It’s time for the 2nd Edition of Conner’s Closet!!! If you didn’t see the first post, Conner is my sister and she works in HR for a hospital system. She always looks so polished and put together, and since I often receive requests for work wear ideas from y’all (but I don’t have the need for work wear), I had an idea to start a monthly series where she highlights business casual attire!
Click HERE to read the first post where she highlighted tons of great items from LOFT (and I told y’all a little bit about her)! Well, this month we decided to feature stuff from Ann Taylor. Personally, I never really shop at Ann Taylor, just because most of their stuff is geared towards more of a dressier vibe than I usually go for or need since I don’t work in an office environment. My sister hasn’t regularly shopped there before either, because the price point is higher than she is used to.
HOWEVER, Conner got all of the things she is featuring today during a 40% OFF sale a couple of weeks ago, so everything was totally affordable! AND GREAT NEWS! Everything is 40% OFF again RIGHT NOW ! The sale ends TONIGHT, so time is of the essence!
Sidenote: This post was actually originally scheduled for next Monday (Sept. 26th), but we hurried to get it together over the weekend because of the sale! Because a 40% OFF sale makes these amazing pieces SO MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE!
2nd Sidenote: Even if you don’t work in an office environment, you are still going to want to read this post! The tops can all be worn with jeans, and these outfits all make great church outfits as well!
For the rest of this post, Conner’s words are in italics. I will tell you before we start that she says she absolutely adores everything she got. She kept talking about the quality of the material, the cut of the clothes, and how extremely well made everything is. She knows she will now be a loyal shopper at Ann Taylor and will always be looking for site wide sales!
OUTFIT #1: Navy Dot Sweater/Pencil Skirt/Suede Shoes
· I received so many compliments on this outfit. I did look extremely put together, if I do say so myself. 😉 The colors and print of the skirt are gorgeous. I decided to tuck the sweater into the skirt (when you have no hips, you have to accentuate your waistline to avoid looking like a 10 year old boy). Haha! The sweater is on the short side, so it’s really cute worn un-tucked, too! I definitely plan on wearing this sweater with other pencil skirts and pants in my closet – love the versatility! Both are true to size (skirt 00 petite, sweater XXS). The sweater and skirt are machine washable (on delicate), but do not put in the dryer!
· The shoes…get them. Get them in every color. They match PERFECTLY with the burgundy color in the skirt. If you are purchasing the skirt, you have to get the shoes – they pull the whole outfit together. The heel height (3 inch block heel) is perfect. Enough height to make your calves look awesome, but not high enough to make you want to cut off your feet at the end of the day. True to size (mine are a 5.5). These are also available in 6 other colors as well!!! I happen to love the neutral pair!
· I wore the Kendra Scott drusy necklace with the outfit. I love the chocolate colored metal – it’s not too loud and has just enough sparkle to stand out without taking away from the outfit. I think the gold or rose gold option would look great with the outfit as well.
CONNER!!!!! YOU LOOK DARLING!!!!!!!!!!!! Ladies, let’s all try realllllllllllly hard not to dislike her because she’s an XXS and a DOUBLE ZERO PETITE. I mean, ARE THOSE EVEN SIZES? 😉
textured dot sweater / fanned floral pencil skirt / chocolate drusy necklace c.o. Kendra Scott / block heel pump / tweed Barrington bag
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
And here’s a flat lay so you can see the detail and colors better! AND LOOK AT THOSE SHOES!!!! STOP IT! Look how the skirt and the heels go so perfectly together! And I adore the detail on the sweater! THESE COLORS TOGETHER ARE GORGEOUS!
OUTFIT #2: Black/White Pleated Blouse
· This black and white blouse is a classic and will never go out of style…plus, I LOVE me some pleats. This is a year round top and you need it in your closet. You can pair it with pants or with a skirt. I LOVE this top. I’m wearing it with my black gap pants and adding a pop of color with my pink Kendra Scott earrings (for fall, I recommend red, burgundy, or black Kendra Scott earrings). In the spring, I plan on wearing it with my coral Gap pants. Machine washable, although I recommend taking this one to the dry cleaners because of the pleats – I don’t want to be responsible for making sure those line up correctly. True to size (mine is a XXS reg).
