3 Shoe Options to Wear with Your Favorite Pants

Have you just bought a new pair of pants that you can’t wait to wear when you suddenly realize you don’t have the right shoes?

Or maybe you are questioning what style of shoes are appropriate? 

Having a variety of shoe options, definitely makes getting dressed more fun. 

The good news, is you have options.

I’m going to share 3 Shoe Options to Wear with One Pair of Pants.

Shoe Option #1 – The White Sneaker

The White sneaker was made popular back in 2014 by fashion bloggers and street stylists, the simple white trainers.  

It’s now 2022, and they are not going anywhere. They are here to stay, and I personally love my white sneakers.

If you’re a girl with a little sportiness or enjoy a little comfort, a white sneaker is a must. 

• They provide a clean classic vibe. The color white denotes refined and elegant. 

• You are elevating your sneaker game with a minimalist white sneaker. 

• Wear your white sneaker with a jean, a casual summer dress, or a skort.

Shoe Option #2 – The Patent Leather Sneaker Shoe

Personally, I love patent leather. It’s that instant splash of shine and dressy combined. 

Patent leather might not be your thing but think about a sneaker sole with an added dressier shoe combination. Or for you, maybe it’s casual flats. The perfect Dressy Casual Shoe. 

• Elevate the everyday with comfortable and chic.

• Experience versatility of dress sneakers for work.

•  Wear with jeans, Ponte pants, or cotton twill.

Shoe Option #3 – The Mule Shoe

I remember my first pair of mules, 20 years ago. I loved them. 

They are back with a vengeance with style and ease. 

• The easiest pair of shoes to slip into and feel instantly dressed up in a casual chic way.

• The block heel gives the dressy casual pant an elevated look and feel. 

• Short legs? Pair your pants with a pointy toe mule, it’s going to give you an elongated leg.

Looking to keep connected? Download my FREE Get Style Confident Now Guide!

Stepping down from your stilettos doesn’t mean taking a step down in style with these flashy kicks.

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

3 Pant Silhouettes to Create 3 Three Levels of Dressy-Casual Style

Have you found your professional attire moving toward a “dressy casual” look and feel?

And notice that you tend not to wear professional trouser pants like you used to?

You know you need another option in pants, but are not sure what to purchase?

Today I’m going to share three pant options to add to your professional wardrobe that will give you the dressy casual look and feel yet sharp and polished.

#1 Dressy Casual Level One – the Joseph Ribkoff Trouser Pant

• What I love about these pants is you can dress them up or down, which gives you versatility and ease when getting dressed.  

• The pant has elastic at the waist. There is something so comfortable about elastic, as it allows you to move and breathe in your pants with ease. Gaining a few pounds around the middle gives you some wiggle room to still feel comfortable and confident. 

• It’s an ankle-pant. You can wear an ankle-pant with various shoe styles. A traditional pump. A sandal. A fancy sneaker.

#2 Dressy Level Two – Dark Wash Black Jeans 

• The straight-leg silhouette is classic and timeless. It is always in style and does well with most body types. 

• The dark wash black jean gives you the visual appearance of a pair of trouser pants but the look and feel of approachable and understated. That is dressy casual. 

• The black jean has a professional yet stylish appearance that can be styled with jackets for a crisp sharp presence.

#3 Dressy Level Three – 5 Pocket 4-Way Stretch Fabric Pant

• Here I am introducing a lululemon pant but there are so many options available in this level of dressy casual.  Looks like a jean silhouette but with more polish and elegance.

• Personally, I love the polished fabric with a 4-way stretch fabric that is ultra-comfortable and allows you to move with ease.

•  This pant also gives options to wear with multiple shoe styles.  From a dressy sandal or pump to a dressy casual sneaker.

BONUS: The Skort – Skirt with Benefits

• Dressier than a pant but not a professional skirt style. 

• Benefit of the spandex short underneath so you can move with ease. 

• Personally, I wear my skorts to work in front of zoom to riding my bike to the winery and then to dinner.

As you may have noticed, all my pant options are black. 

Yes, black is versatile and easy to mix-and-match. 

To expand and optimize your wardrobe, I encourage you to ‘try on’ and consider other neutrals like navy, khaki, or white. 

Join me next week for part 2 of the dressy casual wardrobe series as we chat about shoe options. 

If you haven’t already, please come join us in the Style with Significance Private Facebook group as we continue the conversation. 

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

12 Style Tips to Show Up as Your Best Self as You Go Back to The Office

You’re a different woman than you were 24 months ago, you've evolved.

 As you're looking in your closet you may be thinking, I don't even wear half of these pieces. 

You may be getting ready to go back to work, or already in the trenches of back at the office, and you're looking at your wardrobe thinking, “Oh my gosh, I don't wear 50% of the pieces I already have.”

Realizing over the last couple years how differently you were dressing, right? 

You may have lowered your standards of how you showed up, especially on zoom.

Remember, the world told you it was o.k. to wear pajamas to work.  

Sometimes you get sucked into the world views thinking it’s normal, and then one day you wake up and realize your self-confidence isn’t what it used to be when it comes to style and looking the part.

