Calvin Klein Purple Sheath Dress - Sexiness Fully Contained

This is an extremely sexy dress.  And while some people would feel comfortable wearing this to work, it is not in my nature.  I would be very self- conscious.  So, I tamed it by adding a jacket (Jones New York evening purple blazer) and a belt to define my waist.  I wanted to wear a different shoes, but it up the sexy factor, so I decided to go with these born black sandals.

Kat's Style Formula

It has taken me a long time to find a style that speaks to me and FOR me. In the last 6 months or so, I believe that I have found a style formula that works for me. 

Work: 3 pieces - 2 formal, 1 casual/edgy piece. Off 

Duty: 3 pieces - 1 formal, 2 casual edgy pieces.

This is a work outfit, so I break the dress down into "top" and "bottom." Since the top is very intricate, more fitting for evening wear... it serves as my edgy piece. The "skirt" portion fits like a pencil skirt, so it's business/formal, etc. If I pair it up with a leather jacket, there's too many edgy pieces and would not be appropriate for work. So, I chose a very basic suit jacket that can be worn in any boardroom. Dress is from JC Penny. The Jacket is Ann Taylor Loft. The shoes is the BORN sandals I wore with the pink leather jacket from yesterday's picture.

Here is a picture of the shoes.

Pink Leather Blazer with Black Dress

I love love love love leather jackets, but they tend to be more rock and roll or biker chic.  I wouldn't mind either one, but I love them so much that I want to be able to wear them to the office.  So begun my journey for color leather jackets.  Here is one in soft baby pink.  This one is from St John by Marie Gray (the brand that makes sweater suits).

Jones New York has been a favorite of mine for work clothes and this dress is no exception.  Beautiful on its own or as a base for showcasing my color entourage of jackets and blazers.  Icing on this cake is this beautiful BORN black leather sandals.  Finally found it in my price range and I grabbed it.

Transforming the Little Lace Dress

I love this lace dress.  I would wear it all the time if I could get away with it.  Here is how I would transform it so that I can wear it to church.  I like the sternness of the pinstripe suit jacket with the lace.

To make this outfit work appropriate, I would add black opaque tights and black heel pumps.  Although I am a bit hesitant due to the nude under layer, I think the black opaque tights would be solid enough to balance the sheerness.

 

1.  BCBG Lace Dress
2.  Ninewest Blazer
3.  Guess Nude Heels
4.  Invicta Rose Gold Men's Watch

Lace and the Office

Lace and the office, though, can be tricky. I like to avoid lace trim on camisoles, worrying that they can look too much like lingerie that shouldn’t be seen, and black lace blouses often have too much of a boudoir look for the office.  To me, lace is only appropriate for the office if it’s a) clearly meant to be seen, and b) does not call to mind bedroom, lingerie, or boudoir.  For example, I think a regular fabric that had a lace print on it would be fine, in most cases, for a blouse, skirt, or even blazer.  I think white lace worked into the hem of a skirt, or even as an entire blouse, might be appropriate.  But black lace overlaid on a tan fabric seems to suggest skin beneath it.  I’d avoid for the office.

For example, I think that this outfit would work for the office if you don't wear the fur collar and the leather gloves.