Conner, thanks for showing it with both pants and a skirt, and I like how the blouse looks both worn out and tucked in! And I totally agree with you, the pleats are everything. 😉 Oh, and good call on the pop of pink!!!
geo pleated blouse /elle magenta earrings / black skinny ankle pants / pencil skirt / black heels / GiGi tote bag
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
OUTFIT #3: Navy/Black Magnolia Blouse
· The fit of this blouse is amazing. It has a very subtle “bubble” hem in the front and is longer in the back – it looks very expensive. I’ve been wearing it with my black gap pants, but you could also wear it with a pencil skirt. It is a little bit sheer, so I recommend either wearing a black bra or a cami underneath. True to size (mine is a XXS reg), will take this one to the dry cleaner.
Gorgeous, sister!!!!
garden blossom silky wrap blouse / black and gold alex earrings /black skinny ankle pants/ black heels /
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
OUTFIT #4: Wrap Dress
· Gosh, I love this this dress. We all need a couple of pieces in our closet for those lazy days when we don’t feel like accessorizing. Well, this is one of those pieces. I wore my Kendra Scott Elle gray earrings – they match perfectly with the gray stripe in the dress. I didn’t wear a cami under the dress, but I did wear a very basic slip. A slip isn’t necessary because the material is nice and thick, but I prefer to have an extra layer on my booty…makes everything look more smooth. 🙂 I would probably recommend sizing up in the dress. I typically wear a 00 regular in dresses, but this dress is a 0 regular and fits me perfectly. I will probably alternate hand washing and taking this one to the dry cleaner.
Conner, I totally agree with you that this is one of those no brainer outfits! You can just put it on and look amazing. And it really reminds me of the famous DVF wrap dress that are WAY more expensive (most over $350)! With 40% OFF, this dress will be ONLY $58.80! For an entire outfit! If you don’t like the pattern on this one, lots of other colors and patterns are available HERE!
Find Conner’s hex drusy studs HERE c/o Accessory Concierge.
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
OUTFIT #5: Wavy Mixed Media V-Neck Blouse
· Gorgeous! Pair this blouse with anything gray – it matches perfectly with my gray Marissa pants from The Loft and my gray pencil skirt. It’s a little low on me (but most things are), so I am going to wear a nude color cami under the blouse. It also has some pretty pintuck detail on the front and center portion of the blouse. True to size (mine is a XXS), will take this one to the dry cleaner.
Please note that THIS seamless cami is the one I suggest with nicer clothes. It’s not cotton, it’s silky, and it looks so much better than pairing a cotton cami with these types of dressy tops.
wavy print v neck blouse / seamless cami / elle earrings/ black skinny ankle pants / pencil skirt / nude heels
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
And now….just to show you this stuff is just as great on more “mature ladies” (as it is on young girls who were xx-smalls), check out my foxy mama!!!!! If I told you how old she is, you wouldn’t even believe me. So, let’s just say she’s 60. (She’s not….but let’s pretend. I mean, she doesn’t look a day over 55, so I feel 60 is a good compromise.) All I can say is this, I BETTER HAVE HER GENES.
Mom has been wanting some new church clothes, and she happened to be at Conner’s house when her stuff was delivered. Mom loved all of Conner’s stuff, so she decided to order several of the exact same pieces for herself (lucky her, there was a 40% OFF sale then too)! Just like Conner, she’s gone on and on about the quality of the pieces!
In this first pic, she’s ready for church and wearing the same wavy print v neck blouse that Conner is directly above. See, this blouse looks good on all ages! And seriously…HOW CUTE IS SHE!
wavy print v neck blouse / marisa skinny ankle pants / necklace / earrings / flats no longer available
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
She first tried this blouse in a casual look with jeans. Looking good, Mama! Love the skinny jeans and tall boots! #SASSY
garden blossom silky wrap blouse / earrings / similar dark skinny jeans / boots
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
And here she is in the same blouse, ready for church!
garden blossom silky wrap blouse / marisa skinny ankle pants / necklace / flats sold out
Now here are two pieces she got from Ann Taylor that Conner didn’t get. I think this deep wine color looks great on her! And just like I carry my denim jacket everywhere, mom carries a cardigan with her EVERYWHERE she goes! You never know when you are going to catch a chill! 😉 I like the longer length of this one a lot.
ring mixed media top / over sized v-neck cardigan / similar boot cut jeans / similar taupe booties / earrings / necklace
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
And fyi: Although they haven’t come in yet, my mom went into this store, tried on THESE pants last week, but wanted to wait for a sale to get them! Well, she got them yesterday. She says they fit like a dream! Totally true to size and GORGEOUS.
And just for fun…..remember when I featured my mom a couple of years ago in her new NYDJ jeans? Well, her outfit is still available!
