Business Casual Work to Weekend Staples (Reader request!)

Pictured above: Ponte Pants (on sale! The best comfy business casual staple! Also come in grey!), Gucci Loafers (Similar version on sale!)  

Happy Saturday everybody!

Apologies for the SEVERE delay in getting my Friday post up–typically I only post Monday through Friday but I actually had such a great conversation with you guys over on Instagram that I decided to switch up the direction of what I had originally planned. Here’s why:

Everyone and their mom is posting about the Nordstrom sale. I’m so sick of it already and I’m a BLOGGER. I love that colorful striped Topshop sweater and in all honestly, I wanted to buy it SO BAD but if I see it in my instagram feed one more time I might scream.

That being said, I KNOW you guys want to see my coverage of the sale because you told me so! I don’t want to not cover it because it’s an AMAAZZINGGGG sale. So, what I decided to do is frankly have a conversation with you guys on Instagram about how I could make my sale coverage MORE helpful–the answer?

A resounding “please please please more staples that work for work and the weekend!!”

I’m SO glad I asked you–this is something I wouldn’t have thought of! Turns out, based on my polls, you guys are looking for mostly tops, dresses, and layering pieces–so, THAT is what I am giving you today!

Remember, the Nordstrom sale is full of FALL pieces, so I won’t be showing any summery staples here. Every single item used in these collages is part of the sale, too! Huzzah!

(Side note I kind of rushed through these collages, they are not my best work, but luckily I know you’ll forgive me because the outfits are good, I promise ?)

Let’s jump in, yeah!?

Staple #1: The Classic Blazer 

When is the office NOT an arctic tundra, am I right? This is why layering pieces are key. Here, I picked a blazer to highlight for our looks because it’s extremely versatile, polished, and perfect for in AND out of the office. Most importantly, a lot of you told me you struggle with how to style a blazer, so hopefully this gives you four great ideas!

Also, you could easily swap out the blazer for a cardigan here, and the looks would be just as cute!

Why I chose THIS particular blazer: I really like this one because it’s tailored, but not TOO tailored. It also doesn’t feel like a suit or tuxedo jacket, it toes the line between classic and on-trend, yet polished. It also comes in four colors–black, white, and blush. (Several of you told me you were in search of a good white blazer, and this is a great one!) It’s a great price at $64! 

There are also a lot of trendier blazers right now (like this one, SO cute!) that tend to be more boxy–those are super cute, but they aren’t as flattering on all body types, so just be mindful of that.

My blazer styling trick: I am an avid sleeve roller. If my sleeves aren’t rolled on my blazer, I feel like I’m wearing a costume, but with the sleeves rolled, it’s just the right amount of effortless perfect imperfection! Also, if you feel like your blazer doesn’t look quite right, roll the sleeves, and you’ll probably love it!

If you want a comfier blazer you can move in: This Caslon knit blazer for $39 and this more relaxed knit longline blazer for $65 are awesome and similar to the J.Crew sweater blazer that was super popular last year–remember that one? They’re knit so you can move around in it a lot easier and have the comfort of something that feels more like a sweater, with a little more polish. (Teachers, these are especially perfect for you!)

Shop more favorite on-sale blazers and layering pieces:

Okay, so you’ve got your ideal blazer or layering piece picked out, here’s how to style it!

Business Casual Outfit #1:

1901 Cropped Pants: I absolutely LOVE these pants made by 1901–which is one of Nordstrom’s own brands! (I think they’re new, I’ve never noticed them before!)

The brand makes timeless pieces with a modern twist, and I think it might be one of my favorite new brands ever! Anyway, these cropped pants are totally on-trend while being completely polished enough for the office (which as you know, isn’t an easy feat!)

Striped tee: You rarely think about being able to dress up t-shirts, but it’s so easy to do as long as you have the RIGHT shirt. This one, again, is 1901 brand and is very polished–even if you work in a strict business casual environment, it’s completely appropriate under a blazer! Adding a pop of pattern adds so much interest to the outfit!

Leopard mules: Speaking of pattern, my favorite two pattern combinations are stripes and leopard. They are the perfect opposites and are a failsafe combination to make any outfit interesting–I’m especially a huge fan of leopard shoes for the office, because often workwear can get SO boring and they go a long way to spice up anything bland.

