Business Casual Navy Suit

Casual navy suit
My version of a navy suit.

As Lisa from ~Privilege says, “business casual is the devil,” and I agree. Yes, there’s more sartorial freedom than in a strictly corporate environment, but also so many more ways to get it wrong. Especially if one is in management, it’s necessary but sometimes tough to achieve that balance between approachable and authoritative. My formula is to try to have at least one piece in an ensemble that nods to traditional business dress; in this case it’s the blazer. And then I have fun with the rest.

Business casual with scarf

Blazer: J.Crew, here. I was on the fence about this jacket when I bought it, but it’s definitely earned its keep.
Tee (and tank underneath for warmth): both Eileen Fisher, here and here.
Jeans: NYDJ “Jade” Leggings, here.
Boots: Cole Haan, a few years old. Similar.
Scarf: J.Crew, a few years old. Similar.
Watch: MICHAEL Michael Kors, here.
Earrings: kate spade, here.
Bracelet: made for me by Jen of Litany Jewelry Designs.  She uses internationally sourced vintage and antique medals, coins, tassels, semi-precious stones and chains. My bracelet includes Czech glass beads, vintage chains and an antique French coin. I love the mix of edgy chains and sparkle of the beads!

bracelet with Czech glass beads

bracelet with antique French coin

Casual navy suit
Don’t know why my hand looks so freakishly large there…

Do you have a go-to formula for dressing for your workplace?

Linking up to Visible Monday over at Not Dead Yet Style.

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73 Comments

  1. J’aimerai des talons rouges (panthère ou crocodile) et j’échangerai le foulard avec quelque chose de plus exitant (un imprimé?). Vous êtes bien et mince avec le reste (IMHM, évidemment si vous êtes ả l’aise, c’est tout ce qui compte.
    Fifi

    1. Fifi, merci beaucoup! Yes, I toyed with the idea of a brighter scarf, but decided to let the shoes keep the spotlight. Oui, je suis plus à l’aise à cette taille, je ne veux pas magrir encore.

  2. Fabulous! A classic blazer, then unexpected booties and meaningful, beautiful jewelry. Looks like perfection to me, Une Femme. My uniform would not be too different, with a skirt in place of trousers.

  3. You are adorable- really you are! (And looking downright sleek.) Wouldn’t call this a ‘suit’ as much as jeans & jacket, a prefect example of how jeans can be polished and professional for business casual use.

  4. You look so great — what a fun interpretation of a navy suit, business casual-style!
    By coincidence, I grabbed my navy blazer yesterday to add a bit of polish to a navy-and-white print dress — it really smartens anything up in a hurry, doesn’t it?!

    1. materfamilias, thanks so much! While opinions on Ines de la Fressange’s style may vary, I think she’s definitely right about a navy blazer being an essential piece.

  5. I loved scrolling down to the surprise of your feet! This is a great outfit. Business casual with a sense of humor, dancing with the devil indeed. Thank you for the shout out – much appreciated.

  6. I could not every pull off that much scarf around my neck (and I’m 5’8″!) but it seems to suit you. I enjoy all your photos. As others say, you are really adorable. I think it is as much your personality as your ensembles.

    1. Susan, when I first began wearing scarves I didn’t feel comfortable in something this large either. But I can work it now if the scarf is lightweight and not too bulky. And thank you so much!

  7. I absolutely love you in navy blue!! You should wear it more often…again, your hair loves the color! I can see why so many say it is a softer touch to black. Denim is so chic these days that I find myself wearing it more during the work week and my administration hasn’t said anything. I think the dark denim and now the fun colored denim has opened the doors for casual workwear to cross some lines. have a great weekend!!

    1. Pam, thank you! It’s funny, but up until the last few years I’ve associated navy with a very conservative style and have avoided it. But then someone pointed out that dark denim is close to navy, and I reconsidered. Now I’m loving it, and finding that like grey, it’s a very versatile neutral.

  8. As the saying goes…”God is in the details”! And I do want those leopard print boots. Seriously!

    Hope your weekend is glorious!

    Cheers

  9. Love your business look, especially the touch of edge with the shoe! Breathes new life into the old navy business suit!

  10. Oh, those glorious booties!!! The perfect amount of oomph to an otherwise quiet look.
    My hands do some hilariously strange things in outfit photos too! How do they do that?

    1. Amber, thank you!! These boots have really punched above their weight. Sometimes I think various body parts have a mind of their own when it comes to being photographed!

  11. What a fabulous look! I am swooning over the booties and the bracelet is such a nice touch. I think this ensemble would look great in the office and almost anywhere you choose to go.

  12. Casual Friday’s are a minefield – I’ve seen some corkers by young women on these days at my very corporate workplace – cut off denim shorts? Short tunic (and I mean SHORT) and leggings? Seriously?
    I do like your suggestion of keeping one traditional business garment and having fun with the rest (within reason!) Love your leopard print boots.
    I often rely on a smart blazer too – they are great for sharpening up jeans as you show here or a dress.

    1. Veshoevius, it’s so true! Some people think “Business Casual” means license to dress like they’re going clubbing or to the beach. It’s amazing what some people think is appropriate for the office. I’m really a believer in jackets/blazers; they really can be miracle workers.

  13. Déjà Pseu, I really admire how you can take a grown-up and sophisticated outfit and add just the right amount of edge. Love those boots!

  14. Susan, every time I visit I’m more and more impressed with your styling and svelte figure! This outfit is fabulous. If I were in my former corporate environment and met you in the hallway or on the elevator I would immediately read a) your confidence/authority and b) your sense of humor. I would think: this lady is intelligent and fun, how can I make a departmental transfer to work in her group?

  15. Ah leopard booties, they can elevate any outfit. You look fabulous in your outfit from the scarf to the shoes, oh and the fab bracelet.

  16. I love this chic take on biz casual, especially the flowy scarf and witty booties. I would tell you what my go-to formula is for work, but after almost 20 years here, they adopted a DRESS CODE! Luckily, my go-to formula actually is a dress. But the hardcore jeans wearers ’round these parts. ARE. NOT. PLEASED.