Workwear 101: Top 10 work fashion crimes

1. Micro minis and cleavage - Katie Price Jordan  called: she wants her outfit back!
2. Flip Flops - the office is not a beach
3. Slutty Heels - keep the bedroom out of the boardroom please
   
   

High Street Belle: The Devil wears Zara

Zara has it all: prices that you love and styles that you crave. First of all I have to say that I am a HU-U-GE Zara fan. Their clothes are always fashionable without being too faddy. I think the best thing about Zara that places them above all the other High Street Staples (your Topshops, your H&Ms,....) is that their clothes are always "High End" inspired and they never look like cheap runway copycats (yes I mean you Primark!). The clothes look chic, they look expensive and most importantly for these credit-crunch + recession times, it's AFFORDABLE :)

Here's a perfect look for the office:

Basic, elegant and discreet. But, at the same time, it is a modern and fashionable look. Perfect for young professionals who are beginning their career and want to get a sober look but without losing their fresh and young style.
As seen in the picture, Zara has been able to put several basic garments together and adapt them to the style of these current times. The result is a great choice for working women: A high-waisted short skirt in black (over-knee length), dark stockings, a shirt in light sky blue, and a fitted grey blazer with some details in white to add a very fashionable touch. :)

Tuesday Wardrobe: beat the 11.45 stress

Apparently, Tuesday morning at 11.45am is the most stressful time of the working week.

Researchers found that nearly half of British workers identified mid-morning on their second working day of the week as the moment when they were most under pressure.

Most workers coast through Monday getting their brain in gear and catching up with gossip from the weekend through social networking sites.

But on Tuesday reality sets in and staff spend the first part of the day going through emails they ignored on Monday before planning the week ahead.

And 11.45am is the point when everything comes to a head.

 This smart and sassy outfit that will keep you looking your best no matter how stressful the day becomes:

(Image:Businesselle)

STYLE: SMART AND SASSY

WARDROBE
Pleated Jersey Dress, Alexander McQueen
Black Elizabeth 1V Fitted Jacket, Elizabeth and James
Patent Dog Tooth Belt, Jaeger
Black Python Platform Shoe, Katia Lombardo
Black & Mint Snake Laptop Sleeve, Violet May
Coin and Pearl Necklace, Jaeger

Christmas Parties...

Steal the spotlight this season

Its raining in London again...

Surprise Surprise....

(Image: Life)

Don't forget to show off your wellies :)!

Typical Sunday night...

Tomorrow morning will tell....

Working Lunch

I'm thinking of bringing my lunch into work because I am just sick to the teeth of the options out there (I swear, if I have to eat another Chicken Valentino sarnie from Pret a Manger I will pull my hair out!)

I need some ideas - but bearing in mind, I am no Jamie Oliver (nor do I wish to be!), it has to be quick, simple and delicious. I'm not asking for much right?

So I need recipes. I found this one that seem yummingly simple:

Is your mobile phone bad you?

(Image from Times Online)

Now I don't know about you, but my life is pretty much run by my mobile phones. I have two: a Nokia E71(personal) and a Blackberry Curve (business) and I use them constantly - much to the detriment of my mother who has been warning me for years of the dangers of these little addictions.
I do try to make a concious effort to not keep them too near my being ie by conversing via loudspeaker or text or BBM, but it still isn't enough.

Numerous studies have linked mobile phone usage to brain tumours due the radio that they emit (it's like sticking your head in a microwave!?!)

Please be careful Belles and reduce your mobile phone usage - Cancer is not Pretty!!



Click here to Read the Article from the Times.

Corporate Belle

The words “Corporate” and “Style” do not often occupy the same sentence. Don’t let that deflate your spirits, there are plenty of ways to inject your personal style into your business wardrobe. Try not to limit yourself to stuffy, predictable suits and dresses. Pick suits with interesting cuts/shapes and opt for block colored separates to pair with pencil skirts and trousers. Also use accessories to express your fashion-forward persona. A bold red bag or pair of shoes does wonders for an outfit and can brighten the most mundane day in the office ;)

Author/Lawyer/Producer Crystal McCrary Anthony hailing a cab in NYC and Tocarra Jones attending the 1st Annual Pre-BET Awards Party at Boulevard 3 on June 25, 2007 in LA

Wacky Belle: Origami Style!

Now this is ART...

Le Creative Workshop has made these shoes completely out of paper! Of course they are probably completely unwearable unless you are as light as a feather (which I like to fool myself that I am..), but they are still wackily fabulous!

 Can you imagine how long it would have taken to create these??The precision is insane!

Belle in Boots...

Ankle boots actually...They look great with skirts, leggings, dresses, skinny trousers/jeans.. Here are a couple of hot winter looks:

Fancy a pair?

Hawtness!

I don't particularly like Katie Holmes but my goodness I just love this look!

(Pic: Splash News)

The colour combination really comes together and the massive Birkin Bag just seals the deal. The Birkin bag is the ULTIMATE accessory as far as I'm concerned (I would sell my grandmother  left foot for a Birkin Bag!) but until I can drop £5K on a piece of (sumptuous) leather without my eyes watering, I'll keep dreaming and give kudos to Mrs Cruise for the sheer hawtness!

Monday Blues...

