Monday 10 September 2012

Outfit post - Professionnal, take one !





Blazer: Smart Set / Blouse: RW&co / Skirt: American Apparel
Shoes: Nine West / Necklace & Bracelet: Tiffany&co / Watch: Swatch

 Since I'm going to be in court almost all the time this week (for my new readers, I'm a lawyer so that's definitely part of my job), and since I've got lots of questions about professionnal dressing, I thought I would do a little series for you guys and give you my tips on how to add a bit personnal style to a work appropriate outfit, without going overboard.

First, here's a little story ! When I graduated, I just had in my mind that all lawyers had to wear the 2 piece black or navy suit to look professionnal. And since that wasn't really my style, everytime I got dressed for work it seemed like I was wearing a costume, wich was weird and not helping my self confidence. I learned along the way that I could infuse some of my personnal style in a way that was professionnal, but still me ! And it took me about 3 years to figure out !!!

This is a look that I wore to go to court, so that means to be in front of a judge and a client. So I tried to keep it classic, but still fun !

So here's some tips on how I included my personnal style in a professionnal way in this outfit:

  • Stick with classic lines like a pencil skirt (or an a line skirt) and classic blazer
  • Don't be afraid to add bright colors, like I did with the blazer, just keep the rest of the color palette neutral
  • Roll the sleeves of your blazer to keep the look a little more casual 
  • Don't be afraid to use patterns, but stick to one. Pattern mixing is a great trend (and I do love and do it !!!) but not all occasions are right for a fashion statement. This one for me wasn't.
  • Heels ! I always feel more put together when I wear heels. And the more put together I feel, the more confident I am, the better job I'm going to do !
So here you go ! Hope that was helpful and stay tuned for other professionnal looks later this week !


101 comments:

  1. Adore that blue blazer on you! That color is fabulous! Thinking of getting one myself! Looks great with that pencil skirt!

    Xo Meghan
    citrusrefreshingfashion.blogspot.com

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  2. I love your blue blazer! You're so pretty! :D

    The Celebrity Look

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  3. i love this! i still wear a line or full skirts to work because pencils suck on me, but i agree that knee length is a must!

    <3 katherine
    of corgis and cocktails

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  4. Great tips, Marie! You look super hot in that power attire!

    KISSES FROM :
    A SMALL BLOG WITH A BIG HEART!
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES DAILY (where fashion and food collide!)
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/

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  5. love the colour of that blazer!

    http://www.counttofour.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks ! That's one of my favorite color ever !!!

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  6. I completely agree with your professional dressing tips!! You look gorgeous and perfect for Court. Fun and chic yet professional.

    xo Jenny
    www.crazystylelove.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jenny ! That compliment coming from a stylish girl like you means a lot !

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  7. I just got a similar blazer! You look great! Nice blog! Follow each other?

    xo
    Melissa

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Melissa ! HEading to your blog right now !

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  8. Truly love how you mixed your personal style in a professional way...you looked absolutely polished yet chic!!

    REBECCA
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  9. I love it! You look fabulous. Great job mixing everything.
    Iva

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  10. That cobalt blazer is amazing! Such great tips. I love this style. Professional but not stuffy

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lindsay ! that was exactly what I was going for !

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  11. Very similar looks indeed. Yours is fab. That blazer is really great.

    Tracy

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  12. Replies
    1. Thanks ! I do love it a lot, wish it came in other colors, would have got them all !

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  13. Love love love that skirt with that blazer...such an awesome combo!

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  14. Great tips, I like how you've kept it simple and chic and a dash of colour with the blazer!

    Thanks for visiting my blog lovely
    SDMxx
    www.daringcoco.com
    Win a glam necklace and earring set by Angelique! Enter NOW

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  15. I love that blazer and love the stripes!! what a great outfit!

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  16. I don't have to worry about office wear yet, but these tips are really great! I'm going to have to remember these!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks ! Hope I can save you the 3 years it took me to figure all this out haha !

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  17. I love that you're wearing a color!

    xo, Courtney
    girlavantgarde.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Courtney ! I always try to have at least a little color in my outfits !

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  18. You look great! Nice tips :)

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

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  19. Oohh I love the color of that blazer! And I love pencil skirts with some type of pattern on them. It automatically makes it more interesting. I totally agree with you about heels. I LOVE heels!
    Meredith
    www.createthatoutfit.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Meredith ! Yes heels makes all the difference !

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  20. LOVE the bright blue jacket! GREAT professional look!

