Look 1: JACKET: c/o St. John Knits | JEANS: Victoria Beckham | TANK: Club Monaco | SHOES: SJP Collection | SUNGLASSES: Miu Miu c/o Ditto | TOTE BAG: c/o Gigi New York | EARRINGS: c/o Melinda Maria | NECKLACE: Gorjana | LIP: Nars (Bansar)
Look 2: JACKET: c/o St. John Knits | JEANS: Paige Denim | TURTLENECK: Ann Taylor | SHOES: Steven | BAG: c/o Gigi New York | EARRINGS: c/o Melinda Maria | SUNGLASSES: Miu Miu c/o Ditto | LIP: Nars (Bansar)
I’ve gotten lots of questions from readers about travel/packing tips, and after the (literal) MILES I’ve put on my St. John Knits pieces, I have to give you the inside scoop on these babies: I travel a lot, so after years of trial and error, I’ve gotten pretty strategic about packing. Of course, the exact contents of my suitcase always rotate depending on occasion, time of year, and the purpose of the trip, but the one brand that is absolutely always without fail in my suitcase is St. John Knits. Honestly, I completely rely on their pieces while traveling because as knitwear, their suits and jackets don’t wrinkle like other pieces. They can be folded up to fit in even the most crowded suitcase, and upon arrival—voilà! They’re wrinkle-free, effortlessly chic and ready to wear.
Today I’ve styled two of my favorite long topper jackets casually with jeans (perfect for casual Friday at the office), but the beauty of these timeless classics is that they can be so easily dressed up or down. Last week while traveling home to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving I wore the long black jacket with ponte pants and over-the-knee boots on the plane. In my carry-on, I packed this dress which I paired with the same jacket for a more formal dinner out with my family last weekend. You’d be hard pressed to find something with that breadth of legit versatility.
As I’ve mentioned previously here on the blog, I’ve been enamored with St. John Knits since I was a little girl. I still wear regularly the first St. John topper jacket (similar to the black one above!) that I received for Christmas years ago (best. gift. EVER.). It looks as fresh today as it did on day one because absolutely no luxury brand surpasses St. John in quality. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to notice how lots of clothing comes and goes in my closet—whether it’s because of passing trends or fading quality—but my St. John Knits investment pieces have remained and proven to be worth every penny year after year.
Produced in collaboration with St. John Knits.
Today I’m excited to share my working girl wardrobe essentials! Whether you’re a recent graduate new to the workforce, interviewing for a new job, or eager to up your style game at work to land (or keep!) a recent promotion, this is the list for you!
Before diving in, I have to apologize that the Wedding Wednesday post I promised last week is being temporarily postponed. Last Wednesday was the first of my Wedding Wednesday posts where I shared our ceremony and all the juicy details on what the bridal party wore. I promised the second wedding post today—the details on our reception—but I had a major technological meltdown last night and that post was lost somewhere in cyberspace. Major, major fail, interwebs.
Luckily, I had this post ready to share with you tomorrow, so decided to post it today instead while I teeter on the edge of the Golden Gate Bridge determining whether I should start the wedding post all over again or just hurl myself off of the bridge. I’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, let’s take a gander at the top staple items every working girl should have in her closet…
If you flip to page 13 of my 2015 Holiday Memo, I’ve featured my working girl wardrobe essentials on the left, and more holiday gift ideas for the new working girl on the right. I get asked by readers all the time for suggested working girl “essentials” so I’m excited to share with you my list:
For those just starting out their careers, items from both pages would make incredible gifts!
*cough* especially those stemless wine glasses *cough*
I’ve owned a lot of suits, and this Theory number continues to reign supreme in my closet as my very favorite classic, dark suit. It’s great quality, drapes beautifully, wears like iron and comes in a classic, timeless cut. As mentioned above, I also really like the quality suiting options at J. Crew and Brooks Brothers, for that basic, staple suit that every girl should own.