Smart Belle: Shhh...Sample Sale

I'm off to the Truman Brewery tomorrow to snap up some bargains. Last year's one was pretty good, I got a delicious Stella McCartney blouse for almost half the price (high five!).


The Secret Sample Sale is one of the best places to snap up designer goodies for a fraction of the RRP. There is a whole range of designers include Stella McCartney, Jonathan Saunders, Helmut Lang, Eley Kishimoto,.... 


Check out the details on how to get there....

Belle Hair

I know the dilemma: its that never ending battle between  Belle&Trendy vs Ugly&Dowdy...

When it comes to your hair, you want to look professional and have people take you seriously when you are so trendy and modest beautiful. You are bored but you don't want to be inappropriate.

 Here are a couple of ideas to boost your crowing glory (because we are worth it too!)

That Friday feeling!

Thank God it's Fri-i-i-i- daaay!!! Just wanted to share the joy heheheh....

Do you have Dress-Down-Friday in your workplace? What are you wearing today??

Working Belle Style Book: Hump Day Chic

Tomorrow is Wednesday (hooray!). It's been a tough week but we shall climb that proverbial hill until the blessed weekend is upon us!

(Image courtesy of urban dictionary)

Wednesday is the absolute BEST day and its also a good day to funk things up a bit with your work wardrobe. I like to keep things smart with a hint of laid-back chic (mostly because I tend to go the cinema on Wednesdays and I don't want to end up looking like a poster child for TM Lewin). 


Here's my pick for tomorrow:

Style Notes:

1. Bow Tie Dress: Charcoal is a great colour for the office because it is really flattering and a knit dress keeps things nice and simple. This one from Hobbs is a elegant piece to have.
2. Leather Courts: A timeless piece (as we saw in the Workwear 101 post), LK Bennett do these classics to perfection
3. Gold Bead Bracelet: Costume jewellery really lifts the grey+black combo (be careful not to have bracelets that are too jangly - if you want to make music, learn to play the piano and join a band!)
4. Statement Tote: an investment in an Anya Hindmarch handbag is expensive but the overall look of your outfit will be priceless!

Happy Wednesday!

WorkWear 101: Work Bags

When it comes to lugging you life around, you really don't want to be carrying an overnight bag to the office (I just happen to keep it stashed neatly in a huge Selfridges bag under desk but anyway...)


I would quite happily cart around a bag so big I could probably fit my desk and a filing cabinet or two, but that is not really a good look is it? (unless your name is Atlas and then in which case you have no choice because Zeus punished your sorry ass to do so!)

When it comes to bags for work, it's all about what you wear. Here are few choices that will earn you some serious fashion points -

Clockwise from Left: Large Zebra shoulder bag - Karen Millen £198; Shopper Handbag in Rust - DKNY £235; Portfolio Panelled Cord Work Bag - Marks and Spencer £39.50; Snakeskin Puffy bag - Zagliani £2,148 (ouch!); Lincoln Tote bag - LK Bennett £295; Morr A4 Work Croc Handbag in Chocolate - John Lewis £95

Its Raining, Its Pouring: Welly it with Style

(Image courtesy of Urban75)

London and rain is like bread and butter: its a staple. As Autumn is well and truly upon us, the heavens decided to bless us belles with the tiny patter of big fat raindrops. Great. All thoughts of wearing suede/ kitten heels/ soft butter leather fly right out of the window and into a murky puddle at the side of a pavement.

 What's a working belle to do to maintain her fashion dignity??? 

Drag out the wellington boots!

Fear not, I'm not talking about the typical green "I'm going hunting" type wellies (although it is possible to totally rock them), check out these fabulous booties that will help beat the rain....

A Hint of Colour

Hunter Mulberry Tall Wellington Boots £60 at Net-a-Porter

Well Wedged

WedgeWelly Legend Boots, £38 (Free 48-hour delivery!)

Belle Trend: Coloured Tights?

(Images courtesy of Image and Style News and Pop Sugar)

Love it or hate it, bright coloured tights have become a force to be reckoned with. But would you wear them? or are they too much?

# If I were a boy # all my Working Belles put your Brogues on

(Image courtesy of MTV)

I probably wouldn't go for the "Hot Cop" look a la Beyonce but instead, I will channel my inner boy with a pair or two of yummy brogues.

On average it takes me 8 - 12 months to really incorporate a trend into my wardrobe. Even though this lag is detrimental to my ascension to the Ultimate Fashionista throne, I like to think that being a year or so behind ensures that the trend is worthy to be followed and my hard earned pennies will not be spent in vain.

Here are a couple of pairs that will channel the little boy in you very nicely...

Sing it Belles!!

Pedro Garcia, Maddie Leather brogue pumps £320 - Buy at Net-a-Porter

WorkWear 101: Your 10 Essentials

Ok, so university is over and you are one of the (bloody) lucky belles to have landed your self a the golden graduate job in this dreary recession. Woohoo!!

Now what you ask? Cue the feeling of wardrobe panic because that crusty white-come-grey polyester mix shirt that you picked up from H&M in your bid to get a temping job during the summer just will not fly in the office. 


Here are 10 basic items you should have in your wardrobe to channel that sophisticated career woman languishing inside you: