Smart Casual Corporate Outfits for Summer 2018

It’s been a long while since I’ve needed to create a smart casual corporate wardrobe. I say smart casual because work wear for the office seems to be more relaxed these days, unless there is a specific corporate wardrobe code employees need to abide by. For myself, I   occasionally will go to an event or have a meeting that requires business wear and I have enough smart casual clothes that can double as a corporate outfit, with the right accessories and a simple blazer.

smart casual corporate outfit ideas for 2018

The corporate world of dressing can be varied. Some companies are strict with their dress code, while others are happy with smart casual outfits.

I’ve created 4 smart casual corporate outfits for summer, that can be elevated with a blazer.

Black and white are always a good base to start from. I’ve added red because it naturally pops against black and white, and it’s a colour I enjoy wearing. You can create similar outfits using your colour of choice.

Other base corporate colour combos I love are navy and white, and khaki and beige.

The khaki shirt dress I’ve featured below has been reduced to $40 at Birdsnest. The sleeves can be rolled up for summer and left down for winter. It’s also a piece that can be worn outside of work. Having pieces in your wardrobe that can double up for different occasions is smart buying and will give you that extra cost per wear.

Capsule Corporate Wardrobe

I believe every corporate wardrobe should have:

1 Block Coloured Pant (Black or Navy)

1 Block Coloured Blazer (Black, Navy or your colour of choice)

1 A-Line or Pencil Skirt in a Block Colour (Black, Navy or Grey)

3-5 Shirts or blouses – patterned, bright coloured or white

1-2 Corporate dresses

1 pair of Black Pumps

1 Pair of Block Heels in colour or pattern of choice

This creates a capsule wardrobe which will give you at least 2 weeks’ worth of individual outfits.

When choosing block pieces, go for quality over quantity and buy what you can afford. Create a work wear wardrobe that can be well worn during the year and beyond. You can create that feeling of having a new outfit by simply selecting pieces from your capsule wardrobe, that have never been teamed together.

When you do add new pieces, ensure they will fit well into your capsule wardrobe.

Smart Casual Corporate Outfit Ideas

If you’re looking for some Smart Casual Summer Corporate Outfit Ideas, here are a few I put together. I’d wear all of these, and the pieces are readily available from online or bricks and mortar stores. The outfits I’ve created below, can also be intermixed with each other to create new outfits.

smart casual corporate outfits 1

Top: Gorman Notes Swing Shirt $139 (on sale), Earrings: Adorne Red Earrings $7, Pants: Sussan Slimline Black Pant $89.95, Bag: Urban Originals Tote $90, Shoes: Jo Mercer Celia Court Shoes $159.95

smart casual corporate outfits 2

Top: Jacqui E Linen Tie Front Blouse $59.95, Earrings: Adorne Red Earrings $7.00, Pants: Jacqui E Micki Fashion Pant $59.95, Bag: Urban Orignals Tote $90. Shoes: Jo Mercer Black Leather Court Shoe $99.95

smart casual corporate outfits 3

Dress: Bird Keepers A-Line Khaki Shirt Dress $40,  Earrings: Fan Raffia Earrings $34.95 Shoes: Shoes of Prey Leopard Print Heels $209,  Bag: Kinsley Latte Smooth Tote $74.97

plus size corporate idea

Dress: City Chic Stripe Floral Dress $50 (on sale), Blazer: City Chic Black Cropped Blazer $89.95, Earrings: Adorne Red Earrings $7.00, Bag: Urban Originals Tote $90, Shoes: Jo Mercer Celia Court Shoes $159.95

Do you have to abide by a corporate code for your work wardrobe? What kind of smart casual corporate outfits do you typically wear to work?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

What’s the Oldest Piece of Clothing in Your Wardrobe?

Can you tell me what’s the oldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe? Do you have pieces you’ve owned for years, but can’t part with? I still have my wedding dress and formal dress – which must be the oldest dresses I have in my wardrobe.

what's the oldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe

Can I admit, that lately I have been convicted of the effects of fast fashion.

And when I survey my wardrobe, I can see the effects of fast fashion because most of the items have been acquired in the last few years, post children.

I love fast fashion. I love its affordability (at times) and the fact I can get a new outfit to wear easily. But at what cost?

I shared my conviction with a business woman and she was quick to remind me that my feelings were warranted, but when I share outfits from local boutiques, I’m helping another business prosper, while also offering affordable clothing options that won’t break a family’s budget. If you read this blog, I gather you enjoy reading about fashion, or want to be inspired too.