For those of you who work in creative or casual environments that don’t have to wear something this business formal every day, I still think it’s really important to have at least one dark suit in your closet. You never know when you may suddenly get tapped to make a client presentation, attend a more formal conference, or be brought to a higher-level meeting. You want to be armed and ready for those unexpected moments!
Also, as an aside, I’ve had a few of you ask recently why I don’t post a lot of conservative suits like this all the time. It’s a question that I’ve addressed several times in the past, but it’s a good one and definitely worth repeating! So here are my thoughts:
When you think about workwear, I’m guessing a basic navy suit is among the first things that come to mind. Throughout Memorandum’s lifespan, I’ve endeavored to share looks that aren’t just the standard-issue, “typical” workwear. While today’s post is one of my favorite, classic office looks perfect for business formal environments or interviews, as a workstyle blogger, I’m not necessarily offering anything particularly novel with this outfit. I thought it was helpful to share my recommendations on work wardrobe essentials along with my very favorite staple suits, but in terms of styling, I doubt many of you looked at my pairing of a navy pencil skirt and matching suit jacket with a white button-down shirt and thought—Wow! I never would’ve thought of that combo!
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing I love more than a classic, simple look like this one. However, here on Memorandum, I try to add a bit more value. While everyone (who works in a conservative business formal setting, at the very least) should own a couple classic suits like today’s, in most of my posts, I try to offer styling ideas for the working girl that are a bit less obvious. Let’s face it, you’re a smart professional chick that doesn’t need me or anyone else to tell you that a navy skirt suit is a workwear option for you. The goal of Memorandum is to show that as working women, regardless of professional environment, we can have lots of fun with fashion beyond the staid dark suits so often attributed to us. So, I still offer lots of business formal workwear outfits for those of you in conservative environments, but in general, I try to mix it up a bit more!
Bottom line: Keep rocking your classic suits, but also don’t be afraid to sometimes think outside the dark suit box. : )
Drawing inspiration from some of my favorite posts this fall, I thought I’d share with you my Cyber Monday sale picks. Many of the exact products from the above highlighted posts are now on major sale and additionally, I added a few extra favorites that fit the color palette / aesthetic.
Whether you’re refreshing your wardrobe while prices are low or checking off that holiday gift list, be sure to get in on the deals today before everything goes back to full price tomorrow! Once you’ve perused my favorites above, make sure you hit up the Holiday Memo. You guys have already sold out a bunch of items, so I just added a ton of new favorites. Basically everything is on crazy sale today so get after it!
Lastly, if you’re still on the hunt for more wardrobe updates and/or gift inspiration, check out my newly updated SHOP page here!
BLOUSE: TY-LR (sold out, but sleeveless version available HERE, tons of similar options here and love this one) | PANTS: Alice and Olivia (here in black; similar pinstripe versions here & here; & love the same pants in this color) | SHOES: c/o Everlane | COAT: old, very similar here) | EARRINGS: similar here | LIP: NARS (Bansar)
I wore this ensemble last week, and while catching up on the recent season of Scandal this weekend (read: Thanksgiving Weekend is for Eating, Shopping and Binge Watching TV Shows), I realized that Elizabeth North, played by Portia de Rossi, is basically wearing a version of this outfit in every single episode. While I may not be quick to engender her knack for blackmail as the best means of climbing the corporate ladder, her work style is so on point for me. Nothing beats a classic pair of Katharine Hepburn-esque high-waisted, wide-leg trousers paired with a tie-neck blouse for the perfect feminine counterpoint to the menswear tone hit with the loafers and pinstripe pants. If these widelegs are a little too dramatic for you, check out the similar pinstripe options here and here.
As noted above, the blouse I’m wearing just sold out, but if you’re a fan of the bow blouse trend, take a gander through all of the similar versions here. The one I’m wearing is by TY-LR, which is a new-to-me brand that I’m absolutely in LOVE with. I just scored this dress (which you can also see here better on the model) which is 25% off during the weekend sales! Speaking of weekend sales, check out my list of the best deals going on this weekend while you’re lounging around today / watching football games. I’ve been snatching up a bunch of gifts from the 2015 Holiday Memo since you can get basically everything on sale right now. In particular, I’ve gotten these jeans, this hostess gift, and these for upcoming Christmas entertaining at my house!
