Commander in Chic – Looks for the Executive Woman

-good posture

-being articulate

-quality staples: solid designer handbag, elegant sunglasses, diamond earrings.

-letting out the foulest words when no one expects it.

Once you master those basics you can accessorize with affordable camis, basic white crisp shirts, average tights, and complement your wardrobe with the essential must haves as listed below.

I don’t know about most of you, but Fall fashion gets me giddy.

I love leather, suede, wool. You can over-accessorize, you get wear hats, leather gloves, chic tights, scarves, etc. Fall is a lush fabrics extravaganza!

Don’t be office attire gun shy: “office fashion” doesn’t mean conservative gray wool pants and a boring white shirt.

Let me fill you in: here are some office-appropriate finds, Vigilant Fashionista-style. Chic with an edge. A sharp edge.

–

1-Quintessential tops:

It’s cashmere.

There’s a bow.

Enuff’ said.

Crumpet Ballerina cashmere wrap cardigan $625

–

My favorite!
Chic, thin fabric and super feminine cut.

Crumpet Fine-knit cashmere sweater $425

–

A must. Period.

Nautical stripes, just like Joan Rivers, will never die.

And the gold buttons? I’m out of breath, it’s just so perfect.

Crumpet Sparkle striped cashmere sweater $520

–

A $2,695 piece of clothing that can serve 3 distinct purposes: a chic housecoat, a cardigan and a Fall/Spring coat. At $898 each, it’s not such a bad deal isn’t it ( at least tell this to your banker)
Still not convinced? ok: Donna Karan. Cashmere. Get it already. You won’t regret it.

Donna Karan Hooded cashmere-bouclé cardigan $2,695

–

I love you. Love at first sight. Beyond feminine.

Ralph Lauren Black Label Cashmere-blend sweater $600

–

Cute with jeans, silk harem pants, leggings, leather pants, high waist pencil skirts.

Robert Rodriguez Layered Crop Sweater $451.77

–

2-Fancy & Refined Blazers:

Because you get the Chanel look for fourteen times less! Unbelievable. I’m impressed with J. Crew. Wear this blazer one or two sizes smaller and pair it with dark skinny pants. So impressed with J. Crew right now.

J.Crew Fanfare wool-blend jacket $280

–

A darker color alternative. Timeless.

Tory Burch Carr wool-blend tweed jacket $575

–

3- Look at me in the Eye/Down to Business Dresses:

Purrfect!

Burberry Prorsum Stretch-ponte turtleneck dress $1,995

–

if you’re a CEO this is for Y.O.U.

Jaw-dropping gorgeousness.

Valentino Wool and cashmere-blend dress $2,590

–

The 3/4 sleeves and gold buttons is everything.

Juicy Couture Merino wool sweater dress $200

–

Once again, beyond chic.

Ralph Lauren Black Label Merino wool and cashmere-blend dress $755

–

Junya Watanabe Gathered mohair-blend sweater dress $1,090

I’m currently embarrassingly out of breath. Bi-crazy hot piece of fabric, I love you!

Meow! no one spells drama at the workplace like a Lady entering the room in that dress. This is the “ask for a raise” dress. No one will resist you.

Ralph Lauren Black Label Wrap-effect cashmere-blend dress $1,000

–

Roland Mouret Brownlow stretch-cotton dress $1,940

The cat’s meow.

Shivers down my spine!

That zip is IT.

–

Delicate. Refined.

Steven Alan Cameron cotton lace mini dress $385

–

Drop-dead gorgeous, much?!

Robert Rodriguez Belted Leather Dress $951

–

Making me loose my mind! Do not wear it if you work at a law firm but in certain offices this is appropriate. You be the judge. A hit a Vogue’s offices, anyways.

Robert Rodriguez Leather Frame Dress $579

–

4- Trousers:

I wear the pants, just not “the” pants.

Sorry.

I love fashion too much: I’m strictly into skirts and dresses.

Okay, let’s say there is a blizzard outside and all your stockings are ripped. So are all your dresses & skirts.

Here are some last resort suggestions:

This is what “worth living for” embodies:

Sandro possible leather biker pants $710

–

Super funky – corporate style.

Joseph Shanghai crepe harem pants $475

–

I love myself some cute wool pants. A classic.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania’s woven wool-blend pants $390

–

Ze authority.

Yves Saint Laurent High-waisted cashmere pants $1,590

–

The Jumpsuit:

…if you’ve never made the jump before, now’s the time!
Seriously, furiously chic.

Robert Rodriguez Halter Jumpsuit $451.77

–

5- Skirts:

This is the perfect skirt, period. A no-brainer.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Textured woven wrap skirt $175

–

Love, love, love, LOVE!

My skin never came in contact with anything yellow in my entire life but THIS is my faith!
I would rock this vibrant color, lush piece of fabric in a second! Yellow skirt, come to mama!

Proenza Schouler Wool-blend wrap-effect skirt $1,245

–

The leather skirt for Fall.

See by Chloé Leather mini skirt $695

–

Paired with a neutral color, conservative shirt, it’s feasible! It all depends what it’s paired with.

Vince Sequined pencil skirt $345

–

6- Commander-worthy Coats:

Helmut Lang Padded leather jacket $1,520

–

J. Crew did it once again! Impressive!

J.Crew Wool-blend Townhouse trench coat $350

–

I’ve always been anti-cape until I’ve seen Rachel Zoe’s collection (meow!) and this one. And my colleague’s cape.

This is one cape that will never go out of style.

Vince Belted wool-blend cape $750

–

7- The Treasury:

The purse. A woman’s best friend. Her image is automatically linked to her purse. Always go for quality over quantity. If you are an exec woman and for any reason can’t afford a nice handbag: go vintage. There are tons of vintage stores out there. Go in person or browse on Ebay. Quality never goes out of style.
–

Really nice DVF handbags this season.

Diane von Furstenberg Large Harper calf hair bag $895

–

I hate Gucci bags but this one is the best (and sober) one I’ve ever seen (for Gucci, anyhow).
Elegant and wealthy women never flash brands. A Hermes belt is flashy. Passé. Couture sunglasses are in, but not if they are adorned with diamonds and what not. A little brand-flashing here and there is ok: just not your outfit head to toe. After all: does any designer thanks or pay you for promoting their brand?

Gucci Vintage Web monogram canvas duffel bag $995

–

Embodies Class and pure elegance. My definition of style.

Épuré.

Yves Saint Laurent Walky two-tone textured-leather tote $1,195

–

If I need to buy myself an iPad just to carry around this baby, I’ll do it.

Stella McCartney Falabella woven faux leather iPad sleeve $495

–

Tweed is and has always been a sure bet every winter for the past 50 years.

Yves Saint Laurent Muse Two Prince of Wales check tweed tote $1,695

–

8- Executive Headware:

Gucci Rabbit-felt fedora $450

–

9- Have Bling Will Travel:

if you are an executive woman, you can’t rock $10 plastic earrings anymore. Not at work, at least. My advice: buy yourself 1.25 carat diamond earrings and wear them every day until the end of your life. You don’t need anything else. Two words: keep your bling discreet & refined.
–

Chan Luu Sterling silver coin earrings $100

–

Monica Vinader Nugget 18-karat gold-plated moonstone earrings $550

–

Had me at hello.

Pippa Small 18-karat gold kunzite earrings $1,555

–

ok so this is a cheap watch theoretically, but for a “toy” watch it’s a gorgeous one. This year it’s all about rose-gold watches. I have a white ceramic watch but I need to grab my hands on some rose gold. Whatever it is.

Nixon 42-20 Chrono stainless steel watch $450