But I also don’t want to fuel the need to constantly buy new things. Hence why I repeat a lot of my outfits on Instagram. I can’t afford to be buying new clothes all the time, and I’m sure you probably can’t either.

When I look at the clothes in my wardrobe, most items are a couple of years old. The main reason for my new purchases have been because my size and shape have changed after 3 kids. Pre-kids I was a size 12, post kids and 3 years later, I’m a border line 14-16. Most times a 16 because I like my clothes to be a bit roomy.

But when I look beyond my lifestyle changes, there are still pieces that I have worn, pre-children, that I love wearing time and time again. There are also a lot of new pieces that I hope to keep in my wardrobe until they start to look drab.

This dress from New Zealand is one of them. Despite it being 10 years old, and having worn it pre-kids, during pregnancy and post kids, it’s been a great dress to have in my wardrobe. The flowing fabric and belted waist means I can cinch the dress in to suit whatever size I am.

I want to have more dresses like this that I wear time and time again. Clothes that I love to wear which prevent me from heading to the shops to buy more. Every time I wear this dress, I’m reminded to think a bit more about how I ‘consume’ my clothes and how I want to get better at buying clothes that will work with me and stay in my wardrobe longer than a season.

The other thought that I’ve had about my clothes is creating memories in them. I can remember where I bought that dress in New Zealand and some of the places I’ve worn it and the comments I’ve received from wearing it. Strong memories with clothes can allow us to get reflective of the past and can give them sentimental value. This can prevent us from looking for more pieces to fill our wardrobe, because we learn to be grateful for what we have.

Right now, I don’t think I need any more new clothes. I think the gaps have been filled. Which is a crazy statement to make on a fashion blog when I do enjoy modelling new clothes. But it’s a good place to be.

Some of my oldest clothes, are classics that haven’t dated and I enjoy wearing them time and time again. My thought process has been one where I have begun to think more about my purchasing habits and ensure my wardrobe isn’t constantly churning through clothes. Take for example this skirt I wore on the weekend. I think the last time I wore it was last summer. Sometimes we can forget the amazing pieces we own already!

How old is the oldest clothing piece of clothing in your wardrobe? If you looked at your wardrobe, how new are the pieces? One year old, three years old? A couple of months old?

Summer Outfits: Short Sleeve Dresses With Pockets

One of the frustrating parts of clothes shopping, is not being able to find exactly what you’re looking for.

I can remember many shopping experiences where I would go to the shops to find a specific style of dress, top, pants or jeans, and come back home disappointed because I couldn’t find what I wanted.

When I went to Africa 14 years ago, all the ladies going on the trip had to wear maxi skirts. I kid you not, I couldn’t find any maxi skirts. The skirts were either short, mini or shin length. But nothing would graze the ankles. My mum ended up finding me 3 skirts from a factory outlet to take over.

That’s why I believe in having a stocked wardrobe to avoid going to the shops to find a specific style of outfit. It can lead to buyer’s regret. It’s better to shop in your own wardrobe instead.

Recently, I saw a great post from New Mumma Kim, sharing her frustrations at not being able to find dresses with short sleeves and pockets. I hear ya lovely. I was looking for similar dresses like this recently and then I found these.

Doing a bit of research online, I found there really isn’t a lot of choice when it comes to short sleeve dresses with pockets. So when you find them, you need to buy them and have a few stocked in your wardrobe – as I have done with the Megan Dress from Little Party Dress. I have it in 3 different patterns.

short sleeve dresses with pockets

Wearing Megan dress in Watermelon Print from Little Party Dress

Here are some dresses I found online to fit the brief, some may be limited in sizes.

1. Freez Pocket Dress $49

freez pocket dress short sleeve

2. Stylefast Portia Cap Sleeve Dress $59 (plus 20% off until 15th Jan)

short sleeve dress style fast

3. Little Party Dress Megan Dress in Watermelon Print $59.95

watermelon print dress

4. Little Party Dress Frankie Avocado Print Dress $69.95

short sleeve dress with sleeves

5. Evans Pocket Dress $59.95

short sleeve black dress with pockets

6. Adrift Lucy Dress in Purple Garden $89.99

adrift short sleeve dress with pockets

Are you a fan of short sleeve dresses with pockets? What places are your favourite go-tos for this style of dress? What is something fashion related that you’ve found hard to find?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Boxing Day Sales Come Early

I don’t know about you, but I feel like there is a sale on every week! Well not literally, but my favourite brands are always emailing me when they have 20% off store wide or when they have ‘Buy and Save’ events. I think we’re becoming accustomed to brands being on sale frequently… so with Boxing Day Sales coming up, I’m not really too excited because I’ve become used to it. Do you feel the same?