Classic tote: I don’t own a Kate Spade tote myself, but when I did my “Real Women Approved: The Best Tote Bags for Work and Travel” roundup, you guys RAVED about Kate Spade’s totes! I noticed this one is part of the sale and it’s really pretty and comes in three versatile colors–it’s 13″ so it’s big enough to fit a small laptop, too!

Business Casual Outfit #2:

See what I did there? I took the same blazer, tee, and shoes and swapped them out for this adorable button-down camel skirt and neckscarf. BOOM! Totally different look, but just as fashionable, and just as polished! (This is such a Jackie-O look–well, except she probably would’ve subbed Gucci Loafers ?).

Casual Weekend Outfit #1:

Okay, so, it appears that this is where a lot of you struggle–styling a blazer OUT of the office. You love ’em, they’re easy to wear for work, but how the heck do you wear them outside of the office without feeling like you’re trying too hard?

First, remember the sleeve rolling trick. Then, do go with combinations like these:

Denim skirt: I chose a black version here, but you can use any version you like! It would look super cute with a white denim skirt for early fall, or a blue denim skirt, too!

The great part about a denim skirt is that it’s a bit more edgy with the raw hem–you always want to play with juxtaposition when you’re putting outfits together, so if you start with something preppy, like a blazer, it works well to pair it with something that is the OPPOSITE of preppy–in this instance, it’s “edgy.” (I mean, just a little bit of edge though. You know how “edgy” I am ?)

Striped tee: You know what I say, everything is cuter with stripes ? I also love the v-neck of this tee, as they tend to be more flattering than crew-necks. (Note: this is especially true if you have a larger bust!) The stripes bring a necessary element of personality to the outfit. There’s a long sleeve crewneck version as well, if that’s more your speed.

Classic White Sneakers: I haven’t seen these before–these are the “shoreline” with rose gold rivets! How cute–especially if you’re looking for a classic white sneaker that’s a bit more feminine! I love them! Note–the website says these run truer to size than most Converse, so order your regular size vs sizing down!

Chunky camel scarf: In all honesty, I just LOVE the color camel. It just makes any outfit look really chic–I think it pairs especially well with stripes! (But then again, doesn’t everything?) This scarf looks just like the Free People version but is $21!!

Casual Weekend Outfit #2:

In continuing with our blazer + tee + denim trend, I decided to pair our chic blazer with…

Classic Levi’s 501 jeans: You know Levi’s are one of my absolute FAVORITE denim brands. I have their 501 jeans and absolutely adore them–they’re their most classic cut (I wore them here–though mine are a different wash!) Remember how we talked about juxtaposing two different styles? These jeans are the pièce de résistance–they’re a little bit more tomboyish and on-trend and contrast perfectly with the classic, preppy blazer. Feel free to cuff them at the bottom if you wish!

Cute neck scarf: Few outfits don’t look cuter with a neck scarf. You know I own about 100–but I love this version that’s part of the sale–it’s super affordable and comes in three beautiful fall colors!

French girl graphic tee: While a blazer can be business-like, a graphic tee is fun and playful and brings a fun little twist to the outfit!

Cute booties: Of course, the pillar of the fall wardrobe–the bootie! If you missed my raving in my previous post–these are made by a shoe brand I can’t recommend enough–Blondo. All their boots are insanely well made, super comfortable, and best of all–WATERPROOF.  You don’t have to worry about ruining these!

Note: these are starting to sell out, but check back often because they do re-stock! Also, these are another really cute alternative that I love (styling them below, too!)

Staple #2: The Feminine Floral Dress 

Dresses are definitely a pillar of my wardrobe–they’re a one-and done thing you can throw on and look put together. You guys were searching for dresses that can be worn in and out of the office and that’s why I absolutely LOVE this dress. I totally missed it when the sale first started but just added it to my cart today. I hope I love it as much in person! There are a few reasons I think you’ll love it too:

First, it’s obviously appropriate for all occasions that require a certain degree of conservativeness–the office, client dinner, church, brunch with grandma, etc.

Second, the skirt is sheer, but the slip underneath stops a couple inches above the knee–creating a peek-a-boo effect that would negate what MIGHT otherwise, to some, make the dress feel a bit “Little House on the Prairie” due to the high neck.

Third, the combination of the darker floral pattern and flowy fabric makes it perfectly suitable to start wearing now–pair it with your favorite sandals in the summer, and transition to boots in the winter!

