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No longer just the traditional, menswear-inspired default for the office, “collared shirts” have taken a turn for the ostentatious and the feminine. Collars are making a comeback as a feminine detail, with a few new twists perfect for looks that are polished, sweet, vintage or geek-chic.
There are regular shirt collars, pointed flat collars and Peter Pan collars…there are collars on button-up shirts, collars on blouses, collars on dresses and collars as their own separate accessory…
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Scalloped edges have been coming back into vogue recently, bringing a romantic vintage flair to modern pieces. Such a quirky sort of detail, scalloping – this wavy sort of effect created when an edge follows a repetitive pattern of arches – is so named for how it looks like the grooves on the shell of a scallop. It’s such a cute, dainty detail that it immediately adds a lot of femininity and youth to even the simplest of pieces.
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While on one side of this trend I have seen a lot clean-edged scalloping make a modern, graphic statement, there is another side to scalloping: Victorian-inspired scalloped lace. I’m especially loving all the lace skirts – I think they bring a fun sense of sophistication to an everyday outfit. (Other similar lace skirts here and here.)
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Here is how I’ve done a scalloped hem in the past, with my lace ‘Cheri’ romper from DV by Dolce Vita. It’s a sort of fusion between the modern, graphic and the Victorian lace sides of this sweet trend.
I won’t claim to be an expert in how to interview for jobs – I’m always trying to get better at just handling my nerves and talking myself up – but I think I have a good hold on what makes a good interview outfit. The best advice I’ve ever gotten is to remember that you’re trying to look right for that job at that company. I always ask my interviewer beforehand about appropriate office attire, then dress to fit that standard and the level of job I’m applying for, with styling that reflects the character of the company.
For most jobs, I’ve found that it’s hard to go wrong with a classic suit, long-sleeve button-up blouse, and moderately high heels – but I’ve dressed in dark jeans, silk blouse and flats before for very casual company. Think traditional neutral for a suit, like black, navy, brown, tan or gray in a solid or subtle pattern. (While a white or olive green suit might be neutrals, in my opinion, they stand out too much for an interview that is supposed to about you, not your clothes.) A well-made suit will always be a great investment, both for interviewing and later on the job. From there, I choose my shirt and shoes based on the attitude and industry of the company.
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For the administrative positions at creative companies I’ve been looking at, I stuck with the suit but chose to put it together with a fun, stylishly sophisticated color palette of dove gray, clean white and just a small pop of turquoise. I’ve always been taught to lean toward the conservative even with creative companies, so I chose just one detail to make a style statement. I’ve been searching for a job for the last few weeks – and just got a job offer!
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Suede shoes – it’s kind of my new obsession. There’s nothing that classes up a pair of pumps better than rich, textural, matte suede. I bought these green suede Steve Madden pumps on Third Street Promenade when I started interviewing for jobs a couple of weeks back. And, I’ve been hunting down these Pelle Moda sandals for a while now, waiting to pounce as soon as they went on sale. They’ve finally arrived, and I can’t take my eyes off them!
In my opinion, no one does suede shoes like Steve Madden. He has his own label, but he also does the construction for Rachel Bilson’s and Nicole Chavez’s footwear line, ShoeMint – so it’s no wonder I’m drawn to them too.
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Have you ever seen a piece of clothing, an accessory, or a pair of shoes and immediately felt an intense feeling of possessiveness? Well, that’s how it is with me, my Pelle Moda sandals, and these turquoise Chloe pumps. Now, I’m just kicking myself and trying to sit patiently on the waitlist until they are back in stock.
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In the meantime, here are some other suede shoes that have caught my eye… click on them to find them!
Suede takes a little more care than other shoe fabrics, but its easy if you know how. Before wearing, spray down with weather protector to protect against water damage. I use Aquatec by Ralyn Shoe Care, the same leather, suede and fabric waterproofing spray used and sold at my local Steve Madden store. Don’t worry, its easy to find. Other than reapplying the spray every once and a while, just try to avoid puddles and spills. Accidents happen – just gently wipe it off as soon as possible and the spray should prevent damage to your beautiful shoes.
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Just because a look is effortless, doesn’t mean you have to look like you aren’t trying. Ever since I snagged this Zara tee with faux leather patches, this has been my easy, go-to look for everyday.
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I always feel so comfortable wearing this shirt because of its really soft fabric, flattering scoop neckline, and well-constructed shape – which flares out slightly down from the natural waistline to accentuate my curves. And, in these chunky, high heel wedge sandals, I was comfortable enough to spend our whole Memorial Day morning walking Third Street Promenade with Matthew, brunching then shopping for new bedding and wedding bands. Well, we actually slept in, but it was still “morning” for us…
