By Elle Smith
If you are a career girl with a wardrobe even slightly similar to mine, you have enough black dress pants to bore even the most corporate of corporate America. Even now as the weather reaches into the 80s, black skinnies and trousers are a staple. Dresses are lovely and I do wear them, but the pencil and sheath styles can be a little constricting. And while often flattering, the flowing cuts aren’t quite restricting enough for as much as I get in and out of my car visiting clients all day. With a few tweaks and some polished accessories, the romper can transition from something cool and casual for the stay-at-home-mamas to something classy and office chic for the career gals.
Life as a working mama requires fashion that is polished enough to demand respect from clients, supervisors and anyone you meet throughout your day, but is easy enough to tote the little ones to school and run errands on lunch, and still somehow lend some of you personal style that says YOU. Not just business woman. Not just mommy.
Even slight usage of texture, pattern, design, and color goes a long way. Not only do these touches make dressing a little more fun, they also tell your customers or clients a bit about who you are and make you more memorable. No matter what industry you are in, more than likely there are some aspects of connection and relationships involved. Let your wardrobe showcase you as some one interesting, memorable, and professional.
Rompers bring a new level of interest and design to business casual. Don’t lose that flair by playing it too safe with an all-black and neutral ensemble. Balance office safe with fashion forward by using the usual blacks, greys and browns with a pop of color. Use shoes, jewelry, belts, or outerwear to lend that splash. Keep your look more stock market than farmer’s market by selecting a tailored romper at an office appropriate length. Rompers tend to have a youthful vibe. You can use polished accessories to balance that.
Here are my quick tips for styling rompers in a super profesh way.
- Jewelry. I am loving the gold bar drop earrings right now. They are long and dramatic and yet delicate and sophisticated. If they aren’t quite your look check out these sparkly lever backs from Kate Spade or these brushed tear drops from Claire’s. My selected romper has a collar detailing that would only clutter a necklace, but if your romper has a cleaner neckline, add a necklace or two.
- Shoes. Forego espadrilles or sandals for something close-toed. These wardrobe staple pumps come in all the classics, plus plenty of color pop options. Not just the classic red, but teal, coral, and cobalt. If you like something a little easier on the feet, consider a wedge like these or lose the heel altogether and keep the style with a mod ankle strap flat like these.
- Layer. Layer over the romper to complete your look. If a blazer is pushing it for the weather conditions, cinch a belt around you waist. Belts finish your style with a flattering tailored look.
- Top off your look with a structured bag large enough tote proposals, pitches, portfolios & presentations. Big Buddha is one of my vegan bag brands of choice.
Get my look.
- Urban Outfitters Claw Earrings
- Modcloth Romance Columnist Romper
- Modcloth Fine and Sandy Blazer in Camel
- Big Buddha Alycee Bag in Black from Alternative Outfitters
- Madden Girl Getta in Red from Zappos
