Q: Dear Whartorialist, I'm making a big career switch from banking to retail this summer but my closet is filled with suits, suits, and more suits. I'm still on a budget so I can't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe. Do you have any advice on how I can incorporate some of my conservative pieces in a more fashionable way for work?
-Becca Aronson |
Look 1: Grey blazer by Ann Taylor $218 at anntaylor.com, navy striped skirt by ASOS $63.63 at asos.com, pink dolman top by old navy $19.99 at oldnavy.com, gold cuff bracelet by Hive & Honey $24 at piperlime.com.
Look 2: Grey pants by Ann Taylor $128 at anntaylor.com, floral print top by Topshop $64 at topshop.com, gold necklace $28 at nastygal.com. Look 3: Grey skirt by Ann Taylor $108 at anntaylor.com, blue scarf print top by Zara $59.90 at zara.com, black and silver necklace by Forever 21 $12.80 at forever21.com. Shoes: taupe peep toe heels by Arturo Chiang $79 at piperlime.com. Bag: tan shopper by Zara $159 at zara.com. |
Q: This unusually warm weather caught me off guard. I need a new pair of flat sandals NOW. Help!
-Becca Aronson |
Clockwise from top: leopard spot sandals by Shakuhachi $255 at urbanoutfitters.com, pink studded sandals by Fossil $69 at zappos.com, yellow patent detail sandals by Madewell $128 at madewell.com, canvas and leather flats by J. Crew $155 at jcrew.com, green snake flats by Loeffler Randall $295 at endless.com, brown leather sandals by DV by Dolce Vita $69 at piperlime.com.
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Q: I bought a red 3/4 sleeve dress to wear on my big Valentine's day date on Tuesday, but I have no idea what to wear with it! Any ideas?
-Becca Aronson
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Clockwise from top: red dress by Parker $298 at intermixonline.com, heart pendant by Minor Obsessions $350 at barneys.com, gold arrow necklace by House of Harlow 1960 was $143.24 now $72.52 at asos.com, gold "mohawk" ring by House of Harlow 1960 $40 at charmandchain.com, gold mirrored clutch by BCBG Max Azria $80.99 at 6pm.com, gold glitter sandals by Kate Spade $325 at jildorshoes.com.
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Q: So, I'm heading to Park City this weekend but I have no intention of actually skiing. Can you help me out with a chic apres ski look?
-Becca Aronson
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clockwise from top: faux fur vest by Romeo & Juliet Couture $85 at lastcall.com, ivory knit scarf by Merona $24.99 at target.com, blue boots by Ugg Australia $150 at uggaustralia.com, black gabardine ski pants by Joseph $345 at intermixonline.com, ribbon knit beanie by San Diego Hat Co. was $28 now $21 at kohls.com, multi-color fair isle sweater by Juicy Couture $200 at net-a-porter.com
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Q: Now that I've made it through DIP week I'm sick and tired of being toned down for interviews. I want to ditch my neutral mani and spice it up with a rebellious color! What would you recommend?
-Becca Aronson |
Clockwise from top left: Nails Inc. Magnetic Polish in Trafalgar Square $16 at sephora.com, Zoya polish in Marley $8 at zoya.com, Essie polish in Bobbing for Baubles $9 at essie.com, Dior Vernis scented nail laquer in Waterlily $23 at sephora.com, Nars polish in Schiap $17 at sephora.com
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_A: While looking good won't secure you a job, it
certainly won't hurt! Here are some Whartorialist approved options to help you make a lasting and unique impression. Also, we love a good striped tie. -Becca Aronson |
Suits left to right: Navy suit by Del Mare 1911 $315 available at Yoox.com, grey plaid suit by Ralph Lauren Black Label $1695 at ralphlauren.com, grey three piece suit by Boss Hugo Boss $945 at hugoboss.com, tan suit by Canali $945 at barneys.com, black slim fit suit by Givenchy $1660 available at ssense.com.
Ties left to right: black/grey tie by Hugo Hugo Boss was $95 now $66.50 at bloomingdales.com, red/blue tie by Gucci $185 at neimanmarcus.com, purple/white tie by Polo Ralph Lauren $115 at ralphlauren.com, red/blue tie by Charles Tyrwhitt $79 at ctshirts.co.uk. |
Q: Help an undergrad out, I need a new school bag that can easily hold my laptop, papers, and a book or two, but I also want it to be a great timeless piece (aka I don't want to have to buy another one in a year when I go to grad school). Also, I was thinking leather?
