Business Casual in Boston

Recently I attended a business meeting for my real job in Boston.  I decided to collide my two worlds & bring you a few business casual basics.  I work for the medical device division of Johnson & Johnson, so we are about as conservative as they come.  Despite the conservative nature of my company, I feel it is always important to be yourself, which for me, strictly prohibits sweater sets & panty hoes.  Here is one outfit I wore (& managed to photograph) during the 3 days of meetings and events.  This is an attempt to encourage you to think a bit outside the Banana Republic box with your work duds (nothing wrong with the BR basics, just don't be afraid to add your personal style).

Top- Beyond Vintage / Pants- BCBG / Belt- Steve Madden / Shoes- Marcos Santi via Sole Society / Bracelets- Banana, Bee Charming / Lips- MAC Ruby Woo / Shades- Tom Ford / Watch- Michele

<Covet Corner>

Similar or Same:  Top / Pants / Belt / Shoes / Lips

And now for a few tips:

Women

Definition.  Casual does not = frumpy, throw some flare into your casual ensemble, maybe a leopard print belt or a bright colored pencil skirt. ("flare" always makes me think of the scene in the movie Office Space when Jennifer Aniston refuses to wear the minimum 13 pieces of flare... Ha! Maybe skip the buttons & "express yourself" with some red patent leather flats).

Coverage.  Skin coverage is good, nothing low cut or too short, but above the knee is OK, it's OK to show your arms, & peep toes are OK (not the case with business attire), but avoid shoes that are too high or strappy.

Accessorize.  There's nothing wrong with a statement jewelry piece, or a bold belt, work can be fun!

Tailor.  Steer clear of the body clinging extremes: skin tight --> baggy.  You can never go wrong with a clean tailored look.

Comfort.  There's nothing worse than tugging at your skirt, fidgeting with your bra straps, or limping around a conference center, so make sure you feel your best in your business casual ensemble.  First impressions are important, if you are comfortable you will be more confident & confidence is the key with any business look.

Denim.  This is a gray area & it really depends on your company.  In general the older & more conservative the company the less likely denim is acceptable.  Check with your HR department or just error on the safe side & skip the denim.  If your company does allow denim as part of it's business casual code, avoid heavily distressed or holey jeans.

Makeup.  In general a nice, natural look is great.  If you are woman in business, awesome, if you are a Mom in business, more power to you, but don't be mistaken for a soccer Mom while at work.  Cover the (inevitable) bags below your eyes, put on a little lid liner, some blush, & dab some gloss on your smile.  Mostly, it all comes down to being yourself.  I am a red lipstick gal (as you are well aware) so I don't shy away from red lipstick at corporate functions.  If you are a chapstick gal, go chapstick, but maybe choose one with a nice tint.  You don't have to look like a man to be successful in a man's world, yet you don't want to look like you are trying to "pick up" the man.

Hair.  Make sure your trim & color are up to date.  Ask your colorist for a natural look whether it be blonde, brunette, or auburn.  The skunk thing is not good for biz nor are the hot pink or feather extensions.   A neat ponytail is perfectly acceptable as is a down do, just make sure you do the do & avoid anything that can be perceived as sloppy.

Men

Avoid.  Golf shirts & shorts are not my fave.  It is "business casual," not "resort casual" so stick with slacks & a long sleeve button down even if you DO conduct your business on a golf course.  If you are actually golfing, golf attire is appropriate, of course.

Match.  Match your leathers.  Make sure your pants & shirt compliment.

Shave.  If you sport tasteful facial hair just make sure it is kept.

Press.  Have the hotel press your shirt if you don't want to do so yourself, but a crinkled up 'I've-been-at-the-bottom-of-a-suitcase-for-3-layovers' shirt is no good.  One of my Dad's best friends & long time road warrior had his dry cleaner individually hang each shirt in plastic.  He then folded each shirt in the plastic & neatly packed it in his suitcase.  He swears & declares it is the best way to keep a pressed shirt pressed & he would be one to listen to!

Be Yourself.  If lavender shirts & pin-stripped pants are your bag, go for it, if you are blue shirt navy blazer guy, go for it.

Makeup.  Unless you are a news anchor, I don't recommend makeup (that was to make sure you are paying attention).

Sportcoat.  Optional for business casual attire.

Tie.  Business casual means no tie, so enjoy it & leave the tie at home.  If you are giving a presentation a blazer is appropriate, but you can still skip the tie.  It is certainly better to be overdressed than underdressed, but a tie in a business casual environment sends the message that you are either stuffy or you take yourself a bit too seriously.  Stick with the attire that is requested.

