How To: Winterizing Your Work Wardrobe

As we head into the colder months, one of the things I hate most (aside from getting pale) is packing away my beloved sumer work clothes. It literally pains me to put aside my shift dresses, ruffly tanks, sleeveless dresses and other numbers. But with a bit of retooling, I’ve become a master of making these items work year-round and so can you.

Here’s what you’ll need: A crisp, fitted white button down, like this one from Banana Republic; A few colored cardigans, like this J. Crew one; Some kinny belts like these from Bluefly; A blazer like this one and some cigarette pants, like these.

Now, here’s how to repurpose those summer sleeveless dresses we live in during the warm months. Rather than baring your arms, where your white button-down underneath it and pair it with tights. I seriously get more compliments sporting this look with the button down (Maybe because it comes off as Catholic schoolgirl-esque?) than I do when I wear the dress alone. Or, you can layer a cardigan over the dress with a belt to give it a layered look.

Next, our fave sleeveless blouses. I tend to wear these under blazers and suits for work during the winter to liven them up. They also look cute under cardigans, letting the ruffles peek out through the front, paired with dress pants or a pencil skirt.

For those short-sleeve summer dresses, here’s my solution. Pair them with an oversized blazer, tights and pumps – or you can throw a pair of cigarette pants underneath them and belt the waist.