Why study fashion in a classroom when you can experience it abroad?

This is a guest post from StudyAbroad.com – the Internet’s leading source of information for students seeking a study abroad program.  Find your study abroad program at StudyAbroad.com, and visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

As the famous designer Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” And this week, fashion is definitely in Paris, France.

The kick-off to the 2011 Paris Fashion Week began on September 27th and wraps up on October 5th. With approximately 150 designers showing over seven days, the glamorous week is full of designers showcasing their new collections for the fashion press, retail buyers and others with influence in the fashion world.

It’s an honor for a designer to have a runway show in Fashion Week, and chances are it comes after years of hard work and dedication. What came before that? Likely, a degree in fashion design or merchandising, college internships and just maybe a study abroad program helped to launch the success of today’s leading fashion designers.

Now’s the time to build your resume and gain the hands-on experience you’ll need to land your first fashion design job out of college. Imagine studying fashion and design in the fashion capital of the world. Make it a reality with a fashion study abroad program.

Why do a fashion study abroad program?

1. Build your resume and strengthen your credentials
2. Broaden your network of professional contacts in the fashion industry
3. Learn a new language and experience a new culture and its fashion trends.

There are some things that just can’t be read in a text book or taught in the classroom. Studying fashion abroad will allow you to have cultural context for the concepts and techniques you’ve already learned while broadening your horizon and appreciation for the industry.

Studying fashion abroad in a place like Paris, London or Milan will allow you to live and breathe the very essence of the fashion culture in your daily life. The cities are famous for their luxury brands, many of which are produced in the cities’ workshops and sold in the cities’ flagship department stores. In fact, textile designers still hand weave cloth and create embroidery for brands like Chanel and Lesage.

Not only will you have the opportunity to experience the traditional crafts of the fashion industry as you study abroad, but if you land an internship during your study abroad program you’ll bring even more to the table once it’s time for you to find a job post-graduation. Who knows, you could even find yourself at the next Paris Fashion Week as an intern!

Find the fashion study abroad program that’s best for you.

Work It! is a series focusing on workplace wardrobe and fashion.  Each week, we will feature a new blogger offering their advice and answering your questions. This week, it’s Kimberly Pearl, whose blog, A Bit Coquettish, “presents her take on fashion & her perspective on life, love and style.”

By Kimberly Pearl

It’s an art. Is it a melodramatic statement? More than likely (life can be a bit boring otherwise). But it is valid. When they say “Casual Fridays” in the office, it’s not really casual. At all. Rather, it’s essentially the usual business attire sans black pants- or dress-suit. Think black pants or denim, tailored, dark wash denim, white denim. All done smartly. And instead of the usual sleek ’60s-inspired dresses, opt for something lighter like a sundress or class wrap a la Diane von Furstenberg.

It’s not to say that you should go in with your usual Monday through Thursday uniform; it’s not disallowed, per se, but there isn’t anything wrong with sprucing up the usual wardrobe choices and letting a bit of your non-work personality show through. Do keep in mind, however, that there is a time for a work and play: being serious is still of utmost priority here. You’re still in the office, casual Friday or not. Superiors – bosses – are still there, and if you dress too casual, you run the risk of conveying the wrong message.

“You’re still in the office, casual Friday or not.”

It’s unfortunate, yes, and superficial even, but in a world where appearances will always count for something, looking less of the part is an indication that you’re too young, too unprofessional, too frivolous to work full-time.

Don’t draw attention to your age; dress up, literally and figuratively, so they view you as an equal to everyone else in the office. You want to command their respect. Thus said, avoid jeans and sneakers. Light-colored and colored denim are a no if you want to look sophisticated; the one exception is, however, the ever-classic combination of a white tee and the blue jean, paired wither a nude or black pump or flat (no sandals – it’ll look too beach-y).

“Nothing should be above the knee, or the slightest bit see-through.”

