How-to: Style Denim For Work / November 14, 2018 by Candice Tay

This post is quite long overdue, but sometimes life just gets crazy hectic and doesn’t seem to slow down. As requested a little while back on my Instagram, I thought it would be fun to kind of push the denim boundaries in a more corporate work setting. Let’s pull out the denim and explore 5 ways to style denim for work. To be honest, this was quite a challenge and seriously pushed my creative limits, but it was definitely a fun exploration. Since I’m sure most people have some type of denim pant in their wardrobe, this is a great way to push your creativity and use what you already have. All of the pieces I used in this post are things I already own. It’s amazing what you can do with what you have!

Classic

This was the most basic way I think anyone can pull off denim at work. A nice button down tucked into some dark denim. If you work in a more creative field or at an office with a more lenient dress code, I think pairing this outfit with clogs is a cute look! If clogs are not your thing, you can always opt for some classic black heels or flats.

I am always drawn to minimalist gold jewelry to simply accessorize a fairly basic outfit. Here I’m wearing gold hoops and a brown leather watch with a gold-rimmed face to tie together the look.

Nothin’ But Business

If you know me, you know how much I love a good fitted turtleneck tucked into high waisted anything! Simply throw a blazer or fitted jacket on top and you’ll be sending all the boss-lady vibes. I don’t think anyone would even notice you’re wearing jeans to work!

Dressy and Elegant

Layering is the perfect way to disguise denim at work. I decided to experiment a bit with a more luxurious fabric and paired this silk shift dress over my denim to dress it up. Try playing with silhouettes by adding a belt of some sort to accentuate the waist and also help elongate your body.

Monochromatic Vibes

For my final look, I’m working with a pair of black denim. Is that cheating? I just love monochromatic looks and find that they seem to appear more dressed-up than they really are. I also think that monochromatic looks are very elegant and classy. The key for all black looks is in the details of accessorizing. My favourite way to style all black looks is with dainty gold jewellery.

Okay friends, that’s it from me for this little styling segment. I hope you enjoyed seeing how I styled denim for work and I hope it inspires you to create more outfits and get more use out of your jeans. I did not purchase anything new for this post and used everything that I’ve had for years in my own wardrobe and you can see, I really did wear jeans in all these outfits!

This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

How-to: Get The Most Out Of Your Capsule Wardrobe / October 21, 2018 by Candice Tay

Fall is in full swing here in Canada, with the picturesque landscapes flooded with colour, the brisk wind, and cool temperatures. All the plaid, wool hats, turtlenecks, and boots are officially out. I think fall is the perfect season for a capsule wardrobe enthusiast as you can really push your creativity and discover new outfit combinations through the simple styling trick of layering. There are so many ways to layer and so many pieces that are layering-friendly. The most obvious and typical layering piece I have is big cozy cardigan. As many of you know, I’m a huge turtleneck lover! There are many reasons why I love turtlenecks. One being that they are such a comfortable thin layer that adds an exceptional amount of warmth. Since it’s so thin, it easily allows for more layering with other pieces. I also love the silhouette of the turtleneck and how simply it elevates an outfit.

I wanted to share a little styling post with you, sharing some fun ways to layer and transition summer-dedicated pieces into your fall wardrobe! Even if you don’t have the exact pieces that I have in my closet, I’m sure you can still adapt these tips for your own wardrobe.

layering with a turtleneck

In the summer, rompers and jumpsuits are so much fun to wear and so easy to throw on. However, once the weather starts to cool down, we don’t think much about them with our minds filled with cozy knits and sweaters. Here’s how I like to style my romper for fall. If you live in a warmer place (not for me anymore), this just might be the outfit for you! I took my beloved romper from the spring/summer season and layered a ribbed turtleneck underneath it for some warmth. If you have a jumpsuit, you can use the same layering trick here for extra warmth. You can also check out how I styled Encircled’s Jetset Jumpsuit for the fall months here!

layering with a shirtdress

Another item I love to wear during the spring/summer seasons is a simple shirtdress. It is so easy to just throw on and pull together a look with some casual sandals or runners. I’ve also been finding that it’s quite an interesting look styled over more smart trousers for a comfortable, yet appropriate office outfit. For an extra layer of warmth during the cold fall days, I’ve been layering a turtleneck underneath the shirt dress.

layering with simple camis

The final way I get the most use of my summer blouses and camis is to layer them underneath jackets, blazers, and cardigans. Sometimes camis styled over turtlenecks is another great way to layer up in the cooler months, and is also perfect if channeling that 90’s vibe. I’ve styled this mauve tank I wore tons in the summer, for a more corporate environment with a long line duster and some black trousers.

None of these tips are mind-blowing, but I find it just takes a little effort and some thought to get the most out of my wardrobe. I love that layering pieces adds dimension and texture to outfits and allows me to get more wears out of items that are typically more geared for spring/summer months.

What are your favourite ways to layer and get the most out of your wardrobe? Care to share your favourite layering piece or best layering tips?

Candice Tay