Mondays + Coffee. A match made in Heaven.
Photos by Erin Krespan taken in Soho, New York
Wearing Forever 21 Sweater, Just Female shorts via Lynn Louisa.
Mondays + Coffee. A match made in Heaven.
Photos by Erin Krespan taken in Soho, New York
Wearing Forever 21 Sweater, Just Female shorts via Lynn Louisa.
Workwear. It used to be the bane of my existence. Trousers and button-up tops with a black jacket. That was me before. Typical employee of the good ol’ Washington, D.C. I was unhappy, really. I needed something work appropriate that also reflected my style and I was stuck in struggle city trying to find something that worked.
Because - you know - this year, we’ll spend over 2,000 hours working…that’s 250 WORK DAYS FRIENDS. That’s based on getting two weeks off and working 40 hours a week…which is on the conservative end of things if we’re being honest here. Why must we spend it in emotionless style, friends?! WHY?!
I realize this is a big query that a lot of people are interested in knowing - how can I dress appropriately for work while still being stylish. I want to share more about how I attempt to make it happen on here - first case, this outfit.
Here’s how I started:
A high-waisted, movable skirt. Friends, we’ve been here before - COMFORT IS KEY with me. I tried very hard to be into pencil skirts and most of them are just too tight. Or not really flattering on my body type. Enter this great pleated skirt from Take 5 Boutique. It has a waist-hugging band which is key here because straight-from-the-band pleats don’t always look great on me. It’s also a great length, right above the knees.
Next: the top. While I’ve worn a zillion silk blouses with this skirt, I really like pushing the limits with this longer crop top from a fashion startup called VETTA. It has a fun feel to it while still being office appropriate (with the right high-waisted bottoms.)
Finally, I added these bright heeled sandals from Banana Republic, a little pop of interest. The minimal bow stole my heart right away and I even bought them in navy (seen here) I liked them so much.
Anyway - let me know if you like more work-related posts like this! I’d love to help you navigate this crazy world of workwear if that’s something you’d be into! Let me know in the comments below or tweet me at @juliengarman! (Also if you need any inspiration on what to wear in this sweltering weather, check out this article on Washingtonian where this outfit was featured!)
Wearing Take 5 Boutique skirt, VETTA blouse, Banana Republic sandals c/o, Cuyana bag, Kapten & Son watch c/o, Gorjana necklace c/o, NEO-NE Studios sunglasses via iSTYLEUP
It’s here, friends! We’ve welcomed cooler weather and coats, but only because it's the most…
I've always been a bit ambitious. In elementary school, it was all…
Finally there’s a sense of reprieve from the absolute madness that has been this summer’s weather. Finally the feeling of ‘hey, maybe I won’t melt on my way to work today.’ Or even better, knowing that maybe, just maybe, your makeup will last you through the summer commute.
So what’s the first thing I do to celebrate (ever-so-slightly) cooler temps? I wear a sweater, of course. But not like AN INSANE SWEATER, but like, a casual lightweight one. This one from Banana Republic is maybe the softest sweater of all time. Come Fall, I’ll be layering it with my oversized blazer and more denim jackets. But for now, expect to see it worn on repeat on cooler summer evenings with my favorite boyfriend shorts or these lightweight trousers.
I’ve also been very into these suede slingbacks that are also from Banana Republic. I wore them with my favorite denim skinnies and a flirty bohemian blouse in this post, but I think they look great dressed up for a more work-friendly look as well. I love the minimal, feminine bow.
A little behind-the-scenes secret: I actually wore this to work with a longline black blazer, but switched it out for a denim jacket for a lunch with a few friends at Malmaison, one of my favorite little spots in DC. I love how one item can totally change the look and feel of an outfit. This one from the J.Crew outlet is a great price and has a slightly oversized fit, which makes it work perfectly with sweaters.
And then there’s the bag. YOU GUYS. I’ve been in love with Cuero & Mor since their inception a few years ago. Their founders are the most wonderful people of all time and their bags are minimal perfection. I had my eye on this bag a few years ago, but kept putting off the purchase until it was sold out. I was devastated. So I scoured eBay for months and FINALLY someone listed this bag, the exact style and color I wanted. So I snatched it up and have been wearing it ever since.
