Fashion Etiquette: Adding to Your Spring Wardrobe

Have you been thinking “Spring!” while weathering through yet another cold spell in your city? With the arrival of Spring, we can hardly wait to put away our Fall wardrobes and welcome brighter pieces of clothing and cheerful accessories. But not so fast…it’s still cold in many parts of the country and we aren’t quite ready to pull out our lighter weight fabrics when the temperatures outside are still in the teens (this obviously doesn’t apply to me as I write this in 75 degree weather – but am planning a trip to a city where I will need long johns next week!).

While I teach a clear message of erring on the conservative side of the fence for business, I also believe that your choice of clothing is dependent on the corporate culture, industry and the temperature outside your front door. I like trends but I adore timeless pieces. I take care of them just like I cared for my favorite dolls when I was a child. I keep them in their original boxes and pull them out from time to time, try them on, wear them out, and then put them away until next season. Some of my favorite “old” things are purses that look brand new, shoes that I have resoled countless times, and a pair of men’s Gucci cuff links that I wear with a white cotton shirt and faded blue jeans.

Here’s what is on my Spring Wardrobe list for office and fun…

Shoes: I am never one to shy away from height.  I always feel at my best with a great pair (or several!) of heels to add that extra pep of confidence into my step.

The Office: I own this pair in black patent and camel suede. The shoe below is on my Spring wish list.

Fun: Saturday brunch with friends – who wouldn’t have a skip in their step?

Arm candy for all seasons: Even though most of us rely on our cell phones to check the time, it’s an important professional detail to wear a conservative watch. My staple time piece is a simple link watch. It’s been reworked, parts replaced, links re-linked, and glass face repaired.

Another favorite:

You might want to add this to your Spring wish list:

Consider jewelry to add a pop of Spring color to your wardrobe.  My jewelry, mostly inexpensive, is sentimental and timeless. I also have many pieces of bright jewelry that I pull out for Spring that make me smile when I wear them because they are sunny and cheerful. I always seem to add a few more items to my wardrobe for both work and play.

Here are a few Spring favorites…

or:

Casual Friday’s at the office:
The end of the week might feel like you have one foot into the weekend but you certainly can’t risk showing up to work too relaxed.

Office: Instead of faded jeans, consider this outfit from J.Crew:

For some work environments, this would be a perfect style for a holding a meeting over lunch:

And, if your office wears jeans to work on Fridays, this would be a good choice:

What does your spring bag look like? If you are still carrying around a back pack or an overused handbag, now is the time to treat yourself to a new look.

Or, if you prefer to go darker:

Or, if you want to show your vibrant personality, just don’t wear it with a bulky briefcase:

You love color? This may be a too pink for the accounting firm or courtroom, but a touch of hot pink will add flair to your wardrobe and let your competitors know you are walking down the corridor. Notice her soft nails with the bold outfit. While this purse may be a luxury item for most, the look can be achieved by shopping carefully for a similar, more affordable option.

What is on your Spring wish list?
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