Reader AW of the longer and wider than average feet wrote back to ask

Hi TCFKAG, Thanks for helping me with my wide flats request. I noticed that you mentioned that you love navy and berry colors. Those are my base/accent colors too! Would you mind sharing some of your personal favorites? Accessories would be fun too! Sorry for all the ?'s... I wore a military uniform for 10 years and I am slowly trying to build a quality casual/work wardrobe. PS- too shy to share your blog on Facebook, but I did show your blog to my ma and I am thrilled that she is learning to navigate the internet by looking at your blog.

So - I'm totally happy to do this - within reason.  I can't post pictures of everything in my wardrobe because (a) that'd be insane and (b) mostly because of a.  What I am going to do instead is post my favorite go-to items (mostly work though I'll possibly through in a few casual items) - I'll try to find the originals on-line if they are still available for purchase, but if not, I'll find the closest item I can.  

A couple of provisos, though my personal style has improved dramatically in the past three years or so, I am still far from the most fashionable person in the world (or even in the 10 mile radius around my house.) In fact, I never thought much at all about my wardrobe until I began reading Corporette. It was there that I learned a great deal about the importance of fit, of finding my true waistline and understanding what clothes work with that, and of the impression made on others when certain faux pas are made or when you just generally represent yourself sloppily, and it was also on Corporette that I learned a great deal about how certain contrasting colors complement each other - and learned that I had a good instinct for those types of questions. I also discovered that I had a special talent for what I do here - internet shopping for others when given almost any parameters. This was quite the surprise since nothing in my background or in my personal style would suggest having these skills or having the eye to select the best looking or best quality items if I did find them.  [Think these skills sound great and would you like a personalized exposure to my method and some back and forth on results - enter the contest and you will be entered in a raffle just for that. 

 As for my workplace style, I dress to be business appropriate for that office, but with just enough color and flare to give the impression that I have enough self-confidence and dymanism to escape the "office wardrobe" of slacks or a skirt, a button down shirt, or a shell and a cardigan every day.  I came to this idea somewhat organically, but if you pay attention long enough to pictures of most powerful female politicians, business people, or non-profit management, they are rarely dressed in just black, gray, or navy. So what I'm saying is - there's a reason this is a shopping blog and not a "fashion" blog where I take pictures of my daily wardrobe (well, that and I'm an attorney hunting for a job...so I guard my internet presence.)  


Finally, before we get started....HELLO AW'S MOM!!!!  Welcome to the crazy world of my mind and the slightly strange hobby that has rescued my budget by allowing me to shop for other people rather than myself.  Now on to the clothes! 