Wearing Banana Republic sweater, trousers (size down) and Cadi Slingback Heel c/o, J.Crew denim jacket, Cuero & Mor bag (updated version), Kapten & Son watch c/o, Sophie Blake bracelet.
Banana Republic sent me this outfit for me to try out, and I loved it! It was fun trying a bright color for once - and I got a ton of compliments on it! All opinions are my own.
It’s here, friends! We’ve welcomed cooler weather and coats, but only because it's the most…
Happy Friday, friends!!
These past few weeks have been crazy busy but there’s SO MANY fun things I want to share with you!
Where to start?! Well, I decided that I’ll be attending New York Fashion Week this fall! This will be a first for me, and I literally can’t sleep I’m so excited. I’ll be collaborating with a number of brands, including Rent the Runway, Collabz, and more during the trip so I can bring you a first-hand honest look at what Fashion Week is like!
I’m also working on a SUPER fun campaign with Mosaic District that I can’t wait to share more about! Let’s just say that if you visit Mosaic in the next few weeks, you’ll see a very familiar face ;)
I took major advantage of the M.Gemi shoe sale a couple weeks ago. I bought some short boots (sold out), but I recently borrowed THESE from a friend and they are the most comfortable shoes I may have ever put on. You can shop my personal M.Gemi picks on their website!
If you’re into coffee, my friend and kick-you-know-what photographer Erin is taking over the Vigilante instagram page! Be sure to check it out, and if you like acai bowls, Vig makes a MEAN ONE.
Last week, I finally got a chance to use one of Breather’s DC spaces. What is Breather? It’s basically a beautiful office room with a couch, small conference table, mirrors, and books (with tons of natural light) that you can use to relax, have a meeting or in our case, shoot some photos for the blog! We rented out their 1003 K St., NW space and LOVED it.
Remember this chambray top I wore earlier this Spring? It’s on MAJOR sale right now for only $38 (from $78!)
The Rent the Runway clearance sale just did their final price drops and GUYS IT’S GOOD. You can shop my favorite picks or just head straight there yourselves.
Speaking of Rent the Runway, I’m working with them on a fun collaboration for Diner en Blanc! If you’re not familiar, check out last year’s post on it! It’s basically DC’s largest secret dinner party. Not even attendees know the location until right before the dinner starts. You dress TO THE NINES in all white - the fancier the better. It’s all very exciting. I rented one of these gorgeous dresses from Rent the Runway for the event. Stay tuned to figure out which one I chose! And in August, they’re offering FREE appointments with a stylist (usually $25), so if you have any events you want help choosing an outfit for, be sure to head in next week! I had Sam help me and she was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
Last week, we celebrated the launch of the Commuter backpack from Everlane at Maketto and had such a blast. I wore this everlane long sleeved tee (rolled up as far as it would go) and my favorite everlane loafers (now they come in SO MANY colors!)
Sunday I attended a sunrise yoga class at The Embassy Row Hotel rooftop! I've never done a class on a rooftop before and it was a game changer. SO MUCH FUN. They’ll be offering classes for the rest of summer, so if you’re looking for a great way to kickstart your weekend,, definitely check it out!
Want something super unproductive to do this weekend that you won’t regret? We are in over our heads in obsession with Stranger Things, a netflix show that I FOR SURE wouldn’t recommend watching at night by yourselves. We’re HOOKED.
Lastly, I was featured in the Shopping Links Blog for being an emerging blogger to watch! You can read my interview with them here!
Here are some posts you may have missed this week:
The prettiest off-the-shoulder dress I wore out to brunch in NYC
That one time a Rolls Royce photobombed my shoot (or was it the other way around?)
Pretending I'm French in this buttercup number
The bohemian blouse I've worn approximately 10,000 times since I've bought it
Have a great weekend!
It’s here, friends! We’ve welcomed cooler weather and coats, but only because it's the most…
Friends - the Rent the Runway clearance sale has arrived and IT IS GOOD. Very, very good.
Over the years, I've collected a number of pieces from the sale - from this Ellery dress to this Clare V clutch, they've easily become one of my favorite sales to stalk.
They've just marked down a TON OF ITEMS (up to 90% off!) so I wanted to go through and share my most favorite finds with you! Check them out below or head straight over to the sale!