I would certainly not declare myself the Emily Post of business dress code, but I have been a participant & observer of corporate duds for the past 12+ years.  So go climb that ladder and don't be afraid to do so ever so stylishly!

Stylishly yours,
DKG

Cash in at the Cosmopolitan

Recently, I attended the MAGIC sourcing show in Las Vegas with a friend of mine who is starting a golf skirt line.  The sourcing show was very interesting to me (duh!) being the vicarious fashion design dreamer that I am.  However, the most interesting part of my trip for you (probably), is the hotel where we bunked.  The Cosmopolitan is 8 months new & swanky, sexy, cool as can be.  Apparently it was supposed to be a condo complex associated with the new city center & Aria hotel, but with the recession & condo sales down they turned it into a super posh hotel.  I was literally drooling at every light fixture, tile column, & furniture cluster.  They had me at "hello" with The Chandelier Bar where you literally sit within a 3 story chandelier, dripping with crystals... honey I'm home!!!  Among the serious array of gourmet stops there are plenty of watering holes including the Bond, Queue, Book & Stage, & Vesper bars.  Most intriguingly there is a super secret pizza cave (we are talking no name, no sign, no promotional propaganda, it's not even listed on their website)... think secret agent meets top-notch pie slices, yes please!  With the over-the-top-turned-comfortable decor, super friendly staff, and ridiculous restaurants & bars to choose from, I'd highly recommend a visit next time you find yourself in sin city.  Above & beyond all of that, the price point was quite a bit lower than some of the other hotel options whose bachelor party wear & tear makes the over-priced rooms far from worth the price.  Here is a little teaser to wet your palate...

...whadd'ya think?  Feeling lucky?

Stylishly yours,
DKG

Where the Cowboys are the Stars

One of the many unique experiences I've indulged in since living in Idaho is the Caldwell Night Rodeo!  We are talking bucking broncos, bull riding, & buckets of beer-a-plenty.  This year was my second go around at the rodeo, a new found yearly birthday celebration for one of my girlfriends who is an Idaho native (& RIDICULOUS competitive runner/blonde bombshell).  This year I started to feel a bit more in my element at the rodeo as I knew what it meant when the cowboy rode for 8 seconds flat.  But, when I stopped & looked around it was ever-apparent that I am not in San Francisco anymore... and... I love it!  Besides, I can click my heels 3 times, give my credit card to United Air, & be back in the city at the drop of a cowboy hat.  People at the rodeo are simple, hard working, good time country folks who don't need a Gucci bag or Prada shades to enjoy the show.  Wranglers are the denim of choice & I must admit to feeling a bit inspired by the leather chaps, I am now on the prowl for something leather, & fringed, but with a little more coverage on the caboose!  While the chaps inspired me, I got quite a few looks (stares) at my crocheted short shorts, so I'm not so sure I set any trends in Caldwell that night.  I guess I'll have to wait until next year to see if the rodeo queens are turning Grandma's table cloth into garments.  Regardless, it was a hootin'-hollerin'-heck'u'va-good night, thank you Caldwell!  Here's a little rodeo queen love for your viewing pleasure.

Stylishly yours,
DKG

Vintage & Art

I am still floating on air after my recent visit to NYC.  In the past I have maintained my standard shopping protocol: Bergdorf (just to gawk), Barneys (glass of wine at Fred's), then Bloomies (to buy!), and a few stops here & there along the way.  Being the expert online shopper that I am, I felt the need to maximize my NY shopping experience & do the vintage thing this time.  Now, as much as I love fashion, and love the idea of vintage, it totally freaks me out!  Like most artists (fashion is art, right?!) I just know what I like & usually go with what I am drawn to.  I guess you could say I follow my fashion instincts.  Shy of grandma handing down something fabulous, vintage is out of my comfort zone & the idea of rummaging through racks of stuff to find that 1 diamond in the rough just sounds like too much work.  Craving the uniqueness that a Nordtrom website cannot provide I was determined to do the vintage thing this time & I did.  I found a few places on the NYmag website & with my trusty partner in tow (Frank) we found our way to a vintage store in Nolita where I found plenty of diamonds in the rough!  Being the vintage novice that I am I still know enough to know that this store was special!  Mostly designer (high-end designer, that even I cannot justify affording), but truly one of a kind pieces in very good shape & at reasonable prices.  One of my buys included a Chanel pea coat from the 1960s.  Even Chanel doesn't make things like they used to & I truly feel like Audrey when I put it on.  In a way, I don't feel like I deserve to attempt to do the coat any justice.  It is a vision all on it's own.