Silk Shell from Ann Taylor in Plum Brandy ($44 - but not available anymore - see also Ponte Peplum Shell at AT Loft ($44.50 - 
Draycott Skirt from in navy at Boden ($52.80 for this option - prices vary based on color.  Fabric is stretchy and soft but utterly professional.  I love it.)
Pewter pumps from Bella-Vita Zappos ($89.95 - two shades of gray) and Cole Haan at Amazon ($147.48 - very lucky sizes only). I love my pewter shoes, wear them daily basically.
Lambswool Navy Blue Blazer at Brooks Brothers 
($139.20 - This is on-sale and an pretty damn good deal for BB. I have a very similar blazer to this (linings different) from a couple of years ago.  I LOVE it and wear it sometimes 4 days a week. In fact, I kind of want to order this  too so I can lessen the load on the first one, plus...POLKA DOTS.  Here is a link to another good looking navy blazer - but I think its in suiting material so less easy to pair with different color bottoms in suiting fabrics..)
Signature Silk Dots Shirt from C. Wonder ($128 - so, I have a lovely silk polka-dot button down shirt from Land's End Canvas maybe two or three years ago (?) that was a Corporette recommendation.  So its obviously not on sale anymore, but this C. Wonder shirt is similar and I love coral and coral-like pinks in spring and summer.  If you want something in red or navy though, I'd check out these great options at Boden. 
Nic + Zoe Red Ponte Sheath Dress (no longer available)  I just recently saw this Land's End dress that is VERY similar.  The radish or cobalt would both be great with Navy.
Tina Silk Blouse with multi dot print from Pendleton (no longer available - but see the Pendleton blouse I posted below.)
Double Strand Beaded Turquoise Necklace on Amazon ($52) and Turquoise clip on earrings ($19.99) own both. I'm including them here because turquoise is a GREAT third color to bring into a berry/ navy outfit.  
3/4 Sleeve Ponte Knit Drapey Faux Wrap Dress in rich eggplant by Land's End ($22.97 but lucky sizes only - I actually own two eggplant purple faux wrap dresses but neither are for sale anymore - but this is the general idea. If and of you, my lovely readers, are the lucky size - I'd snap this up quick. I find my versions of this to be SO very, very, very versatile.
Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt in Red Beauty from Nordstroms ($41.40 - it seems almost silly to put this up here - but they are the most basic building block of my wardrobe.  I don't actually own this color; I own black, slate gray, fuchsia, and cobalt blue. But this color looks pretty on the screen, so I might just add it to my collection!
THINGS I DON'T OWN BUT THAT I WOULD BUY IN A HOT MINUTE
Striped Knit Boat Neck Dress in navy at Banana Republic ($109.99 lucky sizes only on-line but other sizes may be in-store.)
Floral Print Blouse from Zara ($49.90 - just think with the navy blazer - might need to have a hook-and-eye closure added on the neckline to raise it a bit.)
Floral Ruched Wrap Dress from M&S (35 pounds - but free shipping to US for limited time.)
Capped Sleeve A-Line Dress in sea glass at Talbots ($109 - could wait for it to go on sale since it almost certainly will.  I'm including this because I love the sleeves and the waist definition.  I also think you should consider pairing this shade of blue with all of the navy in your wardrobe, its a beautiful combo. Add in gold, green, or yellow jewelry and you have a showstopper.)
Andrea Tunic at Pendleton ($128 - available in Misses, Petite, and Plus sizes.  I like that its a tunic so you can wear it belted as shown or tucked in and I love the pattern and I've been thrilled with the quality of my Pendleton purchase.  My only tip would be to keep an eye on it and see if it goes on sale, I got my silk blouse from Pendleton for $29.99.  So...maybe don't pay full price?

FUNNY EDITOR'S NOTE: For my readers who also read Corporette (i.e. a sizable majority of you, I believe, I just saw  this suit at Brooks Brothers while looking for something else and it appears they've also gotten into the long suit jacket "trend" (that I had no idea was coming back.)  This one is a MUCH more appropriate office length and I like the light gray color more.  It is practically screaming for a belt though.  (I'm still not completely sold on this look - despite the fact that Ally McBeal was on television during my formative years and thus influenced my perception of "workplace wear" AND the Cake song "Short Skirt Long Jacket" that would be stuck in my head all day and make me feel like a BAMF wherever I went.

SERIOUS EDITOR'S NOTE: As you can see, I tried out a new format today.  What do you think?  Does it work and can you associate the links and notes more easily with the pictures or does it break up the flow too much?  Any comments you could give me would be so helpful!  Leave it in the comments below and I'll love you forever and ever!

So there you have it people, my sense of style...or else, some snapshot of my sense of style.  Noticeably absent are the Captain America pajama pants and my LL Bean sweatshirt robe that I spend an inordinate amount of time in.  But we all have our vices, mine just happens to be superhero pajamas.  There's nothing wrong with that!  
 
So one of the hazards of having a *sort of* fashion blog, is that you can sometimes fall victim to your own vicarious shopping.  That happened to me with this beautiful Pendleton blouse (it doesn't look amazing in this smaller picture, but seriously go zoom in on it.)  And since I like to be complete - I also ordered an aubergine pencil skirt that pill gel with the purple accents in the shirt.  I'm super excited and I got amazing deals.  HINT: In addition to the sales at Pendleton right now - there is also a 20% off Friends and Family code available here.  Also, I am studiously ignoring the silver/gray shoes that the model is wearing in the skirt picture, because I can't possibly afford new gray shoes when I already have them!

Pendleton Tina Silk Blouse at Pendleton ($30.99 available in petite and plus sizes) (note it is $24.79 after the discount - for silk.)
Aubergine Broadway Blend Encore Skirt at Pendleton ($30.99 and $24.79 after discount).