Working Girl

The days are getting longer and the weather is heating up. . .to me this means one thing: Spring Dresses! After months of winter full of dark colors and heavy clothing I anxiously await those first few warm spring days when I can step out sans tights in a floaty spring dress. In honor of the warming weather and impending Easter, I am dedicating this week to dresses. Each day I will highlight some of my favorite dress choices this season for a variety of needs. Then check back next week to see how I turn some of my favorites into an entire outfit!

Today I will start with dresses for work. With more and more offices turning to a more casual look, women have a much larger selection of clothing to choose from for the office. It is important, though, no matter how casual your office might be that you do remain work appropriate. This can be done through choosing appropriate fabrics, fit and cut.

Row 1: Eliza J, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Julie Brown

Row 2: DVF, Eliza J
Row 3: BCBG, Anthropologie

Wide hips? Try: Yellow Eliza J, Red Marc Jacobs
Straight Figure? Try: DVF, Print Eliza J, BCBG
Belly? Try: Julie Brown

Fabrics: Choose more sophisticated fabrics, such as silks, structured cottons. . . .even a jersey fabric can be great in a structured wrap dress, especially for those who travel.

Fit: Nothing too tight, too short or too low cut are all obvious. But what about nothing too loose? Wear your dresses fitted, even a floaty style should graze your curves, not swallow you like a trash bag.

Cut: Think tailored, structured and sophisticated.

Big Bird at the State of the Union?

Who knew that Hillary Clinton would be such a trend setter on Capitol Hill? Famous for her collection of yellow suits, it seems that although Hilary was nowhere to be found, her suits did make an attendance at Tuesday nights State of the Union Address.

While I applaud the women of DC for attempting to break out of the uniform of a black or navy suit, with pantyhose and closed toe pumps, no one ever suggested that canary yellow was the answer. A boring, boxy suit in yellow, or even purple or red for that matter, is still no more flattering than a black one.

I can admit that their are still many careers that require a polished, professional suit to be worn, but fashion designers have become wise to this and created many figure flattering, detailed suits that are still somewhat fashionable. So, women of Capitol Hill, in a city that is quickly turning into a fashion focused one, please heed this advice and invest in some of the suits pictured below.

1. D Squared 2. Albert Nipon (no number). Kay Unger 3. Just Cavalli 4. Zoda Women's 5. Tahari 6. Albert Nipon 7. Piazza Sempione 8. Adrianna Papell

Suit Tips:

1. Suit jackets should hit no lower than your hips. Anything longer is reminiscent of the suits worn by Lisa Turtle on 90's sitcom "Saved by the Bell."

2. If you are petite, a cropped jacket that is a little shorter in length will lengthen your leg line, making you appear taller.

3. A swing jacket is a great alternative to your standard blazer, and adds interest to an otherwise boring suit.

4. Look for suits that "nip in" at the waist to give you more shape.

5. Consider purchasing suit separates, they often have a better fit, and you can mix and match pieces together, creating a more modern take on the suit.

6. When wearing a neutral suit add a pop of color with a silk blouse or button up shirt.

7. If you are busty a 3-button jacket it the best option for you, anyone else will be more flattering in 2- and 1-button jackets.

8. If you must wear stockings with your skirts please DO NOT wear sheer panty hose in tan, white, or any other light color. Instead opt for an opaque tight, or a black sheer or patterned pantyhose.

8. 2 chic ways to update a suit: belts (thick or skinny), skinny pants

Spring Fever

Spring may not be here just yet. . .but it is all I can think about these days! I am checking weather.com daily to see when it will begin to warm up enough to bust out my Spring clothes! One of my favorite things about Spring is the dresses! Not only are they pretty, and flattering, but they are such an easy outfit! No mixing and matching tops and bottoms, just throw on a dress, jewelry and heels and go.

Another great thing about dresses is that they can easily go from the office to cocktail hour. Depending on the conservativeness of you office, a dress can be a great option for Spring. When wearing a dress to the office there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Make sure you aren't showing too much skin: this means leg, chest and back! It's okay to wear a sleeveless dress if you throw a cardigan or jacket over it for the office.

2. Make sure it's not too tight.

3. Make sure the material is appropriate. Don't wear casual fabrics to the office unless you have a casual dress code.

All of the dresses below are appropriate for the office (depending on your office dress code) with a cardigan or jacket, and can go strait from the office to drinks, dinner or dancing after!

1. Anthropologie Dress: I love this dress and think it can be great for day and night! For work wear with a colorful cardigan, black heels and sophisticated jewelry. For night change into fun heels, colorful jewelry, and a clutch and you are ready to go!

2. Shoshanna Yellow Dress: Another great dress! This doesn't require a cardigan for work unless your dress code doesn't allow shoulders to show. In that case throw on a black jacket or cardigan. For shoes go with a neutral heel. For cocktail hour throw on a chunky bangle and a patterned heel, or even go with pink!

3. Suzi Chin: I'm typically not one for floral, but this year I can't get enough of flowing floral chiffon dresses. For the office: yellow cardigan, neutral heel.

4. Milly Dress: This dress may be stretching the boundary of office appropriate. . .but I loved it. . .so I had to put it on here!

5. Banana Republic Dress: The structure and sleeves to this dress make it appropriate for just about any office. There is no need to add a cardigan or jacket, just wear with nude shoes so as to not fight the graphic pattern of the dress. For evening throw on a metallic sandal and some bangles.

6. JCrew Dress: This dress would look great with a slim fit, 2 button blazer and nude pumps for the office. For night lose the blazer, add a gold bracelet and metallic heels and you are done!

7. Bebe Dress: Add a cardigan or 2 button blazer to this dress for the office. Pair with black heels a simple jewelry. You may also need to add a camisole under the dress to avoid showing too much cleavage. For night loose the camisole and cardigan, slip into some strappy sandals and add a chunky statement necklace.

8. JCrew Dress: I'm not sure if this dress would work with a cardigan or not due to the high neckline. This dress is appropriate for those in a more creative field with a lax dress code due to the bare shoulders. Pair with pumps for the office and sandals for cocktail hour.