Corporate Style: Plaid Shirts In The Office with Pencil Skirts and Alexander McQueen Skull Scarves

Last time I wore these plaid shirts, I wore them with skinny jeans. I'd been trying to think of another way to wear them so they wouldn't just sit unworn for a while and figured I'd wear them to the office! Just like last time, two extremely similar looks, just wearing them with slightly different things.

If you want to make a plaid shirt look a little more formal and corporate, you can always tuck it in too. I tend to leave my shirts untucked as I work in a fairly relaxed business casual office.

What I wore:

Jacket: Temt black trench coat 

Scarf: Alexander McQueen red skull-print modal and cashmere-blend scarf
Shirt: Jay Jays metallic plaid shirt
Skirt: Jeanswest zip detail ponte pencil skirt
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy

Why I wore it:

It's officially spring here in Brisbane which is great as it means I can go bare-legged with the knee bandage more often. I've mentioned before it doesn't work well with tights! While I took this photo before I went to work a couple of weeks ago, it was a warmer than normal winter day and bare legs were fine.

When I put this on it seemed a little dark with all the black, so I added the bright scarf for some colour, even though didn't really need it for warmth.


Last worn: black trench, red skull scarf, plaid shirt, black pencil skirt, ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: black trench and a printed dress, red skull scarf and a navy striped dress, plaid shirt and denim, pencil skirt and polka dots, black flats and a printed dress, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote and a printed dress.

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Shop plaid shirts at Shopbop:

See more plaid shirts at Shopbop.

If you'd rather ease into plaid, check out the plaid scarves. Accessories are a great way to try something out on a small scale.

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What I wore:

Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 

Scarf: Alexander McQueen magenta skull scarf in roses print
Top: See by Chloe lavender plaid cotton shirt
Skirt: Asos tailored tab front pencil skirt in grey
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs logo plaque flats in camel
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy

Why I wore it:

Unlike a few days before, when I wore the outfit above, this winter morning was a little more wintery and I was wishing I didn't have to go bare-legged! Especially in the rain for the commute home. I added the scarf for extra warmth. I considered wearing ankle boots instead of ballet flats too, but my boots have a tiny (1cm) heel and I'd really rather stick to completely flat shoes while my knee heels.

Wasn't sure what colour scarf to wear with the purple shirt at first, I tried on a few and in the end decided this magenta one worked nicely. What do you think?


Last worn: camel trench, magenta skull scarf, purple plaid shirt, grey pencil skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wear: camel trench with a colourful outfit, magenta skull scarf and a LBD in spring, purple plaid shirt with skinny jeans, grey pencil skirt and floral cami, MbMJ ballet flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote with the same scarf and different outfit.


Linking up with Modest Monday, Let It Shine, Mix It Monday, Style Sessions, Reasons To Dress, On Trend Tuesday, Wardrobe Wednesday, Real Mom Style, What I Wore today.


This post was created in partnership with Shopbop. Occasionally, Away From The Blue blog may receive vendor or brand sponsorships for mentioning their products or services. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.

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Different Ways to Wear Too Short Shift Dresses - When Online Orders Are Shorter Than Expected!

First wearing of my new Balenciaga bag! As expected, I love it just as much as my blue one. Also my first attempts at wearing some too-short dresses.

Choies gave me the chance to order this striped dress for free, and they also threw in another dress as a gift. I was between sizes so went with my usual 'order a size larger to be safe', and also because I thought the extra length would be good. Being petite, I find that sometimes things that look short on the models are actually an okay length on me, but there is no harm in having an extra centimetre or two.

Both dresses arrived, and are lovely, but as I shared on instagram, they are much too short! So I've had to come up with other ways to wear them. Thought this post might be helpful for others who have received too-short dresses they can't return or that aren't worth the cost of returning. It's also a good reminder to check the length measurements before ordering something and not just the bust and waist!

What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest brown marle waterfall cardigan
Dress: Choies white tile print shift dress (C/O)
Shoes: Asos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Balenciaga truffle RH classic day bag (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

I thought I'd try wear tights with this to make myself a little more comfortable with the short length, but I really wasn't comfortable in this at all! I think I should have picked a longer cardigan, that had the length in the back I felt the dress was missing whenever I bent down to pick up toddler T.

I've also mentioned in the past that I can't wear tights with the compression bandage I have for my injured knee. It's designed to keep the muscles warm, so I have to wear it under clothing so it's right next to my skin and it gets a bit warm through the day. When I add tights, it's just much too hot. I thought this day would be okay though as it was cold and rainy....nope. My knee got so hot so quickly. I couldn't wait to take this off! A bit of an outfit fail all round.

How would you wear this dress differently? I was thinking maybe as a bikini cover up for the beach...


Last worn: brown cardi, tan ankle boots. First time I've worn the bag and the dress.

Other ways to wear: brown cardi and skinny jeans, ankle boots and skinny jeans, blue Balenciga day bag and a summer dress.

