Spring Work Wear Picks for Alyssa

SPRING WORK WEAR — A couple of weeks ago, I hit the San Francisco Outlets with a girlfriend to help her amp up her spring work wear. My friend, Alyssa, fell into the same wardrobe pit I tend to find myself in: purchasing the same item in several different colors or prints. In Alyssa’s case, she has a closet full of slim black pants and a plethora of the same flowy button-down blouse in various colors and prints.  My approach was to round out her closet with basic neutrals that she could mix and match. After talking about what she already had, and some looks on her Pinterest board, I wrote up a shopping list. Here is what we came up with. (These just goals, pieces we’d hoped to find):

DRESSES
1 navy
1 “not” black, grey

TOPS
2 Blazers: 1 Navy, 1 Black
2 Button downs: 1 White, 1 Blue

BOTTOMS
1 pair of white pants
1 pair of navy pants
1 tan/khaki skirt
1 olive skirt

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Our first stop was at Banana Republic Factory. I grabbed a sleeveless version of this button-down in blue because she had several pins on her Pinterest Board with this style top paired with a navy blazer and a pleated or full skirt.  In the fitting room, we discovered that button-down tops aren’t as flattering on her petite figure as a simple shell. So we adjusted our list and here are a couple of the tops we found.

This Crochet-Trim Button-Back Shell for Banana Republic Factory (on sale for $26.99) is darling and perfect under a colored cardigan or blazer like the classic navy blazer we hoped to find at JCrew Factory.

I also grabbed this chambray peplum top (sold out, but there is a printed version available online) because I thought it would compliment her pear figure and elongate her petite and short-waisted torso. She can style it with a cute little scarf or a colorful statement necklace with slacks or a pencil skirt.

Next, we hit the LOFT Outlet and picked up a cardigan and a navy ruffle tank. (I bought the black version of the ruffle tank last year or the year before.) Sorry, Loft Outlet isn’t available to shop online but, here is what we picked up.

This cardigan dresses up a white crew neck tee for a casual Friday at the office with jeans and looks fabulous with the first white shell from the Banana Republic Factory above or the navy ruffle tank below.

This tank appears black, but it’s actually navy.

Next, we stepped into Ann Taylor which was right across from Loft and picked up a couple of dresses and a necklace. (Sorry I wasn’t able to get a shot of the necklace.) This royal blue sheath dress was my favorite piece on her. Here are two dresses that are similar: (v-neck) here and (high neck) here.

She also tried on this black wrap dress even though it wasn’t on our list and ended up loving it. Don’t we all need at least one LBD? Here are two similar options available online: here and here (comes in black & navy).

Even though she already had a white shell, I had her try this lace tank – good to have on hand for dressing up for a special occasion or a night out with the ladies. This was Alyssa’s favorite piece of the day. I have to say, it IS gorgeous! What I like most about these two pieces below is that they are machine washable!

White tops are essential for a pair shape so I brought her this top just to try on. She ended up keeping it too.

Finally, we ended up at JCrew Factory and found the perfect navy blazer, which also comes in petite sizes! (on sale for $79.) This was Alyssa’s second favorite piece because it allows her to “get the look” on her Pinterest pins.

There were two other pieces she purchased that I wasn’t able to get shots of: 1 black blazer from the Black House White Market Outlet Store and 1 necklace from Ann Taylor Factory. Due to inventory, we weren’t able to find any skirts or flattering pants, but these pieces round out her wardrobe and allow her to vary her outfits. White pants would have been a game changer, but we didn’t find a suitable pair.

Thanks for joining me on this shopping recap. It’s such a pleasure to style my friends – especially when I see them around town or at church dolled up in their new threads. Have a fabulous and stylish day!