Thanks Mallory! I LOVE these shoes - they were a Zara find. They might be a little bit too small, but I just power through :)
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of pleats is a Catholic school uniform—not exactly ideal workwear. But as the blogosphere showed us in 2011, pleats don’t have to be boring and juvenile at all. They can be ladylike—almost glamorous—and they add a little bounce to your step.
And, as evidenced by Lindsey, Kim, Jentine, and Kendi’s styled pleats, they’re cute from mini to maxi and structured to gauzy.
Lindsey, Saucy Glossie
Kim, Eat Sleep Wear
Jentine, My Edit
Kendi, Kendi Everyday
So how do you make this look work for the office? The key is finding a skirt that’s the right length and fabric. Either too long or too short would be inappropriate, and delicate or sheer fabrics would be too casual.
My pleated skirt is modest at calf-length (another fall 2011 trend), and it’s a sturdy wool blend—perfectly work-appropriate, and cozy, too! While this length isn’t a typical office-place silhouette, I found that it was comfortable and took on a retro vibe when paired with my heels and button-down top. Made me feel a little bit like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday!
If you’re like me and this look is a just a little outside of your workplace comfort zone, then stick with muted colors, like my choice of pastels and a black blazer.
That way, your silhouette will be the only aspect of your look that feels bold. I’d originally included a vintage cream-colored blazer with this outfit—but it felt like too much. One new (and unusual) item at a time!
But then again, maybe I’m not taking enough risks!
How do you decide when adding another element to your outfit would be too much?
