Tuesday is full of hope and promise. What it lacks, however, is answers! One of my co-workers has an important meeting this morning so our boss is going to wait until she returns before meeting with us to {hopefully} discuss our dress code proposal. I'm anxious to hear if she will agree with everything or if there are things she'll still not allow. I do believe that I'm following all of the rules of our corporate policy with this outfit. Although the dress may be a little clingy and the red a little bright, but with the blazer it takes some of that edge off. Today is a board meeting day so we're required to dress according to the Business Professional code (as opposed to the Business Casual code). This basically means wearing hose/tights and including a blazer or jacket.
I think I've decided that I'm going to allow myself to buy one new dress per month or per pay period from Ross. Typically when I'm there, I give myself a $10-$15 limit on dresses. If they cost more than that, I don't need them. However, a lot of the really professional and classy ones are the $50 Calvin Klein dresses. Some of them are only $30 or $40, but I've never paid that much before. It just seems like so much money. But, considering how versatile dresses can be and how often I wear them, I think I might need to begin spending a little bit more money for pieces that are more appropriate for my office.
Hope you guys had a great start to your week! I was actually able to read some blogs yesterday, that made me feel normal again. Today will probably be busy and the board meeting is tonight so I have a feeling I'll get behind again. Meh. Don't these people know that reading my friends' blog is IMPORTANT?! Geez. :)
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| Sorry about the craptastic quality of this shot! |
Have a great day!Today's outfit:
Dress: Ross
Blazer: Stein Mart
Tights: Wal-Mart
Heels: From my mom
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| And just because I like the goofy shots. Bonus. :) |
This is a perfect outfit for work and then to take the jacket off later in the day and go out for evening! It works so well for multiple occasions in one day and looks fantastic on you!!
ReplyDeleteI am so interested to here what happens with your dress code policy!!
I love the outfit too and think that it is totally work appropriate. I think too about your dilemma paying $30-$40 for dresses....think of them as investment pieces. If you were to buy two or three of those, that might hold you over longer to where you may not have to buy any for several seasons. Plus living where you do, you can wear them all year so your cost per wear will be next to nothing!
ReplyDeleteThis is very professional and very very cute too! Can't wait to hear what happens!
ReplyDeleteI thinking spending a bit more money on quality, professional clothes is a good wardrobe and work investment. I know I HATE paying $100 for a pair of pumps, but they're so much more comfortable and look so much nicer than the $20 pairs from Charlotte Russe....I guess it's a cost-risk analysis thing :)
ReplyDeleteThis definitely looks like it follows your professional dress code with the jacket. I love the look without the jacket as well! The red/black color blocking looks so good here.
ReplyDeleteCrossing my fingers on your dress code proposal!
ReplyDeleteAnd you should go ahead and treat yourself to a dress or two per month. Especially if they are good quality and you will get a lot of use out of them.
I hope the dress code decision goes in your favor!
ReplyDeletePerfect professional outfit! You have the most amazing dress collection from Ross - I can't wait to see what new one you acquire in the coming months!
ReplyDeleteHoping the dress code meeting goes well!!
Fingers crossed for a positive outcome on the dress code proposal!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could allow yourself 1 dress purchase per month rather than per pay period, but up your price limit to $40 or so.
Well, you know how I feel about a good Calvin Klein dress! And if you can get one for under $50? Bonus!!
ReplyDeleteLove this outfit, though...that dress looks great on you :)
Your Look Great. Ross is having dress on sale right know. I think what you are going to do with the dress is great.
ReplyDeletehttp://amyfashionblog52.blogspot.com/
You're right, with the blazer it looks perfect! I hope you get good news!
ReplyDeleteI saw some CK dresses at Ross for $50, and I know exactly what you mean. I did buy a dress for $50 a few years ago and wear it over and over and over again, so I know it HAS to be okay to spend that much (I don't bat an eyelash at spending $50 total for a skirt and a shirt, so why is it so hard!?) I also saw a BCBG dress at Ross for $19!!! Go Ross!
I love how this looks like a dress. Hope your proposal is approved.
ReplyDeleteI love the natural colorblocking of this dress! I think it's very work appropriate, especially with the blazer!
ReplyDeleteI love the dress, a blazer can really help tone things down.