NYDJ jeans/ blouse / necklace / Frye Melissa button boots
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
All right….a couple of more pictures before you go. Just like my mom did, my sister thought of how she was going to style her new tops with jeans. WELL LOOK HOW PRECIOUS THIS IS. I might have to get this exact outfit! #connertoldmeto
sweater /similar jeans / similar leopard belt / necklace c.o. Kendra Scott / suede wedge booties / “tweed” Barrington tote
Here she is after work one day, trying the tops on with jeans (per my request). THANK YOU, SEESTER! The center outfit is the one in the flat lay above. HOW STINKIN’ CUTE!!!!!
Okay, y’all! WHEW! That was a doozy of a post, but I hope it was SUPER helpful to everybody! I love highlighting these business casual looks, and it makes so much more sense to have my sister show them off since she is actually wearing these clothes on a daily basis! A huge THANK YOU to Conner and my mom for working so hard and taking all of these pictures (and for being so darling while doing it)! 🙂 Love Y’all so much!!!!!
Erika Slaughter says
Your family has fabulous genes! First we see Conner looking fabulous in everything! Those suede shoes with the skirt are so cute and then your sweet Mama rocking’ her new pieces! Next up, I request Chris and your dad!!!
Narci says
Cute, cute!! Conner looks adorable in her outfits!! My favorite is the first one, but I love them all! Great post girls!!
Lori says
This post was so great! I’m a 36 year old woman that works at a law firm, and all of these ideas will translate so well at my office. I shop almost exclusively at Ann Taylor (your mom and sister are right..the quality is amazing), so this post will definitely serve as a great guide for me about what items to add to my closet. I’m getting that fan pencil skirt, and Conner’s right, those shoes make the outfit! Thinking of getting those in that wine color and the khaki suede. I love a block heel. Thanks for the post!
Diane says
Those black pants (the ones your mom just got) are my favorite pants in my closet. I don’t just wear them to work. I wear them to nice dinners, to charity events, to church, to weddings, to funerals, and I’m sure the list goes on. And yes, the quality is amazing. They are flattering and just a perfect fit for me. If they ever stop carrying them, I’ll be heartbroken.
Verknuca says
Thank you for all the time & effort you put into your posts. Love your beautiful & wiling family!
Tiffany says
Wow… your son looks so much like your sister!! So cute! Thanks for the dressed up ideas!
Lisa B says
Connor is adorable…and so is your mom! Great genes obviously. Question-how long do you think you can wear open toe booties? I live in NY so I wouldn’t wear them in the snow but otherwise? Thanks for all the great posts! xo
Sheaffer says
Hi, Lisa! I don’t think there’s a rule…I’ll just wear them as long as my tootsies aren’t cold!!!! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
kathy says
Your mom looks great and your sister looks so good in those pencil skirts!
On another note, I love how your mom gave you both the names that she did. Both of your names are so cute and unique!
Valerie says
Another great work wear post! I work in a jeans casual office – (dressy jeans casual is probably more like it) and I find this helpful because some (most) of your outfits work in my office, but I have days where I do need or want to be more on the business casual side… but I still want pieces that also coordinate with jeans! Hey, maybe next month Conner wants to share her secrets to being a size 00 petite? 🙂 LOL. Diet tips welcome!
Jennifer says
That first outfit is to die for! I totally just purchased that outfit and am off to get the shoes. I’m a curvy type at the top of AT’s size range, as opposed to the bottom, but I read some reviews on the skirt and it seems like it works for all types, so I’m going to try it out!
Sheaffer says
I love this, Jennifer! I can’t wait to see what you think about the items!!!! Please keep us posted! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Sheaffer says
And yeah, the first outfit and SHOES almost makes wish I worked in an office!!!! 🙂
Sheaffer says
And yeah, the first outfit and SHOES almost makes me wish I worked in an office!!!! 🙂
Sarah says
Your sister is a doll, bless her heart, XXS and 00?! I work in an office so I’m excited about this new series, thanks for having her share her work wardrobe with us!
Donna says
Do you mind sharing what size your mom is wearing in the tops? Love all of the outfits!
Sheaffer says
Hi, Donna! She’s wearing a small! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Lindsay says
How does your mom look exactly the same????? Amazing!! Love her! I am so happy for you and your success my friend! You are my go to for clothes! Miss you!
Sheaffer says
Hi, Lindsay! Doesn’t she look amazing? Thanks for the sweet words, and I MISS YOU TOO! You will always be a very special part of our family! You know, Janelle actually lives very close to me now and our sons play each other in baseball!!!! Wish you lived here too!!!!!! xoxo 🙂
Susie says
Love love love seeing that pieces can be multigenerational! I often wonder if I’m “too old”. This was just perfect!
