Naughty Secretary Fashion Trend
Fall 2008 Features Sophisticated Styles for Good Girls With an Edge
Apr 8, 2008
Sexy, Ladylike Workplace Fashion
Naughty secretary style combines ladylike fashion classics with cheerful colors in a way that's prim and proper on the outside, but hints at mischief underneath.
Soft and feminine sheer blouses, figure-hugging pencil skirts, bow tie trim, cashmere sweater sets, glossy candy-colored pumps, back-seamed fishnet stockings, slimming trench coats, a string of pearls and (of course) a smart pair of spectacles are all staple elements of this softer-side-of-corporate style.
Naughty Secretaries & Librarians on the Runways
High fashion designers including Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and John Galliano are helping women everywhere rock this super ladylike look. Canadian twin brothers Dan and Dean Caten, the duo behind the fierce Dsquared2 line showcased this sexy-smart look in their Fall/Winter 2008 collection, with models strutting down the catwalk in seductive high heels, fitted librarian knee-length skirts, tailored suits in rich cashmere and fluttering blouses in silk chiffon, with a strong focus on the waist, either cinched or belted.
Look for Classic Garments in Vintage Stores
While you can certainly turn to the runways as sources of inspiration for the sexy sophisticated styling of the naughty secretary, but this trend can easily be outfitted entirely from quality vintage sources, especially those carrying garments dating back to women's work wear of the fifties and sixties.
How to Master the Secretary Trend
Wear a Dress or Skirt
To capture the coquettish vibe of naughty secretary style, skip the trousers and instead opt for a skirt or dress with a hemline that hovers just above or below the knee, so as to show off your fantastic legs.
Emphasize Your Waist
Avoid anything with an empire waist. One of the must-haves of the naughty secretary trend is an emphasized waist. So tie, belt, cinch or pull fabric tightly around your waist to highlight (or create the illusion of) a curvy, hourglass figure.
Wear Bright Colors
Go for cheerful colors such as mint greens, candy apple red, electric eggplant, marine blue, and bubblegum pink. Avoid wearing all black, taupe or gray, and always have a pop of color – even if you're wearing mostly neutral tones – to make sure you don't look dowdy or too conservative.
You Can Never Have Too Many Sweater Sets or Twin Sets
A twin set is a timeless staple that adds another dimension of softness and variety to the blouses and jackets that are prominent in the naughty secretary look. Quality is of the utmost importance, so always look for twin set sweaters in cashmere or wool. And when it comes to twin sets, the difference between fabulous and frumpy is all a matter of fit: make sure the under-sweater is tight-fitting, and that the cardigan is slim-fitting and worn unbuttoned. Top it off with a string of pearls or a shimmering brooch.
Naughty Secretaries Wear Sexy Shoes
Say "yes" to high heels – the higher the better. If three-inch heels aren't a realistic option for you, slip into a sweet (yet flirty) kitten heel as a fashionable compromise between total practicality and va-va-voom sex appeal. Pointy or peep-toe shoes work best with this professional look.
Feminine Blouses
Blouses are hot. Go for floaty, feminine fabrics like silk chiffon and organza. To incorporate two other hot trends into the naughty secretary look choose a blouse with a bow-tie detail, or wear a transparent blouse over a camisole or under a suit jacket.
Finishing Touches
Accessorize your look with your mother's pearls, a clutch in an eye-popping color and a kitsch brooch.
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