Bringing Business Dress Back

I am back in our main offices (read my 'home' for the past 4 years), after 6 months of working a smaller, more low key office. 

I suddenly realised, that terms like 'business casual', 'business dress' and 'dress down', suddenly matter for me again. 

These aren't really terms that mean the same thing in this building, never mind across the UK, but for us, business casual cannot be leggings, but can be jeans. No trainers, but tee shirts are fine. 

Given that for business casual, I wore this, when we were asked for business dress (no jeans, and a 'smart' appearance), I had a bit of fluster. 

This dress came to my rescue:

Ooooh, so strikingly different to what I currently have in my wardrobe, I was glad of the chance to give it the airing it deserved. 

Oh, so pretty, unusual, and flattering. 

It is also smart, without SCREAMING 'I got all dressed up just for you'. It's a sort of effortless smart. 

On it's own, anyway. 

And here is how I 'interviewed' it up. Or would, you know, if I'd actually had an interview:

I wore it all day, and even managed to run my Brownie Meeting in it, and it was comfortable through to me getting home almost 12 hours later. 

You might be able to see from this picture that there is some pulling in the bust area, so I did adjust it every so often, but not so much as to make me not wear the dress again. 

The thin belt came with the dress, but I'd be interested to see how it would look with a wider belt, but that is fun for another post!

So, there you have it. A dress I had glanced over numerous times, ended up saving my bacon in a time of fashion need!

Much love my lovelies, 

K x

This item was sent to me to review, but my opinions are my own 

Business Flower Power

I've often spoke about Power Dressing, mainly on twitter, but I do think it is worth a look at. When I was applying for teaching posts, I started off in the formulaic ill fitting trouser suit that my Mam had bought for me at a boutique in Otley. I didn't feel like me. I had camel toe. And mainly, I was uncomfortable.

Part of my perceived appeal to schools was my personality, and in interviews, I think it is really important for this to come across. I have so many interview tales of woe, that I won't bore you with them, but I was told everything from "Your being here today shows us that you put your career before your health. We don't want someone like that" to "You were too keen on the role and the school". These were over 5 years ago, and so I may have misremembered the exact turn of phrase, but you get my drift. 

Once I found my 'interview outfit', I felt more in control, more confident, and more importantly, more me!!

And the same goes with this office dress. We have a business casual approach when it's a normal working day, we sometimes have dress down days, and occasionally we have business dress days. Today is one of those days. I've been involved in a project they're rolling out which completely alters how we work, and I'll be delivering most of the training in the Newcastle office. So, last night, after they had arrived yesterday, I realised I needed to up my business dress game a little. 

Dress: Anna Scholz for Simply Be, size 20

Jacket: Gok Wan for Sainsburys Tu, last season, size 22

Shoes (not seen): Viva La Diva T Bars 

You may remember seeing this dress before, in my review of the Simply Be store in Stockton. It has hung in my wardrobe since then, and I have even at times wondered if I was ever going to wear it! After my lack lustre day yesterday, I knew this was the answer. Power dressing, with a Kathryn twist!

It incorporates my love of 60s print, 60s monochrome, but with a business like edge to it. I'm sure when Anna Scholz designed this for SimplyBe, she didn't think someone would wear it for the office. It has a must more summery, dressy feel than that. But that is why I love it for the office. By adding the Gok Wan cropped Tuxedo Jacket, with oriental detailing in the lining, I've hopefully added the business edge needed to this gorgeous dress!

If I was to wear this as a summer dress, I'd ditch the tights, add my black elasticated belt, and rock the bare arms look. I just don't think for the office, I can get away with it without the coverage!

This will become an office staple for me now!

Much love my lovelies,

K x