Opt for pumps, flats and dress sandals; pumps with skinny or wide-leg jeans look especially smart. Chic. Sophisticated. Avoid graphic tees (words and otherwise), strappy tanks (follow the three-finger width rule). Nothing should be above the knee, or the slightest bit see-through. Just recently Teen Vogue beauty editor Eva Chen tweeted that an intern was spotted wearing a thin white tee, black lace bra showing – a current trend never renders itself acceptable, even in the fashion industry.

Linen or khaki shorts are lovely, but if you’re ever second-guessing the length, stick to pants. And as always, keep accessories to a minimum for a clean, polished finish.

The abridged version? Dress for the job you want, not that job you have.

Work It! is a series focusing on workplace wardrobe and fashion.  Each week, we will feature a blogger offering their advice and answering your questions. Ellie Krupnick is a New York City fashion intern and writes for Stuff We Love Blog (which you will love!). She’s also one of our Work It! fashion bloggers.

By Ellie Krupnick

Ellie's interview outfit

Hello, fellow interns! Sad as it is so say aloud, this is my last post— because if all goes well, very soon I will be an intern no longer. The end goal of any interning experience is to bring you one step closer to a job (and if you’re a senior, hopefully that very last step). I am graduating next week and heading out on job interviews, which my years of internship interviews have prepared me for. But the fashion is different, so today I’ll give a rundown of my ideal interview outfit!

My structured black blazer

From finance to fashion, you can never go wrong with a black blazer. This one, by Barney’s CO-OP, has subtle shoulder pads that give it a more formal, structured look. But the longer length and rolled up sleeves keep it stylish.

My black tank

Inconspicuous and non-distracting under the blazer, this tank top is from H&M.

My linen high-waist, drop crotch pants

You might have seen these pants before. Because they’re a nice fabric and a subtle color, you can dress ‘em up and down— here, I used sky-high leather sandals by Steve Madden to dress them up.

My headband

This headband with its Burberry plaid print gives a preppy touch to the outfit and adds a hint of color to the outfit without overwhelming.

My big black leather bag

This bag by Tory Burch is subtle, with simple zippers and no excess hardware, and huge— I can fit a water bottle, a folder, a notebook, and an extra pair of shoes in here… and for my interview, I brought all that along. Just make sure to stow such a big bag during the actual meeting, so it’s not in the way.

That’s all, interns— hopefully with a good outfit and an even better resume, we’ll all make the best of our job hunts! Until then, good luck with the internships… and you know where to find me.

Work It! is a series focusing on workplace wardrobe and fashion.  Each week, we will feature a blogger offering their advice and answering your questions. Ellie Krupnick is a New York City fashion intern and writes a blog called Stuff We Love Blog (which you will love!). She’s also one of our Work It! fashion bloggers.

Ellie's warm weather internship outfit

By Ellie Krupnick

Hello, dear interns! I’m back with another post on internships, fashion, and getting dressed for fashion internships. This week was super warm, but shorts are almost always an office no-no (especially when it’s not really summer yet). Thus I constructed an outfit with loose, light pieces and quirky proportions— which helped add interest to my ensemble’s drab colors and my utter lack of jewelry. Sometimes it’s the unexpected details that make an outfit fun!

My cropped tee

A cropped tee is not only trendy, but is easy to wear when I’m doing schlepping and other such physical labor. Case in point: this week, I am busy unpacking boxes of our many samples that a certain store was using to decide on whether or not to buy the line. Now that they’ve sent the samples back, let’s hope they decide to pick up the line for next season!

My linen high-waist, drop-crotch pants

When I go on buying appointments with my boss, I want to wear a statement-making piece that communicates to the buyer that I know fashion. These sophisticated pants from France, with their unusual cut and brave proportions (let’s just say they do my hips no favors), say “Hello, high fashion.”

My oversized leather bag

When you work at a small start-up like I do, there’s a good chance you will have to bring your own computer to work everyday. This big bag fits my MacBook as well as all my girly things.

