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Conner’s Closet: Work Wear Guide #1

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I get quite a few requests every month for work wear posts.   Here’s one such request:

Hi Sheaffer,

So I love your blog and I love your Bachelor recaps. However, I work full time in an office environment and while some of your outfit ideas and pieces work for business casual, I can’t find many “work outfits” since you mostly post casual weekend type wear. I love my Land Lou & Grey, and sometimes I order things you post from Nordstrom because I do not have a nordstrom within a 200 mile radius.

But really, if you could lean towards business casual from time to time I’m sure many of us would love it and appreciate it! And maybe not even business casual, but like, work appropriate? Because I sort of dislike dress pants!!! I like “work pants” if that’s a thing. Like colored/black/grey pants that are low maintenance but look really good for work.   Thank you!!  Dianna

Thanks for the e-mail, Dianna!  I know office appropriate clothing is something I haven’t been addressing on the blog, and I also know there are lots of ladies who are wanting inspiration! The thing is, since I’ve never worked in an office environment, I’ve just never been great at seeking out these types of pieces.  And even though I have some outfits that I wear to church (that are totally office appropriate as well), I just don’t have the need for a lot of business casual attire!

HOWEVER.

My cute little sister has a 9-5 job in Human Resources for a hospital system.  And she ROCKS business casual attire.   After receiving another e-mail requesting a post on these types of clothes, I had what I thought was a FABULOUS idea.  I called Conner to see if she would partner up with me to show y’all what she wears to her office job!  And she was on board!  YAY!!!!!!!

Here’s Conner, her husband Bobby, their son Brody, and their dog Wrigley!  Aren’t they the cutest little family?  Conner is my only sibling, and she’ 8 years younger than me.  She and Bobby met when they were both living in Chicago, but they’ve lived in Dallas for almost 5 years now.   (Sidenote:  Brody just turned three.  He is precious, hysterical, and smart as a whip.  He also happens to be very strong willed, which I find hilarious. #theappledoesntfallfarfromthetree #payback  😉

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This week we are going to mainly feature items from the LOFT, because Conner said that LOFT is where she always looks first for her office wear.  She is always happy with the quality and the prices are always reasonable (especially when she’s able to pick up things during one of their flash sales)!  Here’s the first outfit she put together.  A great basic pair of pants and nude patent heels with a fun floral blouse.  This is a perfect transition outfit for right now as we start to think about heading into fall!
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Conner reported that she got so many compliments on this outfit when she wore it to work!  The colors in the floral pattern are deep and vibrant (think cranberry and mustard vs. pink and yellow), so it doesn’t look too springy! And here’s what Conner had to say about the best part of this outfit:   1)  You don’t have to iron the shirt OR the pants.  Just hang the shirt to dry.  Take the pants right out of the dryer.  DONE.  2)  It’s one of those outfits where you don’t have to accessorize very much to make it look complete.  Put on a pair of Kendra Scott earrings and call it a day!
Conner believes the shirt and the pants are both true to size. The shirt is sheer, so you will want to wear a cami with it.  I mean, HOW CUTE IS SHE?  #cuteasabutton #putherinyourpocket
wildflower piped blouse / essential skinny ankle pants Marisa fit (Looks like the grey is sold out, but there are several other colors.)/ cami / necklace / earrings / heels
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Here’s a close up of the blouse so you can see the colors better and the great contrasting piping!  Such a fun and pretty detail!
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And I want to highlight the skinny ankle Marisa pants that Conner is wearing in the above picture.  If you go HERE and read the reviews, you’ll see that TONS of women have named them their GO TO work parts!  Personally, I’ve worn them for YEARS.  They are structured, they don’t fade or pill, and the Marisa cut always fits me!  The Julie fit is great if you have curves!  And ALL PANTS are $20 OFF today, no code needed!
Get Conner’s Look For Yourself Here:

Actually, ALL PANTS are $20 off today!  NO CODE NEEDED!  LOVE those on the left!

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Click HERE for a similar pair of ankle pants from Nordstrom (if you are a stickler for free shipping and returns)!  😉  They come in navy too!

