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Welcome to the latest edition of Working It, where Racked takes street style to the next level—the office. The litmus test of the true style-savvy is how she (or he) rocks a look on any old day to work. Forget the pedestrian khakis and buttondowns—these fashionable professionals take the office dress code to a whole other dimension. Quick, somebody call HR!
Photos by Porter Hovey
Today we take you to the Manhattan offices of Seventeen magazine. Though the book is best known as a teen fashion bible, the ladies there have mastered sophisticated dressing that doesn't feel the slightest bit immature. Pretty frocks and trendy pieces are the lay of the land, offering up plenty of officewear inspiration. Here's how they work it when they're working.
Jasmine Snow, Accessories Editor: My personal style is "messy pretty". I like to wear cute, girly skirts with a soft, baggy, gray t-shirt, or boyfriend jeans with a beautiful pair of heels. I tend to always lean more towards girly shapes, colors, and prints, but even if it's a slouchy top or wavy messy hair, there always has to be something to make the look a little "lived in" and not so put together or polished.
Style Advice: My style advice is to always have a style icon that you get inspiration from. My style icons change on the daily, from celebrities and models to bloggers and my own fashion team! I love taking a favorite outfit that I wore or a favorite piece in my closet and re-styling it in a new way that I've seen on a celeb or a cool editor I bumped into at a preview. Having inspiration helps me get fresh ideas so I can re-work my closet faves and have less of those "I have nothing to wear" days.
Jasmine is wearing Zara skirt, tops from Thakoon Addition and Ulla Johnson, and Isabel Marant shoes.
Abby Kalicka, Senior Market Editor: My style is classic with a playful twist. I love pieces that stand the test of time, worn differently over the years as my style evolves and preferences shift. I still have skirts I bought in college to wear for internships in the city. I style them differently today than I did then, but I still love wearing them. A good piece is a good piece. I adore a fun print or bold color to keep things interesting. I'll ground a whimsical printed piece with a leather moto or denim jacket. I'll pair a good grey sweatshirt with just about anything. I love statement jewelry but it's usually layered with personal pieces that I wear every day–my grandfather's signet ring, my grandmother's diamond bracelet. It's these special pieces that make your style yours alone.
Style Advice: Go for things that you like rather than getting caught up in what others like or what's "in." If you love what you're wearing, you'll rock it, and confidence is always stylish! Do take fit into consideration and frequent the tailor. An expensive dress will look cheap if it doesn't fit properly. And less expensive finds can look like a million bucks when tailored to fit your frame.
Abby is wearing a Thakoon dress and Tod's shoes.
Aeyung Kim, Fashion Assistant: My style is fun and young. I like to play with mixing vibes and wearing an unexpected pair of shoes.
Style Advice: I often hear the phrase "I love this but I can't pull it off." If you love it, you can definitely pull it off! Don't be shy when it comes to experimenting.
Aeyung is wearing a Zara skirt, a Brandi Melville dress, and Nike sneakers.
Gina Kelly, Fashion Director: My style is urban prep. I gravitate towards classics like stripes, jeans, and black-and-white combinations, but I like a little edge to my pieces—like riped or destroyed denim and fun details, like sparkles.
Style Advice: Have fun with fashion. If you want to try a new trend, do it. I think that's why I've been at Seventeen for as long as I have—teens are constantly experimenting with style. I love that freedom.
Gina is wearing a Chloé dress and Jill Stuart shoes.
Yesenia Almonte, Beauty Director: My style is classic and feminine. I'm not the type to buy something super trendy or flashy or anything with crazy prints, and you'll never catch me wearing jeans. I have Latina curves so I'm very particular about how I dress them. I have a pretty good idea of what looks good on me and what doesn't. I gravitate toward pencil skirts and feminine camisoles, and DVF dresses are my favorite! I also love a belt—I belt basically everything that I wear. I finish my look with bracelets, cool cuffs, and designer shoes (Manolo's are my favorite—they're comfy and finish off my look perfectly).
Style advice: My best advice is to consider your body type when buying clothes. The pieces you buy should enhance a body part you love to show off, or play down one you don't heart as much. For example, pencil skirts make me look taller and my legs look leaner, while a belt enhances my waistline in a sophisticated way.
Yesenia is wearing DVF dress, YSL shoes, and a belt from a local boutique.
Liz Doupnik, Fashion & Beauty Editor: My style is really a mish-mash of different influences. First and foremost, I will always be a tomboy at heart. Ever since I was little, I would channel different 1960s musicians (think Jim Morrison, Donovan, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison) into my daily get-up, as they were influencing every other angle of my life profoundly. Dressing super-girly is fun, but I feel most in my own skin when I wear menswear (or menswear-inspired) pieces. With that, I always incorporate masculine and vintage elements into all my outfits. I'm a Chelsea boot addict—I can't walk by a sale or vintage shop without cruising the men's boot section! That said, I also grew up in a pretty preppy area and I love turning classic Americana style on its head by putting a quirky spin on pieces that are typically perceived as ultra-sophisticated or on the contrary, quite rag-tag with unexpected, traditional items.
Style advice: Dress your body! Every size and shape is beautiful and you can find pieces that help you flaunt it! Trying new trends can be fun, but start small to see if it will work for you, and if you feel comfortable and confident wearing this new style. If you're on the fence about your outfit in your bedroom, chances are you won't be feeling 100% for the rest of the day. It's worth taking that extra five minutes to check in with yourself to see if the outfit works for you.
Liz is wearing a Martin Margiela top, a 3.1 Phillip Lim shirt, a Stella McCartney skirt, vintage boots, and vintage bracelets.
Amanda Elser, Beauty Assistant: I like to consider myself a bit of a Francophile, so when it comes to shopping I literally swoon at the sight of stripes or scarves. But besides that, I like to invest in pieces that are comfortable and classic. I will almost always choose ballet flats over heels, but every once in a while I find the perfect pump that goes with everything in my closet AND is super comfy (perfect for walking up and down subway stairs!) I like my look to appear effortless so I keep the accessories very, very minimal, only adding a swipe of lipstick when I want to finish off my look.
Style advice: My style advice is simple: do you. Not every trend is right for everyone. I remember leaving college with a closet full of cheap and trendy dresses that I will never wear again. Save up for those more expensive staples that you know you'll love and use forever. The three things worth splurging on? A good pair of jeans, a sturdy pair of flats and an excellent face cream (because looking your best starts with your skin!)
Amanda is wearing a Zara dress, J. Crew heels, Ruby Woo Lipstick from M.A.C Cosmetics, and Warby Parker glasses.
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