Page 131 – MEMORANDUM | NYC Fashion & Lifestyle Blog for the Working Girl

Navy Polka Dot Sheath Dress and Ivory Blouse

The final look in my trifecta of spring Boden outfits features my favorite spring layering trick—the trusty sleeveless dress-blouse layering combo. Today I’m sharing this and all of my life-saving transitional weather tips for the working girl over on Boden’s Blog, so check it out here!

This post was produced in collaboration with Boden.

Mary Orton

May 2, 2016

Creative Office Style

boden

Spring Print Mix

Today’s the second look in the three-part spring series I’m doing with my friends over at Boden! Nothing feels more like springtime than bright colors and a little mixed print action, and this look definitely checks all of those boxes.

As you may have guessed from this post featuring three different ways to style the classic striped tee, I wear these suckers all year round like CRAZY. Because of this, my wardrobe was in desperate need of a fresh version, and this striped beauty from Boden may have just nudged my previous favorite out of the first place position in the lineup of striped tees gracing my closet. With the perfect boatneck that’s reinforced with grosgrain ribbon so it won’t stretch out after one wash, this classic tee has that ideal not too heavy, but not too lightweight fabric that can go from casual Friday at the office to weekend without a hiccup.

As for the skirt, I’m generally a sucker for anything periwinkle or navy blue, so this print naturally had me frothing at the mouth. It also comes in three other swoon-worthy prints, as well as petite and tall options (like most of Boden’s clothing) which is a total game changer for those of us with #tallgirlproblems. I also have to say that the a-line silhouette of this beauty is a refreshing alternative to the typical pencil skirt cut which dominates my arsenal of office-ready skirts.

Mmmmk are we ready to talk about the flats? I mean… scalloped edges? pointed toe? six perfect color options? I would have been willing to suffer through unreasonable levels of pain just to wear these cuties, but it just so happens that they were SUPER comfortable right off the bat. What else can I say? They’re not leaving my feet.

Stay tuned for the third look on Monday as well as my three life-saving styling tricks for transitional dressing this spring and summer. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

P.S. Sign up here for The Newsette—an amazing daily source of style and inspiration delivered right to your inbox—where I’m going to be sharing my morning routine in Monday morning’s issue!

This post was produced in collaboration with Boden.

Mary Orton

April 29, 2016

Casual Office Style

boden

Blush and Black

Today, tomorrow and Monday I’ll be showcasing three spring looks with longtime favorite brand Boden! The first look today features their blush cropped pants with this super cool black side stripe. There are few things I love more than fusing the trendy with the classic, and by picking up on today’s sportswear themes with the athletic-inspired side stripe while maintaining a classic, versatile silhouette—well, they pretty much nailed it.

sleeveless button down blush pants for work

I kept the rest of the look clean pairing simple black and white pieces, with the exception of these great lace-up pointed-toe flats. If you remember my recent post on how to wear lace-up flats three ways, you already know I’m a big fan of the lace-up trend. However, until today’s look, I really never pictured them going with tapered ankle pants before. But when I was unable to find the shoes I intended to wear in the dark and dangerous abyss that is my closet, I tried these on in an act of I’m-so-late-I’m-going-to-die desperation. And, very similar to other life-changing inventions that were created by mistake like the discovery of penicillin and chocolate chip cookies, the accidental combination was a match made in style heaven.

blush-cropped-pant-with-black-stripe-lace-up-flats-black-jacket-work-style

For the working girl, the go-with-everything black blazer is an office staple. However, similar to the athletic spin on these classic springy-hued pants, I’m always excited to find a refreshing take on the classic blazer. With an elevated tweed texture, a cropped silhouette, and on trend tie-neck details, you’ve got another perfect fusion of classic and modern that makes for a refreshing workwear go-to.

True to Boden’s colorful form, all of these pieces come in multiple colors, so check out all of their brightly hued options via the links below!

This post was produced in collaboration with Boden.

Mary Orton

April 28, 2016

Creative Office Style

boden

Triple Threat No. 5: The Sheath Dress

As discussed in my recent posts about what to wear to a client meeting and what to wear to a business presentation, one of the keys to having fun with business formal or conservative workwear is to look for pieces that have a classic work-appropriate cut (like a classic sheath dress) and then have fun with color, print and texture within the bounds of that silhouette. Not only does this approach allow you to infuse your work wardrobe with a little extra sartorial oomph beyond the standard blacks, greys, and navy blues, but it actually gives you way more bang for your buck. I mean, that grey sheath dress hanging in your closet may be a great workwear staple (no shade! love me some grey staples!), but I bet it’s not getting a ton of play outside the office.

Today, I’m featuring three ways to wear one of my favorite spins on the classic sheath dress which will take you from desk to date night to Sunday brunch. If you love this textured tweed beauty and all its fringey-delicious detail as much as I do but the orange hue is too bold for you or your workplace—no sweat! It also comes in ivory, sky blue and black and oh by the way, it’s a casual 30% off today and available in petite and tall options as well. Soooooo, happy hump day y’all!

Click directly on the individual images above for product details or see the full list at the bottom of this post.

More sheath dresses that I love:

PRODUCT DETAILS:

MONDAY MORNING OUTFIT:

THURSDAY DATE NIGHT:

SUNDAY BRUNCH:

Mary Orton

April 27, 2016

Triple Threat

Pinstripe Wrap Midi Skirt

As an eternal fan of midi skirts, pencil skirts, and pinstripes, I always find a new take on these classics to be so refreshing. The button detail and asymmetrical wrap front makes for a super modern spin on the midi-length pencil skirt, and the slit up the front adds just the right edge without coming up too high for the office. An altogether winning look for a packed day of meetings last week in NYC.

Shot by Alexander Scott Harris

Mary Orton

April 26, 2016

Conservative Office Style

Lace Trim Midi Skirt

Another look from last week in New York taken outside my new favorite NYC home away from home—the Nomo Soho Hotel. In addition to incredibly beautiful rooms, uncommonly friendly staff, and a room service menu that just won’t quit, they have this magical garden of eden-esque entrance (as depicted above) which served as the perfect backdrop for the feminine black and navy combo I wore to meetings last Wednesday. With an equally-picturesque adjacent outdoor seating area and 70 degree sunny weather, it was tough to get actual work done (oh yeah… the purpose of my trip…) and an even tougher place to leave.