black studded belt over mint lace dress

First thing’s first, I have to break the bad news that this dress isn’t actually apart of the #NSale, BUT the good news is that it’s under $68… and comes in white and pastel pink.

This year I’m sharing my sale posts a little differently and theming each post. You can see all of them thus far if you click on the #NSale page at the top right of this site!  I had a reader suggest more work-friendly pieces, so I thought I would share one of my favorite strategies when I worked in a corporate office.

I worked at an office job for five years after college (I know, I know… that’s not that long!), but while I was working those gigs, I had a few tricks I would use.  It helped keep me from spending my cashflow on “work clothes” that I didn’t necessarily love. The biggest one?  I would belt a vest or blazer over a strapless or spaghetti strap dress. It’s that easy!

Just because an item isn’t work-appropriate at first glance doesn’t mean you can’t rearrange some things as long as the piece is knee-length or longer. And you guys know I love a midi dress!

Below are some of my favorite work-pieces that are in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and of course, this outfit is fully linked at the bottom of this post.  You can shop all of Nordstrom’s work-wear picks here!

 
mint lace dressblack studded beltmint tassel earringslayering vest over cocktail dressblack stuart weitzman nudist heelmint lace midi dresswhite sleeveless vest over cocktail dressbelting vest over cocktail dressmidi lace dress

photos by Vincent Elejorde

dress, also love the white and pink version – all under $70 | similar vest here and here | belt – eBay, love this one and this one (under $13) | heels, similar look for less here | similar bag for less here and here | sunglasses, similar look for less here | earrings, also available here

 

Don’t forget you can catch all my #NSale posts by clicking on the #NSale page at the top left of this site, including all the items I’ve actually bought and am loving!  Thanks so much for reading! XO –

19 Comments|See Comments

19 thoughts on “Layering a Cocktail Dress for Work | Fave #NSale Work Picks

  1. Tis look is so pretty and chic and even a little edgy. I love it. I actually work from home so I stay in jeans, shorts, tee, button up top etc, so I probably wouldn’t wear this to work but I would wear it to our office party just the way you styled it. No one gets dressed up ever for my office parties but I do because as Audrey Hepburn says “You can never be over dressed or over educated”, well don’t quote me but it’s something like that. Thanks for sharing!
    http://www.forthewonderer.com

    1. Sharon – you are speaking my language sister! I feel the same way – would always rather be a little overdressed than underdressed!

  2. I love this! I recently started a post-grad, full-time job and sometimes struggle with being business casual while also feeling like myself, so this is super helpful!

  3. I really love this post. What a great idea. Please, do more posts of office appropriate looks. Thank you thank you!

  4. I love this belted look! Would love to see more ways to wear/incorporate them into my wardrobe. I have all these belts and never wear them!

Comments are closed.