On the Short List

faux leather tunic layered over button up shirt, over the knee boots, rose gold jewelry

faux leather tunic layered over button up shirt, over the knee boots, rose gold jewelry

faux leather tunic layered over button up shirt, over the knee boots, rose gold jewelry

faux leather tunic layered over button up shirt, over the knee boots, rose gold jewelry

faux leather tunic layered over button up shirt, over the knee boots, rose gold jewelry

faux leather tunic layered over button up shirt, over the knee boots, rose gold jewelry

I was always under the impression that skirts and dresses worn in the office couldn’t be any shorter than just above the knee. Did I imagine that rule? Did I make it up myself just because I’m short so most skirts come to my knee whether I want them to or not? I don’t know. But over the years, I’ve seen many women in many different offices wearing skirts shorter (sometimes much shorter) than I thought was allowed.

Well, I was thinking this dress was a little longer when I put it on with the intention of wearing it to work. Turns out it’s a little shorter. But then I thought: what if I wear my over-the-knee boots so that there’s really only a couple inches of skin showing? Great, now my legs look longer and they’re covered in suede.

There was just no winning unless I started from scratch, and I didn’t have time for that, so I had to go to work in my stripper outfit. On the bright side, now I have plenty of $1 bills to use in vending machines.

In all seriousness, am I overthinking this? I guess I worry about whether I – a petite, youngish-looking blonde woman – will be taken seriously in the workplace if I’m dressed too cute or too sexy or too whatever. Being taken seriously is important because…you know…feminism and such. But as long as I’m overthinking, I’ll keep going. Maybe the truly feminist way to look at this is that I shouldn’t have to dress like a nun to be respected. I should be able to dress in whatever feminine way I want and still be respected because I’m awesome and super smart (I try to be, anyway). So there. I will flash some thigh for feminism. Alternatively, everyone else is doing it so I will too. And on that awkward note, I’m going to sign off.

Dress via Le Tote (buy similar) // Boots (on sale) // Bracelet via Le Tote (buy similar) // Ring* // Bag // similar Coat

*Ring purchased with gift card provided courtesy of Shopbop.

In the Mix

bejeweled stripe top, printed pants, bow pumps, faux leather jacket

bejeweled stripe top, printed pants, bow pumps, faux leather jacket

bejeweled stripe top, printed pants, bow pumps, faux leather jacket

bejeweled stripe top, printed pants, bow pumps, faux leather jacket

bejeweled stripe top, printed pants, bow pumps, faux leather jacket

bejeweled stripe top, printed pants, bow pumps, faux leather jacket

Yes, I got another striped shirt. But most of my other ones have thin stripes and this one has thick stripes. Plus it’s bedazzled. In conclusion: I got another striped shirt. I decided to debut this one with a little bit of print mixing for work. I think this combo totally works without being too wacky because the print on the pants is so small. From far away, it doesn’t even look like a print! In fact, my camera seems to think it just looks weird and fuzzy. Sorry about that…I took these photos myself with my tripod. Hashtag real life?

Top* // similar Pants // similar Jacket (under $35) // Bag (cheaper options below) // similar Shoes // Ring // Lips “La Flamboyante”

*Top purchased with gift card provided courtesy of Shopbop.