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What to Wear When You Mix Business & Pleasure

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Comments(18)
March 6, 2023
This post is sponsored by Talbots

Do you ever have the opportunity to tag along on your husband’s business trip? Or maybe he accompanies you on yours! Or maybe you just add a few extra days onto a conference or business meetings so that you can enjoy the place you’re visiting. Today I’m sharing two great outfits from Talbots that will help you look great and feel comfortable while you mix business and pleasure. #sponsored

Mixing Business and Pleasure

I think Spring beckons us to get out and explore. After being cooped up all winter in front of the fireplace, I’m ready to enjoy the budding trees, blossoming flowers and warm temperatures. So even if I’m visiting a new city for business or a conference, I’m going to take the time to step out and explore a little.

Sale Alert: Talbots is celebrating the soon arrival of spring, too, with a Spring Style Event. You’ll get 25% off your entire purchase. Yay!

Mixing Business and Pleasure

One of the easiest ways to stretch your travel wardrobe so you can get out and enjoy your new surroundings is simply to make those black pants do double duty. These Bristol pants from Talbots seem to have been made for both business and pleasure.

Bristol Pants from Talbots

Lightweight and polished, these full-leg, trim fit pants feel like a soft chino, but look like a modern dress trouser. They feature Talbots’ Invisiflex Comfort Waist Technology, so they fit like a dream, true to size (TTS), but also feel really comfortable. You absolutely could wear the Bristols all day…and still eat a big meal…and an ice cream! I generally shy away from front pleats, but these long pleats don’t add visual weight. Instead they length your leg and look very modern.

Johnny Collar Pullover

I topped the black Bristol pants with this striped Johnny collar pullover. This chic pullover feels comfortable, but no way it looks slouchy. It’s 95% cotton and 5% silk, so you know it feels like a dream and it’s breathable and cool, too. I gave it a gentle front tuck to elongate my legs and keep those desirable proportions. A belt (similar) really sets this look off.

I completed my look with my favorite chunky gold chain necklace and some fun beaded stretch bracelets. When I travel I really try to make one set of jewelry work for every outfit.

Mix Business and Pleasure
Bristol pants (TTS) // Johnny collar pullover (TTS) // necklace // bracelets // sunglasses

I love wearing black and white in the spring, especially if I’m visiting a city. And you’ll pop against a background of spring flowers in pictures. You could wear similar ballet flats like these darling Blair ballet flats from Talbots. Or you might opt for these leather tassel loafers in black.

In my experience, it’s always a good idea to take along a substantial jacket or coat, especially when traveling north in the spring. Check out this beautiful Biscayne blue trench jacket. It’s also available in a stunning yellow. I found it to run a little large, so I sized down to a small.

Blue Trench Jacket

You won’t mind that it’s a little cool outside if you have this cheerful blue (or yellow) short trench with you.

Black Pants and Blue Jacket
Bristol pants (TTS) // Johnny collar pullover (TTS) // necklace // bracelets // sunglasses // short trench // blue drawstring bag

Next I created an equally sharp outfit to wear with the white Bristol pants. Yes, you’ll have to be a little more careful in these, but you just can’t beat a pair of great white pants for spring. And I’m in love with these Bristols. (Plus, they’re machine washable!)

White Bristol Pants and Black Sweater
white Bristol pants // Johnny collar pullover // gingham topper // black scarf // blue drawstring bag // necklace // bracelets // sunglasses

The white Bristol pants are made in that same soft 66% Cotton, 32% Tencel™ Lyocell, 2% Spandex fabric. But don’t worry. I don’t find them to be too sheer at all. And I just love the modern, full leg with that streamlined silhouette.

Bristol Pants and Loafer Mules

Let’s go ahead and talk about those shoes. If you’re planning to do a lot of walking, you might opt for sneakers or these loafers instead. But I’ve been wearing these ivory leather mule loafers quite a bit lately, and they are very comfortable. They may run a little big. See how much room I have at the back of my heel above? But I’m wearing my usual size 9.5 and they feel great and walk very nicely.

