Work Ready: Polka Dotty

So, I'm sure I'm not the only blogger out there who has a boat load of photos and/or outfit posts that never make it to the actual blog. Whether it's because you had a heavy hand in editing, the angle was all wrong, you made the stupidest face imaginable, or the outfit was just not at all what you envisioned. though I like certain elements of both, in my opinion, they both fall short of glory.

Never intended to post these looks on my blog, just didn't feel like it. But someone in my life told me that I should...so here it is.

I have a true affinity for work-wear, as you should know by now,  so naturally that's the silhouette I showcase most often.

The outfit to the left was the outfit I was going to post for the astrology sign Caner, didn't exactly feel right for the sign so I nixed that idea, the one on the right was an outfit incorporating a top that I purchased one size too big and had no idea how to wear it until almost a year later.

If I had to choose which polka dotty look I liked best, I'd pick the one on the right. it's interesting to see how vastly different I look from image to image with just a few key changes in hair style and accessories..

It's like Good Jamila vs. Bad Jamila.

In any event, here are the two looks, don't hesitate to give your opinion on them. Adios amigos.

What I'm Wearing:

1. Top from Sears. $17
2. Skirt from Forever21.com. $10.80
3. Shoes from Rainbowshops.com. $ 19.99
4. Silver bangles from Fashiontofigure.com. $10

What I'm Wearing:

1. Necklace from the wholesale district. $5
2. Top from Target. $20
3. Skirt from Forever21.com. $11.80
4. Shoes from Forever21.com. $24.80

Work Ready: Prints

Once you get the job, you can start adding a little pizzazz to your work-wear. I'm more into the creative positions where one can up the ante a bit, and even if you work in a field that's a little more conservative and frowns upon too much personality; you can still spice things up and be taken seriously. And maybe it has nothing to do with your work environment, maybe you're just  somewhat conservative, even so, you're conservative not dead. If the vibrancy is too much to handle, you can still add print and keep the colors neutral. A monochromatic print, either on the top or bottom, with say metallic accents would be lovely way to express that you mean business but you still have a sense of style and humor. Here I paired this vibrant floral print with two different skirts and changed out the necklaces, this gives you an idea of how to take a loud piece and dial it down just a notch or two. To me what makes the print work is the neutral back splash of the shirt,, it helps dial it down as well without dulling out it's shine. Keeping in the theme of playing with prints and textures I added a metallic belt to cinch my waist so as not to camouflage my shape. I chose a skinny belt because I didn't want it to compete with the glory of the top and a thick belt would have been way over the top (if it was metallic). Pairings are about balance, if you have too much of a "good"  thing, it can quickly turn into a bad thing. I cuffed up the sleeves to give it a relaxed feel and I paired it with a neutral shoe because there was so much going on from the knee up, balance.

Here I'm Wearing: 

1. A floral button down from Target.com. $24.99
2. A copper metallic skinny belt from Forever21. $5.80
3. A red leatherette pencil skirt from Forever21. $11.80  
4. Jewelry from Burlington Coat Factory and A Soho Boutique.$3-$7
5. Shoes from the late great Daffy's.$34

Here I'm Wearing: 

1. A floral button down from Target.com. $24.99
2. A copper metallic skinny belt from Forever21. $5.80
3. A navy tweed pencil skirt with gold accents from Target.com. $8.74  
4. Jewelry from Burlington Coat Factory and A Soho Boutique.$3-$7
5. Shoes from the late great Daffy's.$34