Blazer (old) • Similar here, here, here, here, and here | Top • Similar Anthropologie, here, here and below |  Leggings • Nordstrom, other options here and here | Shoes • Calvin Klein, similar here and here | Bag • Rebecca Minkoff (also here) | Fedora • Nordstrom | Lip Pencil • M·A·C Ruby Woo | Lipstick • M·A·C Ruby Woo | Lip Gloss • M·A·C Ruby Woo

If you’re early to mid-fifties or older, you probably remember the iconic career-girl book Dress for Success.  Especially for women entering male-dominated professions, Dress for Success gave us tips for no-nonsense office attire designed to help us fit in, be taken seriously, and compete alongside our male counterparts.  The look: tailored blazers in blue, grey, brown and black.  Matching or coordinating skirts, which were either mid-calf and pleated or knee-length and straight.  Overall?  Think men’s suits with a skirt.  Blouses or shirts in a feminine hue replaced the gentleman’s button down shirt.  A small ribbon tied at the neck replaced his tie.  Voila!  Career Woman.

Thankfully, things changed over time.  As more women chose and succeeded in roles once dominated by men, we felt empowered to embrace more feminine clothing.  If we chose to wear suits, we could choose virtually any color imaginable.  Sweaters and less-structured tops are options alongside the classic button-down shirt to pair with skirts and pants.  Dresses can, and usually do, replace the suit altogether.   Rather than blending in, we’re looking for ways to standout, or at least express some individuality.  We’re celebrating being women, not trying to hide the fact.  Go us!

That’s all fabulous, but what if we have beautiful suits we’re not ready to part with?  We’ve seen suit blazers over jeans for years now, but what else?  One idea is a look like I’m showing today.  Grab your favorite suit blazer and throw it over something completely unexpected for an updated look.  I’m not necessarily advocating moto-leggings for the office, but getting creating a date-night look with your workday separates is a fun way to increase your wardrobe mileage.  The dollars and cents of that make sense to this finance girl!

Are you doing anything interesting with your career separates?  I’d love to hear about it!

Thanks for visiting!