Upgrade your Business Suit

Among women's' business attire the black suit & white shirt is a classic but can come across as overly formal.
It is possible to stand out from the crowd by creating a style that is personal and make you feel good and confident. Here is some advice I usually give my clients.

Here are 4 different ways to give your basic suit some personality:

• Mix fabrics: pick a blazer with different color and material (wool, chambray, leather, velvet corduroy...) from your bottom, and pair it with a silk blouse. It will create contrast and embellish your silhouette.

Mango

 

Rag&Bone (netaporter)

• Accessorize: one single accessory can make the difference! Pay attention to quality and remember that "less is more".

with a scarf

scarf D&G (netaporter) 

 

a beautiful belt 

Maison Boinet

 statement jewelry

J Crew

• Layer: as shown here below with a printed blouse and a plain color suit.

Max&Co

 

or like this:

Zara

• Add color: it's fine to wear neutrals but give your suit a "chic with a twist" touch by picking one color and showing it in different hues. (for instance in the photo below with red, see the shirt + collar + blazer + shoes)

Max&Co 

And you? Do you accessorize, layer, add color or mix different fabrics?  How do you upgrade your suit? Share your thoughts!

Jewelry: the essentials for Active Women

I recently had a conversation on the phone with my friend Emma who just got promoted and found out that some jewelry was missing to complete her "business-women perfect wardrobe".  Dress-codes exist and are a little bit different whether you work for a bank, a retail company or in the cosmetic industry... But from Paris to Hong-Kong or Tokyo there are some essentials that every business-women should have in her wardrobe. In that case, this is the list I would always check when dressing my client:

The watch: of course the unbeatable Rolex and Cartier. But if you don't want or don't have the budget to invest in it, legendary brands like Omega or Longines have beautiful and timeless pieces. And for smaller budget Louis Pion or Fossil offer nice models as well.
 

Pion (left), Longines: La Grande classique, (right).

The ring: usually something not too big for practical and safety reason...

Earrings: remember the ones with long feathers you bought in Bali? Forget about them. Make it simple and chic!

A bracelet: If big bangles are not very appropriate for you (computer typing..), choose a leather cuff or small chains.

Necklaces: choker or a string? Depending on your outfit and body shape...

Avoid pearls like turquoises or corals, too "summer holidays". Favor nacre,  citrine, amethyst etc...

Don't forget: less is more, choose only a few accessories and go for some or even just one that will add personality to your outfit!

And now for inspiration: my selection!

1 Delphine Pariente @L'exception, 2 earrings Marni @Ssense, 3 Wendy Nichol glod pyramid studs, 4 Coccinelle, 5 Viveka Bergstrom ring, 6 Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet, 7 Dannijo crystal earrings @ ssense, 8 Coralie de Seynes choker.

The Statement Necklace

What a fabulous way to add a trendy twist and personality to an old classic!

Elena Perminova

 

To get this look, you need: 1- a well tailored, plain color shirt. 2- a big and sparkling necklace.

The style effect wanted is:  sober-classic- masculine outfit meet gorgeous-luxurious-feminine jewelry.

 

and now my shopping selection!

 

on a Chloe bicolor silk shirt (Harrods), necklaces: 1 Iosseliani, 2 Shourouk, 3 Topshop, 4 Zara