blouse

Level Up Monday Mornings

Monday mornings are the worst. It’s no secret I’m always late, always. 9/10 its because I don’t know what I want to wear and Monday’s seem to be the toughest. Mondays are also setting the pace for the week, and seem to always include a meeting or two or three… so I need to dress for success!

Outfit Ambition With A Blouse and Ankle Pants

My go-to items for when I need to look legit are Express blouses paired with some ankle pants. It always looks polished and professional while still being on trend and fun. When I can’t figure out what I want to wear and, as always, running late, this dynamic duo is what I always reach for as my work OOTD. No matter what the activity is that day, or what spring weather throws at me, this duo is functional!

Express Blouse and Ankle Pants

Stripes work as a neutral for me, I tend to pair them with my basics to my colors. I love this Express Striped Strappy Cross Front Large Button-Cuff Blouse. I also have an Express Portofino Shirt in this same pattern, as well as an off-the shoulder version. I can not “express” how much they level up my Monday morning’s get ready sesh.

Avon Sparkling Statement Hoops And A Fun Clear Bag!

For spring I LOVE pairing my ankle pants with pumps! I’m wearing the Columnist ankle pants, which are the best fit for me, and mark pumps (old), but I’m loving these Elastic Cross Strap Snakeskin Print Heels! Finished off with a statement hoop earring (Avon) and a clear bag for a fun desk to dinner look (mark., old – try the Express Yellow Trim Event Bag for the same look.)

Stripes are totally a neutral!

Express has always been my go-to for work wear, they outfit ambition. Level up your Monday mornings with an Express blouse, I promise you, it will be a go-to! You can use my ring code 8482 to get 15% off your order at Express.com (exclusions apply)

From Desk To Dinner – and everything in-between!

Style Secret: I wear an Express Bra Cami under everything… all day every day.

#Expresslife

What To Wear To Thanksgiving – Tux Inspired Pants

Wear Tux Inspired Pants To Thanksgiving

This time of year we reflect on what we are thankful for and one thing I’m certainly thankful for is my pup Zoey! I can’t imagine my life without and her cuddly sweetness. Totally not related to my what to wear to Thanksgiving series but she totally forced herself into these pictures, and I’m totally ok with that! So as we figure out what we’re going to wear for Thanksgiving this tux inspired pants look is Zoey tested Zoey approved.

mark. Fit Right In Skinny Pants

A tuxedo may be a bit too much for your family Thanksgiving dinner but a tux inspired look isn’t! This look is based off the mark. Fit Right In Skinny pants ($34 at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger). These twill pants are a straight slim cut in burgundy with a black tuxedo stripe down the side, perfect for our favorite fall holiday in our favorite fall color! These aren’t what I’d consider skinny pants, more of an ankle or cigarette pant, you might remember them from this post.

Tuxedo Stripes With Blousey Stripes

To compliment the black tuxedo stripe I went with my favorite black and white stripped blouse, the Portofino blouse from Express. A soft blouse in a flowy cut like this is perfect for lounging around on Thanksgiving to keep you comfy.

A flowy fit for lounging and playing with the pups!

To accessorize the look I added two simple long gold necklaces, the m.powerement Power Of Change necklaces from mark. ($28 at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger). Sparkly button earrings in shades of burgundy in the mark. Mosaic Details Earrings (20$ for a set of 2) to match my sparkly feather bracelet, mark. Antiqued Chic Bracelet ($28) and a cluster of stackable jeweled tone rings.

mark. Antiqued Chic Bracelet, Stackable Rings and mark. Step Right Up Shoe Clips on the Straight Up Sassy Heels

Like I said before, the holidays are a reason to sparkle, even if its just a little bit. A fun way to do that is with the mark. Step Right Up Shoe Clips (14$ set of 2 at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger). I love these black and clear crystal clips added on to my favorite basic black pump, the mark. Straight Up Sassy Heels (in and out of clearance at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger). These not only my pick for holiday gift giving but they’ll be awesome for the holiday season and beyond!

