Bringing A Little Color To The Workplace

So after a week of wearing all black, I'm ready to feature to feature some color, and I thought I would veer back to some work looks since it had been a while since I've included office fashion on the blog.

Shoes:  Sugar (Available at Kohl's here)

Sweater:  Torrid (Available here)

For the first look, I took a summery, almost bohemian outfit - the pleated maxi and embroidered top and added a black suit jacket to give it a little more polish.  This is definitely one of those looks in which you could easily walk right out of the office, lose the blazer, and head out for a comfortable casual evening.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Top:  Target (Available here)

I love the ease of the top left out, but tucked in, my legs look a mile long, which, given my height, never happens, so it's kind of fun!

Tote:  Target (Available here)

Earrings:  Prabal Gurung for Target

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Bracelets:  Target, Express

With today's second look, I faced the sometimes brutally cold office air conditioning with a red drapey sweater which I paired with a white dress and beige booties to help keep the overall look lighter and more summery.

Dress:  ASOS

Booties:  Target

Earrings:  New York & Company

Necklace:  Ann Taylor

Bag:  The Limited

Glasses:  Valentino

I have a tendency to only pair this dress with black and to highlight the zipper detail to create edgier looks, but the red sweater brings a softness to the dress that feels just right for the office.

Which look do you prefer?  How do you add color to your professional wardrobe?

For the skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For the top in another look, see here.
For the blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here,  and here. 

For the dress in other looks, see here and here.

Black for Summer: Culotte Jumpsuit

Today, I'm concluding my series of all black looks with a fun cropped culotte jumpsuit.

Jumpsuit:  eShakti custom (currently sold out on-line)

You may recognize this jumpsuit from my recent post on eShakti.  I loved it for its chic simplicity and modern design details, but I was skeptical about whether culottes would work for me.

I had some gift cards for eShakti, so I decided to give it a try.  I'm so glad I did.  

Heels:  Candie's (Available at Kohl's here)

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

Clutch:  Torrid (Available here)

The culotte style can be so tricky for petites, especially curvy petites, but the jumpsuit style really makes it work.  Plus, I finally have a jumpsuit that was made for me!!  Using eShakti's custom fit options, I have a jumpsuit that is the perfect length and doesn't have a ton of extra room in the torso.  Nothing worse than a crotch that hangs down to your knees! LOL

The pocket area of the jumpsuit is a little bulky, so I'm planning on having the pockets partially sewn shut to create a sleeker silhouette in the hip area.  Other than that, I just love this piece.

I kept the styling simple and monochromatic with the addition of white pumps, a statement bag, and my faux Dior tribal pearl earrings.

Earrings:  etsy

Rings:  Torrid; New York & Company

Are you a fan of the culottes trend?  Have you tried it out yet?

A more colorful look up on the blog soon!!   

Black for Summer: Rock the Crop

So, I wasn't planning a crop top related post for my series on wearing black for summer, but then controversy erupted all over social media this week when a piece of really bad advice was shared from O, the Oprah Magazine, and the summer to #rockthecrop was born!

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Skirt:  Torrid (Available here)

Here's what that advice from O's Creative Director Adam Glassman looked like: 

Excerpt from O the Oprah Magazine; photo originally posted by Tamar Anitai

What??!!

Gorgeous, diverse bodies have been rocking crop tops all over social media and blogs.  Mainstream fashion magazines have featured women with non-flat stomachs wearing crop tops.

Top:  Eloquii

So, where was this advice coming from, and why is O body-shaming women?

I admit I'm not a reader of O Magazine, but I have been a long-time fan of Oprah.  She is inspirational to so many, and she is such an amazing example of the power of women, a manifestation of how hard work, drive, and a few taken opportunities can lead to great success. I admire her, which makes it all the more disappointing that a magazine bearing her name would offer such backwards advice to women.

Playing around with filters

Oprah has been so public with her own body image struggles that it is hurtful that she would allow advice to be printed in her magazine that perpetuates a negative perception regarding women's bodies, advice that encourages women to limit their fashion options depending on body size.

A reader, no doubt interested in the crop top look, but perhaps a little anxious about trying one out, asks for advice on whether she could pull one off.  Instead of offering encouraging advice and showing ways to rock a crop top at any comfort level, the magazine decided to promote an archaic ideal that only women with flat abs should be allowed to embrace a major fashion trend.

