The Working Closet

with Susan Wagner

The Working Closet is your source for the best of what's hip and fresh in fashion and beauty. Susan Wagner keeps you up-to-date on trends and offers tips and tricks for making everything in your closet truly work for you.

You can also catch Susan over at Friday Playdate.

Put a little spring in your closet

Categories: accessories, beauty

No Comments

February is the longest month — you know, for a month with only 28 days, February goes on forever. This winter, the weather has made these four weeks seem even longer (no more snow, please!) and it’s starting to feel like spring will never come.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of my boots and my tights and my parka. I’m ready to put some spring in my wardrobe. Here are five simple ways to snap out of your winter rut.

10WSPR_WK554_MAU_M02
Boyfriend cardigan, Boden USA, $88

Add some color. It’s easy to fall into the black-every-day winter rut; work some color into your closet. A bright scarf can change your look — and your attitude — and still keep you warm.

Work the layers. All but the lightest summer pieces can be worn with winter layers; try a substantial cotton dress with a chunky sweater and boots.

Mix in a trend. Boyfriend cardigans are huge for spring; you can wear yours now over a turtleneck or long sleeved tee, or with your sweater dress. Opt for a fresh, summery color — coral or pale blue or purple.

Try a new lip gloss. Or eye shadow or blush — go for a fresh look. Lips are an easy way to add color; a perfect pink is a nice balance to darker winter shades, and warms up pale winter skin.

Dress up a little. Even if you’re piling on the layers every day, you can make your look a little more festive with a pair of beautiful earrings or a bold bracelet. Treat yourself to one of spring’s hot jewelery trends — pins are back, and they’re easy to wear now, and later.

How do you break your winter rut? And what spring trends have you longing for warmer weather?

The perfect laptop bag: Geek meets chic

Categories: accessories

3 Comments

I’m in the market for a laptop bag, one that’s sturdy enough to hold my MacBook safely but hip enough to look good when I’m hauling it through an airport. So what’s the best bag for the chic geek? Here are five great choices; all are substantial enough to withstand the wear and tear of travel but cool enough to go out and about during the day.

38hj0vnws262io2g_o
Large Rita from Queen Bee Creations, $140


Read the rest of this entry

What shoe goes with what hemline?

Categories: bottoms, shoes

5 Comments

Screen shot 2010-01-22 at 12.30.03 PM
Tod’s driving mocs , from $395. Old school, truly.

The easiest outfit ever is a pair of jeans, a basic tee, and pair of beautiful flats. But not every pair of flats works with every pair of pants; it’s all about balance and proportion.

So what goes with what?

Read the rest of this entry

TOMS Shoes: Look good, do good — all at once!

Categories: basics

2 Comments

I have to tell you: The news from Hati this week has made it hard for me to get excited about shopping. Over and over, I’ve been felled by accounts of children left injured or orphaned or both. This morning, the story of an eight year old girl who lost her entire family in the earthquake and has yet to be treated for a broken arm left me in tears.

I’ve been madly texting donations to the Red Cross this week (text “HATI” to 90999 to make a $10 donation — but you already knew that, didn’t you?), but I’ve also been looking for other ways to give.

117-1011B07-SILVR-H

My favorite do-good shopping option is TOMS shoes; for every pair of shoes you buy, a child gets a pair of shoes. Talk about walking the philanthropic walk.

TOMS are basic slip-ons that go with everything. But they come in beautiful fabrics and patterns, which makes them great for more than just kicking around on the weekend. The Silver Glitter Classics, shown here, are great with jeans and wool trousers, or even with a skirt or casual dress. And at $54, you can even buy two — and give two kids new shoes.

TOMS shoes have a leather insole and a rubber outsole, and they come with arch and heel support, so they’re comfortable enough to wear all day. If you’re looking for casual shoes with personality, try these out — you’ll look great, and every step you take will help make the world a better place.

And that is good shopping.

Your turn: Where do you shop when you’re wanting to get something and give back at the same time?

Advice for the menfolk: No cologne at work

Categories: basics

7 Comments

When I was in high school, I had a huge crush on a boy who wore Drakkar Noir — lots of Drakkar Noir. I could smell him before I saw him, and 15 years ago, that was really exciting. To this day, I can’t walk through the men’s department at Dillard’s without thinking of that boy.

And laughing.

Last week, my friend C texted me: “What do you think of men who wear cologne to work? Do you think it sends a message?”

Ooh good question!

Read the rest of this entry

Five beauty resolutions to make right now

Categories: basics

1 Comment

Happy New Year! Holiday partying got you feeling a little worn out? Resolve to take better care of your hair and skin in 2010, with these five simple resolutions.

Ready?

Read the rest of this entry

Yummie Tummie giveaway: And the winners are …

Categories: basics

1 Comment

We’re giving away two Yummie Tummmie Undercover tanks to two lucky readers today; based on your comments, the Undercover Tank is exactly what you all need, and I truly wish I could give 123 of them away.

Alas, only two.

Read the rest of this entry

Yummie Tummie Undercover Tank: Win one for the holidays!

Categories: basics, dresses

123 Comments

Welcome to the holidays! Tis the season to try and squeeze into that great dress you bought a few years (and a few pounds) ago and spend some time with friends. You know what would make the holidays even better? If you felt really super great in that dress.

I can help! Ho ho ho!

PhotobucketPhotobucket


Read the rest of this entry

Embellished tops add a little bling to your holidays

Categories: beyond 9 to 5, tops

1 Comment

erez
J. Crew sequined deco top, $495. Pretty, but we can do better. Promise.

An embellished top is an easy way to dress up even the most basic pieces — pair a sequined tank with tailored trousers or a sleek pencil skirt for a look that can go from the office to cocktails, or wear the same tank with your boyfriend jeans for a Saturday date night.

But you don’t need a $500 tank to make this look work; here are some more affordable — but no less hip and versatile — options.

Read the rest of this entry

The office party (because it’s that time of year again)

Categories: beyond 9 to 5

3 Comments

Thanksgiving is over, which means that the holiday season has officially started (I know that it’s been holiday season at the mall since August, but I refuse to succumb to the 90 Days of Christmas — the holidays start NOW, people). December is holiday party month, no matter what you’re celebrating this time of year, and if you’re a working girl or the significant other of someone with an office-y job, you’ll need to get dressed for at least one holiday-type party.

br707958-00vliv01
Banana Republic glam leaf earrings, $50

The dilemma with the holiday party is much the same as the dilemma with class reunions and family weddings: You want to look like you, but you also want to look totally hot and hip and fabulous. Unfortunately, there’s always one woman at every office party/family wedding/class reunion who went a little overboard with the hot and hip bit and wound up looking like the other kind of working girl. If you get my drift.

That should not be you. Ever.

Read the rest of this entry

Subscribe to blog via RSS

Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter

Search Blog