My rainbow striped chiffon scarf

I brightened up with otherwise plain-colored outfit with a pop of color on my purse! This Coach scarf is extra thin, making it perfect for tying around your head as a hippie-style headband or cinching on the strap of your bag.

My platform heels

Yes, these might look familiar… I wore them last time I posted an outfit! They remain my favorite internship shoe, as they are formal and chic with their high heels yet comfortable for trekking to appointments and carry heavy boxes around… and a subtle color that blends in with any outfit.

As summer grows near, I am wrapping up my internships. It is sad, but at least I have one great thing to look forward to: Summer fashion!

Work It! is a series focusing on workplace wardrobe and fashion.  Each week, we will feature a blogger offering their advice and answering your questions. Ashli Townsend is a former intern for Mattel, Baby Phat and several Los Angeles-based fashion PR firms. She now runs her own fashion blog, InternChic.

Ashli Townsend

By Ashli Townsend

A typical day for an intern can be pretty hectic. Whether you’re managing overwhelming workloads, dashing around the office or running errands, you’ll find that you’re almost always on your feet! Not all shoes are created equal, and they can either help or hurt you (literally). Here are some pain-free suggestions. Your feet will thank you!

LADIES

No Stilettos. Ladies, trust me when I say that I know and understand the temptation to wear your chicest, fiercest heels to work. As fabulous as you may look, really high heels that are difficult to walk (let alone run) in aren’t practical while interning.

No Flip Flops. No matter how casual the atmosphere, flip-flops are never appropriate. Not only are they unprofessional, they are also a hazard since anything can drop on your feet.

Kitten Heels. These heels are significantly lower in height and are ideal for looking chic without slowing you up. I have a pair of black Bandolino slingback kitten heels that have never let me down!

Ballet Flats. A chic ballet flat is the ultimate in comfort while still looking professional. They can be dressed up, like this Tory Burch option, or dressed down in a solid, neutral color without detracting from your look.

GENTLEMEN

No Sneakers. While these may be your shoe of choice, sneakers are too casual in an internship setting. Wearing a dress shirt with slacks or jeans and pairing them with sneakers takes away from your professional image.

Driving Loafers. For advice on men’s shoes, I turned to former Merrill Lynch intern Rick Urquhart. He recommends a quality driving loafer for the right balance of comfort and corporate. His top picks are: Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan and Bally.

Dress Shoes. A nicely polished dress shoe is a tried and true staple in a businessman’s wardrobe. While Hugo Boss dress shoes are a tad pricey, Rick suggests investing in quality.

For more fashionable internship tips, check out my fashion blog, Intern Chic, and follow us on Twitter.

Work It! is a series focusing on workplace wardrobe and fashion. You’ve already met Ellie Krupnick when she shared her stories of interning with NYC’s hottest fashion publications – now she’s back to share some wardrobe advice for you fashion interns.

People dress comfortably at Ellie's showroom internship, so she chose this casual-but-sharp denim/army jacket pairing.

Getting dressed for an internship is tough: Although some internships require super formal attire (i.e. black suits in finance) or allow super casual clothes (i.e. jeans and a T-shirt as a P.A. on a TV set), most internships fall somewhere in between. For me, interning in fashion, getting dressed for work requires balancing the formal/casual question with an additional variable: style. How do you dress fashionably, professionally and comfortably all at the same time?

This past Monday, as always, I was heading to my showroom internship: I needed an outfit that was trendy (the women I work with posses an enviable combo of high-fashion sophistication and hipster cool) but also functional for my day full of errands. Here’s what I wore and what I did:

My army jacket

I had to bring packages of clothing samples destined for bloggers to UPS a couple of blocks away, and it was a breezy 55 degrees. For these kinds of errands I need a light jacket that will match everything, and this green one from Gap Kids (yup— one of my fashion secrets) is the perfect piece.