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This next outfit contains Conner’s favorite pair of pants from GAP.  Here’s what she has to say about them:  “The Gap pants are my go to pants.  I have 9 pairs…no joke.  They are more slender than the Marisa pants and longer…so if anyone struggles with Marisa pants being a little too big or too short, then they NEED these pants.  They come in 20 different solids and patterns and run true to size.”  I’ve never tried these pants, but when looking at them on the model, I think they would be too tight for my liking.  But Conner ADORES them.  I mean she has 9 pairs!

top sold out, but similar cream blouse HERE / bi stretch skinny ankle pants /similar $18 necklace / heels

toms chambray slip ons

And here she is wearing the same pants as above, but this time she paired them with THIS UTILITY BLOUSE.  I love the deep wine color of this shirt.  Conner texted me the following about this shirt:   “PSA – everyone needs to buy every color of the utility blouse.  I probably will.”  Over the last several years, I’ve added 3 to my closet:  a black, a red-orange, and a floral patterned one.  I love THIS floral one and THIS floral one they have this year.  These blouses obviously look great with work pants and skirts, but they are also awesome with jeans!  I’ve worn them a lot on date nights or girl’s nights with skinny jeans and wedges or boots!

utility blouse / graphic pants / heels /  monogrammed bag / earringsconner

So I’ve loved the utility blouse for years, and now Conner does too!  It doesn’t wrinkle, and it looks great after a full day at the office! I dry clean mine (I dry clean a lot of stuff that I don’t have to), but Conner washes it in cold water on delicate. She even got yogurt on the shirt last week when she wore it, and it came right out!  (In the below pic she’s wearing a graphic LOFT pencil skirt that is now sold out.)

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Click HERE for a similar pencil skirt that is 40% OFF right now (with free shipping and returns)!

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Here’s another way the same outfit could be mixed up with flats and different earrings! And GREAT NEWS!  Utility blouses are ONLY $35 today (no code needed)!  For a blouse that you will wear again and again!

utility blouse / graphic pants /  monogrammed bag / earrings / similar Tory Burch flats

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Loft has a HUGE selection of utility blouses.  Some solids, some patterns, some florals, some short sleeves, some long sleeves, some with peplums, etc……  Here are some of my favorites.  Just click on what you are interested in!  And you can seriously wear them with jeans, ankle pants, wide legged trousers, pencil skirts, and the list goes on!

 

And here she is, mixing up the patterned pants again!  With a top that she said is “perfect for those bloated days“.  Ha!  You definitely have to wear a cami under it, I recommend my $12 favorite!

peplum sweater / graphic pants / textured drop earrings / similar $18 necklace / heels

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The graphic pants are definitely a favorite of Conner’s, but because they are almost sold out at Gap, click HERE for a great option from LOFT!

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Next up, A PENCIL SKIRT!  Personally, I have NEVER worn a pencil skirt, but I always love the way they look on others and think they are a great basic to have in your closet, especially if you work in a business environment!  Conner swears by them.  And I love the pink, grey, and gold combo she’s got going on in this next outfit!

split neck blouse /scuba pencil skirt in grey  (curvy option HERE)/ earrings / similar $18 necklace / pumps / Barrington Bag (You can always use the code PTMTSAVE10 for 10% OFF your order!)

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The skirt is actually grey, the light is just messing with it.  Conner says the blouse and skirt are true to size.

Here’s what she has to say about this outfit:  “The pencil skirt is a staple.  I wash AND dry mine (I wash every other wear).  My dry cleaning bill is under $5 a month and I work 5 days a week.  It fits true to size.  Tell your readers to save on shipping and order the skirt in the basic colors (black, navy, grey).  They won’t regret it.”

Look how polished and put together (AND DARLING!) she looks in the outfit!

split neck blouse /scuba pencil skirt in grey  (curvy option HERE)/ earrings / similar $18 necklace / pumps

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Get The Look For Yourself Here:

 

And let’s talk shoes again.  She most often wears THESE heels in black (she likes them high!  3 3/4″ high!)  and THESE in nude patent (4 inch heel!).  However, she also owns THESE and says they are very comfortable, and they are “only” a 3 inch heel!  They are affordable at $99 with free shipping and free returns, and they come in lots of colors!  See below and click on the color you are interested in!

 

 

Before you go, in case you are trying to fill your LOFT cart to $125 so you get FREE SHIPPING, here are some of the items that are 60% OFF, but just until 10:00 a.m. Monday morning!  Click on what you are interested in!

 

I hope this post was helpful to you!  A HUGE THANK YOU TO CONNER for sending me all the pics and all of her thoughts on the clothes!   LOVE YOU, SEESTER!  See you all back here on Wednesday for What’s Up Wednesday!  Bonus question for What’s Up Wednesday:  What is your favorite transition piece for fall?

