I’ve been going out a lot on auditions lately that require office appropriate attire.  Whether I’m playing a receptionist, business traveler, or company spokesperson, I’ve been digging into my stash of business and business casual wardrobe selection.  This inspired me to blog about designers and clothes that I lean toward when it comes to looking stylish and chic, yet still respected by my peers for being business appropriate.  Where do we toe that fine line?  How do we mesh Ally McBeal with Alexander Wang?

SHEATH DRESS

My first gut instinct when it comes to business wear is a nice, tailored sheath dress.  It’s feminine and authoritative all at once.  Little details on this dress can make a girl boss into a fashionista.  If worn and tailored appropriately, the dress should hit right above the knee.  It should be fitted enough to show off some figure, but comfy and loose enough to still move around and be able to sit down for those long quarterly meetings.

I love this Club Monaco Alexus Sheath Dress!  It’s currently on sale for less than $50.  It has a V-neck and leather insets at the waist.  Details ladies.  Details.

I also really like this Club Monaco Lizeth Sheath Wrap Dress.  The fabric and cut make this dress more fitted, but it’s round neck makes it conservative enough for those executive meetings with the company partners.  Pair this up with a great pair of pointed toe heels and you’ll be the talk of the office.

SOFT TRENCH COAT

I’m not talking about the ones that you wear in London when it rains.  I’m talking about the ones that you wear when you want to look fabulous walking into work.  A soft trench coat will take any button-up shirt and dress pant work uniform up a few notches.  Because this is your statement piece, I would recommend splurging a bit on a nice quality coat.  Trust me, you’ll be wearing it in the office and after work for happy hour.

This Camilla and Marc Antidote Trench Coat is worth EVERY penny.  It comes in a blush-colored satin fabric, and has epaulets accent on the shoulders.  I’m baffled, yet relieved, that this coat is not sold out everywhere, but it is limited in sizes so check around at all the online stores to see what sizes are left.  I wouldn’t wait for this coat to go on sale, because it’ll be gone very soon.

This Club Monaco Gideon Soft Trench in Buff is another great choice.  I love the soft silhouette and the neutral tone of the coat.  Work clothes can be so masculine and stale, and adding this outer layer creates an even balance of stiff masculinity and chic femininity.

If you just want to achieve the look, I also found this great Forever21 Draped Trench Coat for under $50.

Or, this Forever21 Draped Trench Coat in Taupe for under $55.

PENCIL SKIRT

What’s so special about a pencil skirt?  Every office girl has a black pencil skirt.  How is this fashionable?  Once again ladies, it’s all in the details.  Of course you can walk into Ann Taylor Loft and get yourself a black pencil skirt for $20, but you would have to go into suspension court with the fashion police.  It doesn’t have to be anything too over the top or ostentatious, but maybe a panel of leather or slight embroidery will set you apart from the herd.

I first fell in love with the embroidered cutouts aligning the hem, and then I realized it was a pencil skirt and of an appropriate length for office wear.  The Sea Pencil Skirt has just enough details to make it special, but it doesn’t overwhelm the skirt to make it club wear.

This Club Monaco Aubrey Skirt is currently on sale for under $100.  The pattern of this skirt says fashion and the silhouette says sophisticated.  I would pair this skirt with a button-up chambray shirt and wear it on casual Fridays.  If it gets chilly, wear a cashmere sweater over your chambray shirt.

Simple. Basic. Leather Panel.  Don’t need to overdo the skirt, but subtle details WILL make a difference, like this Getting Back To Square One Above The Knee Skirt With Leather Panels.  Throw a oversized wool coat over this outfit and you are golden for fall weather.

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

DVF.  I have about ten different DVF dresses that I use to wear when I worked in the corporate world.  Her dresses are always tailored for the female figure, yet sophisticated, chic and uberly fashionable.  She uses high quality fabrics that have lasted me over seven years.  They never go out of style, and can always be recycled back into my wardrobe season after season.

Yes. You. Can.  You can wear a jumpsuit to work, especially this one.  This DVF Kacey Jumpsuit is like wearing a top and a pair of pants, except it’s a one-piece.  I love that it’s cinched at the waist with a sash to showoff those feminine curves, and it has pockets, which is always a plus.  This is a great outfit that transitions well from work to dinner out with friends or clients.

The DVF Bevina Ceramic Sheath Dress is on sale and comes in three different colors: Summer Beet, Blue Riviera and Hot Coral.  Go ahead, treat yourself to one of these refreshing and delicious colors.  You don’t have to be black, white and grey at work.  Keep your accessories neutral and simple though so that you don’t go Real Housewives on your co-workers.

Love my female work force!  Just because you’re in an office doesn’t mean you have to neglect your wardrobe and style.  What other designers do you love wearing to work?  I would love to hear from you!