ReplyDeleteWhen paying more for dresses - think in terms of Price Per Wear (PPW).. If you wear that $40 dress only 12 times in a year: You've spent $3.33 per wear. Wear it another time, it takes the cost down even more. If you carry a $100 purse for 365 days, you've only spent 27 cents a day on that purse. Granted it always helps to look at sales, coupons and try and get that initial cost down.. the cheaper dresses will not last as long or look as nice as long (usually).
This is the argument I've given myself when it's come to buying more pricey shoes. I may cringe at the inital cost, but spending $10 on shoes that may not last the season or $100-200 on a pair that I can have resoled, cleaned up and have for years.
I love that dress and agree sometimes it's important to pay a little more for some things! Your makeup looks really pretty lately!
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to see what your boss says about the dress code and all of that. Hopefully it all becomes a little more livable. And I think the one new dress a month policy sounds great. With a little creativity there is nothing you can't do with a dress. - Katy
ReplyDeletethe pop of red looks perfect on you =)
ReplyDeleteLove this dress, I think you look perfectly polished and professional...and I'm anxious to hear about your dress code!
ReplyDeleteI adore that dress! I love the bright red. I hope things go well with your dress code proposal. I've found that getting a simple (sometimes more expensive) dress can be really versatile in your wardrobe. Both this year and last year I bought a pricier (for me) simple grey dress that was pretty much the foundation of my wardrobe. If you think about it in terms of cost per wear, it really wasn't that bad.
ReplyDeleteI hope the dress code works in your favor! I know what you mean about dresses, only I want more skirts! I am trying to find ones that work well for work, weekend, and all seasons. It's tough!
ReplyDeleteCupcakeAdventures
I think you look very professional looking! I don't buy clothes very often, but when I do, it tends to be with a higher price tag because I know that it lasts a long time, but will look good in front of a classroom. Can't wait to hear what she says!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the dress, amazing
ReplyDeleteI agree - let yourself splurge a little more on dresses! Not only do you deserve it, but $40 for a dress that you like AND fits the dress code is definitely better than being miserable at work, or finding a new job! Read the updates on Twitter - sorry the day didn't go so well!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Ross for dresses - you cannot beat the price and usually they have a great selection!
ReplyDeleteI usually spend no more than $20 (if I LOVE it) but I think I need to up that a little too for dresses that would get more wear at work.
You look amazing by the way!
I really like this combination. You hair looks great, like you just got it done. And, I would recommend trying a few of the more expensive dresses on because then you can judge quality vs. Price. I never used to but anything more expensive until I started keeping stuff for a few years then quality really made a difference in what lasted.
ReplyDeleteThis dress looks incredible on you!! And I totally support your new dress budget. I think that's an awesome idea. :)
ReplyDeleteMonique
www.yogaandpencilskirts.blogspot.com
Super-cute! I LOVE this dress!
ReplyDeleteYou are still waiting on that dress code decision? That must be frustrating!
ReplyDeleteThe Auspicious Life
Love those shoes! Dresses rock, I'll admit. I never wore them until a couple years ago. A really stylish woman at work touted the wonders of dresses and once I bought a couple slips, I became hooked. I now have more dresses than anything else. Go for it, Mel!
ReplyDeletef
The House in the Clouds
This is one fabulous dress! You look amazing! Totally office appropriate. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this suspense over the dress code is horrible!!! But your outfit is fabulous!! I love the dress and the blazer is too cute! Super cute outfit! :)
ReplyDeleteI see the shoes, yes!!! =)
ReplyDeleteI think that's pretty reasonable! One dress per month! I should tell myself 0 dress per pay!
Love you babe!
You look very corporate stylish! I am so amazed at how you even attempt to stick to your dress code rules! Hopefully your boss agrees to some changes!
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely fabulous and very stylish! Love it. I think this is a great outfit for work - appropriate and professional with or without the blazer. I work in a very professional law firm and this would be allowed.
ReplyDeleteThose Calvin Klein dresses at Ross or Marshall's are worth the wait - and maybe even combining TWO pay periods once in a while, especially to build a wardrobe for conservative offices. They are so classic, appropriate, and figure-flattering, I defy anyone to find fault with one! :)
ReplyDeleteI have one CK sheath that I scored for $15 from Ross that may be the best-looking professional dress I own. It looks great with cardis and jackets, and also as a jumper over blouses.