Fashion Me Fabulous

It's easy to get in a rut with your work attire. A black suit. The red cardigan with the navy skirt. Grey pants with the green silk blouse. Never the red cardigan with the grey pants. Not the green blouse with the black suit. Ruts. While few of us can afford a classic Chanel suit or one of Orscar de la Renta's stunning separates, we can always look to the runway for inspiration. Mix your patterns, try a different length of skirt, invest in bold colors. Scroll through the gallery below to see what inspired us. View this collection on Polyvore Wear to Work by fashionmefabulous How will you remix your work wardrobe?

While I was brushing up on professional dress the other week, I stumbled across "an expert" complaining that polka dots were only okay for the office if you work for Katy Perry. Really? That's silly. This is the sort of thing that makes feel professional is a coded synonym for masculine . So here's a tip on how to wear polka dots at work: Just do it. If you are worried about looking too Katy Perry, then stick to neutral colors and small dots. If being a little Katy Perry sounds a-okay, play it up with colors and larger spots. Art of Work by fashionmefabulous LBD & Burgundy by fashionmefabulous Britain's Best Boxes by fashionmefabulous Polka Dots and Menswear by fashionmefabulous

I'm seeing dorm must-haves and college necessities everywhere. Don't forget your 85 different small electronics. Make sure you have the tiny k-cup brewer. Don't forget the elaborate and colorful storage system! (Not really, you can get by without a lot of that stuff). As far as campus chic goes, most ads only seem to recommend jeans, hoodies and class-ready PJs. Now, I wore a lot of jeans and tees in college. In a fit of extreme lateness/illness I did wear pajama pants to class once, but I usually put on real clothes for the days of studying and too many extracurriculars. The truth is college students need professional attire too. And they could benefit from it more often than they think. Note: This information differs based on your major. If you are business or pre-law, consider suits and classic business attire. If you are flinging paint around a studio, dress to be splattered. Class Chic Some classes are going to demand more professionalism from you. You can't...

The biggest complaint the teachers at my mother-in-law's school are having with their new dress code is money. They believe that they cannot afford clothing of nicer quality than jeans, t-shirts, and foam flip flops. For crying out loud, Starbucks requires its employees to wear khakis or black pants and a black or white non-t top. Clearly, these teachers have never learned to shop. (It is sad how many adults don't know how to compare prices, look for sales, and just generally shop. Clothes, food, home items -- if you buy it regularly, it is worth your time to learn where the deals are.) In case they are really just proffering lame excuses, here are some items all under $45 that you can wear to work: There is a world outside of jeans. True, dress pants can't take the same wear and tear, but you're not exactly going to be mowing your lawn at work, are you? Pants are really trendy right now too, so stock up on colors and cuts while you can. Target can get you started in...

Last week, a guy showed up at our mutual place of work in a t-shirt that read "Show Me Your Boobs." (He was sent home.) A friend of mine used to hold an annual meeting explaining to her preschool teachers that stained and torn jeans are not workplace appropriate. The teachers in the school were my mother-in-law works (the school that had to tell teachers leggings are not pants ) are threatening a coup against the administration if the ban on foam flip-flops is not lifted. A thought: Grow up. Sometimes you don't like the dress code at work. It's work, not happy-go-fun-times. You can either suck it up so you can keep paying your bills or you can look for employment elsewhere. Being told your clothing shouldn't have holes or that your toes should be covered isn't an assault on your personality or freedoms. If you honestly believe it is, you need to, I don't know, read a book and learn how words are defined. In case you missed Adult 101, here are som...

$150 Challenge: Office Job Interview by fashionmefabulous featuring liz claiborne blazer, J. C. Penney's $35 stud pencil skirt, J. C. Penney's $25 green peplum blouse, J. C. Penney's $24 (sale) croc embossed leather shoes, Naturalizer $69 (sale) For my full list of tips for dressing for a job interview, check out this post .

