Susan Wagner’s Blog

[Ed. note: Susan Wagner of WorkItMom's The Working Closet has some more good advice on finding office-appropriate jeans.]

More and more offices are welcoming jeans as work wear, which is convenient if you are trying to merge your work and weekend wardrobe. But it also means that you can't get away with just any old jeans; the pair you wear to work needs to fit properly and look great. What's the secret to perfect jeans? Time, effort, and the right amount of spandex.

Seriously.
Read More »

Shopping for plus-sized clothing can be a challenge; so many plus lines are filled with dowdy jumpers and shapeless tunics. It's even harder when you are searching for tailored clothes for the office, but tailored is precisely what you need when you are wearing a larger size. Pieces that are too big will make you look bigger; pieces that fit will make you look professional.

Always opt for professional. Of course.

To build a functional work wardrobe, no matter what your size, start with classic basics. Read More »

Jeans from J. Crew.

The almost universal acceptance of Casual Office attire for work has meant that jeans -- once reserved for weekend yard work -- are now a staple of most women's work wardrobe. This is a terrific advance, in many ways; jeans are versatile and easy to care for, and wearing them for work and weekend means that your wardrobe stretches further than it used to. But actually finding a pair of jeans that fits properly can be nearly impossible. The biggest error women make is wearing jeans that are the wrong length. An inch or two at the hemline may not seem like that big a deal, but it really is; a too-short inseam makes your legs look shorter and your hips look wider. Honestly, I don't know anyone who wants to look shorter and wider. Read More »

There are a lot of great perks to working from home; this morning, I am counting among them easy access to the leftover Boston Cream Pie my mother-in-law made this weekend. But unlike an office, which often has specific rules about what is and is not appropriate work attire, the home office has no rules. That sounds so great, doesn't it, until you're putting on your yoga pants for the umpteenth day in a row and feeling less like a contributing member of society and more like a housekeeper with a laptop.

Working at home is a truly remarkable opportunity, one that most of our mothers didn't have. Being a WAHM gives you the best of both worlds, and while I would never go so far as to say that working at home is EASIER than going to an office, it certainly has its advantages, like the flexibility to manage sick kids and household chores, and the option to NEVER EVER WEAR PANTY HOSE AGAIN. Thank god.

But once you strip away the panty hose and suits, and add in the housework and kids, what exactly DO you wear to work at home? Read More »

In this age of casual offices and working from home, the rules for what constitutes appropriate work attire can be confusing. But there absolutely ARE still rules and you absolutely need to follow them, because like it or not, the way you present yourself tells clients quite a lot about how you will do your job. And so I bring you . . .

Five Things You Should Never EVER Wear to Work (and by "work" I mean "any setting in which you will be representing yourself as a professional with specific expertise in your field").

1. Flip flops. I love flip flops, particularly for summer, but they are not appropriate for the office. Read More »

Business travel is typically equal parts opportunity and hassle, with a dash of adventure thrown in. Often, it is the adventure part that makes packing for a business trip such a nightmare, since "adventure" can mean anything from an unscheduled dinner with a potential client to an unpredicted heat wave in the dead of winter. Either way, you need to be prepared for everything.

And it also helps if you can keep your luggage to one piece, for convenience. Because who wants to lug TWO suitcases around for a three day trip? No one.

There are three simple strategies for packing efficiently and lightly, no matter where you are going:

Pack only things that you really wear. A business trip is not the time to test out a new skirt or jacket; you want clothes that you will be comfortable and confident in, and that you don't have to fuss with in the morning or through the day.

Pack basic pieces. Think both in terms of shape and color; neutral pieces in classic shapes are your best bet (black pencil skirt, brown wool trousers). Again, go with things you are comfortable with, to limit any tweaking or adjusting.

Pack pieces that work together. Choose one color palette for your trip, to guarantee that the things you pack will do multiple duty. Neutral basics plus a pop of color, in a blouse or sweater, keep your look fresh and flexible.
 

MICHAEL Michael Kors trench coat, Nordstrom, $128.00

So what actually goes in the suitcase?

Trench coat. Unless you are going somewhere really cold, a trench is perfect for travel, because it is sharp enough to wear to a meeting or out for dinner but light enough to tuck in your bag. Look for one that can be layered over a slim sweater for cooler weather. Read More »

If you work in a casual office environment, I think these 10 basic items are a must in your wardrobe. Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comments!

1. Dark wash jeans in a mid-rise. These should be a classic trouser shape or boot-cut, not something trendy; they should be hemmed for whatever shoes Amy wears most often. If she alternates between heels and flats, she needs one pair for heels and one for flats. To preserve the color, she should wash them inside out in COLD water and hang to dry.

Read More »