Sophia Amoruso may have written a book about it, but I have lived it. I’ve always embodied many of the components of what make up the #GIRLBOSS personality – firm, determined, unwaivered, highly professional, and very ambitious. Yet in the corporate world, you see all too often that strong minded women get categorized into the b*itchy bucket. It’s almost inevitable, and it really is a shame. That’s where being “nice” makes a difference.

Being nice is in the professional world is not about being easy-going or eager to please. And it’s definitely not letting people step all over you. It’s actually the ability to persuade other without force, to convey a message without having to scream, and solve a problem, reach a solution, without leaving dead bodies behind.

Having said all that, let’s come back to what I do best… putting together professional outfits to present the woman you want to be. Today,I’m sharing with you an outfit that makes me feel like a total #GIRLBOSS, and a very nice one at that.

 Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney

There’s something to be said about the soft colors and femininity of a flowy scarf.

 Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney

What do you do, use, say, or wear that makes you a #GIRLBOSS? I want to know!! 

All Photography by Ngoc M Nguyen

The post New #GIRLBOSS attitude and an outfit to go with it. You’re welcome. appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Why you want to invest in a good sleeveless blazer

In this post I am featuring two sleeveless blazers with two outfits. These two blazers are very similar in terms of cut, material, length, and general look and feel. That’s why I wanted to showcase them side by sider, so you can see the versatility in these blazer vests. You can literally create infinite number of office appropriate outfits here. They are even season-less because you can very easily pair them with a long sleeve piece underneath, and voila you are ready for a chic office look!

Blazer: Banana Republic similar here
Sweater: Madewell
Necklace: Mirina Collections
Bracelets & Rings: Madewell
Watch: Daniel Wellington
Clutch: Proenza Schouler PS11

Blazer: Topshop
Turtleneck Sweater: Banana Republic
Bracelets & Rings: Madewell
Watch: Daniel Wellington
Necklace: J. Crew
Clutch: Proenza Schouler PS11

 Things to consider before you purchase

For those of us that are more vertically challenged, always remember to pair them with at least 3 in heels in your outfit. These vests tend to elongate your torso, so if you don’t leverage the help of some heels, your legs will proportionally seem shortened. No one wants that! Another thing to be mindful of is where the bottom of the vest rests. For me, I like them to sit right underneath my hip area so it covers my hip area and a bit of my thighs. If you have nice waistlines, I would pick a piece with a cinchable waist line so you can show off your curves!

So what’s your pick, the white one or the black one?

I think my heart secretly favors the one blazer just a little more. It shows in the number of times I’ve worn it when compared to the number of times I’ve worn the black piece. It just makes for a more bright and outstanding outfit in my opinion. But you may feel otherwise… so what’s the verdict, white or black?!

 Blazer: Topshop Turtleneck Sweater: Banana Republic Bracelets & Rings: Madewell Watch: Daniel Wellington Necklace: J. Crew

All Photography by Brianna Olsen

The post The Tale of Two Blazers appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

For this holiday season, I’ll be sharing with you three sets of outfit templates to live by when picking out outfit(s) for your company holiday party. Sign up for the newsletter and see the new templates as they come out next week! 

12/2/15 Update: Part 2 of this series is now available here! 

First up, the lace maxi dress!

Before you storm out the door (or storm onto ShopBop.com), there are a few things to note about which lace dress you go with… You see, the lace is very tricky. Between looking like an escort to a lady from the 70’s, it’s a very fine line to walk. Done correctly though, you exude elegance, confidence, and glamour – all in one outfit. So a few things to think about in picking your lace dress

• Watch the length of dress: For any company events, I’d suggest dresses that cover the knees. If the length is right over or above the knees, I would pick a dress with longer or semi-long sleeves. The point is to never do sleeveless and above the knee at the same time. We’re not in high school anymore.

• Opt for royal blue, black, emerald green, or burgundy: The point is to stay CLASSY with your choice of color. Anything that is somewhat playful or casual (pink, yellow, or lavender) will be borderline inappropriate. It’s the nature of a lace dress.

• When in doubt, always go with black or nude pumps: This rule requires no explanation. The exception is when you wear head to toe black. Then, go to town with color of your heels!

One thing I’d like to address is the slit in this dress. Because of the color, length, and sleeve length, I personally am OK with the slit going up as high as it does. Usually holiday parties are in venues that are dimly lit, so it shouldn’t matter. But I totally understand if people aren’t comfortable showing this much skin. Just wanted to make sure this disclaimer goes out there – I don’t endorse showing too much skin in any professional settings! (Duh.)

