Welcome Allison McGevna, 31, of Inside Allie’s World, who is joining us as our resident curvy-girl style blogger. She was featured in the December/January issue of PEOPLE StyleWatch and contributes her thoughts on finding the perfect outfit to the site each week. This week, she gives us insight on dressing your best at work, finding your “power color” and more. (And if her items are sold out, we’ve linked to similar styles below — happy shopping!)
Courtesy Allison McGevna
Putting together a polished, flattering work look is one of my biggest challenges — would you agree, curvy girls? You want your look to be tailored and refined, but not bland and unsophisticated. That’s not asking too much, is it?! Don’t get frustrated, ladies. Focus on one thing at a time. I like to start off with what I call my “power color”. A power color instantly makes you feel more confident. It makes you feel like a boss. My power color is navy. When I saw this navy mock turtleneck dress from Guess, I knew I had to make it mine. Guess sizes usually go up to an extra large, which is like a size 14/16, so sometimes I can make their pieces work for me. This dress is made from a stretch sweater material, so the first thing I did was check the sheerness factor to make sure I wouldn’t be showing too much. There was a bit of sheerness at the back so I made sure to pair the dress with tights. The dress definitely made me feel pulled together and professional, but I knew the outfit needed something to make it 100% work-appropriate.
RELATED: See even more wardrobe tips from Allison here!
That something, I realized, was a great blazer. A blazer can elevate literally anything, from a T-shirt and jeans to a stylish dress. I decided to stick with a more muted color palette for this look (Note: A muted color palette does NOT have to mean black) so I chose a vintage gray blazer (similar style) with a slightly-oversize fit and a nice, well-made lining. The mix of navy and gray is something I’ve gotten into. It’s just so chic. Admittedly, though, I’ve had some trouble figuring out how to style this blazer in the past. As I’ve mentioned, pieces that hit right below my waistline tend to cut me off and make me look stumpy. I figured out that I needed a dress or skirt that wasn’t too voluminous and hit right above my knee to keep the line of my legs looking long. Proportions can really make or break an outfit. This blazer worn with this dress really makes for a look that can work anywhere, whether your office is creative, casual or conservative. Take the blazer off, and you can slide right on to after-work cocktails.
Wait! Let’s not forget about the accessories: I stuck with the muted color palette and threw on my favorite gray Louboutins (similar style). The pointy toes help give my legs that lengthened look — and with the longer blazer, that was a huge help. I chose a thin leopard-print New York & Company belt (similar style) — not to hold anything in place, just as an accent to highlight my shape. Thin belts are great if you want to add a quick pop of color or highlight your waist. Just don’t expect them to hold anything up or in — they’re purely decorative! I didn’t choose your traditional work tote for this look. Instead, I chose an oversize envelope clutch (similar style) I bought at one of my local boutiques. It feels modern and trendy, but in this neutral shade it’s still totally appropriate for the office. Plus, it’s big enough for a folio, folder or tablet. Fashionable and functional! I kept my jewelry very minimal. You don’t want to go overboard at work. Just a couple of bangles from Charming Charlie (similar styles here and here).
To a build a great work look, no matter your shape, first think of those colors or silhouettes that instantly boost your mood and make you stand a little taller. Start there. Once you have that base, the rest becomes a whole lot easier!
Do you have power color, or a piece that always makes you feel confident on the job? How do you style it? Sound off below!
