Taking Care of Business: 3 Ways

Monday, January 09, 2012
I decided to do a little experiment recently and tried to wear this blazer and shirt combo in three different ways. All three outfits resulted in varying degrees of professional dress, which is funny because my office has a pretty lenient dress code; I guess I wanted to pretend I am more successful than I really am.

First, I paired the combo with skinny jeans and heels. This could be worn out for a lunch date or for a more relaxed office. Definitely not too stuffy to wear every day.

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Blazer: thrifted Express, $3
Shirt: yard sale, $1
Jeans: thrifted Target, $8
Shoes: JCPenney, free

This second outfit when paired with trousers and strappy sandals makes for a more masculine look. I could've done my hair and make up and added jewelry to make it more feminine but who are we kidding? I cherish those five extra minutes of sleep in the morning.

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Blazer: thrifted Express, $3
Shirt: yard sale, $1
Pants: Zara, $20
Shoes: Target, $8

Picture by Diana.

This third outfit I would consider the most business-appropriate outfit. The black is toned down with the white blazer, red lips, and a little bit of gold from the belt. Not too flashy but not too plain Jane either.

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Blazer: thrifted Express, $3
Shirt: yard sale, $1
Belt: thrifted, $5
Skirt: Forever 21, $6
Shoes: thrifted Nine West, $3
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76 comments :

  1. That blazer is amazing! I really love outfits 1 and 3.

    North Meets South

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  2. I love all of those outfits! So cute and proffessional! I've been following your blog for about a year now, and i always get inspired by your outfits and i try to copy them! So, thanks for the ideas! Visit my blog sometime!
    --Taesha Thanks!!
    www.livelaughlovealways-taesha.blogspot.com

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  3. Oh like the three versions of that blazer, the length is perfect!

    Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries

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  4. I love that blazer!! I can't believe you thrifted it for only $3!! I am pretty dang jealous. Very cute!

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  5. I like all three looks. I can't believe the deals you scored! As classy and put together as all 3 looks are I would have guessed the costed a lot more.

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  6. Elegantly AcademicJanuary 9, 2012 at 4:31 PM

    Love the first one, but I'm a sucker for jeans!

    Kelly @ Elegantly Academic

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  7. Thanks, Rachel! I just realized the outfit totals too. :D #patontheback #humblebrag #orjustbragging

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  8. Very creative post. Love the combos. But No. 2 was my favorite because you took two formal pieces and turned them into a completely casual outfit. Good job!

    http://www.thegirlieblog.com

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  10. Super cute! #1 is my fave. Chic and casual is always a win. Plus the shoes are adorable!!!

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  11. Loved that you showed three ways to wear this top combo!!  You look amaz in all three !

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  12. I love them all! Very professional yet cute and trendy.

    www.rigstyle.blogspot.com

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  13. Love the pop of purple/fuchsia from the pumps! I think a good blazer can dress up the most casual of outfits!

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  14. Wow! This is so good, three completely different looks even though half of the pieces are the same, nice job :) I think the first is my favorite :)
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  15. love the 1st look the best!!!!! but really love the blazer and shirt!!
    Kristen

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  16. I love to see how even with the same top combo, it still looks different. My favourite one is the first one, I would totally wear that to work!

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  17. I have to say that last is my favorite, I like the more feminine styles.
    Natasha
    A Modest Fashion Blog:
    www.natashaatkerson.blogspot.com

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  18. Wow, I'm amazed at the deals you got on these pieces! Love look 1.

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  19. very cute!! outfit #1 is my favorite. :)

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  20. My faves are 1 and 3 I think! Very cute blazer...so versatile!

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  21. Great deals, fantastic outfits. My favorite is #1. :)

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  22. Love the first and last look!  The belt on that last look makes the whole outfit!  Love the print on the blouse too!

    xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com

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  23. Hi Elaine! I really adore your creativity in mixing styles! :-) You're my top inspiration to keep posting on my blog. 

