One of our faithful love muffins, Randi, from the NY area, wrote in this week asking for some help. Check it out:

Dear B. Scott,

First off I love your site and loved how you gave fashion advice to the young girl for her prom. I have a little bit of a different issue. I am 23 and an account executive for an up and coming Microsoft partner. With my new position I have to wear suits to my business meetings. As a slender woman (not very hour glass AT ALL) I would like your opinion on what types of suits that are fashionable and chic. You have great taste during the fashion weeks and would really appreciate your input. I really can only afford 300 to 400 dollars per suit and would like to improve my collection with 4 new ones. Where would you recommend in NYC or NJ area.

Thanks so much for your time!

Love,

Randi

Check out the response after the jump…

Have no fear – we have your guide to corporate couture right here. For a slender woman, you should be showing off your figure and the angles that your body creates. The stores you should hit are Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Macy’s on Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom. Also you should check out Co-op Barney and Laundry by Shelli Segal.

These are the stores that will give you everything you need and more to climb the ladder to high corporate status. Impressions are everything. When searching these stores, especially at age 23, you want a young, trendy yet professional look. Therefore stick with Laundry collection by Shelli Segal (Saks, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marucs) and also go with Theory (Saks, Bloomingdales, & Bergdorf Goodman). When buying Shelli Segal, always buy a size under your normal size as that is how their clothes fit best. Theory is amazing for slender corporate women in terms of overall look, quality, and uniqueness in style. Here are a few pieces from Theory:

Never be afraid to wear nicely cut white slacks, especially this Spring and Summer. The fitted blazer is also an essential. The pinstripe pattern below is unique, however the “must own” item is a fitted black blazer by Calvin Klein with mother of pearl buttons – available at most of the stores we listed above. Black linen is very fierce if you can find it! Do not go for a cropped blazer. It is too short and is not a corporate look. Here is another look from Theory:

For footwear with such attire, a classic black pump in muted leather or patent leather is perfection. Anne Klein makes the most classic model, and the most comfortable. The pointed toe is the best for corporate arenas and is flawless with a suit. The Anne Klein Deggan pump is an example:

For a more casual look and a nice corporate flair, you can try a pencil skirt and a pintucked shirt.
These looks from Theory are flawless.

Below is the gloriousness of the Nehru collared shirt, also from Theory:

Those should give you a style guide while shopping at the suggested stores. You’ll knock them dead professionally and these oufits will ‘wow’ them stylistically.

Extra notes:
*Jeans and a fitted blazer are okay in some corporate situations that are casual but always use your discretion and go for simple elegance. Also, casual fridays do not equate to wear your pj’s to work day, so don’t follow those sloppy trends that others may follow blindly.

*Make sure your slacks always fall mid heel, never shorter. Slacks must be perfection!

*Accessories – Only 2 pieces with a suit. Simple diamond studs for the ears coupled with a ring and a bracelet OR necklace. Stay away from gold – white gold, silver and platinum are corporate safety gems.

*Stay away from hair accessories – a simple ballerina bun or wearing your hair down is acceptable. A ponytail could be okay too but at 23, in the corporate world, your age could be an issue in terms of perception. Don’t do anything to prove their point!

*Finally…Make-up brings a look a long way. Always smell good and stay lotioned up. And always have manicured finger nails – not too long and no acryllic. Manicured with a simple color is amazingly classy.

They won’t be ready for you in the conference room, the board meeting or on the next business trip! Let us know how everything works out!

If anyone needs any style help – B. Scott is always here to help. Feel free to contact me with any style questions you may have and I’ll do my best to get back to you A.S.A.P.

<3 B. Scott