What to Wear: Girls' Trip

I"m going on a girls' trip to Key West this week, so I've been thinking a lot about how to pack effectively and efficiently. I want to look cute, but I don't want to be the girls who brings 3 suitcases for a weekend trip, you know what I mean?

The key to packing light is bringing items that are versatile.Sandals will work at the beach and with jeans and a tank. A ball cap will keep you safe from the sun, plus it doubles as a hangover helper paired with a slouchy tee. Those wedges? They go with your dress and polish off a casual look at the airport.

Be sure to think about how you'll wear each item you bring. Don't bring things that you can only wear once, that's a waste of precious space! For more packing tips, you can click here.

What to Wear: Company Dinner

From time to time, I find myself invited to company dinners. It can really be a struggle to decide what to wear. You always want to find the right balance between looking professional and attractive. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the waters.

1. Play it safe. Company big-wigs tend to show up to dinners so unless you work for Glamour Magazine, conservative is almost always the way to go. No plunging necklines or mini dresses. It's important to look professional. If dressing conservatively has you up in arms, play with color, not hemlines!

2. Choose a dress over pants. Unlike my advice on job interviews, a dress works better in a dinner setting. Wearing a dress to a company dinner will make it look like you tried harder. A word of caution, choose a dress that you're comfortable in. Keep in mind that you're going to be drinking and eating.

3. Use accessories to show your style. If you feel like you need more oomph, you can use accessories to show your personality and style. An interesting necklace or stacked bracelets will look great as long as you keep it tasteful and age appropriate.

4. Upgrade the shoes. What I mean by this is don't wear your work sensible shoes. Wear nice, fashionable shoes. You won't be on your feet all night, so you can wear trendier shoes that normally wouldn't cut it all day at work.

5. Carry a classic clutch. Pull your look together with a classic clutch in a neutral tone. If you've chosen a colorful dress and jazzed up accessories, this clutch will pull your look together in a more classic way. If you're wearing black, you'll still dazzle. You really can't go wrong with a simple, classic clutch.

There you go, my tips on what to wear to a company dinner. I'd love to hear what you think!

What to Wear: Dreaming of Spring

It has snowed here no less than 3 times in the past month. I'm over it. This is the coldest winter since the 80s. I'm over it. I've been wearing flannel shirts and puffer vests like it's my job. I'm.over.it.

But, there is good news. The forecast this week includes 3 days in the mid 60s. I'm so excited about the possibility of being warm(ish) that I can't contain myself. I've looked through the L&L archives to find some of my favorite warm weather outfits.

This look is one my favorites. It combines my love for layering with my love for pastels.

This look is may be my favorite L&L look of all time. I'm a sucker for polka dots and hot pink.

This look makes me think about how awesome it is to wear skirts and sandals. Ah, to dream.

This look I love because I love sheer, flowy tops. It's my MO for spring.

What are you dying to wear this spring? Do you have a go to look? I'd love to hear about it! Until then, keep warm! I'm linking up for What I Wore Wednesday here.

What to Wear: Winter Wedding

It can be difficult knowing what to wear to a winter wedding. And by difficult I mean figuring out how to not freeze your buns off without sacrificing style! )Is it just me, or are most sleeved dressed old ladyish?) I've had a couple of cold weather weddings to attend this year, so here are a few of my tips for you.

1. Try sleeves and texture. If you're not a huge fan of dresses with sleeves, try ones with texture to make it feel more special and occasional. Lace dresses are everywhere right now and are a great option. Pair a textured dress with simple jewelry and shoes. The dress should be the statement.
dress/dress/earrings/shoes

2. Wear a great color. A sleeved dress can go from drab to fab by changing the color. Channel Kate Middleton by wearing blue, or give a nod to the color of the year by wearing a shade of orchid. Add a great gold necklace and pumps for the perfect finish.
dress/dress/necklace/shoes

3. Throw on a fur, faux, of course! Adding a faux fur cape or stole will keep your shoulders warm and give you a touch of Hollywood glam. I'd suggest pairing the fur with dresses that have a little extra detail, like the ones above. A pearl necklace or earrings with strappy metallic shoes will complete the look.
dress/dress/necklace/earrings/shoes/stole/cape

There you have it, my tips on what to wear to a winter wedding. Let me know what you think!

