3/4 Sleeve V Neck Wrap Dress, $99.50

  

Creative or Corporate

Cobalt Blue is a great color to wear for spring.  Change the look to fun by adding fuchsia accessories or bright yellow heels and jewelry.  Ellen Tracy Wrap Dress, $80.99.  Doo-Ri for Impulse Geometric Print Wrap Dress, $75 (Macy's).

  

Corporate

Kaufman Franco Belted Silk-Satin Wrap Dress, $478.  Looks great with gold or wood colored heels.  Add a blazer for meetings, etc. in navy, cream, white, or brown.

5.  Sheath Dress.  Great way to wear a brighter color for spring.  Blue and pink sheath dresses are everywhere.  Add colored chunky jewelry, bright work bag/clutch, and heels for more creative types.  For corporate, add a neutral blazer or neutral accessories such as black or navy.

Ann Taylor Deconstructed Sheath Dress, $148 (check local stores for availability, not out yet)

Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Cobalt Blue Sheath Dress, $118.  Ann Taylor Loft Stripe Panel Ponte Shift in Black, $79.50

  

Limited green dress, $108.  Limited Color Block Dress, $39.99

  

MINT Green

Mint green is a color you will see in all the stores this spring.  It is a light breezy color that can be worn by most skin tones and hair colors.  Looks fresh on blonds and great with brunettes.  Try it in an accessory or as an all-over color depending on your mood.

DRESSES

BCBGeneration Dress One Shoulder Pleated, $108.  This dress is perfect for a wedding or dressy spring event.

This BCBGeneration One Shoulder Dress, $88, is great for brunch with the girls, a shopping trip, or day out on the town.

This TIBI matte jersey dress, $450, with ruffle front detail grabs the eye.  Suggest with nude color heels and sherbert or silver accessories.

Calvin Klein's long maxi dress, $158, is a light and breezy option for spring and summer.  Add fun colored accessories to make this stand out.  Try a long coral necklace, or lemon yellow.  Add jeweled sandals to keep it fun.

SKIRTS

Ann Taylor Loft "Scuba A Line" pocket skirt, $59.50.  Great with a white top or white button down and a cropped blazer.  Add heeled sandals for work.

DENIM

Denim is another option to try in mint green.  Great for spring.  Paige Denim Verdugo skinny jeans, $168.

SHORTS/TOPS

This Trina Turk look has printed mint green shorts with mint green silk camisole top.  Shorts, $248.

HEELS

Looking to subtly add mint green to your spring look?  Try it in a fabulous high heel.  B Brian Atwood Bambola Snake Pumps, $300.

JEWELRY

Add some mint green in your accessories this season.  Trina Turk Resin Ball Ring, $75.

Anthropology necklace (sold out in stores but keep searching online for it).

BRIGHT COLORED PANTS FOR SPRING

Bright colored trousers are everywhere this spring.  Wear the look with neutrals for work (white, navy, black, taupe) or a contrasting color to stand out.

Celebrities are wearing this look, such as Garcelle Beauvais, in an Equipment top and Alive + Olivia pants.

 

Vince Camuto Bailey's Skinny Ankle Pants, $79        Alice + Oliva High Waist Wide Leg Pant, $198

  

Stella McCartney Skinny Pants, $765   Ann Taylor Ankle Weave Pants, $88

  

J Crew Cafe Capri, $89.50

J Crew Minnie Pant, $89.50

Robert Rodriguez Front Pocket Twill Pant, $275

What Goes Around Comes Around Wide Leg Silk Pants, $99.97   Vince Camuto Slim Leg Pants, $52.90

  

Pair with items you already have in your closet to make this look work for you and appear on trend.  Add a crisp white button down shirt, black cropped blazer, heels, and a chunky necklace.

BOLD BLUE AND GREEN JEWELRY

Blue and Green jewelry was seen all over the runway for Spring/Summer 2012.  These pieces capture your eye and can be worn with bright citrus colors such as yellow, or worn with neutrals such as navy and sand.  Add some fun to your look with colored jewelry.

This Yochi "Dangle Drop" gold plate necklace, $98, intricate design makes a statement.

This Spring 2012 Stella & Dot necklace is a great addition to your jewelry.  It is a very bold versatile piece that can be worn with a range of colors.  Looks great with yellow, pink, or white tops or dresses. $198, contact a Stella & Dot seller to purchase.

Signature Style Royal Caribbean Necklace, $35.

Stephan & Co. Long Cobalt Blue Stone Necklace, $16 at Nordstrom's.

Nordstrom's "Lapis of Luxury" Statement Necklace, $58.

Carole Enamled Bauble and Chain Statement Necklace, $16.

Stella & Dot Felicity Hoops, $54.  Order here or from your local Stella & Dot seller.

Stella & Dot Serenity Stone Drop Earrings, $49 (ships March 20th).  Worn by Camille Grammer on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Stella & Dot Charlize Teardrop Earrings, $34.

Signature Style "Catch a Wave" 12 piece bangle set, $28.

Nordstrom's "Lapis of Luxury" Hinged Cuff, $78.

Aqua Turquoise Stone and Crystal Cocktail Ring, $35.

The key to wearing bold statement jewelry is picking no more than two pieces and wear them in different areas.  So a statement necklace can be worn with a cocktail ring or bangle.  A bracelet can be worn with bold earrings.  Only wear one large piece of earrings/necklace to accentuate the face and neckline.  Wear one bold bracelet or cocktail ring to elongate you.