style | Stylish in Suburbia

Office Chic by mackenzie-deegs featuring chiffon tops

After spending the past 3 months applying furiously to jobs, I finally got a few bites! Over the past two weeks, I’ve been successful in hearing back from employers asking to schedule interviews… and then a few job offers! While I’m dying for a career more focused in fashion and art, I found one that seemed to spike my interest: a mix of designing and creativity, along with administrative work and legal papers. Now, for anyone who knows me, I am definitely not the type of girl interested in law documents, economics and business… however, I feel as though I could learn a lot from this job. Lucky for me, the combination of graphic design, pr and marketing, and travel seem worth it to deal with the day-to-day paperwork and assistant duties.

Thus, comes the issue of office fashion. What is appropriate? What’s the difference between “business casual” and “business professional”? How casual can you dress on a “Casual Friday”? Over the past few weeks, I’ve gone crazy trying on an array of pencil and floaty skirts, fitted pants, and dresses long enough to be deemed work-friendly. Let me tell you, it’s not easy or cheap to find outfits to wear; however you can still look fashionable and chic while you’re working that 9-5 in the office!

My favorite (all time) work outfit is similar to the image above: a fitted pencil skirt, and flowy button down top, paired with comfy-yet-stylish heels and a few simple accessories. While black is usually my go-to when I’m interviewing, or just not sure what to wear to an event, the summer allows the chance to branch out and sample new, soft colors. Jade green and mint are some of my favorite spring/summer colors this season, paired with either a tan or white pair of pants, shorts, or even a cute skirt. An outfit like this shows that you not only know how to succeed and look professional, but that you also can portray your creative, fashionable personality in an acceptable way.

While this look can be considered business casual, it can also be dressed up with a blazer to be more appropriate for a conservative or corporate office, or paired with a pair of skinny pants and flats in a relaxed work environment. Disregard those old rules and ideas about wearing drab black or navy pantsuits and be daring: pick a color that stands out; try a funky necklace or earrings; pair patterned shoes with a solid colored dress. Don’t blend in… be confident and get noticed!

Floral Fascination by mackenzie-deegs featuring stretch denim jeans

With the array of flowers blooming and blossoming this season and the love put into the garden I’ve been nurturing for the past month or so (along with the help of my knowledgeable father), I thought I would share one of my favorite patterns/trends.

Floral patterns have gone in and out of style for years, from that vintage 70’s couch your grandparents own, to the crop tops and bustiers adoring sun-kissed shoulders this summer. While I do own a variety of flower-detailed items from flowy tunics and tanks to sundresses and slips, the pattern has even begun to take over denim and heels! Skinny jeans have strayed from their natural indigo shades to romantic, vintage pastels, and finally are now even made from light floral-patterned denim. Paired with either a neutral color, such as tan or beige, or a pale pastel, such as coral or jade, these jeans will make just the right impression.

Personally, I love shoes. Some girls are “bag” girls, owning a vast collection of Kate Spade, Chanel and Chloé, I would rather have a collection of sky-high heels and boots that could be mixed and matched with any outfit. While I normally stick with neutrals, I’ve decided to branch out recently and pick up a pair of Nine West 4-inch Slingbacks in a bright coral shade, and am hoping to branch out more by finding a pair of wedges in just the right floral design.

To hold me over while I search for the right floral pieces to add to my collection, I’ve been playing around with real flowers, arranging them in vases, mason jars and other intriguing containers I’ve been able to get my hands on. This collection of stargazer lilies, white roses, pink roses and white spider mums make a beautiful serene arrangement… if only I had a silk ribbon to tie around the jar, it would be perfect!