This is why I’ve come up with 12 style tips for you to show up as your best self as you go back to the office.

Style Tip #1 One by one, begin removing pieces from your closet that don't make you feel like a million bucks. 

Style Tip #2 Take note; you probably purchased clothing pieces over the last 24 months that were designed to be in front of a zoom camera. 

Style Tip #3 Give yourself permission to be done with them and say goodbye.  

Style Tip #4 When you have unwanted pieces, they clutter your mind.

Style Tip #5 You do not want the illusion that you “should” have all kinds of amazing potential outfits, when you do not.  Let them go. 

Style Tip #6 Maybe they remind you of COVID and it is a negative in your subconscious.  Let them go. 

Style Tip #7 Because you didn’t care as much, the quality isn’t aligned with you and your normal standard of purchases. Let them go. 

Style Tip #8 They're tattered, they're ready to go. 

Style Tip #9 One of the things I learned from Marie Kondo and recently did myself was, to completely clear your closet and then begin adding the pieces back in one-by-one. 

Style Tip #10 My philosophy is that everything must be invited back into your closet, and you should love each piece. Marie Kondo would say, “Does it brings you joy?”

Style Tip #11 Do you want to continue to wear them as you move forward into 2022 and beyond? 

Style Tip #12 Do the pieces you are keeping align with how you want to be perceived as a businesswoman? 

Does this process overwhelm you? 

Does it stress you out? 

Would you love help? 

I am here to help you. 

You are invited to my new program that was designed especially for you, called The Seven Day Signature Style Edit.

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

3 Ways to Style Your Timeless White Blouse  

You may be thinking, white….it's a little boring?

Maybe you’re thinking you prefer a timeless blouse with more color or frill?

However, the white blouse is a wardrobe staple that is: 

• Timeless

• Versatile

• Luxurious

1.Let’s talk Timeless

Begin styling it with your classic black jacket. Simple. I'm sure you have one in your closet. Showing up professional and put-together is going to give you the confidence that you need as you head back to the office or begin in-person meetings. 

Add pearls, gold, or silver accessories to make it your own. 

2.Let’s talk Versatility

Style your timeless white blouse with a beautiful sweater or even a denim jacket. 

There is no one way to style your white blouse. The options are endless. 

As you are investing in the timeless white blouse, think of the various jackets you already own.

The timeless white blouse now becomes an investment piece into your wardrobe.

3.Let’s talk Luxury 

The color white denotes clean, crisp, and organized. 

Is that how you want others to perceive you?

Will you choose a beautiful Italian pima cotton fabric that says bespoke?

Luxury and custom. 

Let Your Timeless White Blouse do the Speaking for You. 

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

Have you ever fantasized that if you bought ALL NEW Clothes you would instantly love your wardrobe?

Possibly or you could be back to where you began, wearing only 20% of your clothes because your game plan was ONLY to buy new.

What if...you took a good look at the clothes you already have and access why you like them and why you don't. That would give you some clues to moving forward.

You hate to shop so you bought what's on the mannequin. The sales person told you it looked great, you bought it. It was on sale, gotta buy it.

You wore it a time or two and now you don't like it.

Hmm-mm....WHY is that?

I believe it's important to find out why, so you don't keep bringing the same pieces to the party that you DON'T wear and are not sure why.

Or maybe you LOVE the piece, but don't wear it.

Hmm-mm...WHY is that?

Maybe it just needs a great shoe. Or accessorizing?

OR maybe you're a Steve Jobs kinda person and love the simpleness of a "signature look." That's great if you're OK with it.

Imagine your closet filled with pieces that reflect your unique style...Picture yourself feeling like a million bucks every time you get dressed.

In my initial Style Interview with a new client one of our focus points is to uncover her challenges.

Sometimes it's the simpleness of adding a NEW deliberate piece.

I was in Laurie's closet recently who loves simple and doesn't have many prints. She gets frustrated with shopping and tends to buy only solids.

Prints can sometimes be scary.

Through our Style Interview and spending time in her Closet, I learned about her likes and dislikes, I knew the perfect print for her.

It happened to be in a pair of pants - she tried them on and LOVED them. Her eyes lit up.

A big smile came over her face as she looked in the mirror.

We accessed the tops and sweaters in her closet that she could wear with her NEW Print Pants. This NEW pant brought a freshness to her wardrobe.

Sometimes it can be that ONE piece that revitalizes your wardrobe.

Who you are at the core will be the single most important thread of our work together. Understanding your work environment and lifestyle and what's already in your closet allows me to select pieces that you may never have considered. (YES, I shop for You!)

It's not always about having heaps of clothes, but having the "right" pieces enabling you to get dressed in seconds while LOVING your wardrobe because it feels like you. 

Annette Bond works with accomplished, professional women to Elevate their Image.

Follow me on LinkedIn / Wardrobe Wednesday on Facebook

annette@annettebond.com

UPCOMING EVENT:

Elevate Your Image Workshop / Saturday, September 29th / 10am-3pm / ONLY 8 Spots Available

Sign Up TODAY

Have you ever thought, I'm ready to throw out everything in my closet and start over?