My flared jeans

Seventies-era bell bottoms are super “in” this season, meaning I displayed my fashion cred by donning these Old Navy flared pants to work. Plus, the basement showroom where we all work on our own laptops (with Pandora blasting) is a fairly casual place…

My button-down shirt

… But not too casual. We had a buyer come into the showroom to see one of our lines, deciding if she wanted to buy it for her store. I was glad I was wearing my traditional Ralph Lauren button-down, which always makes me feel polished and professional.

My platform heels

These shoes are the perfect fashion internship shoe: they are comfortable (so much so I could walk ten blocks to the bank to deposit a check for my boss), they are trendy enough to get positive approvals from my fashionable co-workers, and they work with shorts, skirts, skinny pants … and bell-bottom jeans.

Check back next week for internship outfit ideas! Until then, browse around on Stuff We Love for more on fashion, beauty, and other stuff I’m loving…

Work It! is a series focusing on workplace wardrobe and fashion.  Each week, we will feature a new blogger offering their advice and answering your questions. This week, it’s Jessica Hansen, who started LovelyUndergrad.com when her dorm room decor began to stress her out. She also works in menswear, so she she’s here to help you, fellas.

Jessica Hansen

Working in the Men’s Department of a major department store, I assist many young college-aged men with selecting interview and job attire. When helping a customer find a pair of good-fitting pants, I often ask whether he prefers pleated or flat-front trousers.  If he’s in his thirties or older, he usually spouts off his preference without hesitation.  If he’s with his mom, she immediately answers for him.  But if he’s the typical college-aged male shopping without experience or the guidance of a mother, the responses range from a “Does it matter?” to “What’s the difference?”  The most common response being a simple, “I don’t know.”

Yes, it does matter.  Secondly, the difference is in the fit and shape of the pants.  And if you don’t know, don’t worry.  You’ll learn a lot from this brief explanation and a good salesperson should be ready and willing to help you find that perfect pair.

The Difference – Pleated pants have creases at the front of the pant along the waist.  The creases have been created by folding the fabric and sewing it down before attaching a waistband.  Flat-front pants, on the other hand, have a contouring feature called a dart that allows for the pant fabric to lie flat against the body.  What pant looks best on you depends on your body type.  Generally, slim men should stick to the flat-front while larger men and athletic men benefit from pleat pants’ extra room.

History – Flat-front pants were the go-to trousers of the 1950s and 60s.  Men’s suit and pant silhouettes were slim, smooth and tailored.  In the 1970s and 80s, looser fashions came into play.  The pleated pant came into fashion not only because of its on-trend loose silhouette, but also because of its comfort and increased freedom of movement.  In the 90s, flat-front pants came onto the scene again.  And with the recent popularity of all things Mid-Century Modern (Mad Men, anyone?), the tailored flat-front trousers are enjoying another revival.  While the flat-front look goes in and out of fashion, the pleated pant has remained a steady and traditional option because of the comfortable, roomier fit.

Flat-front pants

Flat-Front – Flat-front pants are slimming, snugger-fitting and since they go in and out of fashion, are generally better suited for the style-conscious.   Since there are no pleats, the silhouette is more smooth and straight, accentuating slimmer figures.  These pants should be well tailored, a bit loose around the waist, and worn just on or below the hipbones.   It’s important to keep in mind that flat-front pants are an unforgiving cut.  On larger men, this style may be too tight and uncomfortable around the waist, belly and thighs.  Flat-front pants will not only accentuate a slim figure, but also emphasize a belly.

Pleated pants

Pleated – Pleated pants are more generous around the middle, allowing for comfort and ease of movement.  Because of this, pleats are a constant option and don’t go in and out of fashion.  The pleated style helps to make a larger man’s front look flatter.  Pleats are also ideal for men with a large back-side or athletes with large thighs.  Men who have physically active jobs or lifestyles also find that pleated pants are roomier and easier to move in.   Pleated pants should be worn just above the hipbones at the natural waist.  Slender men, especially if tall, should avoid pleated pants because there will be too much extra room and the silhouette will appear sloppy.

