A Cultured Pearl

Girl Boss Shoes

Posted on February 21st, 2016

The transition from college student working for a resort brand to recent graduate working for a young consulting company in New York to West Coast department store marketer has been a little tricky from a fashion standpoint. In the past few years I have definitely put more effort into how I present myself so that I always look put together, but not necessarily business professional. But I’m learning!

My office is certainly not formal, but people definitely make an effort each and every day. In the past few months of observing in my current environment, I’ve realized the key for me lies in shoes (and a bit in jewelry, too). It’s okay to wear jeans and a blouse or a casual black dress, but heels every day are a must. Since realizing I needed to step up my shoe game, I invested in two amazing pairs of wedges (one black, one nude), but also in these fantastic wedges, too.

I stumbled across these Tory Burch beauties at Nordstrom Rack in the fall (I still see them there from time to time– worth checking!), and they are my go-to shoes on days when I want to feel a little more confident.

I wear dresses most days because a) they’re easy to style and b) I think they’re more flattering, but I’m working on finding non-dress outfits that work for me. Even on days with simple clothes like these, the shoes make the outfit pop. Let’s face it, I’m essentially wearing pajamas here. Stretchy black pants (similar), a simple black shirt (similar), and a cozy cashmere cardigan (similar).

I got this convertible crossbody last summer (this is basically identical), and continue to think it’s the perfect all-season color for looking professional and matching any outfit. I have the same color in this style, too, which is what I carry to work most days.