Page 130 – MEMORANDUM | NYC Fashion & Lifestyle Blog for the Working Girl

How To Wear Track Pants To The Office

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If your place of employment has creative and/or casual vibes, you gotta get yoself some of these comfy track pants. Because you can. And also because they look awesome.

All I’m saying is that whoever invented the athleisure trend and started making socially acceptable, work-appropriate gym clothes deserves a Nobel prize. As a fashion-conscious female, with a proper reverence for burrito-friendly elastic waistbands, I feel it’s my duty to support the cause.

Also, even though the look confuses the hell out of my husband, I’m obsessed with the combination of traditionally casual and dressy elements—the secret to making “sportswear” pieces work outside of the gym. It’s all about elevated accessories—my classic black pumps, statement necklace, and leather jacket—that make your overall appearance seem less fieldhouse and more front office.

Mary Orton

May 11, 2016

Creative Office Style, Casual Office Style

Classic Knit Fit and Flare Dress

I wore this black and white ensemble last Friday for a morning full of work meetings and an afternoon escape to see the Oscar de la Renta exhibit at the De Young museum here in San Francisco. This classic knit fit and flare dress is as comfy as it is cute, and was the perfect frock for running around the city all day. If you live in San Francisco or are visiting before May 30th, you have to have to have to check out this exhibit. I’m going back at least once more before it closes… might just move in for the remaining three weeks, actually.

Mary Orton

May 10, 2016

Conservative Office Style

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Gingham Coordinates

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Gingham and I are/were in couples therapy. I get that it’s everyone’s favorite summer print, blah, blah, blah. But, it typically makes me feel like a twee picnic blanket, so I choose to neglect it… hence the rift between us. And yet, we still have an unspoken, intangible, undeniable connection, thus the need for a little How to Lose A Guy in Ten Days-style couples therapy. Now, I know what you’re wondering. Do we need to go to Staten Island for the weekend? Now THAT is a positive idea, Ben! So, we went to Staten Island for the weekend. Well, kind of. Our version of going to Staten Island was my perusing of Timo Weiland’s DIE. NO. MITE. capsule collection for Banana Republic during which one look at these gingham coordinates had me buckling at the knees and drooling on myself. Definitively less sexy than the Kate Hudson-Matthew McConaughey bathroom scene, but no less real. It was the first time in months (years?) that a gingham print didn’t make me want to waddle around asking when it was time to change for tee-ball practice. I mean, the modern silhouettes? The navy fringe detail?! En fuego.

I’ve waxed on about the amazing versatility of coordinating twin sets in the past, and this duo is no exception. I love the coordinates worn together for a trendy-yet-work-appropriate look, but am also amped about the possibilities of styling each piece separately as well. The skirt alone with any other white or navy top is a no-brainer. And this crop top? Again, pair it with navy, white, denim, white denim… endless options! Outside of the office, I’m especially itching to throw on some high-waisted white denim shorts (obsessed with these and these!) with this gingham crop top for a perfect little summer get-up.

GINGHAM CROP TOP: Timo Weiland for Banana Republic | GINGHAM PENCIL SKIRT: Timo Weiland for Banana Republic (also love this linen version) | BAG: Phillip Lim | SHOES: Jimmy Choo | LIP: Neutrogena

Mary Orton

May 9, 2016

Creative Office Style, Conservative Office Style

Flounce Hem Pencil Skirt and Polka Dot Blouse

For the working girl with an arsenal of pencil skirts, the flounce hem of this skirt offers another refreshing alternative to the office classic. In addition to the great silhouette, I’m obsessed with the exposed black accent zipper down the side which for me, adds just a touch of urban edge to an otherwise über-feminine skirt.

I wore the polka dot blouse tucked in for a classic workday look, but the blouse actually has an amazing cropped silhouette with a split hem, so I look forward to wearing it untucked again in the near future.

This post was produced in collaboration with Nordstrom.

Mary Orton

May 6, 2016

Conservative Office Style

Pinstripe Coat

Many fashion trends seem to come and go at lightning speeds, which can be particularly hard on the ol’ wallet. How can you tell what’s here to stay and what’s going to go in the blink of an eye? I mean, after the Met Ball on Monday night… do I need to spend my rent money on a Givenchy beadazzled nude latex evening gown? I mean, is it a flash in the Beyoncé pan, or a soon-to-be stalwart of the style-informed’s wardrobe? So much sleep lost over this one.

If you’ve been following Memorandum for a while, you know that I’m all about combining timeless classics with current trends. In many cases, however, there’s no major investment required—just some styling tricks and updated accessories to modernize your look.

Exhibit A: This navy and white ensemble. Most of the pieces that I’m wearing in today’s post are classic items that I’ve had for years. This duster coat is new, but with a classic cut and timeless pinstripes, I know it will be a versatile topper that I wear for years to come. Everything else? Classic, versatile staples in my closet that just needed to be styled and accessorized in the right way to take on an updated, urban vibe.

By tucking the navy shell into my high-waisted white silk pants, then simply adding a couple chokers and a stand-out belt, the overall effect of today’s look is much more of-the-moment than most of the individual pieces might suggest.

Work-appropriate, in vogue, and wallet-friendly? Sign me up. And, if that’s not enough to make for a good Wednesday, check out the bonkers sale happening right now at Shopbop. AGH! So much gooooood. I’ve included my top picks in the flipbook widget at the bottom of this post for your perusing pleasure…