    XOXO
    -Daisy Nguyen from PS BANANAS fashion blog:
    http://psbananas.com

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  21. Ooh you look so pretty. I would never have thought that this outfit was conservative enough for court, thanks for proving me wrong. I need to show this to my sister. She is in the midst of graduating from Juris Doctorate.

    xx Jenee C.
    http://camomeetscouture.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I guess it all depends of the type of court, but in this case it worked, the client even complimented me on my outfit !

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  22. I like the white chiffon top combined with the bright blue xx

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  23. The perfect blazer!
    fashionresidence.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks ! I do like it a lot ! It's so comfy, and bright like I love it !

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  24. The blue color is really nice!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks ! I've been gravitating around it a lot lately !

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  25. I love dressing in professional clothes. It's probably my favorite style. Is that weird?

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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    Replies
    1. No not weird at all ! I do love dressing professionnal now that I know how to make it my own !

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  26. Such a lovely blog!<3
    I'm following you and i'd be glad if you'll do the same!
    Have a great day!xoxo
    http://fashioncolorsmylife.blogspot.ro/

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  27. Love this color purple--it's so pretty on you!

    -Alyssa
    The Glossy Life

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  28. Thanks for stopping by my blog.I am following you back on GFC and Twitter ^_^ Keep in touch <3

    Love
    Apurva
    http://kalapalette.blogspot.in/

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  29. You look great! Professional but still fun! That blazer is an awesome color.

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  30. This is a great professional look!
    It suits you really well!

    Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment!

    XoXo Nathalie
    www.fashionablymade.blogot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nathalie ! I will stop by again for shure !

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  31. Thanks for posting this advice. It's always hard to dress professional for the workplace but also be able to express your personal style. I'm lucky enough where I'm a Buyer for Levi's, and we have no dress code. Literally, people walk the halls in tanks, with their tattooed arms, and it's completely acceptable here. However, most companies aren't like that and your post will help a lot of people!

    xo,
    Victoria
    http://thestylistadiaries.blogspot.com

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  32. Lovely photos - I think the purple blazer works fantastically with the monochrome of the rest of the outfit and you look very cute. :)

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  33. In this jacket U look so chic.

    I hope you will visit my blog:

    www.perfection-and-harmony.blogspot.com

    and maybe follow if U like

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  34. Super! Ma meilleure amie commence justement une carrière d'avocate au Québec. Je vais lui dire de suivre ton blog pour suivre cette série!

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    1. Merci ! C'est certain qu'il faut s'ajuster à son environnement de travail, mon bureau est plutôt ouvert, mais il y a toujours un moyen d'y mettre sa touche personnelle et de sortir du classique 2 pièces noir !!! Je croiserai peut être ton amie en cours !!!

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  35. You look great! I know I fell into the matching suit trap, too when I first started my university job. Now I follow the types of suggestions you laid out here.

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    Replies
    1. That trap may be a conspiracy haha !!! Thanks for stopping by !

      Delete
  36. Thanks for following ! Means a lot ! I'll definitely check you out !

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  37. loving these colors on you girl! great blazer!

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  38. Oh and it might be confusing but my GFC is acting odd on this computer and I followed you through it using my twitter. Pretty cool you can do that!

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    Replies
    1. I didn't know we could to that !!! Thanks for following you're so sweet ! And since I love your blog I did too !

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  39. Love this look. I don't think I could pull it off like you though. Thanks for stopping by, cone follow along: http://sjdmiller.blogspot.com

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  40. love that skirt, got one similar this week
    you did a great job with the styling
    brett

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    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot !!! I do love that skirt ! So comfy !

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  41. Love love this skirt. I think this is a great professional outfit. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jenna ! And the skirt is really inexpensive too !

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  42. Absolutely love the blazer, and it is a good chic and professional outfit!

    * Always, Stephanie

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  43. that blazer is gorgeous , such a classic look i love it

    http://www.alwand.co.uk/index.php/my-style/2209-what-i-wore-reptile-print

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  44. cool style!!!
    I've just discovered your lovely blog, i'd love you to check mine out and let me know what you think ;)
    kisses from Spain,
    S

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  45. I love this look, the pattern and color combination is beautiful. The blazer is absolutely gorgeous.x

    Nia. x

    http://cherryfashion-buzz.blogspot.com/

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  46. Love this outfit. The pop of color with the blazer is fantastic! very polished, but still has some personal touches:)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tashia ! That was what I was trying to achieve so I'm glad you liked it !

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  47. i love this professional look! the colbalt blazer is a fun punch of colour, and who can resist a striped skirt ?!

    xo julesinflats.com

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    Replies
    1. I know ! Striped skirt are amazing ! I saw some cute ones at Old Navy yesterday !

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  48. Nice blue jacket, I found the same on this site Stylephotos

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