Style Success: Baby B's All Grown Up

It's a curse a lot of us fight in this town. We're smart, attractive, well-educated, and good at what we do.

And we happen to be under 30.

Ok, so I'm a little past that, now, but I distinctly remember turning 30, and being thrilled. (And no, it wasn't just my bash in New Orleans with friends & family.) I was excited that, if anyone asked - customers, colleagues, etc., (they do - it's odd) - I could finally say, 30. It sounds so much more grown up and professional, somehow. I felt like one of my birthday presents was credibility. Silly, given that the day before I was just as intelligent and well-qualified as on my birthday, but true.

So when Baby B was selected to our company's group of elite "up and comers," she made a decision. She decided she was going to dress for work from now on. Our company is, for the most part, a business casual place - except for the execs. Most days, you'll find them in suit & tie (they're all men - but we won't get into that here). The few women towards the top are, at minimum, in slacks & a jacket. The rest of us schlumps dress up or down accordingly. But to suit her new status (pun mildly intended), Baby B went shopping, looking for pieces to step up her wardrobe into "take me seriously" world. She scoured Filene's, Loehman's, and TJ Maxx to find her new duds.

And clearly came out with a few winners. Now, Baby B's got style. It's not infrequently I stop in the morning and compliment her. But yesterday morning, I was positively gushing. She was truly put together, and in a way that reflects her sensibilities and style. Modern, ladylike, and professional - and absolutely not boring.

Her teensy babydoll jacket over a camel turtlenck struck just the right note. She kept it simple with black slacks and tied the whole thing together with dainty slingbacks. The best part? Not a single thing is "brand name," and cost her next to nothing.

Way to represent the "younger set," Baby B.

Style Dilemma: A Guy's BizCasual

Hey Celine,

I'm involved in more and more investor type meetings where I feel out of place with my fashion sense. I'm pretty good at the old school suit and tie look or business casual (khakis, shirt, and tie)...but I need a little help updating my wardrobe to more of the sport coat and open collared shirt look...something sophisticated yet relaxed. Got any time to help a friend?

PS - my next meeting is Friday. Any short term advice I can use to update the wardrobe quickly and for not a lot of $$$?

Thanks,

M

Dear M:

Ooops! So I goofed and missed your meeting - hope this is still helpful. (But then again, something tells me you're not worried about fashion except for the blue & red kind at the moment.*)

Now...to your question. A couple of points:

1) The easiest way to do the "sport coat and open collared look" is to put your suits into service. It can be a little tricky to not look like you're missing your tie, but wearing a colored shirt (think pastels - sorry!) goes a long way to fight that battle. Wear your favorite (and well-tailored) suit with, say a pale blue shirt, and you'll make a good, cool impression. Think about what the suit at right would look like if you left off the paisley tie (which I think I'd do anyway, but I'm not a BR stylist, so...)

2) Again, putting your suits into service, update the shirt look with a collared sweater or two. Find yourself a merino wool (really, truly a 3.5 season fabric), polo-style sweater in a genteel shade, like charcoal or navy, and put it on under the suit.

3) Hit the stores and find three key pieces: a pair of snazzy (subtle plaid, pinstripes in unexpected colors) fitted, flat front (at the most one pleat) slacks, a neutral button down with a lovely hand (the fabric will add a certain something), and a jacket. The jacket's admittedly the toughest. Be sure to stay away from the overdone blue blazer, and do. not. buy. another pair of khakis.

Good stores to try that won't break the bank:

Zara (though their fits can be decidedly European) - for all three pieces

H&M (with the same caveat) - for the slacks. Shirt and jacket won't be in nice enough fabric here to make a good impression.

Filene's Basement, Loehmann's, TJ Maxx, etc. - a little more work, but you can score some deals

C-Mart. Need I say more?

You can also try the sale racks at J. Crew or Banana (though you'll have to watch the prep factor at both places - less so at Banana - see the looks above for hints)

And, if you have time and patience, check out the local Goodwill or Salvation Army outposts, especially for the jacket and slacks. You could find a pair of vintage pants with a great pattern for practically nothing. I had one coworker, always impeccably dressed, who found nearly his whole wardrobe at secondhand stores.

Lastly - think about ditching the khaki-polos look for business casual, and step it up a bit - all you need to do is leave off the suit jacket for any of the looks above, and you've got a stylin' look that's a little unexpected for the DC workplace.

*M just happens to be a died-in-the-wool-born-and-raised-in-Lindenhurst Giants fan. He's a little preoccupied right now.