Summer clothes and work dress code are sort of polar opposites. Not only does your sundress show more skin than Human Resources is comfortable with, but beyond all explanation, the air-conditioner has a pipeline straight to the Arctic. Don't worry, relaxed and washable blazers in linen and cotton literally have your back. (Click for a bigger image.) Top: dove gray peplum, Charlotte Russe $30 (sale) navy military jacket, ASOS $73 chambray blazer, Nordstrom $69 (Available in 6 more colors) plaid linen tweed, Rebecca Minkoff at Saks Fifth Avenue $298 (sale) Bottom: metallic moto jacket, Macy's $69 (sale) olive with contrast trim, Mango $80 red swing jacket, Target $35 striped blazer, Gap $59 (sale)

Jael Paris has been posting lovely spring dresses, and the sun is starting to shine like it might actually want make things warm. It's all very promising. Sadly, my office is absolutely freezing. I've been assured it will remain freezing. I want to wear all the pretty spring things, but I still need to layer. These pretty spring cardigans seem like just the solution.  Pictured: White trim cardigan, Banana Republic, $49.99 Floral panel cardigan, Anthropologie, $49.95 Crochet shrug, Asos, $34.91 Picutred: Mint cotton cardigan, J. Crew Factory, $39.50 Orange open stitch cardigan, Kohl's, $43.50 Floral print cardigan, Target, $32.99 Colorblock cardigan, Target, $32.99 (on clearance in stores)

Earlier this week, Jael posted a super cute jacket for our pick of the week. This reminded me of my jacket shopping frenzy at Target last week. This fall when I headed to nearly every store to find a nice jacket for a job interview--nothing. But this spring there seems to be an endless supply--and many of my favorites are at Target. Sadly, my better financial judgement forced me to trim the jacket haul down to two, but I could have easily bought most of these in every color. (I did buy the black version of the teal one in the center. The peplum zips off to make a cropped jacket. I may need to get the teal one too. It's two jackets for the price of one!) Target Jacket Frenzy by fashionbeccafabulous featuring a printed blazer Pictured: Peplum Zip-Front Jacket, $24.99 Double Breasted Grey Jacket, $39.99 Prabal Gurung Floral Jacket, $49.99 Tailored Peplum Jacket, $44.99 Teal Zip-Apart Jacket, $29.99 Ruffled Peplum Jacket, $34.99 Grey Boyfriend Jacket, $34.99 Red Pon...

It's a little bit Barbie, a little bit serious business. A blazer is considered a professional must, and professional is usually code for manly. The Malibu blazer by Lil Pulitzer is having none of that. With soft tucks forming a puff at the shoulder and a gathered flare in the back, this jacket is highly feminine. It's available in vibrant pink stripes, blue stripes, pink floral , and navy with pink trim . This is certainly an investment piece as the solid color is $188 and the prints and patterns are $198. However, if you have been searching for a fun blazer for work, watch for this to go on sale.

My coworkers are baffled by my clothing. It can get a little dirty where we work, so they wear tee shirts and jeans. I wear dresses, blouses and skirts, and jeans as well. "I don't know how you can wear that here," they say. "I'd be too afraid of ruining it." Look, I'm not wearing anything fancy. I'm wearing cotton and jersey in less casual cuts. Most importantly, all of my clothing is machine wash. Right now, I'm really excited about this bright jersey blazer. It feels like a sweatshirt. Bonus, if you roll up the bracelet length sleeves, you can show off the chevron print lining. It's machine wash. It's available in teal, bright pink, purple and black. Best of all, it's only $25 at Target. Why don't I own four of these?

My coworkers often comment on how nice I look. This is often followed by a comment like, "I just don't have the time in the mornings to look nice." Honey, if you think I get up hours before leaving the house to get gussied up, you are sorely mistaken. Sleep is my lover and I will not be taken from him. What other people think takes a chunk of my morning is nothing more than putting a headband on so my hair looks artfully messy instead of messy and throwing on a dress. If you invest in good dresses, you don't have to worry about time. They're one piece, and they come in a variety of shapes to suit any body. Stop thinking about dresses as "something special" and start integrating them into your daily wardrobe. Top: retro button shift, JC Penney $17.99 houndstooth skirted 2-in-1 dress, The Limited $108 coral knit dress, Vivienne Tam at Macy's $59.99 shell cotton sheath, J. Crew $99.99 Bottom: olive shirt dress, Anthropologie $89.95 berry jerse...

Strong shoulders are considered more masculine, and I love a sharp shoulder line. But sometime I want to throw off that convention. I want to feminize what is masculine and remain strong in my girliness. This greenish grey puff shoulder blazer is just the thing. The soft shoulder would look equally fantastic with a business suit or flirty spring dress. It hangs open and loose, so it won't cover the rest of your outfit. It's $79 from Victoria's Secret.

