All Striped Down

Bodysuit: Forever21+//Pants: Fashion Nova//Handbag: JustFab //Sandals: Sam Edelman

Sunnies: Amazon//Watch: Michael Kors//Earrings: Banana Republic 

Okay, when I first saw these pants my honest opinion was "Where am I going to wear these!?" These pants were given to me by a  good friend because she didn't like the way they fit her. I thought to myself "If they don't fit you they're definitely not going to fit me!' But after a few minutes of peer pressure I decided to try them on and to my surprise they fit! The beautiful thing about vertical stripes is that they are incredibly slimming. I don't typically have an issue wearing stripes at all, whether they are horizontal or vertical, but I will say that vertical stripes do work in your favor. 

Here's what I learned about this situation. Try not to make assumptions about how you think something will fit. When I looked at these pants I was not initially a fan. It was almost as if I was looking for a reason not to wear them because they're not a piece I would normally be drawn to. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and voila! Look what happened. I found a pair of pants that I absolutely love. Actually, I can't wait to wear them again! 

Next time you go shopping consider trying something you wouldn't normally wear. I often scroll through Pinterest and Instagram looking for inspiration from fellow style influencers. I also go into shops and boutiques I would normally never go into. I found that this gives me inspiration to try something new. Most of the time I end up finding a gem! 

Sloppy Chic

Coat: JustFab//T-Shirt: Old//Belt: Gucci//Jeans: Old Navy// Loafers: Sam Edelman

Handbag: Amazon//Bag Strap: Jackie Robbins Leather//Sunnies: Amazon//Watch: Michael Kors

Four out of five days of the work week I dress professionally. On Fridays I try to dress somewhat casual so on the weekends I try to make it as casual as I can. However, dressing casual or what I like to call "sloppy chic" doesn't typically work out for me. I've always been envious of women who can wear baggy jeans or loose-fitting overalls and make it look so cute. I have wider hips and a bigger butt so sometimes wearing loose-fitting or baggy clothes can make me look bigger than I actually am...which I don't want!

I see so many women dressed casually in loose-fitting distressed jeans and t-shirts and they make it look so good. I'm never able to escape the feeling of the frump. I feel like when I try to dress casually I always end up adding a touch of glam. I guess it's so much a part of who I am that there's no way for me to escape it! LOL.

This weekend I looked through my closet for something as simple as a t-shirt and jeans...which I love on weekends...and even when I try my hardest I end up with a t-shirt that says "GLAM" in gold glitter. So at this point I ask myself, "Why not?".  I pulled out my faux fur leopard coat from JustFab and said "here we go" for the day. I meandered my way through the weekend and was very happy about it! I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Yes, this is what I want to look like!". I guess this means I have to let myself be who I am and embrace all of the Glam!

Here are some tips for achieving your best "slouchy chic" look. 

1. Find your most comfortable pant.
2. Pair it with your favorite comfy top.
3. Put on a piece of statement jewelry, sunnies, or shoes. 
4. Rock the look! 

What to Wear to Work

Ponte Pants: Old Navy//T-Shirt: Old Navy//Blazer: Banana Republic (Similar)

Mules: Halogen//Sunnies: Quay

I recently overheard a conversation while I was at work. Two women in my department were talking about how much they loved someone's dress. They also mentioned that when they first started working for the company, years ago, that women dressed so differently in the office. There were more suits and dresses than they see now. This made me think. What should we be wearing to work? And, what difference does it make what I choose to wear to work? If I choose to wear a dress one day and pants the other does it mean my work has any less value? Does this mean I don't perform at my best when I'm not in a suit? Absolutely not! Expectations of what women should wear in a corporate setting has changed so much. Expectations of what men should wear has changed too. 

I work in an office where men don't wear suits everyday. I often see a pair of slacks with a polo shirt. I don't see ties. I don't see jackets and I RARELY see suits! 

Don't get me wrong, your girl loves looking like a boss when I need to, but why is the expectation for women still so different? It really shouldn't be. Honestly I would prefer to wear something much more comfortable to work everyday but that's not reality. Trust me, I love getting dressed everyday and feeling great with what I have on, but the truth is we judge each other based on how we are dressed. I am guilty of it and in the workplace it happens way too often.

As a black woman in a corporate office where the percentage of minorities is low, I have to be very cognizant of what I wear, how I choose to wear my hair, and even the makeup I put on. I have to be mindful of stereotypes when I get dressed in the morning. I also have to consider what meetings I have for the day to make sure what I've chosen to wear is "appropriate".

Personally I like to start off my week a little more professional and progressively get casual throughout the week. By Friday I'm usually in jeans and a blazer. (And you know how much I love a blazer! Check out some old posts here and here) 

Here's something to keep in mind when you get dressed daily for work. Wear what makes you feel confident. Wear what makes you feel like you. Whether that is heels and dress or trousers and a  blazer what you have chosen to wear should have no reflection on how you perform in your role.

Blazer: Lane Bryant//Ponte Pants: Old Navy//T-shirt: Old Navy//Heels: Moda (Similar) 

Blazer: Banana Republic//Jumpsuit: ASOS//Sunnies: Amazon//Loafers: JustFab