Wear to Work | Striped Skirt x 2

Hello there friends!  Remember a few weeks ago when I went and tried on this cute A-line striped skirt (on sale under $40!)?!  It was way too big in the store, so I ordered it in 00P, which just sounds so silly (I’m 5’1, 105 lbs), but crossed my fingers it would fit because the skirt is just too cute!  Thankfully, it did!  I know y’all like the Wear to Work series, so I’m styling this skirt up for you two ways today, both office appropriate.  I know that creating outfits to wear to work can be fun, but also a chore, so hopefully this helps inject more of the cheerful side into dressing for work.  Tomorrow, I’ll be back showing you a date night look and Spring fun look.  #options!

This navy and white striped skirt is pleated with a grosgrain trim waist, side zipper and is fully lined. You could pair so many colors with it and even a floral or other pattern on top, but for these two work looks, I kept the top solid and let the striped skirt be the star.  

For this first Spring friendly look, we’re adding pretty shades of aqua and yellow to the mix.  Ever since April hit, I’m all about that sunshiny hue- probably because I found such a fun strappy heel in that shade. 

Don’t be afraid to add a pop of color to your work outfits.  Even when I worked as a lawyer and most attorneys dressed in dark suits, I still liked to add feminine and colorful blouses, dresses and skirts. Our office was actually pretty casual (you could wear flip flops in the summer!), so an aqua tank with the striped skirt and yellow heels would’ve been totally fine at my job.

I always felt more professional and dressed up with a jacket or cardigan layered over my top (and it also kept me comfortable in those chilly air-conditioned buildings).  If you have an office to yourself, it’s a good idea to always keep a jacket hanging on your door.  

This old white jean jacket is a dead ringer for this one.  To balance out the proportions of the more voluminous skirt, I like to keep the top tucked in and the jacket fitted.  

At work (or anywhere really), if I’m wearing a bolder lip color (Baja Bound), I’ll tend to keep the eye makeup neutral and not too dramatic.  Except for the lashes- those can be full and lush anytime in my book!  This is the mascara I’m hooked on!  
Depending on your office environment, you might prefer to swap out the tank for a similar top that has sleeves.  Either way, this ensemble will take you from office to happy hour very easily! That ‘s one of the things I miss about working outside the home- happy hour drinks with coworkers and friends after work!  I very rarely drink at home, maybe I should start partaking in a glass of wine here and there to wind down once in awhile. 😉  Do you do that? 

Aren’t these pops of yellow fun for Spring?!  My GigiNY bag is a few years old, but this one is similar and only $25!

Look #1 was bright and Springy, and Look #2 is more neutral chic.  Instead of adding playful colors to the skirt, the second outfit keeps it more subdued with a black sleeveless high-neck tank.  It’s still a stylish look with the layered necklace and wrap around belt.  Closed toe pumps would amp up the professional factor, while open toe sandals are more casual.


A-line Striped Skirt 00P | Tank | Necklace | Similar Black BraceletSimilar Wrap Belt | Black HeelsSimilar Sunglasses $12 | Similar Quilted Crossbody Bag


Here, I belted the skirt with wide wrap belt that ties in the middle and added a multistrand beaded necklace for a splash of color and added interest up top. 

Writing this ‘Wear to Work’ post got me thinking about my very first job at Dandy’s Car Wash in Ohio, when I was 16.  I would go to high school, then work 3:30-6 p.m. washing cars.  On Saturdays, I worked open to close and I remember being super excited because on that day, the tips were better. It wasn’t unusual to make $30 in tips on a Saturday! That was a lot of money to someone that didn’t have any! Then, because I actually didn’t like getting my hands and fingernails all dirty and armour oiled, I went to work at TJ Maxx as a cashier.  That was much more sophisticated!  Back then (and I’m dating myself), the hourly wage was $4.25.  Can anyone remember that?!

When I turned 17, we moved to Houston and I only needed a few classes to graduate, so I did co-op, where I went to school part time, and worked at three different places- a dental office as a receptionist, Famous Footwear on the sales floor, and at a Florist shop arranging flowers and cashiering.  
After I graduated high school, my cousin told me about her waitressing job at Hooters in Florida where she was earning $100+ a day!  I realized I could earn a lot more money in less hours there, while going to college and supporting myself, so I went to work at the Hooters in Houston.  

