While products featured are independently selected, certain items within the “Styled By” series were provided by Gap. Cut editors chose the rest.
There are certain rules of conduct that pertain to office dressing no matter how lax your HR department may be. No shirt, no shoes, no job. But keeping it professional doesn’t have to mean feeling stuffy or boring. This look is all about harnessing the power of cool accessories in contrast to otherwise ladylike staples. With the holidays approaching, workdays expand far beyond the cubicle, and in the Cut office, there’s suddenly a surplus of invites to cocktail parties and end-of-year get-togethers, so outfits need to be on point.
The Look
As the anchor to this look, the white V-neck sweater from the Gap takes the place of a collared button-down. The fluted sleeves add a feminine touch, while the loose fit through the midsection allows for easy tucking. To help break up the textures between the cozy sweater and skirt, the addition of a slick black belt with sculptural details brings some dimension and ties together the shoes and bag. The beanie, which all too often is worn yanked down as far below the ears as possible, has been given a refresh, worn perched atop the head. The sculptural shape might feel weird at first, but trust us, it works.
Hard and soft, demure and edgy — don’t be afraid to pair pieces in opposition. To balance out a full skirt that could be pulled straight from the set of Mad Men, add fishnets. In contrast with a soft V-neck sweater, there’s the stark chain detail of a Stella McCartney bag. And to complement a sharp pair of stilettos, there’s a cozy knit beanie in the mix.
Polish It Off
As a finishing touch to this monochromatic look, embrace the drama of a printed coat you can throw on as you head out the door (just don’t throw it at anyone, à la Miranda Priestly). While you could choose to make outerwear the sole pop of color, we love the idea of a graphic zebra print instead. With leopard back in runway rotation this season, this zebra number from Marc Jacobs is an alternative animal-inspired option that shows you’re abreast of what’s in without feeling overly trendy.