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

There are so many ways to wear a crop top, yes, including wearing one over a longer shirt as was the more conservative advice offered in O. 

Playing with Proportions

Why not offer a variety of styling options to this reader rather than the lazy, discriminatory response that was given?

Here are a few of my styling ideas because, yes,YOU can wear a crop top even if you don't have a flat stomach, and you can look damn good doing it!!

With a suit - Whether adding a sexy touch to an androgynous look or going for a more non-traditional skirt suit, crop tops can be a great layering piece!

The Dark Side of the Sun

All White Everything

With high-waisted skirt or shorts - A high-waisted bottom is the perfect pairing for a fitted crop top, and this particular pairing is super on-trend!!  I personally love crop tops with higher-waisted bottoms because the proportion works really well for petite body types and helps create the illusion of longer legs.

Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 4:  My Belly and Me

Midi & Crop Tops

Taking My Own Advice

Lady In Waiting

The Shorts Alternative

The No-Skin Show - You can still get the great proportions of a crop top without having to show skin.  Choose a slightly longer crop top and pair with high-waisted bottoms.  This can be a great option for work or for those of you who like the look but aren't quite ready to venture out into showing skin. 

A Crop Top for Work?

Maximizing on Winter

Desk to Drinks

Polka Dots and Neon Pink

Loose crop - Pair with a flowy maxi skirt for an easy look, or for a sexier vibe, a loose crop top pairs well with a pencil skirt.

Smart Glamour and Body Positivity

With a bra - For those of you feeling a little more daring, pair a sheer crop top with a bra and subtly show a whole lot of skin!

Aztec Print and Fringe

There are soooo many fab ways to rock a crop top, and not one of these looks require a flat stomach!! I'm not even sure how to perceive the concept of a "flat stomach."  When I was 97 pounds and a size zero, my stomach was not completely flat.  It was toned and taut, but it had a roundness to it.  Does that mean that even then, while working out 5-6 days a week and starving myself, I still didn't deserve to wear a crop top? 

Screw these stupid archaic rules about what women should wear!  IF you want to wear a crop top, wear a crop top!  By the same token, if you don't want to wear a crop top, don't.  It's as simple as that.

Bra:  Cacique by Lane Bryant

Necklace:  Eloquii
Clutch:  The Limited

As for me personally, I was actually a little surprised that I had shown so many crop top looks on the blog because I have actually been somewhat on the fence about crop tops.  I'm 37, and have wondered if maybe they just didn't have a place in my life.  My stomach is probably my least favorite part of my body, and while I'm mostly at peace with it, did I really feel the need to show it off? 

More so than that, I wanted to resist the pressure to wear them just because they were trendy.

Jacket:  Eloquii (Available here)

I'm really not in love with my lower belly and usually take great stride to conceal the visible belly outline (VBO). 

In the spirit of resistance to this shitty advice from O Magazine, I decided to post a look that shows all of this off anyway. 

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target

Glasses:  Valentino

Clutch:  Torrid
Ring:  Earthbound Trading Co.
Bracelet:  The Limited

Earrings:  The Limited

I admit I might not be comfortable wearing this look out and about (maybe with the jacket), but I figured why not at least acknowledge loud and clear YOU DON"T NEED A FLAT STOMACH to wear a crop top!!!  Wearing a crop top isn't about the size or shape of your body.  It's all about your level of confidence and personal preferences.  While I'm still personally a little self-conscious showing the VBO, this outfit also makes me feel like a modern day Pink Lady - Jan, who in the modern version of Grease (perhaps with a little style advice from Rizzo) loses the frumpy clothes and proudly flaunts her curves, VBO and all!!

At this point, my desire to wear crop tops is stronger than ever.  F*ck these stupid rules about what we are supposed to wear.  I'm ready to start a #croptoprevolution!!!

Who's with me??

Share your crop top photos on social media using the hashtag #croptoprevolution, and let's show O Magazine, and the rest of the body shamers just how damn good crop tops look on ALL bodies!!

Heels:  Payless

For the first skirt in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For the lace top in other looks, see here, here, and here.

For the lace-trim skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For the crop top in other looks, see here.