 

Filed Under: Fashion, Work Wear 50 Comments

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Comments

  1. Erika Slaughter says

    You girls have some great genes!! Conner looks so cute in all her work clothes! She has me shopping for pencil skirts and work pants. Great post!!

    Reply

  3. Shay Shull says

    Okay, now granted I wear pajamas and gym clothes to work…but this post was one of my favorites!! I’ve always thought Conner was the cutest thing ever but seriously…this post puts it over the edge. She is adorable! Every single thing is so cute on her!! Love this Sheaffer!

    Reply

  4. Morgan Preston says

    I love all those options. Very cute but it looks like you could still move around in all of it. I hate feeling stuffy and constricted for 8 hours while trying to be productive. Haha

    Reply

  5. Betsy says

    This post was so helpful to me! I really hope you make it a regular thing, like a monthly series? My weekend wardrobe has undergone a major refresh since reading your blog, but I definitely need help for Monday-Friday, and these types of posts would be perfect for me. I loved all of your sister’s picks!

    Reply

  9. Leigh says

    Your sister is adorable! She and I work in the same field too. I started my career in a hospital system HR. Thank you for the office wear suggestions.

    Reply

  10. Beth says

    Thank you for this post, it is so helpful! Maybe Conner could do one of these for every season? I live in Chicago and would love to hear her suggestions for cold weather work wear! And I’d love to hear her NSale business casual picks next year, too!

    Reply

    • Sheaffer says

      Hi, Beth! I think we are going to make this a monthly series!!!! Glad you loved it! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂 Oh, and great idea about having her suggestions for office wear during the N Sale!!!!!

      Reply

  11. Karen says

    Loved this post! I thought Conner looked adorable in all her work clothes and I can use a lot of these things for my office outfits.I love and want the graphic Gap pants that Conner is wearing (and also how skinny they make her look!). Quick question, how tall is Conner? On Gap’s page, the pants look much shorter than they do on Conner.

    Reply

        • Sheaffer says

          Hi, Christina! It actually just totally depends! I know that’s not any help, but for shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses….sometimes petite, and sometimes not! There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason! Sorry I don’t have more definitive information for you! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂

          Reply

  12. Bryana says

    I LOVED this post! I am a young professional who could use a step up in her wardrobe- these were all great suggestions! I just ordered 3 pairs of the Gap pants- Gap has an extra 60% off your order today with the code word TODAY! I got three pairs of the pants for $86!!

    Thank you for this post- I look forward to more!

    Reply

  13. KayVonne says

    Thanks so much to you and your sister for the FUN and HELPFUL edition of Conner’s Closet. I hope this becomes a regular series. I work in an office setting and can use some new ideas for my wardrobe.

    Reply

  14. Valerie says

    Thank you for this post! I work in a “jeans casual” office (i.e. nice jeans and a nice top and heels or flats are fine) but some days I do need to be a little more on the business casual side for presentations or meetings. However, I hate buying clothes that I won’t also wear out – and I think a lot of what you showed here could be mixed and matched with jeans to be worn out on weekends, too! I am able to make most of your usual outfits work for my office, but this is a great supplement! Your sister is adorable! Question on the utility blouse. I have a similar style from Express, and the “rolled sleeves” in that poly/rayon whatever it is material ALWAYS come unrolled. The button holds them up, but they don’t stay rolled well at all. It’s super annoying. How do they fare on the LOFT utility blouse?

    Reply

    • Sheaffer says

      Hi, Valerie! Glad you enjoyed the post. The sleeves. I know what you mean about them coming unrolled. My black one has difficulty staying rolled nicely (although the button holds them up)…but my orange/red and floral one do a better job. Not sure what the difference is? Sorry I don’t have a better answer! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂

      Reply

  15. Kelsey says

    Great post! Very helpful to those of us who work in an office setting. I look forward to more posts from Conner!

    Reply

  16. Keisha Dawson says

    I love this post! Thanks so much for doing this! Such cute clothes that can be mixed and matched for office or dressier stuff with jeans on the weekends!

    Reply

  21. Laura says

    THANK YOU!!! I like the normal fare you post but I don’t have a need for them. I do not even own a pair of jeans… I need work wear! THANKS AGAIN.