Dress: Dailylook Juliette Lace Maxi Dress
Wallet/Clutch: Proenza Schouler PS11 Chain Wallet
Heels: Valentino Rockstud T-strap Pump

All Photos by Ngoc. M Nguyen Photography

As long as you stay mindful of these pointers, a lace maxi dress is the perfect option to go with for your company holiday party. It will allow you to stand out, precisely because most people don’t know how to handle this kind of dress! You’re welcome.

Stay tuned for two more outfit templates – they’ll become available next week! In the mean time, have we connected over social media yet? I’d love to get to know my readers. Hit me up on one of these platforms!

P.S. Added bonus for readers that made it this far… Hop onto Polyvore to see two other similar looks I’ve created using their “Set” creation function! It provides all the details on where to find such items. These are super fun for me to do.. let me know what you guys think about this feature!

The post Company Holiday Party Outfits | Easy Templates for Creating a Killer Outfit! [Pt. 1 of 3] appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

“Didn’t I just wear this last week?“

With the confines of dressing professionally and appropriately, (let’s face it – if it was up to me I’d be rocking ripped jeans everyday) it’s not a walk in a park to always look polished & presentable, at the same time showing creativity in your outfit creation. I try to solve the problem by sticking with basic neutrals that could go with everything else I own, so I don’t have to brainstorm (more like brain-hurricane) in the morning as I get ready. Still, a slight problem still exists, which is that I end up creating really similar outfits or just gravitating toward the same piece over and over again. There are 5 work days a week is about 260 work days a year. Who has that much time to create 260 different looks?!

This is where the Third Piece Rule comes in handy. In case you haven’t heard, the Third Piece Rule is the wardrobe philosophy that adding a “third piece”, whether be it a statement necklace (any bold accessories) or an outerwear like a vest or a blazer, instantly makes the ensemble more elevated and interesting.  You can read all about it here.

Here, I am using a statement necklace to add instant glam to this office outfit that is otherwise a bit lackluster.

I did want to give a mention to the brand that makes this particular necklace I am wearing. It’s a Florida based company called Mirina Collections . They make a ton of these beautiful statement necklaces that are unique and obviously glamorous. I was offered a couple of pieces from their “Famous Necklace” collection at a discounted price to try out (about 50%), and in return they had asked me to give them a shout out on Instagram, which I did. In my opinion the retail price for these necklaces is a bit steep for the actual quality of the pieces (even though they claim to hand make all the pieces). But at the discounted price, they were worth every penny. Would you like to see more of how I style these Mirina Collections necklaces? Let me know

Top: Alice and Olivia (similar here)
Necklace: “Jess” by Mirina Collections
Bottom: Top Shop Leigh jeans
Blazer: Top Shop Nicola Peplum Blazer (similar here)

All Photography by Brianna Olsen

The post The Third Piece Rule & what it means for the Cubicle Chic appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Today, I am sharing a personal challenge, not just an outfit. The pencil skirt is such a workwear stable but has always been something I’ve found difficult to wear, for a number of reasons. But the main reason is that I don’t believe it flatters my body shape, and I am extremely self conscious whenever I wear a pencil skirt. Yet, when I saw this white lace pencil skirt on Banana Republic AND on sale, I could not resist.. and I told myself, you are Cubicle Chic, you’re going to make this work.

So here’s the outfit.. read on for 4 tips on how I made this work! 

Top: James Deen Knit Sweater from DailyLook found here
Bottom: Banana Republic Dot Lace Pencil Skirt found here
Heels: Banana Rebpulic Black Pumps here
Necklace: Boutique

Here’s a few pointers on how I made the pencil skirt easier to wear:

1) Dark color top. Maroon is so fitting for the season, but more importantly it balances the attention on the pencil skirt by shifting it away from your bottom.

2) Loose fitting item. In this case it happened to be the same maroon color top as well. It’s something to contrast the tightness of the skirt so the outfit has variety in the way it fits. I think a loose fitting cardigan would work too.

3) HEELS. This is hardly a secret or even tip… heels always instantly elongates you silhouette and changes your posture so you look more slender. I recommend 3 inches or higher.

4) Big wavy hair. I contemplated putting my hair into a pony tail, but I decided against it. It’s because having the waviness in my hair just rounds out my overall shape.. and shifts the attention to my bottom toward the top and therefore balancing my outfit overall.

So what do you think? Yea or nay? And what’s your most self-conscious type of wear? I am curious..

All photography by Ngoc M Nguyen

The post For the Fall – Transition Outfit featuring Dot Lace Pencil Skirt & a little bit about a personal challenge appeared first on Cubicle Chic.