Inspiration Board: Barbie - Work/Play

This magnificent outfit from Barbie definitely is worth stealing some inspiration from...and on more than one occasion!  It's formal leanings make it a potential office outfit, but the sexy use of lace nudges it into date night territory. It's harder to get more classic than black monochrome, but Barbie made this combo a bit more 90's-meets-modern with a choker accent ..as well as ramping up the risk by incorporating a lacy brassiere. It's that piece which makes the look complicated to replicate for the rest of us. If you're a starlet promoting your tv show, it's exactly what you need to get the world talking. If you're not, being a shade more circumspect is indicated. On the flip side, who doesn't want to have the sultry, racy thrill of spicing up a black outfit with some look-twice lace?  To make this into a wear-to-work version, grab your slim, high-waisted suit pants (or chinos or slim (dark wash! Faded wash won't be polished enough) denim for more casual offices). Pair them with a cropped, suiting jacket. Tuxedo-style is fine, subtle embellishment is fine, even finely-woven cotton is fine. Don't be afraid to appropriate the jacket from a suit if you're doing the chino or denim thing; just make sure the shades of black match. A formal jacket like this works with all three types of pants and is especially crucial with non-suit pants to elevate those fabrics to office-level formality. Avoid knit jackets, biker/motorcycle jackets, and denim. Instead of the brassiere, make the look more subtle by choosing a cami with lace (or crochet) detailing that can peek out from under the jacket. The one caveat here is to not ever, no way, no how, NEVER (are you HEARING me? :)) wear a cami/tank made with charmeuse (shiny satin) fabric for this look. Much too bedroom. Stay away. Turn back. Retreat. :) Another, somewhat bolder option is to use an all-over lace black lace cami, lined in a lighter color to make the lace more visible, like this one (DIY this look by using an unlined/see-through all-over lace piece atop a neutral tank.). For work looks, keep adjectives like  "artisanal" and "feminine" in your inspiration palette, as opposed to "seductive". Finish with pointy toe pumps... and a choker! The choker is super important to this look as a work look, especially when you're using a lace-accented cami or tank. You need that one additional chic, trendy detail to give the look the right style quotient. Be free with it: velvet, leather ( and even charmeuse satin! ;)) is fabulous here. Again, DIY can be your friend; use a piece of ribbon, or knot  a slim chain necklace to make an instant choker if you don't own one already. 

If you're doing this look for date night - or another night occasion-, you can get a little crazier. Go for the bralette ;). My only rule is to think of it as/make-sure-it-looks-more-like a top, not lingerie: the girls should be supported by something if there's nothing built in to the bralette itself and avoid show-through. The idea is "confident, flirtatious preview of coming attractions" , as opposed to "Hunting season is now open; come and get it!". Class is sexy. If you'd rather shy away from the bralette, consider a cropped lace cami. Option #2: do a lace bustier. Or, option #3: a lace-accented bodysuit. The choker isn't crucial to this version of the look, but it's definitely fun. So do it, or don't...whatever floats your ducks in row. What is crucial is a hawt pair of shoes! Think strappy sandals, peeptoes, or even lace-up flats ;) Should the need arise, you could actually do the work-version of this look and take it straight to date night just by switching your shoes. Food for thought. Happy styling, loves!