Here’s a confession: I’m kinda struggling to accessorize this skirt. I adore its whimsical print, but I’m finding it difficult to incorporate it into an outfit that feels right to me. Things end up looking either too matchy-matchy, or too pattern-soupy. I think this chambray shirt provides a good balance … but a chambray shirt goes with pretty much everything. So. Not exactly groundbreaking, this combo.

On the other hand, the tights + clogs thing feels … edgy. I’m the kind of person who is supremely uncomfortable with fashion-forward style statements such as socks + pumps (or, shudder, socks + high heeled sandals) and this (to me) falls in that same category. Did I pull it off? Eh, no passersby stopped, stared and/or pointed, so … I guess?

On the third hand, a Good Hair Day can provide a decent amount of distraction. I’m proud to report that I have finally mastered the beachy waves look – sans perm – thanks to my new oval-barrelled curling iron. It’s super easy, you guys! Just like all those YouTube videos tell you! You just need the right tool (and you can find one, as I did, for under $40 at Winners – score!).

This is definitely on the casual side of “business casual” but it’s sufficiently professional to pass muster in my office. Although it’s a fine line, I think this falls on the professional side by virtue of being simple: just a shirt, sweater, and pants. Yes, the sweater is whimsical; but keeping the outfit uncluttered (and accessory free) makes it seem a little less “full-time blogger dressing for an imaginary office” and more “full-time actual office dweller”. Ahem.

Ok, here’s something you probably don’t know about me (unless you’re my mom, and you’re not my mom, because my mom doesn’t do the internet): when I was about 11, I went through an intense butterfly-collecting phase one summer. By “collecting”, I mean mostly chasing, because my “net” was an old tennis racquet and, well, you can imagine my rate of success. Mostly, I keep trying to get these little guys:

Pic

Anyway, to this day I have an obsession with butterfly prints, even though collections or actual butterflies kinda creepy me out.

There are days (many days) when I just don’t feel like reinventing the sartorial wheel. On those days, I’m thankful for dependable outfit staples that can be thrown together to make me look presentable at work. Mixing one print with two coordinating neutrals, plus an accent colour (pulled from the print) is about as dependable as it gets – office-appropriate, with a bit of visual interest.

Oh hey, let’s take a closer look at mah bag! It’s very purty, see:

A red bag is by no means a must-have – if you own one or two bags in total, you definitely don’t need a red one – but it’s a nice-to-have in my books, because it works great as a Pop Of Colour. (My blogger mandate is to remind you periodically about the Pop! Of! Colour! It’s, like, written in the small print.)

Got a dependable outfit formula? Tell me.