How to: Fall Color Trends

As we begin to transition from summer bights to fall hues it can be a little daunting trying to figure out how to incorporate new color trends into your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Using accessories to keep your look fresh is a easy way to stay trendy without spending tons of money. No one wants to buy a completely new wardrobe every season!

To give you some of ideas, I've created a style board inspired by Pantone's Fall 2013 Color Report.

Happy Fall, y'all! I'm also linking up for Style Sessions!

What to Wear: Job Interview

First off, let me say that I am looking for 3-4 guest bloggers while I am on vacation September 9-16. If you're interested, please let me know via email or comment. This is absolutely free, great exposure for your blog, and to say thank you, I'll post your button on my sidebar for 30 days.

Now, on the real post...

Deciding what to wear to a job interview can be a challenging task. "Do I wear something conservative to make them think I'm responsible?" "Should I wear this piece to show my personality?" The stakes are pretty high if you choose the wrong thing.

Before make any hasty decisions, think about the company with which you are interviewing and the position for which you are interviewing. Dress according to the company's environment and the position you're hoping to get. Interviewing at a conservative law firm for an attorney position? Then you should probably wear a black or navy suit and leave your arm party and leopard heels at home.

While each situation is unique, here are my tips on dressing appropriately for a job interview. Hopefully, my suggestions will help guide you.

Wear a blazer and structured pants. This makes you look professional, and will make you feel professional. A confidence boost is always a plus in a job interview. If you're interviewing for a more creative position at a laid back company, your blazer can be a different color than your pants, but if you're unsure, stick with an actual suit with pants that have some structure. Sloppiness is not OK.

Choose a soft blouse. Blazers can make you look the part, but you still want to be comfortable. The worst feeling in the world is wearing a long sleeved button shirt stuffed down the sleeves of a blazer. It is hot and miserable, and everyone will be able to see how uncomfortable you are. A sleeveless blouse is 1000x times better.

Wear simple jewelry. Jewelry is a great way to express yourself, but not at your job interview. If you wear gigantic colorful earrings or a statement necklace, that is all your interviewers will notice. You want the focus to be on your qualifications, not your latest purchase from Charming Charlie. Keeping it simple is your best option.

Carry a stylish bag. A bag/briefcase is a great way to show your personality and style when going on an interview. While I don't suggest a neon pink oversized tote, a bag with a little pizzazz is really OK. Why a bag and not jewelry? Well, your bag will likely sit on the floor and not be in your interviewer's eye line. That's not the case with jewelry, it will almost always be seen.

Choose subtle shoes. To pull your look together, choose a pair of shoes that are subtle and classic. Sending the right message to your potential employer is so important, and your shoes say a lot about you. You want to give "I'm professional and reliable and would never come into work hung over." vibes. You do not want to give "I'm professional and reliable(ish), but I might call in sick on Fridays." vibes.

With these tips, you'll rock that interview!

What to Wear: Networking Event

I'm at a point in my life and career where it is very important for me for me to attend networking events. True, they're a little awkward, but with the right outfit my confidence gets an instant boost. Here are a few tips to choosing the right look.

Separates - My advice is to wear separates rather than a suit. You'll feel a little more relaxed and not so stuffy. Plus, you'll be able to adjust to the temperature of the room by adding or removing your jacket.

Personality Piece - Always add a personality piece to your outfit. It can be a fun necklace, a funky bracelet, or whatever you want. At a networking event, you're a little freer to express yourself, but you should stick to just one personality piece. You want people to notice you, but not in a bad way. It's OK to be stylish. It's not OK to be over the top.

Comfy Shoes - Whatever you do, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. You do not want to have a grimace on your face because your shoes are pinching your feet. You'll probably be standing up for most of the event, so wedges might be a good option for you. Uncomfortable shoes will make you miserable and everyone will know it. Trust.

Bag with Handles - Think about carrying a bag with handles that you can slip on your arm. You'll be shaking hands, passing out business cards, and probably holding a glass of wine. A clutch may be super cute, but a bag with handles is much more practical for a networking event.

 

So there you have it, my advice on what to wear when you're networking. I'd love to hear how you style yourself for professional events.