A Fashion Story Fabulous Ways to Dress For Work and the Party

Welcome back to our fabulous A Fashion Story series. This month we’ve partnered with Ann Taylor as our brand of choice. Why? In case you didn’t know, the Ann Taylor brand has some of the most versatile pieces in the industry.

In my opinion, this ability separates the standard brand of yesterday from the most fabulous lines of today. That’s why we chose pieces from their fabulous line of edgy yet classy clothing to feature in our last 2018 edition of A Fashion Story.

**Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Ann Taylor. Even though we received free products to help create this article all the opinions and views of the brand are strictly our own. We have been a consumer of Ann Taylor clothing for years and enjoy featuring brands we think you’ll love. Now sit back and enjoy the story.**

In this month’s edition of A Fashion Story, we’re going to be talking about ways to dress for work and the party. Yes, you can do both. We’re going to show you how to do this without feeling as though you’re going nuts.

With New Year’s Eve falling on a Monday, I know that some of our readers will be leaving the office and heading straight out to the festivities. You’ll want to choose something that allows you to transition from work to the party and everything in between.

Feel free to use this list of tips to help you go from work to the party anytime.

1 Wear something from this list of wardrobe staple pieces: trousers, a dark blazer, pencil skirt, and a black handbag.

2 Add pops of color via accessories: scarves, hair ties, earrings, shoes, and handbags.

3 Blazers are all the rage this season (and every season for me) so be sure to include one from your fave brand while this style is readily available.

4 Wear a cardigan duster over your fave tunic top. This is such a cute combination. With cardigans ranging from school girl simple to diva extraordinaire, the outfit ideas are limitless.

5 Fall floral patterns are permitted. Just think red, white, and black to keep them on point for the season.

6 Don’t go to the extreme with oversized clothing. Even the boho trend has transitioned from styles that include huge tents of fabric. We’re seeing more items that emphasize the waistline without taking away from the comfort that characterizes this style.

7 Keep it tailored baby. While I hate to see the oversized trend winding down, I must admit that I’m a sucker for a well-tailored article of clothing. Refined sophistication never hurts anything.

8 Go light with fragrances while at work. However after the grind’s all done, you can cover yourself in as much floral scented loveliness as you’d like to do.

9 Use a hair tie to create an elegant hairdo. There’s this new style called the banana bun that has become the rage in hair tends. After watching several YouTube videos that attempted to show how easily you could create the look, I tried it for myself. Fail. Like epic fail too.

The easier solution? Go with the updated version of the sock bun by lowering the placement to the back of your head. Wrap the hair tie inside the bun for a quick and easy do. You’ll love me for making the suggestion.

10 Dress up your denim on casual Fridays and any other day if your company policy allows you to do so. Wear an item that sparkles underneath the blazer we mentioned in bullet point number one. What’s one of the easiest ways to do this? How about a super cool pair of jeweled shoes like the ones I’m wearing with this outfit?

11 Don’t be afraid of the poncho. They’ve come a long way and can truly add panache to any wardrobe. Ponchos also make great traveling accessories. The versatile nature of the plane ride makes it hard to know if you’ll be traveling in warmth or freezing as thigh you’ve stepped into an icebox. Same theory rings true ar the office. The poncho comes ready to tackle either scenario.

12 Grab a pair of ankle boots. I didn’t think I’d fall in love with this style. Since the riding boot trend has seen its best days, I needed something to take the place of what I considered to be leather leg warmers. A good pair of jeans or high-quality leggings makes the perfect match for the new ankle boot trend.

13 Don’t be afraid of animal prints. I finally found the leopard print jacket I’ve wanted for years at Target, a best-kept fashion secret. You don’t have to go big the way I did with a full-blown animal print coat. Try a handbag or a blouse instead.

Here’s a look at a couple of the outfits I’ll be wearing on New Year’s Eve. One for the day and the other for a nighttime gig of course.

Shop the Look:

Ann Taylor Website

Romantic Floral Wrap Dress

Shop the Look:

Ann Taylor Website

Leopard Print Camp Shirt

Faux Leather Ponte Leggings

I’d like to take this moment to thank every single reader for your support throughout the last four years that Live Well Be Fabulous has been up and running. Because of your gracious support, this blog continues to grow into a fabulous venture. I can’t wait to celebrate 2019 with you as we tackle new goals and adventures.

Have a most awesome New Year!