Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Work Outfit: Red + Navy + the Madewell Transport Tote

Navy Rhodes blazer + No 2 pencil skirt

Madewell Transport Tote for Work

J Crew No 2 Pencil Skirt + LK Bennett Heels
Blazer: J.Crew 'Rhodes' | Blouse: Banana Republic | Skirt: J.Crew (on sale!) | Tote: Madewell | Shoes: L.K. Bennett (currently available on sale in other colors) | Earrings: Gorjana via Rocksbox | Watch: Michael Kors

I realized I haven't posted a work outfit in ages! Winter is a tough season for work outfit photo shoots since I'm usually out of the house not long after sunrise on weekdays, and I return well after dark. I was inspired by Tara's recent #WorkDoesntMeanBoring Challenge to share this cheery and colorful look today.

J.Crew's workwear line has been a longtime favorite of mine with its extensive petites collection. I have been loving the addition of the Petite 000 size to many of J.Crew's work-friendly pieces; it meant that I didn't have to have this pencil skirt or blazer altered at all. In many items, the 000P is too small for me, but in these two pieces that are known to run large, it's a nice option to have.

I recently jumped on the bandwagon and added the Madewell Transport Tote to my closet, and I've been testing it out as a work bag. Several other women in my office swear by theirs, but I think I'm still partial to my Longchamp Le Pliage Neo. Although the Longchamp doesn't have the same buttery-soft, pretty leather as the Madewell tote, it is such a workhorse. I carry a ton of stuff to court and meetings every day, so my work bag is always heavy and full (I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I often schlep around a rolling briefcase in addition to a tote bag). My Longchamp has survived some serious abuse with next to no signs of wear, and I don't have any concerns about setting it on the floor or exposing it to rain, snow, or the occasional leaky pen--I just wish it were a teeny bit bigger. I'm planning to treat the Madewell tote to make it a little tougher, but I'm not sure I'll make it my full-time work bag.

Do you have a favorite stylish carryall that holds all your work necessities? Let me know if you have any suggestions for me to try out!

Happy Tuesday!

x, Tam

12 comments:

  1. I love it when you post work outfits!!! More please! You always look so classic but not boring at all. I love the red skirt & shoes. You make color look so work appropriate!

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    1. Thank you so much! I'll try to post more work outfits. On most workdays, I just have too much going on during daylight hours (in the winter) to take outfit pictures. I'm going to make more of an effort, though :).

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  2. Love this Tam! Your red skirt is everything :)

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  3. For work if I want a bigger tote my go-to is Cole Haan, their bags are excellent. But lately I've been trying to carry less so I'm loving the J.Crew downing bucket bag, I have it in 3 colors. Perfect work outfit!

    xo
    PinkSole

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    1. Oh gosh, I wish I could downsize and carry less! That sounds amazing. I will have to check out Cole Haan's bags--thanks so much for the suggestion!

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  4. You should be the kind of lawyer you doesn't go to court. That works for me, bag-wise and daylight-wise! ;)

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  5. Absolutely love this look! I've been searching around for ideas on what to wear to a business casual work interview I have on Monday and this outfit gives me so much inspiration with the use of colors.

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  6. No shame in the rolling briefcase! After 10 years of resistance, I caved and proudly roll my files to Court and meetings now. My back is much happier :)

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    1. Love it. My shoulders are always happier when I bust out the rolling bag. I still have to hoist it up and down the stairs, but it's good exercise :).

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