Perhaps my willingness to step out of my NYC comfort zone afforded me the next incredible find!  After brunch I stumbled upon a street vendor just off Union Square with the most incredible acrylic & enamel on canvas paintings.  She uses the brightest of colors & splatters & drips & drops paint in the most melodic yet random fashion.  The colors she uses almost don't belong together so much so, they do.  Stella, the artist, was the most eccentric & beautiful woman & was so honest & passionate about her work I fell even further in love with many of her pieces.  There was one in particular that I was especially drawn to & had to have.  So 1 Christmas gift from Frank later & a really great memory behind the purchase of the artwork, I walked away from a street vendor with something so incredibly unique & beautiful, again, I feel privileged to own.

Never again will I maintain my former NYC routine, nor will I enter my former home town San Francisco with the same methodology as I have in the past.  Because I discovered that the cities are as unique and individual as the fabulous finds within them.  I find myself addicted to the thrill of my next rummage through racks of vintage garb only to come across something I can only strive to do justice.  I now dream about the previous owners of that Chanel coat & fantasize about their life & who they were.  I picture Stella in her crazy fur coat with hundreds of strands of miniature beads around her neck covered in paint splattering color all over the blank canvas that will find its way onto some one's wall & create a reaction from everyone who views it.  When there are so many wonderful stories to invent behind the not so obvious finds in NYC who needs that Big Brown Bag anyway.  That is what www.bloomingdales.com is for, after all.

Stylishly yours,
DKG

I heart NY

New York is THE fashion hub of the US if you ask me.  Not to discredit LA or San Fran or Chicago because they each have their own unique style, but NYC is where everything happens in the fashion world.  My husband and I make a few trips a year & I always try to work one of them into the month of December.  While fashion is an ever present phenomenon in NYC I find that it doesn't hurt to use the trip to pick up a few last minute gifts for those hard to buy-for friends & family members.  And, it is simply the most magical place on Earth around the holidays!  So after a few days in my beloved NYC, I figure it is only appropriate to give you all a few "trends" I observed during my visit.

First, we have what Frank calls the "I look like I live in Alaska" trend.  Puffy coats are HUGE!  Mostly knee-length & black of course, but I did see a few shorter variations & my personal favorite were the fur lined hooded ones.  To go along with this "Alaska" look my husband so accurately described were fur hats.  Basically the good ol' hunting hat with ear flaps & all, but fur.  Last year I came home with Hunter rain boots, flat footed riding boots & sequins galore, but this year I didn't rush out to buy the crazy fur hat that I saw everywhere.  That being said, the New Yorkers who donned this style looked a lot warmer than I did, so I may have to re-think this one before winter is over.

Boots, boots, boots!  Boots were everywhere!  Lots of knee-high flat boots, LOVE these!  Leather variations on this style included black, brown, tan, and everything from suede to leather to pleather.  If you don't own a pair of flat-heeled knee high boots, you may just want to think about re-working your list for Santa because if NYC has anything to say about it boots should find their way to the top of your list.

Stripes.  Black & white stripes that is.  In almost every store front from Escada to Alice+Olivia stripes dominated the print du jour.  I must admit that I really love this trend & I made my best attempt at sporting it our first night out in the city.  So dig into your closet & find that T from the early 90's or go buy some black & white stripes, they are sure to find their way into your local boutiques if they aren't already. Here's my ensemble:

Striped sweater from Urban Outfitters
Leather pleated skirt from Alice+Olivia
White House Black Market fishnets
Report booties

Embellished shoulder pads.  This is a derivation from the military look that was so popular this fall, if you ask me.  I saw lots of dresses, tops, & sweaters with shoulders that range from lace overlay to sequined shoulder pads to feathers.  Quite a nice way to dress up a plain ol' t-shirt (and jack up the price) or reinvent last year's ruched jersey dress.  This is something that would be relatively easy to do yourself if you have a sewing machine and are handy.  I'm on the prowl for a piece for my own wardrobe as I'm really digging the looks I saw.

Lastly, feathers galore!  Sequins are still everywhere, but feathers are coming out with a vengeance.  Be careful with this trend!  If you are trying to downplay a certain area of your body, do not cover it with feathers or you may end up feeling more like Big Bird.  They are incredibly cool & I wanted more than anything to come home decked in feathers, but my body-type does not lend itself well to this trend.  If you have more of a boy-shaped body or find yourself in the kids department shopping for yourself this is the look for you & I am jealous!  I guess I will have to rock the embellished shoulder pad trend with feathers (which would totally work for someone with a fuller figure).

Anyway, that's the dish from this NYC trip... go deck yourself in stripes, feathers & fur... and keep rockin' the riding boots!

Stylishly yours,
DKG