I hope you enjoy the last day of this holiday weekend, and although tomorrow means a return to work for most of us, check back here bright and early for lots of Cyber Monday favorites! All the sales this weekend are overwhelming (and a little annoying), but I know from learning the hard way in years past that they’re certainly worth the effort in knocking off your holiday gift list!
It’s office holiday party time again! Ahhh that magical time of year when you get to enjoy awkward conversations with coworkers you hardly know over a glass of bubbly! To aid in your sartorial and mental preparation, I’m excited to unveil this year’s guide to office holiday party attire (at the bottom of this post) AND offer you a reprise of my very best topics of conversation for filling awkward silences when forced to chat with the dude in accounting that’s super proud of the weird action figure collection he keeps at his desk. Discuss the following:
the weather
all of the weird action figures at his desk
how cold it is outside
how cold it is inside
whether he expects to receive more weird action figures for Hanukkah or Christmas
this weather though…
If you reach the end of this list and your work friends haven’t saved you yet, just play dead.
A few weeks ago Rich and I attended a black tie event with business colleagues and I had the pleasure of wearing this beautiful Jill Stuart number (which is CRAZYYY on sale here right now). I was actually lucky enough to find this gem on Rent the Runway , which is an amazing resource if you’re not looking to invest in an expensive gown. For me, it was the perfect dress for the occasion: formal and festive, but not uncomfortably revealing in a professional environment.
Whether you’re headed for a casual gathering over lunch with work buddies, a business formal gathering in your office building, a swanky cocktail party at a local venue, or a black tie event, I hope the below guide will help spark some ideas! As you can see, it’s organized into four general categories: casual office party, business formal office party, professional cocktail party, and black tie event. Keep in mind that many of the pieces in each category could crossover, depending on how you wear them.
As always, be careful about striking the right balance between festive and appropriate at these types of work events. A sequined pencil skirt would certainly be odd for a party in your office where most are in holiday business attire (like the ensembles in this post or this post), but if it’s a formal cocktail party at an upscale venue, the sequins may add just the right festive touch to the otherwise professional pencil skirt silhouette.
Basically everything below is on sale during all of the Black Friday sales today, so be sure to snag your favorites today. If you missed my shortlist of all the best Black Friday deals, check them out here! And, in the spirit of crazy good sales, be sure to peruse the 2015 Holiday Memo this weekend before everything goes back to full price next week for the lead-up to Christmas!
Happy Thanksgiving! Soooo, let me tell you about a little thing called Black Friday…
I know. You hate it, I hate it, but the deals are for real, so let’s get after it.
Black Friday sales are a little (A LOT) overwhelming, and with the barrage of emails from every retailer under the sun, it’s hard to identify the sales that are legit. Above I’ve made a concise list of all the best sales that are too good to miss this Black Friday. Many of them have started today (Thanksgiving Day) so once you’ve gorged yourself on turkey and spent a sufficient amount of time pretending that you care about your Aunt Peggy’s latest knitting project, snuggle up with your computer and start attacking that holiday gift list. I’ve included the 2015 Holiday Memo below for easy access. Basically everything in it is on sale, so it’s the best time to get cracking!
REMEMBER, friends don’t let friends shop in store on Black Friday. I did it once like six years ago and I still have PTSD.
