It’s different for all of us. Some of us are at the management or executive level, setting the example in that way. Some are young trendsetters. And that’s being a leader too. You know what I’m talking about, those office fashionistas that set the bar. Don’t be haters, ladies: That freshness keeps us all in the know and inspired.
Here are my top 3 tips for leading with style and some fabulous summer looks from regional boutiques that will work double duty for your wardrobe – taking you from work to a night out.
1. Consider the office or event environment. Match the tone. But don’t mesh with everyone else’s style. How does management dress? How do your colleagues dress? Not that you need to dress just like them, but you want to match the dress code per se. Be yourself, suit your style.
Depending on the field you work in, a casual dress like this might be great for a low key day at the office. Danielle works for Top Flight Media a local ad agency, so creative fields like this tend to have very laid back dress codes.
Lilac dress from Elizabeth & West ($38).
Similarly, Miranda works at the same agency as Danielle, so she can get away with wearing a trendy jumpsuit like this to work.
Aztec jumpsuit ($50) from Elizabeth & West. Strappy sandal ($89) from The Shoe Gallery Etc.
2. Buy versatile pieces that can take you from day to night. Pack a bag with accessories to jazz up your outfit for the evening out. Try flats by day and a pair of metallic or jewel embellished heels by night.
Floral dress ($138) with blazer ($174) from Sophie Stargazer. Franco Sarto jeweled pump ($89) The Shoe Gallery, Etc. Jewelry from Stella & Dot.
Metro pants ($110), hot pink tank ($89), necklace ($89), earrings ($44) from Festoon. Black Franco Sarto pumps ($79) The Shoe Gallery Etc.
Trina Turk “Loma Dress” ($288) and necklace from TMB. Gold wedge ($99) from The Shoe Gallery Etc.
Reef print dress ($124) from Sophie Stargazer. Gold wedge ($99) from The Shoe Gallery Etc. Jewelry from Stella & Dot.
Sympli tank dress ($134) and “Class Act” sweater ($189) with Echo fringe scarf ($58). Woven gold clutch ($79) and bracelets ($31). All from Festoon. Chinese Laundry jeweled sandals $52 from The Shoe Gallery Etc.
3. Invest in classics. LBDs, pencil skirts, a great pair of trousers, and timeless patterns like stripes and polka dots. I say you can never have too many LBDs (little black dresses). Dress it up or down with accessories in your favorite colors, it’s so easy. And that’s what summer style is all about. You could wear a dress like this to work, but also out to dinner on vacation at the beach this summer. And keep wearing it all through the fall.
Yala “Grace Dress” ($96) and Hot Girls Pearls ($100) from Festoon. Franco Sarto black and white d’orsay pumps ($89) The Shoe Gallery Etc. These Hot Girls Pearls will keep you cool when the temps are scorching (but they’re really made for women experiencing hot flashes – how cool is that?!)
Navy stripe tee ($85), green pencil skirt ($68), Imagine Goods wristlet ($26) from Sophie Stargazer. Imagine Goods is a Lancaster based company that employs women rescued from sex trafficking.
Marc Cain polka dot skirt ($298), Diane Von Furstenberg green blouse ($248), smoky necklace from TMB. Black and white d’orsay pump ($89) from The Shoe Gallery Etc.
Fashion Resources:
Elizabeth & West, York www.ElizabethAndWestFashion.com
Festoon, Lancaster www.ShopFestoon.com
The Shoe Gallery Etc, York www.ShoeGalleryYorkPa.com
Sophie Stargazer, Lancaster www.SophieStargazer.com
TMB, Lancaster www.TMBclothing.com
Special thanks to our models:
Lisa MacDougall, Members 1st Federal Credit Union
Miranda Metz, Top Flight Media
Danielle Floyd Prokopchak, Top Flight Media
Vlada Prymak, The World Culture Club of Central Pennsylvania
This fashion show was originally presented earlier this summer at Harrisburg Regional Chamber’s Ladies Who Lead.