Ps…..I’m not!!! Hurray!
Robin says
Is the white and black shirt that both your mom and. Conner are wearing long enough to wear with leggings?
Sheaffer says
Hi, Robin! I’m not sure?!? It’s possible, but depends on how long your torso is I guess! Sorry I’m not more help! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Sarah says
Thank y’all so much for these work wear posts. They are giving me a lot of inspiration! I’ve been in a rut with my work clothes/shoe situation. I look forward to the next post!
Stephanie says
Your whole family is the cutest! Thanks for sharing these fun outfits!
Keisha Dawson says
Your momma and sister are so stinking cute! Thanks so much for another great work wear post!
Stacey Walden says
I love Ann Taylor and Loft clothes. Ann Taylor definitely is a higher quality (even from the AT outlet)–sometimes I notice my Loft sweaters shrinking or getting misshapen after a few seasons, where my Ann Taylor clothes still look and feel great after years. Also, Loft/Ann Taylor pants are the only ones I buy for work and they size differently. I wear curvy fit from both, but Ann Taylor I am a 4 and Loft I am a 6.
Heather L says
I absolutely adore your blog and have purchased several things because of your recommendations. All have been wonderful (especially the Natori bra – OMG, I’m hooked!). Everything you post looks so cute on you, your sister and your mom. But y’all are SO TINY! I’d love to see how some of these outfits look on women with curves and who are more average-sized – like maybe a size 8 or 10. I’m 5’2″ and an hourglass-shaped size 8, so I’d love to see some things on a similar frame (or even someone taller, but still curvy). If you ever have a chance to showcase outfits on a curvier or more average-sized friend, I think many of your followers would appreciate it. Keep up the great work…and keep the inspiration coming!
Kelly Bell says
I would love that too!!
Sara says
Your sister sizes UP to a 0. Good lord!
Sheaffer says
Ha! I know!!!!!!! 😉
Kellyann Rohr says
Cutest family ever! I LOVE all of these outfits on Conner and of course you rmom too!
Chris T says
Really nice comprehensive post. Love the mix and match demos-very helpful and showing on younger and older. Great like to see more with casual clothes .
Maureen says
Love these posts! As a teacher, it is perfect. Just wanted to also give you an idea for lower priced accessories that some people might like. Have you ever shopped at Charming Charlie’s? They have a great selection and have been lucky with the quality but at low price.
Christina D. says
Thank You for these workwear posts. Your mother and sister are darling-please thank them from all of us for showing us these looks! I am looking to get back into some work that may take me away from my home office; nothing makes me more confident than knowing my girl Sheaffer is leading the way for me to look and feel like a BossLady:) Ann Taylor is definitely being bookmarked for a great place to invest in pieces for work and fun!
Susan Jeffries says
Thanks for this post! Your sister and mom are adorable! I have never shopped at Ann Taylor and I ordered three items today – dress, blouse and sweater! I am interested to see how sizing runs! I am trying to get rid of my yucky clothes and fill my closet with classic staples. I could have ordered everything in this post but my husband would kill me(: Thanks!!
Daniele says
Love the work wear posts! ❤️ Thanks!
Kim says
My goodness…the three of you are so cute! Love all the clothes. Too bad my closet is busting at the seams or I’d be tempted to add a few of these items;)
heidi says
Love every outfit and she’s as cute as a button…. 00 …I think my ankle is a 00 lol
I love this series! !
Melissa Carswell says
Love these posts and hope that you’ll keep them coming. This is great for all us working ladies. Thanks much. Love your blog!
Kerry says
Thank you Conner and Sheaffer for sharing these outfit ideas. It’s refreshing to see some options available at stores other than Nordstrom.
Asha Roesener says
these posts with your sister’s workwear are super helpful as I recently returned from to the workforce after staying home for 14 years. Does she have an Instagram feed?
Sheaffer says
Hi, Asha! She’s just doing this for my blog. Although she does have an instagram feed, it’s personal and she doesn’t post outfits! We’ll keep doing this monthly series, and she might start sneaking in more here and there! 😉 xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Tami says
Your mom and sister are so freaking cute! I love the work wear series. Very helpful.
Sheaffer says
Aw, thanks Tami!!!!! Glad you are liking the series!!! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Mariya says
I love the Connor posts, thank you for the inspiration!