So - given this is my first post back AND its Jackie O, I'm going to do a slightly different format.  I'm going to post a picture of her that caught my eye - trending from the more business formal to the more casual - and then I will post  more modern items that I think would do a good job of recreating a similar look - without making it look like you were playing 1950s or 1970s dress-up (I will be doing various J.O. eras - she had fabulous style in all of them.)  So lets get started!

So - the Chanel suit with the pill box hat is, of course, a classic. Its practically iconic. But I also think its pretty dated for a young attorney at this stage of your career (and I'm just going to assume point blank you're not wearing pill box hats to work.) I also think its critically important that you get something that highlight the waist a bit more and is, frankly, a bit more flattering. But I have some ideas about suits that might give the same effect but without the stiffer, throw-back vibe.

So - other than the unfortunate Chanel suit - one thing Jackie was very good about was picking dresses that emphasized her natural waist.  Now - I'm not sure where your waist is precisely, but I'm going to assume for the purposes of this exercise that, like her, you had a fairly mid-range natural waist (which was great for her - it seems to have allowed her to wear things that hit everywhere from just below the rib-cage to almost a dropped waist....the lucky duck.)  So here I'll be showing a few work appropriate dresses that have nicely defined natural waists - but would also work as essentially a business casual suit separate with a blazer thrown over them (perhaps one of the blazers above - who knows.)  For that reason, I'm sticking mostly with the neutrals here, black, gray, and navy.

So, there may not be universal agreement on this, but I think Jackie's 70s style was absolutely fantastic. She didn't fall prey to some of the more hideous excesses of the period, but instead stuck with her figure flattering, chic look - but added a little more flair and a little more.....disco....for lack of a better term.  Take this look for example.  50s and 60s Jackie would never have rocked a super swag, collar popped trench coat and corresponding trousers.  And yet she looks fabulous.  Also...I think she's the only reason that sometimes I think that very sparing use of the turtleneck in your wardrobe is absolutely a go (see e.g. with the Mango Blazer above.)  But generally, what I would take away from this picture, is the power of a well tailored pair of straight leg (or slightly boot cut) trousers, a fitted blouse or short, and an awesome trench coat.  
Now, I will acknowledge, it is essentially an exercise in futility recommending pants blind over the internet because of simple size preferences, fit preferences, and the magic "it" that is impossible to capture via the world wide web. But take this from Jackie O - you should want your pants to fit - and don't trust catalogues as a judge for how pants fit - if you have lines pulling across the front forming that sort of spider shape across your pelvis (you know the one) they're too small.  If when you sit down, they ride up and show your whole sock, they're probably too short. If when you walk, you trip over them, they're too long. And if they dig into your stomach and make you uncomfortable, they're too small.  My best tip - buy the size that fits your thighs, hips, and stomach....the rest can be altered (and get a Nordies debit or credit card so  you can get some free alterations too.)  Okay...moving on, here we go.

The Kennedys as I assume many of you know are Cape Codders - they have a huge house on the cape and most of the kids grow up there and spend a lot of their time there in the summer. I'm not sure what Jackie's relationship with Newport was, but I think she also spent a fair amount of time on the beach in the summer.  After JFK died, she married a yacht dude (I won't pretend to know what he did.)  Basically, her casual wear definitely had a fancy maritime theme.  Three elements that really defined her look were her cropped pants, her scarfs (traditional square ones, I think), which she would wear on her head or around her neck, and her flats (not pictured above as she's wandering around barefoot....like a peasant...or Britney Spears during her breakdown. But in other pictures it appears for flats she favors a box toe or a slight point with a buckle or other minimalist decoration on the toe box and either flat or a low square heel.  We won't discuss in too much detail her taste in heels, we'll chalk it up to the era.)  As such, I'll focus on these three items for "casual wear" assuming - probably rightfully - that you have t-shirts or blouses that you can wear that will go nicely with these items.

So, we have come to the end of our epic journey....the Little Black Dress.  Perhaps not as famous for her choice of a LBD as, say, Audrey Hepburn, our First Lady in question sure knew how to make one work. I especially like the one in the above picture - completely appropriate for the wife of the President and yet stunning none the less (though I think in the modern day we'd ramp up the jewelry and the shoes just a bit.)  The bottom two dresses are different.  The one on the left is presumably still during the Presidency and it is a more formal event. But I like the deeper dip in the neckline. You can see her jewelry and her toned arms. This is Jackie O outside a boatneck!  Huzzah!  On the right is something entirely different. This is later in life (probably in the 70s - a google image back search couldn't turn up an origin) but her tastes have matured and she has been freed to be more sexy and fashion forward. Despite all that, and in the middle of the fashion....adventures that were the 70s.....she still looks classy and timeless. She could turn up to a gallery opening today in any of these looks and look in place - and in the end, isn't that the goal? (Well not always, but sometimes. Probably not with Lady Gagas meat dress.)

