Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Daily MelWear: To Blazer or Not to Blazer

I think I need more summer blazers in my life. I planned this outfit around wearing this blazer because of last night's board meeting, but it was so stinkin' hot (even in the board room, I was almost sweating) that I didn't put the jacket on once. 

Okay that's a lie; clearly I did put it on once. For these photos. And that's it for the day. 





















So let me pose these questions to you, dear friends. Does this outfit say board meeting attire to you without the jacket? Also, if it's too hot to wear a blazer (seriously, I need to go shopping for more lightweight and short-sleeved blazers), what else screams "professional" to you? 

Thanks for sharing your opinions with me about this! If you want to share even MORE of your thoughts, email me at {aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com} to be featured in an upcoming Proper Professional interview!

Have a great day, everyone!

















Today's outfit:
White Skirt: From my aunt
White Blazer: Stein Mart
Shirt (it's all one piece, folks): Ross
Red Belt: Salvation Army
Red/Black Shoes: From my mom

25 comments:

  1. Cute outfit! I think this works as a professional outfit with or without the blazer. Professional wear is something I struggle with all the time, working in finance. My boss, I think, seriously expects us to wear suits every day. I own one. I have a few blazers that I wear in the fall/winter, but in the summer it's mostly dresses and light weight tops with cardigans. And I'm not as professionally dressed as I would like to be. I find it really difficult to even find a lot of professional clothes when I go shopping!

    -Mysterious M
    www.magslifetoday.blogspot.com

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  2. I love this outfit..I have only thought to do a vest in the winter and I love that you made it work for the summer. I think this outfit is very professional without the blazer. I think adding a nice belt really polishes a look and as long as you looked polished you can be professional without the typical blazer or suit.

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  3. love this outfit! lovely colores and the blazer is wonderful!

    xxx London

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  4. Your outfit is great without the blazer...but you can never go wrong with the right blazer..A blazer needs to have great fit, fabric, and enhance the look. A blazer will always up your game! I have seen some great blazers on clearance racks this month...and on a few online shopping sites. July is an excellent time to pick up some blazers for the year at a much lower cost.

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  5. I think the outfit is fantastic both with and without blazer. Having never actually attending a board meeting (does school board count?) I'm not the greatest authority on these things, but I think you look lovely and professional without the blazer.

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  6. I think it is definitely professional without the blazer...you look polished and put together, everything fits you properly, nothing is too tight or too short, no crazy patterns...I don't see what possibly could be wrong with this! You look great, and that belt makes you look so tiny :)

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  7. Your outfit is professional with out the blazer. It super cute.

    http://amyfashionblog52.blogspot.com/

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  8. So cute! I think you can pull it off either way, with or without the blazer. The vest still looks professional, chic and pulled together even without the blazer. Especially with the belt, it takes it up a notch. You did a great job, no worries, you always look great!

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  9. I think it's still professional without the blazer because the black and white tone down the pattern of your shirt. I think maybe wearing just a long sleeved button down in a cotton material can be professional without adding a blazer...it just may not be as interesting as what you are wearing now ;)

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  10. I personally prefer the outfit without the blazer. It still looks professional to me because of the vest/blouse combo.

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  11. If you find any good summer blazers please let me know! Although mine are either cotton sateen or seasonless wool...the idea of putting them on in 80+ degree is not appealing.

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  12. You look great, Melissa! I think you definitely look professional enough without the blazer. I think that pencil skirts, paired with a cardigan or a simple blouse, are a great professional look for the summer.

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  13. I definitely think this look says board room appropriate. I really like adding vests over shirts and skirts and pants as a way to say professional but not sweaty in summer. You just have to make sure you find one that fits you well or get it taken in because they are often cut kind of weird.

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  14. I think you look board room ready without the blazer too. By the way, that blazer is really cute. Vests would be a great thing you could add over your pieces too look professional too.

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  15. I think that the vest professionalizes it up for sure! I can't imagine having to wear a blazer in heat like that!

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  16. I think it still looks professional without the blazer. I think when you wear a vest it takes away the need for a jacket too, unless you just want to or if it's winter. I'm always shocked to see you in so many layers in FL. That would not be an option for me! LOL!

    tiannamae.blogspot.com

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  17. I think the vest works as professional piece. Your belt and shoes also look really pretty and polished (as in put together, although I'm sure they could be polished too hee hee).

    Jenn

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  18. I think it looks board meeting ready. The color palette is interesting but not too flashy and the silhouette is totally classic. You look perfectly professional even without the blazer, although I have to say I LOVE that blazer.

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  19. My workplace is very casual, so I'm not expert on board meeting attire, but I think it's definitely meeting attire either way. Look at what other people wear to meetings. Is your look similar? I do love the blazer with it too.

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  20. I agree w everyone above..it is DEFINITELY meeting attire w or wout the blazer...both ways look great.
    I can imagine you were DYING...its been over 100 for the past few days here in jersey and it is brutal..hard to wear anything other than a bathing suit..and we certainly can't wear that to work, now can we?
    Hope you are having a great week and fun plans for the weekend.
    ps LOVE THOSE SHOES...they are so cute!
    C

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  21. I think that I would probably wear something like that if I had board meetings. I would choose a different top though. I would pick up a number of silk or faux-silk shells (I find these all the time! at thrift stores) to layer. That way you could keep your jacket on.

    I'm not sure how hot your building is, but I think wearing the full blazer with minimal layered top would look a little sleeker. I think a "ballet pink" shell would look oh so amazing on you with that suit.

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  22. I say "to blazer!!" I looks way cute! Actually it looks cute both ways so if it is too hot then you can take it off! perfect :)



    Notes She Wrote

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  23. This combo looks great. You probably could have worn the blazer if you skipped the sweater vest. Together that is probably too thick for summer.
    I say also long slacks with heels and a solid colored and high quality silk blouses say 'professional' to me. I love ann taylor's blouses and they always go on amazing sales end of each season.
    Daphne.
    http://fashiondivamommy.blogspot.com

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  24. yes, it absolutely screams board meeting...but better than that, it's not, like, boring board meeting. it's like hey-this-woman's-got-style-i-think-she-knows-what-she's-about-let's-listen-to-her-input board meeting. BAM. love it with and without the jacket. really and truly.
    -brittney
    http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com

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  25. I would say it is professional without the blazer. I think the vest adds even more professionalism. I tend not to know what the authorities think on these issues though.

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