-Olympia Showman
A: Dear Olympia,
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Clockwise from top: Camel leather tote by Banana Republic $150 at bananarepublic.com, purple canvas tote with leather trim by Duluth Pack $225 at duluthpack.com, red ostrich print satchel $495 available at zappos.com, olive messenger bag by Cambridge Satchel Company $245.43 available at asos.com, chocolate brown pocket tote by Tylie Malibu $460 available at endless.com
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Hammered metal: noun. A metal-working technique in which a hammer is used to create a worn, uneven texture. This technique is used often in jewelry and as detail in other accessories.
e.g. Wearing the hammered metal bangle I made in class yesterday gives me a whole new appreciation for metal shop! If you want to get in on this trend you might want to go for one of these ready-to-wear options, I'm very busy you know.
-Becca Aronson |
From top: gold bangle by Kenneth Jay Lane $75 at dillards.com, black messenger bag with hammered metal detail by Christian Louboutin $2795 at net-a-porter.com, gold earrings by Evelyn Knight $63 at maxandchloe.com, hammered metal ankle strap sandal by Dolce Vita $149 at piperlime.com.
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Cloche hat: noun. A bell-shaped hat often made from felt. Invented by milliner Caroline Reboux in 1908, this style became popular in the 1920s.
e.g. Wow winter in Philly is chilly! Hopefully my cloche hat will help me block out the cold. Oh, do you like my hat? Well you can get one for yourself too!
-Becca Aronson |
Clockwise from top: leopard print rabbit fur hat by Bronte $272 at farfetch.com, red bow hat by Topshop $50 at topshop.com, black ribbon hat by Goorin Bros $125 at goorin.com, grey and black hat by Nordstrom $28 at nordstrom.com, pink trim hat by Christy's Crown Collection $58 at urbanoutfitters.com.
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Shanghai flat: noun. A flat shoe with a high tongue that stretches up across the foot. Also commonly referred to as a slipper or smoking flat due to its resemblance to a slipper and its inherent compatability with smoking jackets...
e.g. All these cropped velvet pants are missing is a pair of Shanghai flats to make this outfit sufficiently over-the-top. So many to choose from! Which do you like best?
-Becca Aronson |
From top: Brown and white chevron stripe flat by Del Toro $325 at deltoroshoes.com, blue suede flats by Topshop $60 at topshop.com, grey snakeskin flat by Dolce Vita $159 at bloomingdales.com, leopard print flat by Steve Madden $80 at piperlime.com
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Pailette: noun. A large, usually circular, sequin which is often applied in a layered fashion.
e.g. I wanted my sparkle to outshine everyone at the party so I kicked it up a notch and opted for a pailette dress rather than just a regular old sequin number. You can do the same with these Whartorialist approved options.
-Becca Aronson |
Clockwise from top: Black pailette top by Foley and Corinna was $340 now $153 at theoutnet.com, silver skirt by Adrienne Vittadini was $198 now $79.99 at adriennevittadini.com, woven tote by Lorenza Gandaglia was $898 now $449.95 at anthropologie.com, red mini dress by ASOS Black was $268.58 now $134.29 at asos.com, pink pailette boho dress by Foley and Corinna was $525 now $349.95 at freepeople.com.
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Jegging: noun. A slim fit jean made from a thin stretch fabric. A favorite of women both young and old (men steer clear of this style unless you want to look like THIS).
e.g. I love my new grey jeggings! They tuck so easily into my winter boots without bunching. If you want to show off your footwear this winter too, pick up one of these Whartorialist approved options which won't compete with your boots.
-Becca Aronson |
Clockwise from top: Grey jeggings by Mossimo for Target was $24.50 now $22 at target.com, black waxed jeggings by Paige Premium Denim $209 available at farfetch.com, blue feathered jeggings by Warehouse $62.67 available at asos.com, dark blue jeggings by Joe's Jeans $192 at farfetch.com, red jeggings by Rich & Skinny $121 available at lordandtaylor.com.
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Chelsea boot: noun. a flat, or slim heeled, ankle boot with a pointed toe. Originally meant for horse riding in the Victorian era, these boots are more recently tied to the mod style of the 1960s.
e.g. Now that winter's officially here I need a pair of chelsea boots to wear with my skinny jeans. Luckily I won't have to look far, here are some Whartorialist approved options:
-Becca Aronson |
For her: brown leather boots by Frye $398 at zappos.com, brown and black buckle boots by Topshop $140 at topshop.com.
For him: brown pull on boots by Cole Haan $228 at piperlime.com, black buckle boot by Bruno Magli $475 at endless.com. |