    Reply

  22. Susan V. says

    I hope this is going to be a regular series because your little sis is ADORBS!!! Plus, I work full-time for a healthcare company (I am an attorney) and need some cute work clothes. Thank you so much for this post!!

    Reply

  23. Rikki says

    Goodness sakes Sheaffer, that is some seriously cute DNA your family has going on there! You are a knockout and Lil Sis is hanging right there with you! She’s totally adorbable in everything! You girls make a great team… thanks for the ideas!!

    Reply

  24. Dianna H says

    Ah!! Thank you so much Shaeffer!!! I am headed to GAP ASAP to try out some of those pants, they might be just what I need! Love love love this post, thank you so much Conner for sharing with us! This work wear inspiration is just what I needed <3

    Reply

  25. Kim says

    I loved this post! I am looking for ideas on how to incorporate booties into my office wear. Maybe in her next post she could include some?

    Reply

  27. Andrea says

    This post was SO GREAT. This is exactly what I am looking for! I look forward to more of these office wear posts from your sister!

    Reply

  28. Christina L says

    LOVED this post!! I loved how she showed us outfits for work and LOVED that they were from stores like the GAP and Loft. Please have Conner come back and make this post a regular occurrence. 🙂

    Also, I have one question for Conner when it gets chillier does she just add a cardigan from the loft to the outfits shown above or does she wear completely different items?

    Thanks again!

    Christina L

    Reply

    • Sheaffer says

      Hi, Christina! I’m so glad you loved the post! And yes, we are going to make this a monthly series!!!!!! I do know that she adds cardigans, but I also know that she definitely has more winter items as well! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂

      Reply

  30. Ashley says

    Thank you so much for the work wear post! I love your blog and your style. It’s been so helpful in choosing new pieces to add to my closet. The work wear posts are a wonderful addition! Thanks!

    Reply

  31. Elizabeth says

    Loved this post! I read in comments above that you plan to do it monthly, and that would be great! Her style is really cute and similar to the kinds of stuff I like to wear for work (minus the pencil skirts! ha). Love her cute hair too!

    Reply

  32. Erica says

    This is one of my favorite posts! I got so many outfit ideas and did a little shopping as a result of this post. Definitely helpful for piecing together fresh outfits for the office. So glad this is going to become a regular series. Between you and your sister, I have the best wardrobe makeover!

    Reply

  33. Amy says

    This makes me so happy! I love your style & now I love your sister’s style. Thank you for doing this & keep up the good work!!

    Reply

  34. Amy says

    Love this post! I have 4 pairs of the skinny Loft pants and LOVE them. Needed some tops to transition into fall for work – the utility top is perfect! Your whole family is adorable!

    Reply

  35. Kristen says

    I love this post. Very useful. Thank you! The only problem is I blew my clothing budget on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale so I am wondering if you can make this a quarterly thing. 🙂

    Reply

  36. KimW says

    YAY!!! LOVE this post and her outfit ideas!! Thanks for making this a regular feature… I will definitely be watching for these posts!

    Reply

  37. Pilah says

    Loved this post with Conner! I’m a new Family Nurse Practitioner graduate student and will need some business attire soon when I start looking and applying for clinical rotations and these are perfect!! Going to start my shopping now! Thanks for putting this together ????

    Reply

  38. Kaci says

    For some reason I never think to wear skinny pants as work pants, but those are ADORABLE!! LOFT, why do you have to be so darn cute?!

    Reply

  39. Jen says

    So adorable!!! I work from home (mostly) but have needed a practical workwear refresh for quite some time. This post has such fabulous recommendations. Ordered the skinny GAP pants immediately and the black just came today! These are by far the most comfortable pants. EVER. PERIOD. THE END. And no alterations needed! I can see why 9 pairs is essential. Thank you for putting this together!

    Reply

  41. Anna says

    I am late to this party but SO glad I decided to arrive! I love the addition of Conner’s closet to your blog, she definitely nails business casual and this has been so helpful! I didn’t see a link for the silver watch she is wearing in the picture of the maroon/cranberry colored utility blouse (the one she spilled on) but it’s exactly what I have been looking for! Do you know the brand by chance? Also – while I’m sure you’re slightly dreading The Bachelor starting in January – I am SO excited to read your recaps with Nick as the lead. Shouldn’t be dull, no sir. Thanks for your great content, Sheaffer!

    Reply

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