Look 1: JACKET: c/o St. John Knits | JEANS: Victoria Beckham | TANK: Club Monaco | SHOES: SJP Collection | SUNGLASSES: Miu Miu c/o Ditto | TOTE BAG: c/o Gigi New York | EARRINGS: c/o Melinda Maria | NECKLACE: Gorjana | LIP: Nars (Bansar)
Look 2: JACKET: c/o St. John Knits | JEANS: Paige Denim | TURTLENECK: Ann Taylor | SHOES: Steven | BAG: c/o Gigi New York | EARRINGS: c/o Melinda Maria | SUNGLASSES: Miu Miu c/o Ditto | LIP: Nars (Bansar)
I’ve gotten lots of questions from readers about travel/packing tips, and after the (literal) MILES I’ve put on my St. John Knits pieces, I have to give you the inside scoop on these babies: I travel a lot, so after years of trial and error, I’ve gotten pretty strategic about packing. Of course, the exact contents of my suitcase always rotate depending on occasion, time of year, and the purpose of the trip, but the one brand that is absolutely always without fail in my suitcase is St. John Knits. Honestly, I completely rely on their pieces while traveling because as knitwear, their suits and jackets don’t wrinkle like other pieces. They can be folded up to fit in even the most crowded suitcase, and upon arrival—voilà! They’re wrinkle-free, effortlessly chic and ready to wear.
Today I’ve styled two of my favorite long topper jackets casually with jeans (perfect for casual Friday at the office), but the beauty of these timeless classics is that they can be so easily dressed up or down. Last week while traveling home to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving I wore the long black jacket with ponte pants and over-the-knee boots on the plane. In my carry-on, I packed this dress which I paired with the same jacket for a more formal dinner out with my family last weekend. You’d be hard pressed to find something with that breadth of legit versatility.
As I’ve mentioned previously here on the blog, I’ve been enamored with St. John Knits since I was a little girl. I still wear regularly the first St. John topper jacket (similar to the black one above!) that I received for Christmas years ago (best. gift. EVER.). It looks as fresh today as it did on day one because absolutely no luxury brand surpasses St. John in quality. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to notice how lots of clothing comes and goes in my closet—whether it’s because of passing trends or fading quality—but my St. John Knits investment pieces have remained and proven to be worth every penny year after year.
Produced in collaboration with St. John Knits.
Today I’m excited to share my working girl wardrobe essentials! Whether you’re a recent graduate new to the workforce, interviewing for a new job, or eager to up your style game at work to land (or keep!) a recent promotion, this is the list for you!
Before diving in, I have to apologize that the Wedding Wednesday post I promised last week is being temporarily postponed. 
I’ve owned a lot of suits, and this 
Also, as an aside, I’ve had a few of you ask recently why I don’t post a lot of conservative suits like this all the time. It’s a question that I’ve addressed several times in the past, but it’s a good one and definitely worth repeating! So here are my thoughts:
When you think about workwear, I’m guessing a 
BLOUSE: TY-LR (sold out, but sleeveless version available 
It’s office holiday party time again! Ahhh that magical time of year when you get to enjoy awkward conversations with coworkers you hardly know over a glass of bubbly! To aid in your sartorial and mental preparation, I’m excited to unveil this year’s guide to office holiday party attire (at the bottom of this post) AND offer you a reprise of my very best topics of conversation for filling awkward silences when forced to chat with the dude in accounting that’s super proud of the weird action figure collection he keeps at his desk. Discuss the following:
A few weeks ago Rich and I attended a black tie event with business colleagues and I had the pleasure of wearing this beautiful 
Happy Thanksgiving! Soooo, let me tell you about a little thing called Black Friday…
I know. You hate it, I hate it, but the deals are for real, so let’s get after it.
Black Friday sales are a little (A LOT) overwhelming, and with the barrage of emails from every retailer under the sun, it’s hard to identify the sales that are legit. Above I’ve made a concise list of all the best sales that are too good to miss this Black Friday. Many of them have started today (Thanksgiving Day) so once you’ve gorged yourself on turkey and spent a sufficient amount of time pretending that you care about your Aunt Peggy’s latest knitting project, snuggle up with your computer and start attacking that holiday gift list. I’ve included the 2015 Holiday Memo below for easy access. Basically everything in it is on sale, so it’s the best time to get cracking!
REMEMBER, friends don’t let friends shop in store on Black Friday. I did it once like six years ago and I still have PTSD.