Love me some Zoey and this look for Thanksgiving!

Disregard Zoey’s bad red eye, but this look is definitely one of my favorites! I love the fitted pants in burgundy paired with a stripy soft blouse and sparkly accessories from mark with some killer heels that really elongate the look. This look would be great for also hitting up your neighborhood bar to meet up with friends. It’s classy but yet comfortable and features my favorite fall color of burgundy! Shop the mark. Fit Right In Skinny Pants, all my jewelry and heels at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

What To Wear To Thanksgiving: Shop it http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

PS. Sorry for the crappy pics, this day light savings time really messed up my outfit picture taking schedule haha! Be sure to check back for more what to wear to Thanksgiving ideas and order soon at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger to get here in time for Thanksgiving!

Trending Tuesday – Sheer Blouse + Pencil Skirt = #workinggirlwardrobe

If the world of alicia was the internet, then today the top trending search would be #workinggirlwardrobe It feels like everyday I’m late for work it’s because I can’t figure out what to wear. I have a ridiculous amount of clothes but yet I never feel like I have anything to wear, and I KNOW I’m not the only one who thinks this. With the recent organization of my closet and clothes I realized that working girl wardrobe needs to be reworked. I need to approach it with a more organized thought process. Start with a surefire formula, work it with pieces you have, and add accessories to complete the look.

#workinggirlwardrobe formula: sleeveless sheer blouse + pencil skirt = work wear winner!

Sheer Blouse + Pencil Skirt = #workinggirlwardrobe

Proof:

Step 1: Sleeveless Sheer Blouse

Sheer tops are really in right now and for good reason. They can be dressed up, down or somewhere in between. Come in solids, prints, colors, neutrals, detailed, simple, trendy or classic. For your working girl wardrobe I suggest a few of these. Start with a neutral color, a fun color and a print. Why sleeveless you say? Because you can stretch the use out of a sleeveless blouse! When its hot hot hot nothing will look more professional but still keep you cool. Then as it cools down you can add a sweater, jacket or vest. Maximize the most out of your investment.

I use the term sheer loosely because really this can mean any sort of delicate. lightweight fabric. To make sure its always office appropriate wear a cami and the right undergarments underneath. You then can stretch the use for weekend wear with a bold color bra underneath (if you dare!). Here are a few that I’m really loving:

Express

The Limited

mark. Hot Mix Blouse

Step 2: Pencil Skirt

The key to wearing a pencil skirt is finding a shape you like. I always felt I couldn’t wear them because they overwhelmed my frame and accentuated my cankles. Then I realized I just needed to find my right shape… fitted, hem hits right above the knee and always wear with heels. Experiment with the different shapes until you find one you like… try high waisted, fitted, longer length, ones with pockets/belt loops, looser cuts, etc… Try a bunch on and find which ones work for you. Once you find a style (or styles!) you like then try to pick up a few in your basic fabrics and colors. Start with a basic black in a year round fabric. In the summer I love white and light grey in the winter I tend to go for plaids, tweeds and wools in dark colors.

Pencil skirts aren’t just for the office. You can create fun desk to drink type of looks and if Ann Taylor has taught you anything, a good pencil skirt can even be your holiday party look! Here are a few that I’m loving for year round wear:

Charlotte Russe

Brooks Brothers

Banana Republic

Solution: Your what to wear to work questions solved! All week I’ll be bringing you examples of how to follow through with this formula or working girl wardrobe success! Here are a few celeb looks I’m loving who’s expensive stylist applied the same formula!

Kim Kardashian. (source)

Jordana Brewster (source)

Update: Check out my #workinggirlwardrobe looks applying this formula: Look 1, and Look 2!

word of alicia

word yo.

blouse

Level Up Monday Mornings

What To Wear To Thanksgiving – Tux Inspired Pants