Disclaimer: I have partnered with BetaBrand to show you a few different office friendly workwear pieces that I was given. I have been a long time fan of BetaBrand (for about 2 years) and I am incredibly excited to work with them! Use my code JESSICA15 to get 15% off your order!!

What I write about on Cubicle Chic is very often a direct reflection of what’s going on in my life. On that note, I am happy to report that, after 4 months of funemployment and blogging full time, I’m going back to working full time this week! As I prepare for my first day of work on Monday the 23^rd, I have been thinking about all the different aspects of how to make the best impressions on the first day.

The first day of work is often nerve wracking because it has a lot of unpredictable elements.

You don’t always know if the day is going to be filled with meetings, or cranking out trainings and signing agreement alone at your desk. You don’t know if you’re going to have a lot of tasks already or have a lot of time to soak up more knowledge.

One element you can control on the first day of work, however, is the way you dress.

Remember what you wore to your interview? Wear something similar on your first day of work.

To your employer, the first day is a bit of a “moment of truth”. They get to learn more about you, know what you’re like being in the new office, and watch how you adapt to the new office environment. Wear something that people would expect you to wear, i.e. what you wore to your interview. It puts your employer at ease, that makes them feel like you’re the same person that they decided to hire.

Be a team player and blend in on your first day.

In most corporate office settings, being a team player is crucial trait. On your first day, hopefully you’ve taken some time to research the proper dress code. Be more like others,blend in with what you wear, and play up the team player image. When in doubt, pick neutrals over colors, formal over casual, and structured & fitted over loose.

Go easy on accessories and jewelries. Remember that bib necklaces are 2012 (thanks for making this declaration, Angie!), and dainty/understated jewelries are not only more current now, but perfect for your first day ensemble.

P.S. Gramceri is my favorite dainty jewelry designer and they are VERY affordable (under $50 most of the time) and VERY well made. I’ve worn a lot of pieces from them for over a year now and the colors do not fade!

Get ready for your badge/ID photo.

More often than not, your company badge photo will be taken on the first day of your job. Wear something that you’d like to have showing in your company ID. Some rules of thumb: wear low neckline (appropriately so, obvi), clean up your hair, wear minimal jewelries (i.e. either just earrings or just necklace, not both), wear the MLBB kind of lipstick, and remember to smile!

Wear your “comfort item”.

This is a personal mantra of mine. Perhaps it’s a less superstitious version of carrying a lucky charm. It works toward any part of your outfit – shoes, blazer, pants, or how to wear your hair. For your first day of work, wear something you always wear. Wear something that makes you feel like yourself (unless you’re talking about wearing PJ….then don’t be yourself LOL). For me, this gray structured blazer (I take a size small), chic and breathable, is my go-to piece of workwear. If you’re unsure of what to wear (heels or flats, beige or black, dress or pants), default to your comfort level.

As you are reading this, I am going to be kick-starting my first day of the new position. I, for one, will be applying these tips on how to dress for my first day of work. I hope they’re useful for you too! They say dress for the job you want and not the one you have. But I say dress for the job you got for your first day of a new role, and leave the aspiration and future goals for when you have a strong foothold later!

All photography by Natalie Alverado @ Stylenfuse

The post What to Wear on Your First Day of Work appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

From me to you

Maybe it’s the new year, maybe it’s the 1.5 years under my belt in the blogging world, or maybe it’s me wanting more out of what I’m doing in my life… regardless, I want to really speak to YOU, yes, my Cubicle Chic reader, whose eyes are crawling these text right now. Thank you for your continued support. I will keep writing, bringing you more useful and relevant information!

My promise in 2017

I hope this blog has been somewhat interesting to you in the past year. I have swayed in different directions out of wanting to venture out, but also out of lack of focus. I have done different sorts of office-related writing, wanting to show you various aspects of my working life, but I’ve also having committed my number 1 blogging faux-pas – talk about outfits for the sake of talking about outfits. This, I promise you, will not be in my blog posts in 2017.