Because you're bored with your clothes?

It feels like nothing looks good on you?

When you need that "great outfit" for a special event, you never have it?

Or maybe your closet is just overcrowded and looks like this...

Did you know that Only 20% of the clothes in the average persons closet are worn on a regular basis according to chief design officer of California closets.

WHY?

It’s a question we ponder every time we stare into our wardrobes and have no clue what to wear. It doesn’t make sense. Your closet is full.

What's Wrong With My Closet?

Is it because you're a creature of habit who can’t be bothered to try new things?

You know it works, so you just keep wearing the same outfit over and over?

A couple of things could be going on.

Yes, we are creatures of habit.

You get a compliment on the outfit and you know it works. So why change.

Or do you have a lot of impulse buys?

It looked great in the store or you were at a clothing party and the sales person said, OMG you have to buy that!

Recently, I met with my new client Heather, who was the one who said, I'm OK with throwing EVERYTHING away and starting from scratch.

Before we do that, I told Heather, I always spend some time in the closet to see if there are any great pieces we can work with.

I come in with a "fresh pair of eyes"

Many of her purchases originated because her sister-in-law said, "you've got to buy that" as they were shopping.

Did you know that when others influence you to buy they are seeing themselves wearing the outfit, not necessarily if it looks good on you?

The day I entered Heather's closet, I helped her create 15 NEW outfits that she never knew existed. She was blown away!

She told me the clothes we threw out, cost her more than the fee she paid me. Had she known what didn't look good on her, she would have NEVER purchased those pieces.

Instead of wearing ONLY 20% of your clothes and feeling frustrated. Let's get your Closet feeling like this...

Imagine your closet filled with pieces that reflect your unique style all while ELEVATING YOUR IMAGE...

Annette, I'm ready to start LOVING my closet and want it filled with pieces that reflect my unique style.

Let's Talk (click to book a Style Strategy Session)

With Your Definitive Style in Mind,

Annette

Annette Bond works with accomplished, professional women to Elevate their Image. She inspires women to elevate and express the best of who they are Now, so they can go out into the world with greater confidence and ease.

Annette is a Certified Personal Image Consultant AICI CIC, Corporate Image Certified, More Alive With Color™ Certified, and Fashion Feng Shui Facilitator.

Follow me on LinkedIn / Wardrobe Wednesday or Fashion Friday on Facebook

Nicer weather is tip-toeing in Seattle.  And if you're like me, you're craving a few new pieces to update your summer wardrobe. 

A few of the questions I hear a lot, "I want to add more uniqueness to my wardrobe." 

I look in the mirror and feel like something is missing? 

How do I create a put-together look?

If you shook your head and are thinking, yes that's me, help!

You're not alone. 

With the warmer weather upon us, I've had a personal "missing piece" dilemma myself.

You're about to witness how I turned my ONE new purchase into a treasure of outfits. 

Do you tend to focus your clothing purchases primarily on "work clothes" and don't always want to spend the money on weekend clothes - am I right?

Hey, I do the same thing. 

I've noticed is my summer lifestyle can be a little more casual.  And recognizing that certain pieces are missing.

With the weather changing here in Seattle to around 60-70 degrees, one doesn't necessarily need a coat, just an easy-going jacket to throw on. 

One of my favorite pieces to wear and purchase is a classy, luscious, stylish jacket. I love how a jacket can give an outfit instant polish! And adds that tad of warmth you're looking for. 

I'M a simple kind of gal, and a great jacket adds that "exquisiteness" to my simple pants, skirts and tops.

What I was encountering every time I put on my jeans, that "easy-going" casual jacket was missing that I so adore.  

It was absent from my closet.

Only to find out the next time I'm trying to execute my dressed-up casual look, I'm back to the same frustration. Where's the jacket I NEED!

Are you ready for what I found? 

What's so cool about this ONE new piece is it solved a multitude of my summer wardrobe dilemmas. 

What attracted me to this jacket: Simple and effortless, and the RED pizzazz!

• I value comfort when I'm dressing casual - the lycra in the fabric allows me to move.

• It was simple and solid - that meant I could add it to all my prints.

• LOVED the Red - fun and passionate for summer.

• It dresses up my skorts and jeans. Remember I like dressed-up casual.

• I can wear it with my white, black and navy jeans.

• I can pair it with my black, white and navy tops.

• I reluctantly paired it with my lonely floral shell that's been hanging around my closet for 5 years. Guess what, it looks great with the RED jacket.

• And, the most fun - wearing RED lipstick.

I've been attracted to RED from the beginning of 2018. It started when I declared my 2018 words - Bold Commitment. 

1. This RED jacket has put the lid on the "missing piece" ... at least for the time being until another missing piece manifests itself.

2. The RED jacket provides my casual summer wardrobe with a put-together look!

3. I've never had a fun casual RED jacket ... Love the uniqueness it's adding to my flourishing dressed-up casual wardrobe. 

Imagine... the outfits that I could create if I found a few more missing pieces.

If you're feeling like you have some missing pieces in your closet, let's hope on a quick phone call and find out how we can transform your wardrobe by filling in the missing gaps.