Edition 31: Fashion Friday

I’m in the process of packing for our trip. I am not going to lie, it’s a beating.

I actually read an article in this month’s Vogue about how you can hire a professional packer and, get this, not only does she pack for you but she will look through your closet and put together the perfect outfit for each event you have planned for your trip.

I bet that’s cheap.

But I will go on record to say that if I ever come into a large sum of money, I’m totally hiring a professional packer.

And maybe I’ll even go on some trips.

Anyway, today’s Fashion Friday is about business casual attire and what exactly that means. But first, I will tell y’all a true story.

Back in 1997, when I was twenty-five years old, I got a job as a pharmaceutical sales rep for a small pharma company. I knew throughout the interview process that I needed to wear suits, but once I started the job I thought I could go a little more casual in my attire.

So one day in August I wore some chocolate brown pants with a sleeveless sweater and some nice brown sandals (that doesn’t sound like a great outfit but remember it was 1997). I walked into the first office of the day feeling really cute and ran right into a Merck rep who was wearing a sensible navy suit complete with navy hose and navy heels. She looked at me like I was something she found stuck on her shoe.

Clearly she did not approve of my attire, but considering she had on navy hose I don’t really think she was in a position to throw fashion stones.

But I learned my lesson and went back to my suits until around 2003 when it became more acceptable to lean more towards a business casual look. Although I did go to a training meeting one time where we were informed that if we wore any sort of denim items on any part of our body, we would be sent back to our hotel rooms to change clothes.

Just like when I got sent home in 10th grade for wearing some blue and white striped Esprit shorts even though they came down to my knees.

Except I was 30 years old.

Apparently she was giddy with her wardrobe power.

Anyway, the attire for just about every event these days is business casual, including the She Speaks Conference, so I thought I would give y’all some examples of what constitutes business casual.

If there is a signature item in the world of women’s business casual attire, it would be the capri pant. One look at the Ann Taylor website will more than prove my point. Check out this outfit. And this one. Oh, and this one.

I’m not really a fan of capri pants, although I think they look cute on other people. I think at one time I was an capri zealot and I just wore myself out with all the cropped pants. But they do totally work for a business casual look.

These days I am a huge proponent of the trouser jeans for a business casual alternative. However, don’t confuse trouser jeans with regular jeans.

Trouser jean = business casual
Regular jean = plain old casual

Here is a darling outfit that is a perfect example of wearing trouser jeans as business casual attire. A true trouser jean will fit like a pair of dress pants, plus it should be in a darker denim rinse.

You can find some good trouser jeans here. And here. And also here. I also found these.

When it comes to pairing things with trouser jeans, look for tops that are more fitted. I really like this short-sleeve jacket and this seersucker jacket. You could also try a top like this or like this one.

If you’re one of those people that takes the time to shave your legs then you could always go with the skirt option. I believe I have mentioned that I adore this skirt. Here are a few other options.

You can also check out these links for some outfits that involve the skirt.

And last, but not least, the dress. This summer marks the official return of the dress.

I don’t really know what that means but I do know that for the last few years it has been hard to find a good dress and now I see them everywhere I turn. They are like the Brangelina of the fashion world.

I am a fan of the dress. It’s simple, it’s easy and all it requires are some simple accessories. No worrying about what shirt goes with what skirt and blah, blah, blah. If you share my love of the dress, then you may want to check out these great dresses that totally fit the business casual description.

I was planning on sharing a few footwear options, but it is late and a little four year old just joined me here on the couch. Since we’ll be apart for the next few days, I’m going to end it here.

But remember, no rubber flip-flops and no sombreros.

And most importantly, don’t let anyone wearing navy hose make you feel bad about yourself.

Y’all have a great Friday.

I’ll be checking in from Florida with ocean views.

Well, unless my suitcase exceeds the airline’s weight limit.

Highly probable.