 Dress:  Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Bracelet: Gramerci Design

When I look back on 2016, I’ve really accomplished a lot on Cubicle Chic:

• 8 collaborations (product sponsorships)
• 11 photo shoots with 4 different photographers
• 43 blog posts (wow, really??)
• 2 sponsored event attendance
• 2 speaking engagements
• 2 featured articles
• new logos for Cubicle Chic (thank you Michelle @ EM Branding & PR!)

Even in my own professional life, I’ve accomplished quite a lot. I got a new job, became more strategic in my role and responsibilities. I’m still getting acclimated in my new environment and learning a lot, but I am in an even better place compared to last year this time. I’ve also traveled for work to Germany, Boston twice, San Francisco, and DC, and I am incredibly grateful for all of these opportunities.

And People Matter

I’ve also met a lot of amazing people along the way… Natalie, who has become my go-to photographer (Stylenfuse), Sangyay who has essentially blown up over Instagram (ItsSangTime), Lisa (Everyday Elevated) whose questions make me feel SO worthwhile and always reminds me of why I started this blog in the first place, Jennie (xoyoonicorn), my high school friend who’s taking Casetify to new heights, and many many more people that I’ve met in 2016 that made it that much more special.

 Blazer: Tobi Adriana Boyfriend Blazer (ON SALE For $35, originally $105!) Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Boots: Marc Fisher Justice Suede Boots (On sale for $79.00!)

My Focus and Direction in 2017

Because of your response and feedback, the one post that turned Cubicle Chic on its head was 7 Pieces of Career Advice I’d Give to My 20-Something Self. This was what gave me the inspiration to write more about my professional journey, the trials and tribulations, and all my lessons learned.  This is a topic I’d be exploring more on, as I adapt and learn in my new role at the new company. I invite you guys to share with me any challenge you encounter, whether be it salary negotiation, interview tips, or of course, how to dress for any business occasions. Let me hear what your everyday challenges are, and I will be your pocket consultant and see if I can offer some help!!

 Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Boots: Marc Fisher Justice Suede Boots (On sale for $79.00!)

Coming up on Cubicle Chic in 2017

I have exciting stuff coming up in the pipeline. Many interviews with career women who are slaying and loving what they do. I will also be featuring more office appropriate outfits, if not exclusively office appropriate outfits. Lastly, for those of you who know that I am getting married in March, I also have some wedding planning snippets to share with you. So STAY TUNED!

 Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!)

This Outfit Though…

Just really quickly.. I can’t tell you how much I love this dress I found off of Macy’s during the holiday shopping frenzy. I already know I’ll be wearing it to work, date nights, birthday parties, or just girls night out! It’s SO comfortable yet super flattering because of its structure. If you don’t know Maison Jules yet, you’re missing out big time! This is not a sponsored post AT ALL (I wish) and I am such a big fan of their pieces. They’re highly affordable and designed JUST for career women like me who need professional but chic options at the same time!

All Photography by Natalie Alvarado @Stylenfuse

The post Looking Back So I Can Look Forward appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Last week we talked about how to stay graceful and chic when traveling through airports. Staying along the same line of traveling, and more specifically, traveling for business, I want to talk about one of the easiest Staying along the same line of traveling, and more specifically, traveling for business, I want to talk about one of the easiest piece to get in and out of when you’re getting ready for business meetings!

Psst… this ASOS piece is STILL AVAILABLE AND 50% off now!!! GET IT BEFORE IT RUNS OUT!!

So whether you’re going in the office and looking for a simple fail-safe outfit, or looking for something you can slip on quickly after you’ve landed in your business trip destination, this dress is it!

My favorite feature of it is how flattering it is without making you too curve-conscious. It has a ring on the left side of the wrap, and on the right is the piece of tie that loops through the ring to tie the dress together. It’s very comfortable, and do you see that slit there?? It makes the dress more interesting and adds just a little bit of sexiness!

 Dress: Asos Soft Wrap Pencil Dress with D-Ring  Dress: Asos Soft Wrap Pencil Dress with D-Ring  Dress: Asos Soft Wrap Pencil Dress with D-Ring

All photography by Arielle Levy

I’m headed to Boston next week for another business trip. I am looking forward to being in downtown Boston for business! Are any of you from the area?

The post Easy & Chic Wrap Dress for Business Occasions appeared first on Cubicle Chic.