Yellow at the office? Yes!

The winning color applied to workwear for August...and beyond.

A big part of my work as a personal stylist is getting women (and men) dressed for the office - in a way that makes them feel confident in their position and generally in their skin. Many times that involves nudging them into trying new shapes, styles, colors and combos. So today is all about pushing workwear out of its comfort zone for those of you who still clock in, IRL.

My plan here is to challenge your conception of yellow as “not for you.” It can be a very polarizing color. But yellow is really the best. It’s a conversation starter, it breaks up all your basics simply by being and it looks better on you than you think. At this point in the summer, when your office grey and black feels EXTREMELY sad, yellow can lighten the emotional load of being in midtown when the rest of Instagram is in Panarea.

Today I’m going to lay out (in five ideas naturally) why I think yellow is the perfect color to break up (or really build up) a conservative wardrobe for summer. Live a little, half the staff is on vacation anyway!

Tweeds and textures

This skirt is an old Marc Jacobs find from The RealReal, but putting yellow into basically the most conservative fabric on the planet is sure to make it feel office appropriate. Here I am wearing it in an office, with my “fancy” white t-shirt. The t-shirt has bell sleeves and is narrow through the body making it feel more like a top for work in 90 degrees. This Proenza Schouler skirt gives me the same feeling. On sale!

And love this one. But…not on sale. The fabric is divine. Even through the screen. And this and this from The RealReal.

Also note, the yellow is far from my face (for all those “I can’t wear yellow” people. You really can!)

becky_malinsky

A post shared by Becky Malinsky Shiah (@becky_malinsky)

*The long sleeve version of this t-shirt isn’t available anymore. But here is the same shirt in short sleeve (same body shape and curve on the shoulders, its a winner.)

Knitwear

Giving tweed a run for its money on buttoned-up-ness…cable knit! I love this short sleeve knit from J. Crew. Man they’re doing a good job lately, no? I spotted it on their creative director’s Instagram and ordered it. Sadly, it didn’t arrive in time for me to show you IRL in the newsletter. I’ll throw it up on Instagram in a few outfits when it gets here. STAY TUNED! Why I like this knit in particular is because it has the sweetness of the pastel yellow and retro-short-sleeve poodle girl vibes BUT the henley takes it out of too-sweet cardigan territory and allows you to unbutton it a bit. It needs a little bit of skin to feel grown-up. Will pair so great with pleated linen shorts, a black pencil skirt, khaki or white pants, crisp light washed denim, you get my point.

Just replace your grey summer work top with this! Finito!

Floral Print

Once again, I’m showing yellow far from your (my) face. This old Dries van Noten skirt is always in my rotation. Dressy and casual. It says summertime but its a heavy, textured silk fabric. Very office-friendly. No one is confusing this with your beach cover up. Styling ideas in the caption.

“Yellow florals” as a general concept is kind of a no-brainer for summer, I get it. Not helpful. But the right yellow florals that don’t look too too or too cheap (sorry to put it so bluntly) take a bit more investigating. Here are a few I endorse.

Different volume but equally elegant! Obviously not with the bra top
A Vintage pleated set! To be worn together or separate <3 Not floral but couldn’t not share.
This, This, and This from The RealReal

Left: Not the best picture of my favorite poplin white shirt but I was struggling with the self timer today and it’s the best I can do. What can I say, I’m not Gen Z! But a white shirt, semi “undone” makes this feel crisp yet still very conservative. Also, pearls! I think because white and yellow feel so wonderful together, pearls seem to always work. Right: A grey knit t-shirt tucked in feels very conservative and generally “appropriate” to tone down the fun-ness of the skirt. Shoes are Maryam Nassir Zadeh. I like tan (not black, not nude) shoes with yellow. This is the most similar pair I could find.

Yellow Ballerinas

I don’t own these. But they are high on my list. How great would little Chanel (or these) ballet flats look with a black suit, or jeans and a white button down, or a navy A-line skirt and grey sweater. Look, I’m bringing the yellow even further from your face! Now you have no excuse. Even if you are nervous about the color, why not try it for your commuter shoe. :)

I’ve actually just always been jealous (in a good way!) of Leandra’s yellow ballerinas. They just make every outfit feel like the pressure is off. Here’s the pair I’m eyeing. Very into this ballet flat brand, Lolo Ballerina. They seem to have the perfect shade of every color: yellow, tan, purple, red, etc.

A Yellow Shirt

Easy enough. A yellow shirt with a black pencil skirt. Swap out skirt for jeans (if your office allows) or khakis, even better! Here is a silky version and a traditional poplin version. I love the collar on the darker yellow shirt (right.) Its also a very crisp cotton fabric with beautiful mother of pearl buttons. Very dressy for an extremely buttoned-up office. If you have a little more wiggle room, a silky shirt like the version on the left here (which is from a Hawaiian souvenir shop I found on my honeymoon) reads a bit more “August.” Maybe this one is the best of both worlds? Pale yellow, short sleeves, but still crisp.

Giving you my best corporate boss lady. Left: a short sleeve, silky button down I bought on my honeymoon in Hawaii. Here’s a sophisticated alternate. Here’s another if money ain’t a thing. Right: Tory Burch awesome collar, awesome buttons button down. Skirt is Prada SS20. Shoes are Paul Andrew. Apparently he is relaunching his line which is very exciting! In the meantime, these are the most obvious (read Manolo) 2022 friendly alternate.

Here it is again as a layer over the knit t-shirt above, a pair of dark (office appropriate jeans) and ballerinas. And the pearls even though you can’t see them.

Bonus! THIS shirtdress, which happens to be 80% off. I can see you leading a panel discussion in this, can’t you? It will drape so nicely over the chair and leave just your little ankle bare. You will crush it.

And these bermudas….

…which happen to be on sale and therefore seem less impractical than at first glance. The sweater is actually incredibly practical (also on sale) but maybe just for the back of your chair til the weather is colder than the A/C.

That’s all for today. I’ll leave you with a special shout out to my sister. The only person one can trust to tell you your bookcase is way too messy, clean it up! So hope you all enjoyed my tidied shelves. :)

Yours TRULY,

Becky

P.S. No Five Things next week. My little family and I are taking our first EVER family vacation, just the three of us. Computer not invited.

NOTE: I use affiliate links when applicable which means I may get a small commission from things you buy (no cost to you!) Thank you for supporting my work and trusting me with your shopping!