My husband cringes when he hears the words "current," "economic," and "climate" used together. We're all ready for this to be over, for empty homes to breath with life, for businesses to stop shuttering. But it's not over yet, as becca's bank account can attest. So here are some fashionable pieces to wear to an interview. Best of luck to you. MBA's don't fetch coffee. by Fashion Me Fabulous featuring blouses pencil skirt, Target $26.99 blazer, The Limited $39.99 crinkled blouse, Kohl's $36 low pump, Easy Street on Endless $44.95 Want more tips on what to wear for an interview? Read my tips from managers in several industries.

If your party is set in your workplace or starts immediately after work, take that as a sign to dress more business-like. This Calvin Klein sheath dress ($59.99) would be a workhorse in plain black or grey, but in lace it's perfectly fit to cross from day to night. Wear your normal blazer over it during the day and for the party add a statement necklace ($48) and bright heels ($34.99) . Office Holiday Party by Fashion Me Fabulous on Polyvore.com For the after-hours off-site party, let your hair down and get glammed up. Keep it unfussy with a standout dress with built in embellishments. This lace decorated shift dress ($39.65) is particularly great because it's a slight mini that covers the arms. It's fun but won't attract that perv in quality assurance. Pair it with statement booties ($29.99) , a glam ring ($48) and tights for a chic look. Party With Coworkers by Fashion Me Fabulous featuring peep toe shoes

You need a workhorse skirt. A skirt that is the office equivalent of a pair of jeans, unassuming and reliable. One that won't show too much thigh or any stomach. One that, on the dreaded day your alarm doesn't got off, can be grabbed at a moment's notice and paired with whatever top you happened to have grabbed in the dark. Urban Outfitters is selling just such a high-waisted, a-line skirt . It's available in black and dark teal (which they strangely call navy). It's knee length in one photo and above the knee in another, so you'll certainly want to try it on if you're tall. Being rayon, it's pretty wrinkle free, so on that day your alarm fails you, you won't have to look like it did.

Last time I was at the mall, I bolted into The Limited to get a closer look at this faux two-piece dress . The updated 30s look is appealing from a distance, but what the photo doesn't capture is the texture. The top looks and feels like silk, and the bottom is a lush tweed. Insert drooling and wanting sounds. The label says dry clean only, so I'm hesitant to wear it to work. Although, I do need a new dress to wear to weddings. But at $89.90, I may have to hold out hope that they'll have it in my size when it goes on sale.

Judging by our recent dress code poll (and angry emails we get when we feature an interview outfit sans blazer) more than a few of you work in a conservatively attired environment. In such a place, a blazer is usually required. While this is fine and dandy while you're inside the office, you don't want to die of heat exhaustion if you have to meet a client on-site or look like a frazzled mess after running to the bank. pale linen blazer, J. Crew $129.99 down from $178 classic navy pinstripe 4-season blazer, J. Crew $160 down from $240 khaki safari jacket, Banana Republic $99.99 down from $120 patch pocket jacket, Victoria's Secret $79 special And one last blazer to think about: This floral blazer from J.Crew is $59.99 , down from $168. But is it unprofessional? I don't think it is, but I also know florals are decidedly feminine and most dress codes treat feminine and unprofessional as synonyms.

We've been around the dress code block. becca works from home, and I work in a casual environment that allows me to experiment wildly with clothing. Before this job, I worked in a more professional atmosphere that still gave me wiggle room but required more conservative attire. Even though our work doesn't require much in the clothing department, we both attended schools with hyper-strict dress codes and know the ins and outs of what to cover and what rules to push. poll by twiigs.com Tell us more about it in the comments.

It's so hot! Each time I go shopping, even just window shopping for the blog, all I can think of is how to stay cool at work. The crisp cotton top in this week's challenge is a good start. And with a savings of almost $200, you'll be able to get yourself a fan and some popsicles. Office Cool by Fashion Me Fabulous featuring Naturalizer shoes tie-neck top, $39 (marked down from $135!) pink print pencil skirt, Target $24.99 low-heeled mary jane, Naturalizer $29.99 (marked down from $79!) bead and ribbon necklace, Anthropologie $29.95 (marked down from $42!) faux croc bucket bag, Urban Outfitters $19.99 (marked down from $58!)