Cupcakes and Cashmere

Stripe on Stripe

January 17th, 2013

Prada Sunglasses, Pinko Jacket, H&M Top, Rachel Zoe Skirt, Manolo Blahnik Pumps, Club Monaco Gloves, Vintage Chanel Bag

When I first graduated from college and had my first real job, I was terrified of coming into work looking like I was still a student. So instead of investing in a few smart pieces (black blazer, pretty blouses, etc.), I wore clothing better suited for a grandmother. We’re talking sweater sets, frumpy kitten heels, and skirts that hit mid-calf and were anything but flattering. Over time I learned that there exists a balance between my jeans/graphic t’s/platform flip flops that I wore when I was 22 and how to dress professionally, but with a youthful twist. I swore off fuller skirts for a while after, but this one made me reconsider: it’s nipped in at the waist, flares beautifully, and the subtle pattern that almost resembles a wooden texture makes it feel far from granny chic.

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  • http://kassiastclair.com/ kassiastclair

    Such a cute look – love the gloves. And how on earth do you get your hair like that?

    kassia x

    http://kassiastclair.com/

  • Rachelle

    Cute look, love it.

    Xo
    Http://pinksole.com

  • http://www.darkbluestripes.com/ Dark Blue Stripes

    Great stripe on stripe. The cut of the skirt is very flattering.

    Christie x

    Dark Blue Stripes

  • http://www.and-kate.blogspot.com and kate

    You look absolutely stunning here, your figure is amazing.
    I love how you’ve mixed two items of clothing with stripes together.
    The vintage Chanel bag really contrasts with the monochrome outfit.
    Your style is so inspiring!
    http://www.and-kate.blogspot.com/
    ^ new post on my blog

  • http://blueskydaze.wordpress.com Sinead

    I’m just out of college so I know how hard it can be to strike the right balance between looking ‘grown-up’ and looking ‘old’ – I love this look!

    http://blueskydaze.wordpress.com

  • http://thepinkcashmere.com Sophie

    I love the outfit, I love Pinko Jackets, I have a few my self.
    Xx
    http://www.thepinkcashmere.com

  • http://www.sealed-with-style.com Meaghann

    love your stripes on stripes!
    and your skirt too…great look Emily!
    xo
    Meg
    http://www.sealed-with-style.com

  • http://www.shades-of-style.com Alexsandra

    This is beyond gorgeous x

    x
    http://www.shades-of-style.com

  • http://www.teesort.com Stella@half sleeves t-shirts

    Great.. This dress is looking fantastic.

  • http://www.insalatadisillabe.blogspot.com Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe

    I love love love this outfit! It’s so elegant and feminine! That skirt is amazing and the stripe on stripe combo makes the whole outfit look a little bit more casual!

    http://www.insalatadisillabe.blogspot.com
    xo, Elisa

  • http://arumlilea.blogspot.com Leanne

    Love this look! Perfect marriage of stripes!

    Love from South Africa

    http://arumlilea.blogspot.com

  • http://primpandpaper.blogspot.com/ Francesca

    i love this outfit! especially the skirt! ♥

  • http://www.confessionsoftheglitterati.com/ Ally

    Those gloves make everything so sophisticated! And yes… there is definitely a new outlook on how to dress professionally and I am all for it.

    http://www.confessionsoftheglitterati.com/

  • http://www.mustardandmint.wordpress.com jo

    i love everything about this outfit! grey suede heels are such versatile investments!

    having just recently graduated, I’ve sworn to only invest in classic, timeless pieces that will last me years and years – nothing more attractive than sophisticated classics!

    xx
    jo

    http://www.mustardandmint.wordpress.com
    http://www.mustardandmint.com

  • Nancy Warden

    I love how times and definitions change. In my day (70′s) a midi skirt was one that fell 1/2 – 2/3s between knee and ankle….. your just above the knee ” midi ” is way more flattering. In those olden days a mini was pretty much anything above the knee….. very shocking!

  • http://www.hautechildinthecity.com Chelsea

    This is a fantastic look! I love the details in the textures and fabrics. Simply perfect!

    Chelsea
    Haute Child in the City

  • Pamela

    This is a such a great outfit and very inspiring. It’s what I miss about your OOTD lately. The skirt looks fabulous on you. I would NOT consider it to be midi length though. I mean, it grazes your knees!

  • http://sarahthearchitect.com Sarah [Sarah The Architect]

    Love the skirt and jacket together!

  • http://www.thepursesnatcher.net Sarah

    Beautiful outfit! I adore your skirt!

    The Purse Snatcher 

  • http://turn-it-insideout.blogspot.be/ Nena
  • Susan

    Finally, an age appropriate outfit for you! Very nice! Lets see more of this.

  • http://www.catfishandcaviar.com Drew @ Catfish & Caviar

    Such a beautiful skirt! They way it falls and flares out is just perfect.

  • http://www.laceandtulle.com Samira

    I would wear this to the office!! love the skirt!!!