Worn with a Suit – Sometimes certain suits have either flat-front or pleated pants, not both.  Pleated pants are the most common suit pant.  Although slimmer men generally should not wear pleated pants, it is okay when worn as a suit.  The suit jacket will cover up any of the extra fabric or bunching created when a slender man wears pleated pants.  For slender men, flat front pants look great with or without a suit jacket.  Pleated pants will not look smooth and slimming without a suit jacket overtop.  Larger men should stick to pleated pants in both cases for both comfort and ease of movement.

Ensuring a Good Fit – Don’t underestimate the power of pleats, but don’t get overwhelmed by the issue.  When selecting a pair of pants, take your time trying the different styles.  Walk around, move around, sit down and stand up to be sure that a pair of pants fits comfortable and allows for you to move.  The last thing you want is discomfort during an interview or internship.  Look over yourself in a full-length mirror to ensure a good-looking fit.  Don’t be afraid to ask the sales associate for assistance when deciding between a pleated or a flat-front style.  And take into consideration that to obtain that perfect fit, you may have to have alterations made to the waist or leg of the pants.  It will cost a little extra, but it’s totally worth it for a tailored fit and added confidence.

Guys – Jessica will be back with more advice for you, so keep a look out for her posts on Tuesdays. Leave any questions for her in the comments below. Can’t wait? She’s also on Twitter.

This afternoon, we’re bringing you a little fashion internship advice from Ashli Townsend, founder of InternChic.com. For more tips, follow Intern Chic on Twitter (@InternChic).

By Ashli Townsend

When applying to fashion internships, it can be difficult to stand out amongst hundreds of applicants. Here are a few suggestions on how to do so:

Ashli Townsend, InternChic.com

#1: Be a fashion fanatic.

No matter what your major is, make sure that your love for fashion is evident on your resume. Include any related activities (like participating in school fashion shows & blogging) that shows fashion is close to your heart.

#2: Stay busy in the fashion world.

If you haven’t already, start a fashion blog or Tumblr. Include that you run the blog on your resume with a brief description.

#3: Follow up by being pleasantly persistent.

From time to time email fashion related updates or even entries from your blog. You need to stay on their minds, display your love for fashion & that you really want this.

#4: Know the company.

Do a little research and include what you’ve learned and relate it to you in your cover letter.

#5: Add a little color to your resume.

… But don’t turn it into a coloring book. I was once told by an interviewer that because my resume had a light blue border around it they picked it up first from out of the pile. A simple, professional template that adds a small amount of color could help you stand out.

#6: It’s all in the details.

If it’s been awhile and no response, try mailing a brief handwritten note expressing your desire to intern there. Don’t overwhelm them with all of these emails and notes, but over time gradually contact them.

#7: Network on Twitter.

Get to know those in the fashion industry that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to chat with. Find the companies and employees on Twitter and chat with them about fashion. Don’t necessarily bug them about a job but if it naturally comes up, go for it.

I’ve tried all of the above suggestions, so I know from my own experience that they can be useful. I wish you all the best!

Work It! is a series focusing on workplace wardrobe and fashion.  Each week, we will feature a blogger offering their advice and answering your questions. Ellie Krupnick is a New York City fashion intern and writes a blog called Stuff We Love Blog (which you will love!). Shes also one of our Work It! fashion bloggers. Let’s get to know Ellie:

By Synthia Salas

Q: You’re a senior at Barnard College majoring in American Studies (working on a thesis about hip-hop and race!) – how did your adventures in the NYC fashion industry begin?

A: I knew that to work in the industry I would have to intern because my liberal arts college did not offer any fashion-related courses (much less a major) and the opportunity to intern was a huge reason I picked to go to school in New York City, America’s fashion capital, in the first place. So first semester freshman year, I scanned the postings on my school’s job/internship website and sent out emails to two different fashion PR companies with internship opportunities.