Having said that, and as expected, some stores have advertised their Boxing Day sales early.

I thought I’d share some of the stores that I shop from, and the sales they have on their dresses –which is usually what I’m drawn to when shopping on Boxing Day.

There is no point buying anything during the Boxing Day sales unless you need it or absolutely love it. The dresses I’m sharing with you that are on sale right now, are dresses I’ve got similar in my own wardrobe, that I wear on high rotation, or dresses I’ve had my eye on. All of them are under $100.

I’ve tried to find dresses that have all the sizes in stock so you won’t be disappointed if your size is not there.

Bohemian Traders – Navy Dreamer Dress $80

navy bohemian traders dress in navy

Millers Stripe Everyday Dress $20

miller stripe everyday dress

Katies Border Kaftan Print Dress $41.97

katies border kaftan dress

Adrift Chloe Dress in Blue Weave $64.99

adrift dress

Boden Confetti Calissa Dress $85

boden calissa dress

Of course, if shopping retail is not your thing, check out your op shops in the new year as many people tend to clear their wardrobes out during the Christmas and new year break.

Happy Shopping!

Will you be shopping the Boxing Day Sales?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Last Minute Christmas Outfit and Accessory Ideas Under $30

Every Christmas I like to wear a new dress for Christmas Day. I’ve sometimes bought a few new dresses to wear to different Christmas occasions. But this year, I’ve only bought the one dress which I’ve had my eye on for a very long time and I’ve been finally able to get my size! It was a last minute Christmas outfit purchase. Happy Days!

But not everyone can afford a new dress for Christmas Day. I quite like the idea of investing in a designer dress that is only worn on Christmas Day each year. It’s something I’d like to do in the future, when I have the funds to buy said designer dress (I’m thinking a Camilla kaftan).

For those of us not in a position to spend a lot on ourselves at Christmas, here are some last minute Christmas outfit and accessory ideas to add something special to your outfit, for under $30. Think like a Christmas Tree and source accessories that will enhance whatever you decide to wear on the day.

1. Pom Pom Earrings from SFH Designs $29.95

pom pom earrings

Enough of the pom poms already Bec. But seriously, how festive are these earrings? They look like a lot of fun and if purchased today, you can get them before Christmas.

2. Tassel Clutch from Adorne $29.95

festive tassel clutch

This clutch is very festive in gold and the tassels add a little fun and embellishment.

3. Natural Straw Woven Tote from Marchede Neiry $19.90

natural straw tote basket

Everyone is going mad for baskets and straw totes this season. This gorgeous tote is the last one from this store in Esty. You can embellish it yourself with a pom pom or tassel key chain.

4. Tassel Keychain from Cassia Essentiels $26

Leather tassel keychain

These leather tassel keychains have a Gorman-like vibe to them, which I like. They won’t go ratty like the cotton tassels if used when out and about.

5. Betty Basics Los Angeles Tee $29

palm tee

For a relaxed Christmas style, I love this gold print palm tee from Freez. They offer super fast delivery, so you can totally get this before next weekend.

6. Reindeer Bow Headband by Itty B Studio $20

reindeer headband

This is sweet and will add a festive touch to your outfit – especially if you decide to wear black on Christmas day.

If you are truly after a new dress to wear on Christmas Day and you’ve left it to the last minute, I have experienced fast delivery from Birdsnest, Little Party Dress and Freez, which all offer affordably priced dresses.

Little Party Dress

Mandy Flamingo Little Party Dress $59.95

If you do decide to buy goods online, I’d be doing it before Tuesday this week to ensure delivery reaches to you BEFORE the weekend.

If you live in Brisbane and are adamant about trying clothes on, go to local boutiques instead.

For those on the Southside of Brisbane

Instyle Boutique is at Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown – easy to park at as it’s a smaller sized shopping centre.

Wardrobe 22 is located in Salisbury with plenty of street parking.

Stylefast has a store located in Camp Hill with plenty of street parking – although it is a bit hilly.

Happy Shopping!

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

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