Okay, here’s what I styled with it for the office and date night:

Outfit #1: For the office

Trench Coat: If you don’t already own a trench coat, I would highly recommend picking this one up during the sale! It’s that 1901 brand again–seriously, they’re killing it! Why buy THIS trench instead of others? Because it comes with a removable vest lining–very similar to a Barbour coat, if you’re familiar. It’s quilted so you can wear the vest all by itself too. I think this is amazing because trenches aren’t known for their warmth–but this ensures you can wear it longer into the late fall and even pull it out on warmer winter days. (I mean, if you don’t live in Chicago ?) There are lot’s of trenches on sale so you can shop more here!

Nude Pumps: You could honestly swap for any office-appropriate shoe here (black works as well!) but nude pumps are timeless, and an essential that every girl should have in her closet. You probably already have a good pair, but if you don’t–these are included in the sale and come in lot’s of great colors! I also lovveee the orangey red color (if your office is OK with that!)

Tote bag: So I’m going to be honest here, there aren’t many tote bags that are part of the sale. However, this Tory Burch bag is one of the good ones. I personally have never owned a Tory Burch bag but Kelly raves about them! They’re definitely an investment, but if you’ve been wanting one for awhile, now is a great opportunity to get them at a discount! I love that this one has the chain detail–I think it makes it a lot more chic and different than the average leather tote!

By the way if you’re looking for other recommendations, see my “Real Women Approved: Best All-Purpose Bags for Work and Travel” post where I rounded up YOUR favorite bags!

Outfit #2: For a date night

Suede moto jacket: Another item I bought on the first day of the sale–this beautiful suede jacket. I absolutely LOVE the rich ruby hue (it also comes in olive) and I think it’s such a nice alternative to brown or black. It pairs perfectly with the dress and kicks it up a notch, giving it a little bit more edge and personality.

Fun cross-body bag: This little bucket bag is so much fun! I love the contrast of the cognac faux leather against the navy! You can also detach the shoulder strap and carry it by the top handle. So budget-friendly too!

Neutral booties: I love the perforated suede that makes these booties stand out–a classic, with a twist. The slightly pointed toe makes them super flattering and helps to elongate the leg!

Shop more versatile dresses for in and out of the office: 

Staple #3: The Popover Shirt 

For our last look, I went with this cute on-sale J.Crew ruffled popover. I love that it has all the polish of a white collared shirt, with a twist. The subtle ruffles make it a little more girly and fun, and it’s a different take on a regular white button down, but just as versatile. (An alternative option, if you like flowy, longer blouses, would be this white button down!) Wear it now with your favorite jean shorts and in the fall–with this:

Outfit #1: For the office 

Ponte pants: These pants were one of your most popular buys this winter, and I’m so glad they’re back AND on sale! They’re essentially like fancy leggings that are appropriate for the office, can be dressed up for dinner, and comfy enough to travel in–they’re the best. These have seams down the front to look even more polished–they come in charcoal as well as black! They run TTS.

Leopard flats: These Cole Haan flats are such good Valentino dupes! As I said above, leopard makes what can feel like mundane office attire look SO much cuter. Cole Haan is known for making really comfortable shoes, too–great if you’re constantly on your feet all day! They also make a nude version with a block heel that is SO cute!

Cashmere wrap: There are a lot of amazing cashmere items on sale, especially wraps. This one comes in tons of colors but I love the camel oatmeal! It’s perfect for draping over your chair to keep you warm in the frozen AC tundra. I mean, who doesn’t want to wrap a chic blanket around them all day at their desk!?

Outfit #2: Drinks with the girls 

Tall boots: I just got these boots in the light tan (it’s sadly almost sold out in that color but I bet they do a big re-stock! Keep checking back!!) but I also LOVE them in black as well. They look so cute with a mini skirt or with skinny jeans! If you’re looking for more tall boots I also bought this pair in the beautiful burgundy color!

Suede skirt: I bought this skirt from the sale last year in a different color–it’s SO cute. It’s short without being TOO short, which I very much appreciate. It does run small though, so size up!

Neutral leather jacket: I love the color of this leather jacket–it’s really different from the usual brown leather and is a great option if you want to mix things up! There are a lot of great leather jackets on sale too!

Other versatile tops that are great for in and out of the office: 

WHEW! This was a long post–did you make it to the bottom? Was this helpful? Let me know what you’d like to see next! Hope you have the best weekend!