As you know from my last Triple Threat post, the bomber jacket is one of my favorite pieces of the season, and despite the trend’s casual, athletic beginnings, there are lots of great ways to incorporate it into your work wardrobe.  While this post showed how great it can look at work when paired with a sleek pair of cropped pants, today I paired this bomber with a classic pencil skirt and pumps.

The exact bomber jacket I’m wearing today is sold out, but I think I actually may like this one by the same designer even more!  Both make for a perfect fall office staple, because the trend factor is tempered by the classic brass buttons and glen plaid (or amazing rope jacquard in this case).  Whenever I want to infuse my work wardrobe with a little extra style, I use this balancing rule:  If you want to have fun with print or color, find a piece with a classic, conservative silhouette.  Conversely, if you want to sport a trendy silhouette to the office, balance that trendy silhouette by finding it in a classic print or color.  Exhibit A: today’s trendy bomber style, with a classic plaid/button combo.  You with me?

I get a lot of questions about favorite workwear staples, and I have to say that this St. John pencil skirt is definitely my all-time favorite.  The knit fabric makes it super comfortable and wrinkle free, while the quality of the wool makes it look brand new no matter how many millions of times I wear it.  If you work in an environment where pencil skirts are on constant rotation, I can’t recommend an investment in a St. John piece or two highly enough.

JACKET: Phillip Lim  |  SKIRT: St. John  |  BLOUSE: Frame  |  SHOES: Saint Laurent (similar HERE)  |  SUNGLASSES: Smoke x Mirrors (last worn HERE)  |   HOOP EARRINGS: old, similar HERE  |  LIP: Nars (Het Loo)

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.