Welcome to an another addition of “What am I Going to Wear to Work Tomorrow?”, the Sunday evening series designed to give you dressing inspiration for work on Sunday night…you know, that time when the last thing you want to think about is work and what you’ll wear tomorrow.
This week, I decided to focus on what seems to be every woman’s favorite color– black! Women have a love/hate relationship with black. On the one hand, they appreciate the versatility that black offers. Yet, on the other, many women hate that so much of their wardrobe hinges off this color. If you think it is impossible to give up black completely, I am living proof that you can have entire wardrobe without any black in it. With the exception of leggings, there is nothing that is black in my closet. However, I realize that I am the exception, not the norm. Therefore, giving some pointers on different ways you can wear all the black in your wardrobe seemed smart.
Below are three different black pieces that are very common in most women’s wardrobes– the black dress, black pants and a basic black skirt, along with my advice on ways you can make them a bit more interesting. As usual, each piece that I am featuring is currently available in stores. While you may not be able to buy and wear these pieces tomorrow, my guess is that you may have something similar and can draw inspiration from my suggestions while also getting some future shopping suggestions. If you want to find out more information on all pieces used in each look just click the images for more information.
Work Outfits for Monday Morning
Okay, on to the looks.
Outfit #1- The Black Skirt
What am I going to wear to work tomorrow -Look 1 by bridgetteraes featuring ivanka trump
A great tip to keep in mind when wearing black is to not make the outfit all about the black, unless you want to, of course. In this case, there is so much else going on with this outfit, that the black skirt, from Ann Taylor, plays more of a supporting role, not a lead. In this look I achieved this by pulling out the colors found in the printed blouse and used them as accessory colors.
Outfit #2- The Black Dress
What am I going to wear to work tomorrow – Look #2 by bridgetteraes featuring high heel shoes
When it comes to a black dress, one tip to keep in mind is to choose one that is versatile yet has interesting details, like seaming, pleats or shape. I call pieces like this “novelty basics”; they play a basic role but aren’t boring. This dress from TopShop has a versatility that can get you a lot of mileage, but isn’t just another boring shift dress. In addition, another great way to make a black dress look different is by ditching the boring black shoes and going for a tan pair, especially in the summer. Another option would be to wear a pair of shoes in a bright color.
Outfit #3- Black Pants
Work outfits for Monday Morning- Look 3 by bridgetteraes featuring pointy pumps
I will never forget the client who pulled seven pairs of black pants out of her closet and said, “Seven pairs, because you can never have enough black pants, right?” Boy, was she asking the wrong person that question. After a few sessions of working with me she rid herself of all her black pants.
If you’re not ready to give up your black pants, yet are bored to death with them, here are my tips. First, fit: Not all black pants are created equal. If you are going to own a pair of black pants, like this pair from Banana Republic, at least make sure they fit well. Considering how often you wear black pants, invest in the best you can afford and get them tailored to fit you. Next, like the black skirt, I’m going to give you tips on how to make your pair of black pants more of a supportive player and less of a lead. This will ensure that you won’t look like you’re wearing a “black pants, colored top” uniform. Trying something like color blocking is a way to pull the focus from the black pants and more on everything else you are wearing. If combining color frightens you, start with colors that “play well” with others and are versatile. Colors that fall into this category are all shades of green, teal and yellow. In this outfit, I chose teal shoes that complement the pink top. By simply choosing a shoe in teal vs. black, the entire outfit takes on a whole new look, and that basic black handbag looks less boring.
While I don’t wear black, it’s not a color I necessarily hate. Having red hair, there are just other colors that look better on me. I also don’t wear black because there are so many other colors out there I’d rather wear. Over the years, I just cycled it out of my wardrobe and now it’s become something that has no place with everything else I own. If you like black, or if it looks good on you, wear it! Just don’t let it become a crutch that feels like you are a slave to.