So that's all she wrote folks. Did I miss any clear "Jackie O" necessary wardrobe elements? If so, give Reader KG a heads up in the comments! And I'm glad to be back - I missed you all!!  Look forward to hear from all of you going forward over the next few days/weeks. And since I couldn't share ALL the amazing photos of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis I found during the making of this post, I will leave you with just a few more (clearly its too bad I don't have the picture of her looking shocked/terrified from when my great-uncle jumped out and took her picture on her wedding day.....)

So - I wanted to do a post about business appropriate work items for people who like to dress with a bit of edge. Now let me be clear, these aren't just for people who are dressing all in black to look more grown up or to be more intimidating. These are people who are, perhaps, goth in their personal style or otherwise like to look tough or edgy in their style. Now - much of what I post here would normally fit the "ladylike" or even "girly" side of the coin. And I'm not going to recommend studded belts or collars for work (which I know you wouldn't wear unless you work in a VERY creative field) - but I'm going to suggest some edgier work wear items to be paired with otherwise neutral items to allow you, my little gothic lovlies, to slip some of your edgy soul into your work wear without scaring the puppy-shirt loving office administrator or the 70-year-old managing partner.  

So - what do you think readers - do any of you have an edgier look?  Are these things you would wear?  What do you think - other than my love of skulls, I'm not particularly edgy (one of my skull scarfs is sea foam green - you can't really consider me to be hard core whatsoever....I find my love of skulls to be generally ironic.)  Leave some comments in the comments sections (and if you don't know where that is, click the link in the title and go through to the post's main page and look at the bottom of the screen!  Don't worry, your e-mail won't show up.)

I begin this post with a confession - I hate shopping for pants.  They are rarely short enough for me (and the petite options frequently are sold out or not as diverse in choices) and so I have to either get them tailored or destroy the hems.  And since I'm a lazy person ... I frequently destroy the hems.  So I find that I wear skirts more often than not. It is also hard to give good solid pants advice to others, since what pants you like are so very much controlled by body shape and height and general preferences.  But, given all that, I'm going to recommend a bunch of pants below that I either (a) own or (b) I know others like a great deal - in case you are looking for some pants.  Most will be work pants, but I'm going to throw some more casual pants in there for fun.  Most will also be fairly traditional, full length cuts - but I will include some cropped and ankle-pants in their, because I know other people like them (they make me feel even more stunted in my growth than usual.)  So here we go.

Lafayette 148 New York Menswear Trousers in navy from Nordstroms ($228 - expensive - but they have some of the best reviews I've ever seen on pants.)
Basketweave Pants at Brooks Brothers ($298 - definitely an investment piece but they look beautiful, the color is wonderful, they are a wool, silk, and linen blend, and they are fully lined.  Only problem is no true pockets.)
Rosel Tailor Straight Leg Pant by Theory ($268 - some don't agree with pants this skinny for work so know your office - comes as a full suit.  Can't speak to fit since Theory is always too lean and too tall for me - but for tall readers, I know it can be great.)

Martin Fit Straight Leg Trousers in yellow at Banana Republic ($79.50 - much like AT, I have found the quality of BR has gone down a bit in recent years, but these trousers look elegant and nicely designed and come in a variety of great colors for those interested in non black, gray, navy, etc. pants.)
Halogen 'Taylor' Curvy Fit Pants at Nordstroms ($79 - I love Halogen's Curvy Fit pants, both jeans and trousers, though some readers on Corporette mentioned that the fabric on these was changed recently to be less sturdy - somewhat like the skirt - so they may not be as fabulous as they once were.)
Curvy Fit Polished Sateen Bootcut Pants in navy at Talbots ($89.50 - available in Misses, Petites, Women's, and Women's Petites.  Also available in six colors.  Like with many of the chains, Talbots quality can be spotty, but I find their trousers generally reliable.)

Signature Glen Plaid Pant at Ann Taylor ($69.99 - gets good reviews - though AT quality is of course a worry.)
Slim Cropped Pants in cobalt at Gap ($39.99 - pictured pants available in limited sizes, other colors available in more - comes in regular height and tall.)
Mossimo Women's Skinny Premium Skinny Jean ($27.99 - available in assorted washes and in long, short, and regular.  I have these in black and for someone who doesn't *do* skinny jeans - these are amazing.  Not too tight to be uncomfortable or unforgiving, but tight enough to fit under knee high boots or look cute with flats.  And the price is right.)

Hard Tail Voile Pants from Nordstroms ($98 - a bit pricey for casual pants - but they do look pretty comfy.)
Jag Jeans 'Pearl' Trouser Jeans from Nordstroms ($89 - plus sized pictured - come in a both plus and misses - I own two pairs of the stretch Jag's and they are super comfy and sturdy, but they do also come in a button and zip model.)
Red Fleece Collection Seersucker Pants from Brooks Brothers ($129 - maybe more for weekends than work, know your office.)

Okay!  So pants. We all need them - or at least something to wear on our bottom halves.  But why must they be such a bother?  Hope this post helps a bit and spurs you in the right direction.  Happy shopping and may the odds be ever in your favor.