You might be surprised to know that Hooters was actually a wonderful place to work!  I loved it there!  The other girls that worked there were like a sorority to me and the regulars were awesome.  I especially remember the couples and families that used to eat there and we became friends. I also met my special mentor there, a lawyer named Dennis, who encouraged me to go to law school after I confided in him my secret dream of becoming a lawyer one day.  
Hooters had a college assistance program, so I went to college during the day and then worked the 4:30 p.m. to close shift and all day on Sundays.  I also took a second and third job working at nightclubs serving beer and working 10pm to 2am.  It was a combination of those jobs that allowed me to live in an apartment with a roommate and pay for school class by class without loans or help from my parents. 

After college graduation (finally!), I applied for law school and you know what?  The sweet couple that owned the restaurant I worked at wrote me a heartfelt letter of recommendation.  As if that wasn’t enough, when I got accepted, they gifted me a $1,000 scholarship to help get me started.  I don’t think they had ever done that before and it meant so much to me.  I still have a copy of their letter! 
Sadly, Dennis passed away unexpectedly before I knew I was going to law school, but I like to think he knew from heaven and was proud.  There were so many good people I met along the way while I worked at Hooters all those years! Many of them I still keep in touch with!   

The restaurant I worked at isn’t there anymore, but I still have fond memories of growing up there.  I started working there when I was just 18!  When I was a young lawyer, I used to feel embarrassed about my past as a “Hootersgirl”, but I’m older and wiser now and just thankful for every bit of it.  Now, I’m more embarrassed that I was ever embarrassed!  #youknowwhatImean?

Okay, I got carried away with my Hooters story and forgot to focus on this outfit! But, I hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane and these work looks!  A far cry from both my car wash outfit and my old orange waitressing shorts! ?  

Have a great day, friends! ?


 I’d love to hear- what was your first job? 

You can join me on Instagram too, where I post everyday outfits and inspiration to wake up your wardrobe. 


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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

19 Comments

  1. It's always really interesting to hear about the career paths of other people – particularly when they don't conform to the typical trajectory and timescale. Hugely well done to anyone who, like you, has self-started! I'm not sure that I've read where you said where you met your husband – was it once you started working as a lawyer? Is he in the law too?

  2. It was so fun to read about your story, I'm so impressed! I was also a receptionist in a dental office for my first job, and really found my groove at a restaurant called Islamorada fish company which is the restaurant inside some bass pro shops. Thanks for a fun trip down memory lane!

    1. I love to hear other people's stories, so it was fun to share a bit of mine. I think it's good when people wait tables so they know what it's like on the other side of eating out!

  3. I love the wear to work posts! A couple questions though. I like both looks, but # 1 is too casual for my office. For # 2 do you have any suggestions for something to wear over the tank? I tend to get cold in air conditioned buildings. Also, did you have the skirt altered (I don't see a petite size available)? Thanks!

  4. My first job was a car hop at age 14. My husband's first job was at a car wash. We're retired now and find it hard to believe how fast time has flown.

  5. Megan, I loved reading about your work experiences – thank you for sharing! I have been following your blog for years and feel like your trip down memory lane helped me get to "know" you a bit better! I was your stereotypical high school lifeguard…and in college, I made a nice wage as a nanny. I remember thinking "wow, how much do these people make that they can pay me, the nanny, this much each week?!" And now I have children of my own….and realize childcare costs are crazy in general! Ha!

    1. I don't know what prompted me to share so much, but it's so fun looking back and now I can really instill a good work ethic into my kids.

  6. I love this post!! Thx for sharing about your life experiences! I waited tables all throughout high school and then into college while @ LSU. I think everyone at some point in life should work in the service industry… it's a great experience.

  7. Hi Megan,

    Adding my kudos on your trip down memory lane. I also waited tables through high school, college and a bit beyond, and often think how much those jobs taught me. While I'm glad those jobs are behind me, I agree with others who say everyone should work in service jobs at some point. You've earned every bit of your success!

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