Reader Q | How to Style a Lace Top For Work

March 17, 2013

Reader Q | How to Style a Lace Top For Work

Reader Question:

First, let me say that I love your blog! I read it religiously. So much so that my husband no longer asks where I get new ideas from. Thank you for helping me feel kid-friendly, mom appropriate and sexy all at the same time.

Here's my question...I'm looking for some ideas for work appropriate layering of a lace shirt. I am an attorney and need office appropriate wear, but get bored with the same old dark suit getup.
If I can at least make the tops under the jacket interesting, I feel like I win. On non-court days, I have a little more freedom in what is appropriate. I'm 100% on board with the layering a turtleneck. I tried a t-shirt today.

(wearing: GORGEOUS lace tee is Lauren Conrad for Kohl's)

Is there anything else? Would a button down work?

-Suzanne

Answer:

Suzanne - Thanks for writing in! You obviously read the article (linked above) where I recommended a lace top. If you recall, I claimed that it was oh-so-easy to style and soooo very versatile and...well. I see that you are calling me out. (Nicely, of course.) Challenge accepted!! It's time to put my styling where my big ol' mouth is, and attempt to style one up for the office. Not just any office....but one of the most conservative of work environments.

(I came up with six possibilities.)

Layered Over a Button-Down

You asked about layering a lace top over a button-down, and YES: I love this trick.

The glasses mean I'm serious.

My black lace top is a *tad* fancy for work, but I wanted to show you how rad black lace looks over a crisp white button-down and camel (or khaki) pants:

(wearing: ancient lace top, Theory button-down, JBrand cords, aerosoles tapestry pumps)

Works, right? Maybe not for a big presentation (or court), but I like how it could amp up basic khakis.

However, on big presentation days, I kinda love the lace + button-down peeking out of a suit. This is an outfit I would have worn back in my full-time workin' days:

Look at those stats!!

(wearing: J.Crew plaid shirt and blazer, Warby Parker preston glasses, old Isabella Oliver Maternity trousers - long gone, but I'll bet these would work just as well after baby, 9 west boots)

With a Tee and a Scarf

You obviously have to wear your lace top over something opaque. And while I like the idea of wearing it over a tee....the neckline is a pain. Unless the necklines line up perfectly, it doesn't look quite as crisp as it could. However, I think a scarf can camouflage the issue:

Go ahead. Tell me you're running behind.

Even an old-fashioned silk scarf (the kind you can borrow from your grandmother) can work. It's a little flight-attendant inspired...but I like it:

You are now free to move about the cabin

(wearing: old scarf, J.Crew tissue tee, old Isabella Oliver Maternity trousers - long gone, but I'll bet these would work just as well after baby, 9west booties)