Oh the elusive term of "business casual". Jeans or no jeans? Jackets or no jackets? Open or closed toe shoes? I've worked in a large professional office with thousands of co-workers for ten years now. There have been times that I dressed SO wrong and times that I made the whole bus cas thing waaaay tooo hard. I can say I've definitely learned some things along the way. The best part is that now you can find good, professional looking pieces that are soft and stretchy! We do not have to be uncomfortable, not even at work, anymore!
All in all, it depends on your workplace rules, but if you ask me, business casual is the more comfortable side of professional attire. Comfort is all about the material. Soft knits with stretch. Soft, stretchy blazers and jackets. Soft denim with stretch. Still professional looking. Speaking of denim, I will argue that business casual can include jeans, just maybe without rips or distressing. If there are rules against jeans at your workplace, then a good comfy pair of modern stretchy slacks are the best. And jackets? I say ALWAYS. The latest designs have stretch and are so much more comfy while still looking great. I've been wearing my fav tops with some stretchy comfy black pants (yes, stretchy slacks exist and they are incredible!) or some stretchy comfy non-distressed jeans. Add some heels or cute flats (closed toe is best for work or so I've been told) and if it's chilly in your office, a blazer or jacket is the best third piece out there. If the temps are warm, add a long necklace as your third piece. I've been told that a long necklace is the female version of a tie in a gentleman's mind. It dresses the outfit up just enough. Long drop necklaces are very flattering on ALL ladies too, so I buy them up like crazy.
It can be easy AND comfy with the right pieces in your wardrobe. I've found some work wear pieces that are versatile and that are seriously soft and stretchy for a professional look that feels like pajamas! In this blog post, I'm sharing my favs for work with links below the pictures for all of the items that are still available and links to similar items for the ones that are no longer available! All tops are soft and all bottoms are soft and stretchy! If you have additional suggestions, please leave a comment below!
I have to talk about these heels for a minute. Ladies, I have tried dozens of heels and these are the best that I have found. They have a technology called N5 cushioning, which is amazing. The heel is not a crazy high heel but it's not too short either. They have real leather upper and a non skid bottom. I love them and they are the only pump that I will wear now. I truly can walk in them all day without pain! 100% worth the investment. I have them in black and nude.
The tops in the pictures above are my absolute favorites. So versatile, lots of colors available, and so flattering on anyone! Also, please don't overlook pencil skirts. The latest designs in these are stretchy and comfy! Click on the pictures below for details on the two looks above!
Those are all of my favorite go to items! Other than these, you can pair any work appropriate top with a comfy pair of black pants :) I've also discovered these denim colored stretchy slacks recently and am incorporating those into my work wardrobe often as well! You can find them here: http://shopstyle.it/l/oXs
A couple of tops that I'm also wearing to work on repeat under jackets:
This cami: http://shopstyle.it/l/oYc
This tee: http://shopstyle.it/l/oYe
Want flats? These are my current, closed toe, comfy favs:
Halogen-- http://shopstyle.it/l/p2d
Gianni Bini: http://shopstyle.it/l/p2j
Want flats? These are my current, closed toe, comfy favs:
Halogen-- http://shopstyle.it/l/p2d
Gianni Bini: http://shopstyle.it/l/p2j
Please remember to check my Facebook page too at www.facebook.com/notatwo! I post a work outfit idea at least once a week there too :)
Until next time!
XOXO,
Not A Two
PS: I use affiliate links, which means I get a small commission when you use my links or click on the pictures to see details, so thank you for using my links for your purchases and for clicking on my pictures, and for just being here :):) XOXO!