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  24. Love all three looks you put together.  My favorite is definitely the business version.  And I love love love that blouse, can't believe it was only a dollar!  Super cute!

    Happy Monday!
    Lauren
    mildmediumhot.net

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  25. I am ADORING all three of these looks!  You look fabulously and effortlessly chic!

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  26. I love all these looks. They're so professional and clean! :)

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  27. Love all three of those outfits, Elaine! Not sure which is my favorite...but now I'm thinking I need a new white blazer! :)

    www.butshoppingmakesmehappy.blogspot.com

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  28. The third one is the only one that would be okay for my line of work! But for most jobs, they're all cute looks

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  29. Super cute! Love the polka dots two ways!!

    http://www.mythriftychic.com/

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  30. My favorite is the 3rd and my second favorite is the first one. I like your smile in the first picture. You dress fabulously!

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  31. I love all these looks! I'd have to say the first is my favorite, it's just so versatile: you can wear it almost everywhere! super cute! x

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  32. I especially love that third look!

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  33. Love this post! That first outfit could be worn everywhere, and that last outfit is gorgeous! Very chic and stylish, very professional but still fun :)

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  34. I just love the first look, and now I'm sure I need a white blazer!

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  36. All three looks work very well with the combination!
    http://nanciemwai.com/2012/01/empty-street/ 

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  37. Business chic!
    http://www.dailyfashionist.com/

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  38. wooow i like the blazar

    cam to visit my blog and if you like we can follow each other.
    LAMOOONDA.BLOGSPOT.COM

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  39. Wow. I love the mix, you make everything looks so good!

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  40. This blazer is fantastic. I love your hair in the first photo, you look super chic in all of the outfits.

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  42. I love all three of these, but the first is right up my fashion alley. Also - just because your office doesn't have a strict dress code doesn't mean you're not successful or professional!

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  43. Nice! You really came up with some great outfits. And they all look significantly different from each other too.

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  44. Ooo I like all 3. But I think I actually like the shirt and blazer with the jeans the best. I like this kind of post though, it's nice to see how you can style things differently.

    L x

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  45. Rapunzel MortensenJanuary 10, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    So so cute! I love the white jacket! 

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  46. The third look is my favorite! Very cute! :)

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  47. Ooh! i love all three. and your wavy hair.

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  48. I think you are the first one who has said they liked the second outfit :D.

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  49. I love all of these outfits, they would be perfect for my workplace if here was better weather.

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  50. love the first one!

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  51. So versatile! Three decidedly different looks. 

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  52. I love all of these looks! They're definitely chic and easy to pull together in the morning.

    Judy
    SecondGlimpses.blogspot.com

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  53. Wow, it's amazing how just changing out bottoms and shoes can totally transform the look! Great job!

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  56. super classy looks! that bag is divine

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  57. I absolutely love the first outfit but they are all so chic!

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

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  58. I love this shirt, need some polkadots in my wardrobe! I like that you have done 3 different looks with the same shirt and jacket, my favourite is the first with skinny jeans and purple pumps......might be because I love anything purple!
    http://paulatasker.squarespace.com 

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  59. I love these tips! I will surely apply them on my every day outtfit plan.

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  60. the jacket is slim line and gorgeous,  not close to the skin so you can pick up at a thrift shop , well done

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  62. I like the plants - variegated and so colourful. They match the clothes she wore. Well done.

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  65. Chinese girls are really beautiful all three pics look awsome

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  67. I appreciate that there are people that are dressing modestly and these outfits look great.

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  69. Dear - please research "Forever 21."  Their products are made by slave labor, that's why they're so cheap.  PBS had a POV film on this topic recently.  Do not buy anything from Forever 21.  Do not support slavery.

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  71. I love seond shirt my favorite, it's just so versatile: you can wear it almost everywhere! 

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  74. I like the bargains!

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  75. I LOVE THE TROUSERS SHES WEARING THE SECOND PICTURE! THE POLKA DOTS JUST GIVE THE OUTFIT A LITTLE EDGE!

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