“I decided I wanted to work in magazines, my passion, so I interned next at Seventeen in the fashion closet.”

One emailed me back right away, I went for an interview the next week, and I was hired on the spot. And voila— my entry into the fashion world.

Ellie Krupnick

Q: So you started off freshman year as an intern with a fashion PR company. How did that first experience lead you to where you are now, as a senior with 2 internships?

A: I liked it, but didn’t feel like it was stimulating enough— plus we dealt mostly with menswear, which isn’t exactly my jam. I decided I wanted to work in magazines, my passion, so I interned next at Seventeen in the fashion closet. The fashion closet, as it turns out, is much like the PR agency but just on the other side: closet interns keep track of all the clothing samples PR agencies send to us, keeping it organized until we send the samples back to the PR companies after a photo shoot. Being in the creative magazine environment was exciting, as was witnessing stylists pull pieces for shoots and seeing the sittings editor pick and dress models.

But I wanted to write, so after four months at Seventeen, I moved upstairs in the Hearst Tower to Harper’s Bazaar to intern in the fashion features department. There I finally got my own cubicle and worked side-by-side with the fashion featured editor and director, as well as the magazine’s executive editor. I stayed for a year because I absolutely loved it— I did research for my bosses when they were going to interview a high-profile subject and I would transcribe the interview tapes afterward. I would research celebrities wearing certain clothing trends for features and hunt down clothing credits when we needed to figure out what designer a celebrity was wearing in a certain picture. I would brainstorm captions and trend ideas for the magazine’s “Buy, Keep, Store” feature, which my boss hated doing but I loved. And eventually, once I worked up the nerve, I pitched a few slide show ideas to the web editor and wrote original content for HarpersBazaar.com. But I also ran lots of errands, from getting the executive editor lunch every day to more outrageous tasks (buying her daughter’s birthday party cupcakes, getting her husband a Cartier watch, returning her $2,000 Rick Owens leather jacket to Bergdorf Goodman…). After a year, I knew I needed to go somewhere else to grow, make more contacts, and learn new skills.

Which brings me to now: I intern two days a week at Women’s Wear Daily, the fashion industry newspaper and its most respected publication. A newspaper is different because it’s not so much about creative ideas but journalistic reporting. I work on “The Eye,” the section that covers parties, openings, and celebs, meaning I go to the occasional party to do some reporting … and do office work.

I also intern twice a week in a showroom, which in fashion means a company that represents clothing lines and does wholesale sales for them to get them into stores. This more business-side of the industry was a side I felt like I still did not know so well since I began interning, and I wanted to explore before I graduated. It means keeping track of our clothing samples, helping on buying appointments, going to tradeshows (viva Las Vegas!), and doing some PR for our lines.

Q: I am almost speechless at how amazing all of that sounds, and really is inspiring for all aspiring fashionistas! Any advice you want to share for those getting started?

A: You should figure out what side of the industry interests you. Do you have a head for numbers? Try sales or buying. Are you a visual person? Maybe styling or the art department of a magazine is for you. If you’re passionate about writing, a magazine, newspaper or online site is your best bet (and you better be tweeting or blogging ASAP). Love interacting with others and keeping up with the latest trends, news, and who’s who? Then PR is your game.

You might not know yet what you love, so try everything and always ask your current employers who they know in other sides of the industry—they are your best connections and can help you get your next internship.

As for looking for internships, try the career site at your college, and these websites as well: FreeFashionInternships.com and DailyFashionJobs.com (for retail, wholesale, buying, and design) and Ed2010.com and MediaBistro.com (for newspaper and magazine positions). And just start sending out those emails!

And, of course, we have opportunities in fashion on Internships.com Ellie, thanks for all of the amazing information and advice – we’re looking forward to your posts on Eye of the Intern! For more from Ellie, follow her on Twitter, read her blog or check next Tuesday’s Work It! post.

