Office Fashion Show {Accessories Class}

It is my distinct pleasure to bring to you, lovely readers, the always entertaining, rarely duplicating, somewhat fascinating & totally rad: #urinaledition! One of these days I’m certain to be caught in the men’s room at work, making duck faces in the mirror and trying to properly hold my hands to avoid that whole ‘creepy mannequin’ thing…which is really hard, actually. Until that point? I’m walking on the wild/smelly side just for you fine folks. I’ll take my applause after the post, thankyouverymuch.

Today I’m going to teach you one of my best secrets to stretch your closet without stretching your wallet. It takes a small amount of creativity and a little thinking outside the box, but it’s fun and cheap and I like those two things very much. I believe the greatest asset to your…assets is the ability to properly use accessories. I can wear the same tshirt three times without making it look like I’m wearing the same tshirt, or even a tshirt at all! Follow me, I’ll show you! (no, I won’t make you come to the men’s room with me, that’s my special place…but follow me anyway…)

1. Wear more than one necklace! It’s ok to mix & match colours, and shapes- yes, even metals. I try to layer them by length, though I’ve seen some people really pull off a look of the opposite. The key is to look for a wide variety of shapes, colours and bead sizes etc. The majority of my necklaces are thrifted or gifted. I don’t usually go in with an idea of what I’m looking for, but more of a memory of what I have. Then I try to add something totally different to my collection. Find a long necklace, maybe it’s more chain than beads? Then add a medium chunkier string, with a thinner metal-only chain tighter around your collarbone. Another tip? Change a necklace entirely by pinning a brooch on it. Boom.
2. Earrings- change them! This is something I struggle to remember. I don’t wear a lot of matching jewellery sets, so for me to remember to change out my diamond studs is a big deal. I have wuss delicate little ears and can’t wear heavy stuff, and all of it has to be pure silver or gold, so keep in mind you may have similar problems before you go buying the discount stuff! My greatest earring discovery is the silver hoop (I know- how glory 80s) because it’s a lot of impact without a lot of bulk. Makes my ponytail look like it serves some other purpose than covering up second-day greasy roots!
3. Shoes- they don’t have to match! Shock & awe, your shoes can be a totally different colour than your outfit & that’s ok! Fashion, you crazy! Different heights of heels (depending on your comfort level), different fabrics & colours are essential. I have a pair of peep-toe red pumps that I got for $8 at the thrift store that are featured very frequently in #urinaledition. The key is that you can’t look like an idiot when you walk in them…meaning: make sure you can walk in your shoes, ladies! Heels can make your legs look amazing, but if you’re walking like a stick is up your butt no one cares. Wisdom, from me to you. Try some boots with that knee-length skirt, it’s cute trust me! And a pair of flats with those skinny jeans is actually pretty dang stylin!
4. Put a belt on it! <– this is my old stand by route of figuring out: how can I make this work?  Most often my answer is: let’s try it with a belt. I have amassed quite the array of different sizes and colours and buckles and textures. It’s a problem, except that it’s an awesome problem. The key is really to attempt to put it at the smallest point of your waist. This works…but, here comes the disclaimer. It’s…obnoxious a little. I’m just going to be honest here. Wearing a belt is hella cute but say goodbye to your lung function and your ability to eat a good lunch. I mean, the whole point is to cinch the waist, right? That’s what you’re doing…and it’s cute…but it’s also semi-torturous. So if beauty is pain and I’m lazy, this is my pain. WORTH IT!

I know it looks like it would be really embarrassing to take your picture at work every day and attempt not to get caught. And it can be…but I think #urinaledition & #officefashionshow on Twitter and Instagram has really made me step up my fashion game. It puts a kind of thrill in it for me and makes me think twice about what I’m wearing. I don’t have a ton of clothes (though my husband would beg to differ) and I don’t spend a lot of money on what I do have. So my goal is to make it look like neither of those things is true. I like a little backwards thinking, okay?! Since I’m frugal/cheap/enjoy a challenge, I want to use my current wardrobe to it’s full advantage. Accessories is a way to do it without spending more or being hotter by adding more layers. I’ve now given you a way to be hotter by using what you’ve already got: your personality. You’re welcome!

I’m pretty much begging you to join me on Instagram & Twitter to join me in the Office Fashion Show. It’s fun, really it is. I’ll encourage you, you’ll feel great about yourself and you’ll learn so much in such a great little community. #urinaledition is embarrassingly mine alone, but join the #officefashionshow and show me whatcha got!