OOTD: A (new) typical work outfit

I'm calling this a new typical work outfit because it's not something I had ever worn together before but it makes a great typical work outfit for me!  It was actually inspired by Kelly at Alterations Needed when she "deconstructed" her go-to outfit.  I loved this idea of breaking an outfit down into elements.  I don't know about you, but I don't have a lot of vision when it comes to putting together an outfit.  When I see something I immediate know if I'm drawn to it but often times the vision I see in my own head does not work out so well when I'm standing in front of a mirror!  I appreciated Kelly breaking it down a bit so I could see why it worked and instead of copying the look exactly, figuring out which elements I had in my own closet to pull off the overall look.

This is what I came up with:

Jeans:  Banana Republic Trouser Jean size 0P

Blouse:  Mexx XS

Cardigan:  Old Navy XS (in Canadian stores, not online - and disappeared from the US site!  But THIS is similar)

Belt - Danier XS

Necklace:  mark by Avon

Kelly had 4 basic guidelines I was trying to follow:

1) A fun top.  I don't have too many of those so I just went with an "interesting" top with the pattern and added the bold necklace.

2) 1/2 buttoned cardigan to give an "x-shape".  I did this but the cardigan itself is a little boxy and I don't have a really defined waist so to add further emphasis I added the belt.

3) Dark Denim.  Check

4) 3/4 sleeves.  Check

I also like the flower embellishment on the cardigan to add more elements of "fun" to the look ;)



So...how did I do?

Also....don't forget to enter the giveaway from Lisa of respect the shoes.

She's giving away a beautiful Anthropologie necklace to celebrate her 200th post (WOW!!!).

Enter until September 17th!