Travel Work Attire

Since my work travel schedule is getting a bit hectic this summer, I thought I would talk about what I wear when I'm on the road. Our office has the most casual attire of anywhere I have worked in the past with the exception of the production departments at TV stations. Dressing up while working in production was wearing pants instead of shorts or jeans instead of sweats. Serious. At my current job, jeans are a staple year round. Shorts are a staple in the summer for the men. Some guys (there are only 3 women at my work) even wear t-shirts. We don't have clients that come to our office, so no one sees us except each other which has turned our office into a much more relaxed environment. My staple work attire is/was jeans (until they stopped fitting right), a t-shirt that is somewhat professional (scoop-neck) and my rainbow flip flops. 

Due to the fact that I can wear whatever I want to work, I have a really hard time when I go onsite. I have two suits that I only wear for conventions and job interviews. They are way too dressy for onsite work. I own one pair of khaki's that fit well. I don't know what it is but since the summer came around, I have been miserable in my shorts and 3/4 pants. This has led to that new walking routine I mentioned a couple weeks ago. I decided I would spend the rest of the summer in sundresses and elastic-waist pants. Yes, it's bad but I'm trying to work off whatever weight my body has decided to leave in my mid-section. 

So, what does a girl wear to a customer's site when she's feeling uncomfortable in her own skin and doesn't want to wear anything that she used to wear? Pull out all the stops. As you check out my wardrobe below, just remember, for years and years and years, I shunned dresses. I wore them when I had to - weddings, parties, events. I guess like everything, age changes your thoughts about attire.

Note: I do use the iron when things are wrinkly...just not before my photo shoot. I know you don't mind. :)

Day 1: The Unisex Look
I wore this yesterday, thus the wrinkly, lived-in look. The pants are comfortable. Lands End has come out with a new shape of pants that works pretty well for me, the Modern Cut. They're lower in the waist, so they don't sit up above your belly button like their classic style pants. I really like this new pair. Also, bonus - they didn't shrink in the wash! I used to buy Dockers khakis but every time I did, I would end up with high waters.

Pants: Lands End at JCPenny  Shirt: Target  Necklace: Silpada

Day 2: A Little Late on the Trend

I noticed after I placed this picture on the blog that you can't see the leggings underneath. The reason for the title on this one is I wear leggings under this dress. It's just short enough that I don't feel comfortable wearing it to a work environment without something under it. I decided on a pair of black control-top (amazing) leggings that end just below my knee. It gives the outfit a little something extra, I think.

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft  Sweater: Target  Leggings: Flexees from Kohl's  Necklace: Pandora 

Day 3: Everyone Likes to Have Some Fun

I love this outfit. It makes me so happy. The dress is a little bit too low cut for me and it's a tank-dress, so I always wear the sweater over top of it. The sweater is nice and light so it can be worn outside even on the hottest of days.

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft  Sweater: Target  Necklace: Kohl's

 Day 4: Dress Me Down

 I took my flowy little black dress and paired it with a greenish-brown sweater. It calms down the fact that I'm wearing a black dress - so I don't look too overly dressed-up. It's also probably one of the most comfortable outfits of this bunch. The length of the dress is perfect - just to the knees. The sweater comes down to just above the elbows. Perfect lengths on both.

Dress: Target  Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft  Necklace: I have no idea

Casual Travel Friday

I'll normally go into the station on Fridays and then head out of town around Noon. If I'm flying or driving a decent distance, I like to be comfortable for that trip. This skirt has a drawstring that is perfect for car trips or flights. I also wear it a lot on vacation because it's easy to pair with pretty much any top I want. 

Skirt: Gap  Shirt: Target

Staple Shoes:

I've never been a huge shoe person. As I mentioned above, I wear flip flops to work most days. I'm all about comfort and convenience. When I found these shoes, I knew they were meant to be. I found them in the Belk at our mall priced at $89. I really wanted them but, for a girl who never buys shoes, it's really hard to spend that type of money on them. I went home and did an internet search. I found them for $50 on Shoemall.com and then secured a 20% off your entire order coupon from RetailMeNot.com!

Adele by Born. They are absolutely amazing shoes. I can stand all day in them with no achy feet and walk a couple of miles to work and back with no problem. 

Staple Jewelry:

Bracelets: Pandora
Watch: Citizen
Earrings: Studs or various dangly earrings depending on the necklace.

You'll notice every single article of clothing comes from the same three or four stores. I don't like spending a lot of money on clothes. I used to do that and found it was so not worth it when I would wear something just once or twice. I find the clothes I'm buying now last longer and I'm wearing them over and over again. Not one article of clothing above was over $35. Most of the dresses were $20-$25. The sweaters were probably the most expensive items. All of the Ann Taylor items were purchased either at their 40% off sale or they were on their sale rack at 40-60% off. What can I say, I love a good deal.

Footnote: Just in case you know me in person, no I haven't changed much. I still wear this over my pretty dresses and little sweaters in cold server rooms.*

Jacket: The North Face

*This jacket was over $35. It is a staple wardrobe piece in my closet that gets worn through most of the winter and, as I mentioned before, in cold server rooms.