  • http://fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com Amy Shaughnessy

    I love this skirt and I love the double dose of stripes.

    Amy
    Fashion and Beauty Finds

  • http://www.sweetestsomethings.com Dina Karivalis (@DKarivalis)

    Love that skirt on you! You’re so right, there is a fine line between frumpy and professional!
    xo Dina
    Sweetest Somethings

  • Allecs

    This is a daily struggle for me. I’m 27 years old and I work as a professor and academic advisor at a college. My students tell me I look like one of them. It doesn’t help that I’m 4’11 and I’m currently wearing Invisalign. Sometimes it’s flattering, but there comes a point you want to start blending in with your colleagues, not your students. I would love to see more posts about dressing professionaly, but still looking our age!

  • http://joliejouel.blogspot.com Ashleigh @ Jolie Jouel

    I looooove those gloves! In fact, I love it all. ~ ashleigh

    My jewelry blog: http://www.joliejouel.com

  • http://dreamsinhd.blogspot.com/ Molly {Dreams in HD}

    love everything about this outfit especially the striped jacket, gloves, and of course the chanel.

  • Rachel

    Sweetie…that is definitely NOT a midi skirt.

  • http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.co.uk/ Stacey

    Such a cute skirt! I got a smilier one from Topshop although it’s shorter than this one!

    xoxo
    Stacey

    http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.co.uk/

  • http://www.snapshotfashion.blogspot.com Snapshot Fashion

    this look is SO PRETTY! i love it from head to toe…especially the skirt. stunning!

  • http://baublestobubbles.com Olivia

    Such a cute combination! You make stripes on stripes look possible!

  • http://poorlittleitgirl.com Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl

    That skirt is to die for…and I love how you paired similar stripes together to create this look!

    xoxo
    Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
    http://poorlittleitgirl.com

  • bisbee

    This is a lovely look. But…that is hardly a midi skirt – it’s still above your knee. A midi skirt covers the knee…which can be quite appealing, especially if it’s a narrow skirt. This skirt is extremely versatile and very flattering!

  • http://laughinglatte.com/ Leigh

    That is what I would categorize as the perfect black skirt! Fun, youthful, but also modest! Too bad it’s not more affordable….

  • http://maxandhiscoco.blogspot.com/ Siobhan

    Those shoes are gorgeous, I love how they pair with the gloves to bring the gray color into the outfit. Very chic.
    xo
    http://maxandhiscoco.blogspot.com/

  • http://wethingin.blogspot.co.uk/ Kate

    I love those shoes the perfect shade of grey.
    http://wethingin.blogspot.co.uk

  • My Fashion Break

    Love your shoes! Totally a chic grow up girl!

    http://myfashionbreak.blogspot.com.es/

    xxoo from the sunny south of Spain

  • http://miss-beanie.blogspot.com Laura

    simply gorgeous! And I love that you acknowledge a stylish work place dress code! It’s very hard going from school to office wardrobe.

    xoxo,

    Laura
    http://miss-beanie.blogspot.com

  • http://sassysouthernliving.com/ Lindsey Long

    I love the idea of mixing stripes. I am going to try this weekend! Thanks for always being an inspiration!

  • http://withach.com Christin

    This is a really cute look but a midi skirt hits below the knee by definition.

  • http://korylaughingalltheway.com Kory

    Love this look! You’re so right about finding a balance between professional and youthful. I’m still in college, but I intern in an office three days a week. I’m always struggling with ways to look put together, while still embracing my own style. Thanks for the new ideas!

  • http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com Red Tag Chic Los Angeles

    TRES CHIC……love your mix of chic & edgy stuff!!!

    REBECCA
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

  • http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/ pretty little things

    I think this outfit is lovely – it has a retro and kind of hitchcock vibe to it! xo

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.insparisian.com brooke

    thank you for being honest about the way your style has evolved! i made similar mistakes when i was younger too and it’s refreshing to hear from others!

    http://www.insparisian.com

  • http://www.welovefur.com Welovefur

    You are so cute
    kisses
    http://www.welovefur.com

  • http://www.RavingFashionista.com Sarah {Raving Fashionista}

    LOVING this look! So classic and feminine. I especially adore the little hint of green with the gloves – nice touch!

  • http://ishowedupinboots.com I Showed Up In Boots

    I adore those sunglasses and the gloves. Such a chic outfit idea for the office. Here is my idea of an office outfit:

    LEOPARD + PEPLUM: http://ishowedupinboots.com/2013/01/17/leopard-peplum/

  • http://lejlatravels.blogspot.com/ Lejla

    That really looks nice. I also like pencil skirts for work and I do not wear shoes with heels very often, so I try to keep the look upwards more polished and professional.

    http://lejlatravels.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.thewrittenrunway.com Ambyr

    I adore this whole look. The bubble skirt, contrasting stripes and especially those grey pumps. Super cute!

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com