bizMe

Aren’t you sick of black right about now? And all that layering of sweaters and jackets, scarves and boots?

Ugh.

It’s time to jump into spring and revamp that wardrobe of yours! You’ve got the glam stuff for evenings and parties down pat, but what about for the office? Are you still wearing that blue button-down from five years ago? Do you have an office sweater that you’ve had slung over the back of your chair since the beginning of the decade? You’re not still working the pleated khakis, are you?

Spring is an easy season to update because you only need a few key pieces to anchor your wardrobe and then you can add on trend pieces throughout the season. And because fabrics are lighter, it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune to get a fashionable look that will last both this season and next!

The 5 best basics for the 5-day workweek:

• a classic blazer
• well fitted pants
• pleated/pencil skirt
• all purpose dress
• feminine blouse

Once you get these core pieces, it is easy to mix and match—creating a different look each day. The key to putting together this perfect look is finding fashionable pieces that fit your body and selecting colors that go together however how you pair them.

Rockin’ the Blazer

There is a lot of versatility this season in blazers. You can find a streamlined classic that is a little lengthier, cap-sleeved with tie front or go bold with a floral or dazzle with a bright color to vamp up your staid closet. What you choose will be as individual as you are, but be sure your new updated jacket is easily paired with pants or a skirt and one that will also look great when worn over a dress. You want to buy a blazer that will elevate your wardrobe as well as complement it.

Purposeful Pants

A well-fitting pair of trousers is a key ingredient to a professional look at the office. Stay away from the skinny leg and opt for something with a bit of flare—wide leg pants, for example make your waist seem tiny and work well with different heel heights. A great pair of work pants can take you from the office to drinks on the patio without looking “corporate.” Choose the classic spring colors of white, black or navy—you’ll have lots of wardrobe options to pair with different tops from your closet—and now you’ve got the timeless summery look that goes with everything.

Skirt the Issue

The pleated skirt is all the rage this season, but if you’re curvy, be careful—pleats can exaggerate and make you look bigger than you actually are. Consider opting for either a pleated skirt or a pencil skirt, depending upon your body type. Pastel colors and dove grey present a look that’s really feminine, but color choice depends completely upon your own individual style as well as the wardrobe you’re putting together.

Dress for Success

An all-purpose dress gets you through an early meeting with the boss straight through to dinner with your girlfriends. A great dress for the office is fitted, not clingy and can be stunning with accessories or just on its own. Simplicity is what gets the reaction—look for soft floral patterns or a single color. Save the wild-crazy print for your evening dresses.

Blooming Blouses

Project your personality in your blouse—soft and feminine? Then the ruffle is perfect. Edgy and determined? Button up with big buttons and keep it fitted. Classy and influential? Pleats or ruching will score the points. Look for feminine, pretty blouses that you can wear to work AND the opera and pair them with a blazer and pants for a professional but soft look.

Accessorize, Accessorize

And let’s not forget the accessories, which will both add pizzazz to your outfit and also keep it from looking the same each and every week!

With jewelry, go light for the everyday—delicate gold and silver filigreed jewelry works with everything. But do go ahead and get a few bold and flashy pieces in bright colours. These work like an accent colour on a couch—you can change the entire look just with a simple pillow or throw!

Change your purse for the season—get something muted that will look good with any colour or if you’re feeling brazen, get something that really stands out. Be sure that it is big enough to hold everything (as you won’t have all those pockets of your big down jacket to count on) and get a smart work bag that you can tote files, your laptop or whatever it is you need to get you through the day. Do not stuff your work necessities into your purse! Get something dedicated just for office gear—briefcase, laptop bag, big satchel. You will look way more professional than sifting through your seemingly bottomless purse trying to find your key card and flash drive for the big presentation.

As for shoes, get one flat pair and one with heels—that way you can alter your look depending upon your mood and the occasion. A dress with flats and a simple string of pearls looks completely different than that same dress with heels and a statement necklace.

Accessories make a huge difference in your entire look of the day—don’t forget to change your accessories each season!

Springtime Colors

Now that you know what basics to get, how do you decide on colors? What are the hot colors this season?

According to the experts, it’s all about brights and bolds this spring:

Pantone’s selection for Color of the Year for 2009 is PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20634&ca=10, a bright yet warm canary yellow that will brighten your wardrobe and your day. You just can’t help but smile in this color!

Trendstop showcases bright yellows, blues, magentas and purples. These colors really make an outfit “pop” whether you are using them in a wardrobe piece or simply accessorizing with it.

The CIFF, however describes the season’s colors as, “An urban mood, in pale, bleached and artificial colors, teamed with the softness of grey-cast neutrals, and crossed by grating flashy colors.” Pale colors blend easily and are completely timeless. One of my favorite all-time classic colors is often referred to as “griege,” grey beige that was favored by a true classic herself, Jackie Kennedy.

Splurge-If-You-Can Afford-It Picks for Spring

These picks from stores you know and love are sure fire ways to zap life into your wardrobe. Sure they may cost a little more, but baby, they’re worth it!

J Crew’s Super 120s Jayne Dress ($180)

Made out of fine Australian merino wool, this shift has a classic shape and satiny finish that can be worked in any room for any occasion. The gentle draping gives it a really soft, feminine feel while simultaneously flattering the body. And at knee length, it’s not too flashy for corporate mergers and presentations in front of the Board. It comes in black, navy, coal, tropical aqua and tea rose, but something tells me that after this winter of black, black and more black, you’re going to want to go with tea rose.

BCBG’s Madelyn Layered Jacket ($298)

The detailing on this jacket is just exquisite and worth the extra cash. The single button front closure shows that you’re all business, but the single pleat at the back hem says you’re not afraid to be womanly either. The tailored top layer sits atop a bodice with front welt pockets in a sexy fashion and the pearl grey will go with everything from your navy pencil skirt at the office to your rolled up boyfriend jeans at weekend brunch. 58% Viscose, 40% Wool, 2% Spandex.

Banana Republic Monogram Double-Breasted Shiny Trench ($300)

A good trench will last you decades and while everyone is sporting their tired beige Burberry, you’ve taken it up a notch with this stellar find! The metallic silver gives you instant glam, while the tailored fit of a straight collar, double-breasted front, front gun flaps, hanging yoke in back and belted waist keeps it looking Grace Kelly classic. It’s fully lined and with its thick cotton and linen weave, you’ll be wearing this for years to come.

Anthropologie’s Zois Bellflower Bag ($348)

This cotton-lined bag is going to cost you, but it has everything of the season—a soft, muted, buttery color and three-dimensional flowers that many of the designer bags of the season have (and that celebrities have been snapping up like crazy!). The chrysanthemums add a feminine flair while the grey color keeps it from being too sweet. Two pockets in the inside plus two more on the outside keep all your valuables accessible and the snap closure keeps it all safely tucked away. Ahhh—it’s perfect!

Getting together a chic wardrobe for the office doesn’t have to be a lot of work—in fact, you can do a lot of shopping online, if malls, crowds and lines aren’t your thing. And by just adding these few key pieces, you’ll have a wicked wardrobe that won’t need much maintenance or overhauling.

Finally, you’ll look good, feel good and you won’t have to spend your mornings trying to figure out what to wear because it will all blend seamlessly and effortlessly.

This is the life!