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More shift dresses under $50:

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What I wore:

Cardigan: Jeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in boysenberry

Necklace: Happiness Boutique turquoise and coral pendant necklace (C/O)
Dress (worn as top): Choies monochrome stripe shift dress (C/O)
Jeans: Jeanswest 'spoylt' flared jeans
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs logo plaque flats in camel
Bag: Balenciaga truffle RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

After the outfit fail the day before, I knew I'd need a bit more coverage with this dress! While it does have the right length in the back and even in the front, it has curved hems so it comes up short on the hips. I belted it like a tunic over jeans. It would look better with skinny jeans, but I can't squeeze the knee bandage under them.

I really liked this outfit though! I felt happy and comfortable all day. I really like the way the dress looks belted, and I wasn't worrying about what it looked like from behind every time I bent down as I had jeans on underneath. It's a really comfortable cotton, which helps as it feels good to wear. I'm thinking this would look nice worn as a top and tucked under a skirt too...I can see lots of other ways to wear this dress. Definitely a winner, even if I don't wear it as a dress as it was intended!


Last worn: purple cardi, flared jeans, ballet flats, Balenciaga day bag (above). First time I've worn the dress.

Other ways to wear: purple cardi and a maxi dress, flared jeans and heels, ballet flats and a wrap dress, blue Balenciaga day bag and stripes.


One last thing before I finish today's post: this Sunday is Father's Day in Australia, so I hope everyone has a lovely weekend with their family. Jeanswest were kind enough to send me this beautiful Malrvern check shirt for DH, and as baby T has a cute little shirt from Jeanswest to wear also, I know there will be one very fashionable and adorable duo this Sunday! I'll try get a photo of them together and share it on instagram, @awayfromblue.

The 30% off Jeanswest sale that I mentioned in my last post has been extended this weekend! So if you're looking for something for yourself or even a last minute gift for Father's Day, the sale is now on in store too as well as online.


Linking up with Fab Favourites, Friday Favourites, Passion For Fashion, Flashback Fashion, Favourite Fashion, Fashion Friday, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Hello Monday today.

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Printed Maxi Skirts and Colourful Tops, Jeanswest Sale

First up, Jeanswest have a 30% off sale online right now. It includes everything, even all their new spring stock, which I love as it features blue pretty heavily! If you're looking for a pretty update to your wardrobe, check out the sale.

It's only for a limited time, so if you've got your eye on anything I suggest snapping it up quickly! The sale includes menswear too if you're looking for a little last minute something for Father's Day this weekend.



As for what I've been wearing, more maxi skirt outfits! They really are the best option for keeping me warm and still allowing me to wear my knee brace. Which I'm hopeful I'll be able to go without soon. I'm making great progress with the physio working up to getting the full range of movement in my knee again.

What I wore:

Necklace: Happiness Boutique turquoise and coral pendant necklace (C/O)

Jumper: thrifted Valleygirl blue knit jumper
Skirt: AT by Atmos&Here Mars striped maxi skirt
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey
Bag: Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull

Why I wore it:

No jacket! It's officially spring, and this was taken in the last weeks of winter. I'm trying to make an effort to get a last wear out of some of my winter pieces before they are packed away. I did think about wearing a scarf with this also, and in the early morning it would have come in useful, but defintely wasn't needed in the heat of the day - I ended up rolling up the sleeves from the jumper as it heated up.

I was just working from home with a short break in the afternoon to go get a scan and find out how much damage I'd done to my knee. I'd thought of wearing this skirt as it as the slit up the side, for easy knee access, but the slit is on the other side! I ended up wearing it anyway. It was easy enough to roll up to let the lady look at my knee.


Last worn: blue jumper, striped maxi skirt, studded mouse flats, Louis Vuitton neverfull.

Other ways to wear: blue jumper in the office, striped maxi skirt in summer, mouse flats and print mixing, Louis Vuitton neverfull with shorts.

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More printed maxi skirts under $30:

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What I wore:

Sunnies: Rayban new Wayfarers
Jacket: Cotton On black knit wrap cardigan
Necklace: House of Harlow sunburst necklace in silver and grey
Tee: Zalora Basics maroon stepped t-shirt
Skirt: Izabel London Aztec print maxi skirt (C/O)
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff striped coated canvas mini MAC in berry stripe

Why I wore it:

I felt amazing in this outfit, even if it does look a little odd in the photo. Should have tucked the tee in, so it didn't overwhelm my frame and make my already short legs look really stumpy! I had looked in the mirror that morning and decided it looked okay to leave it loose, a nice relaxed outfit for playgroup with the toddler.

I got this tee and skirt around the same time, so I'd been wanting to wear them together for a while. While it's not the best photo, and seeing it made me wish I'd tucked the top in, I enjoyed wearing it.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, black cardi, red tee, printed maxi skirt, black ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff canvas stripe mini MAC.

Other ways to wear: black cardi and skinny jeans, red tee and skinny jeans, neutral outfit and bright bag with a printed maxi skirt, ballet flats in the office, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC with jeans.

Linking up with Pleated Poppy, Style Me Weekly, Oh Hey Girl, Trendy Wednesday, Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Fun Fashion Friday, Weekend Link Up, Casual Friday.

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