Work It! is a series focusing on workplace wardrobe and fashion.  Each week, we will feature a new blogger offering their advice and answering your questions. This week, it’s Kimberly Pearl, whose blog, A Bit Coquettish, “presents her take on fashion & her perspective on life, love and style.”

The corporate world. It’s daunting, and equally unnerving to even think about. It’s an entirely different universe where members of this so-called cult clutches their copy of the WSJ and respective smart phones desperately. One wrinkle or wrong type of shoe and it’s obvious you’re an outsider.

It is imperative that all know how to dress both appropriately and still impress. However, some don’t understand the importance of it, or simply don’t know how. It was after interning at a courthouse (it was appalling how many dressed not just for work, but to appear in court!) when I was inspired to help women and men alike put their best face forward for that first impression that makes all the difference. First appearances do matter. It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. We make our best — and sometimes most inaccurate — judgment within the first few blinks. Let’s make it count in our favor.

Every professional girl needs the following in her wardrobe:

{+} Nude pantyhose

{+} Black blazer

{+} Black tailored pant

{+} Black pencil skirt

{+} White, button-down shirt

{+} Black pump, 3 – 4 in.

Boring, but necessities in the corporate world. In a non-fashion area of the corporate world, being too fashion-forward can be a hindrance, since many cannot gather or fathom recent trends. I’ve attended a few career fairs and business courses (I’m currently a business school student at university) — and the standard dress code of a black pantsuit, pump, and white dress shirt is a must. Deviation — even if it’s as minute as wearing a colored shirt or mismatching suit, reads as unprepared. Or, if your pump is a little to high or accessories are a bit too trendy, you’re read as frivolous. Thus, embrace chic alternatives to the classic and the sophisticated to pave your way to true success.

{+} Monochromatic palettes, and the classic black, white, gray. It instantly gives an impression of maturity, sophistication, and timelessness. A bit of color is always a youthful touch, but in the office, it’s usually better to stick to conservative color palettes and colors: black, white, gray and blue. Of course it is not crime to dress up a little black dress with a colorful cardigan – but keep prints to a minimum, and opt for solid-colored (florals are the exception!) pieces.

{+} The classic pump. It’s your best friend; not too high and not too low. The three-inch, black, stiletto pump is the ultimate corporate wardrobe piece. A symbol of executive power welded by the female in the working world, there is no way one can ever go wrong with the shoe. It’s classy, and can’t be deemed a “hooker heel” (those who are ignorant often label anything over three inches to be such shoes). The almond-toe or pointed toe (ah, the return of the pointy toe!) for winter/fall, and the peep-toe for the warmer seasons. Do make sure your toenails are well manicured, though. French or a coat of a simple nude — OPI’s Samoan Sand is my go-to nude polish.

{+} Buy & wear the classics: White button-down shirts with the top two buttons left undone, the sleeves rolled a few times rather casually, and tucked into a pair of pants. High waisted black skirts or pants are the perfect addition to the blouse, and finished with a few silver bracelets, a pair of black pumps, and a wide belt cinching the waist. A simple silver pendant is a dainty touch; pearls are equally beautiful, but may look too mature. Something a bit more modern – like colored pearls, pearls with chains, etc. – lighten the outfit. Blazers are absolute must-haves; the black is a staple, but choosing a more unconventional color – gray, cream, white – adds a dimension of modernity and depth. The little black dress, knee length with sleeves and a modest neckline makes for a feminine approach to the typical pant-suit ensemble. If it lacks sleeves, do wear a cardigan (an electric blue, yellow, teal, or cream are beautiful but sophisticated colors) – worn with or without a belt. Wide-leg, high-waisted denim trousers in a dark wash also act as a fashion-forward, but not too trendy take on the denim wave. Sophisticated and fresh.

To read more from Kimberly head over to her blog, follow her on Twitter, or leave a question in the comments below.