Black and White and a Pop of blue

I topped the white Bristol pants with another Johnny collar pullover, this time in black. The textured elbow-length sleeve pullover is a cotton and nylon blend, and it does feature a pattern that makes it a little sheer. It doesn’t really both me, but you might consider wear a tank like this one underneath if you prefer. The Johnny collar pullover is also available in ivory, so you could pair it with the black pants for a similar look in reverse.

Black Johnny collar pullover and white Bristol pants
Black Johnny collar pullover and white Bristol pants

Hopefully you noticed that I carried this cheerful blue drawstring bag with both outfits. It has two easily removable straps, so you can carry it is a shoulder bag, crossbody, lady bag or even a clutch (without a strap). A versatile bag like this is great for travel because it works so many ways.

Blue Bag

And I know you didn’t miss this black and ivory gingham topper. Wowsa! This had me at hello. I’d been looking for a versatile and beautiful lightweight coat to wear into spring, and this chic gingham topper fits the bill perfectly. It’s lined and fits true to size.

Black and Ivory Gingham Topper

I never travel without a scarf or wrap, and this black scarf with white butterflies works perfectly with so many different things in my wardrobe. While I enjoy wearing square scarves occasionally, for travel I always prefer an oblong scarf like this one. So versatile!

Black and White OUtfit for Spring

I’ll be sharing more versatile and beautiful pieces from Talbots in Wednesday’s YouTube video, so be sure to check in with me there for my Spring Travel Capsule Wardrobe. It will feature a few of these pieces and more that mix and match seamlessly.

Black and White Spring Outfit
white Bristol pants // Johnny collar pullover // gingham topper // black scarf // blue drawstring bag // necklace // bracelets // sunglasses

I’ve shopped Talbots as long as I can remember, and I count on them for modern classic garments and accessories that I can add to my closet with confidence. You know, they offer a full range of sizes and fits for petites, plus, plus petites and misses. And don’t forget that right now you’ll get 25% off your entire purchase in their Spring Style Event. Oh, and if you’re not yet a Classic Awards member, be sure to sign up. It’s free, simple and safe! And you can earn rewards towards future purchases.

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Blessed for My Day

We’ve all been there. You’re enjoying good conversation with friends and suddenly you hear something that’s a little appalling, but also somewhat intriguing. Could this be true? You’re not sure, and neither is the woman who shared it with the group. Plainly put, it’s gossip. At the moment it feels like no big deal to chase the hearsay with a few more speculations. But before you know it you realize that the friendly conversation has turned into frenzied chatter. Something doesn’t feel right about this and there’s a bad taste in your mouth.

What happens next? Do you put an end to the conversation, but quietly continue the speculations? Do you agree to talk of it no more, but then exchange knowing glances that fan the flames of speculation all the more? Or do you realize that you and your friends have wondered onto a battleground that the enemy has strewn with booby traps? You have the opportunity to shut this assault down or you can feed the frenzy…and potentially do much more harm than you can imagine. What will it be? What happens next?

For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down. ~ Proverbs 26:20

xoxo, Kay
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18 thoughts on “What to Wear When You Mix Business & Pleasure

  1. You can’t go wrong with classic black and white, and you look like a million bucks, Kay. I particularly love the gingham coat and pop of blue bag. I will have to wear a black and white outfit this week! And your new haircut looks sassy and modern.

    1. Thanks Patt. I wore the gingham coat and black pants to church yesterday. Oh and I added the scarf too. Felt lovely!

  2. I had a fried that gossiped a great deal but otherwise she seemed nice. When she would gossip to me I would listen then say something good about the person to her and end the conversation. We would shop together about once a week. I went through a tough time finding out I have Parkinson’s and I could no longer drive. She never called me again after I told he!!! WOW! How cold!!!

  3. Ah the days of conferences! Before the advent of online shopping with international shipping, the only way I was able to get the garments I fell in love with in magazines was to pay a visit to my American friends! It was always better when it was my husband’s conference so I would not be in meetings and courses all day and could round up the ladies and hit the stores! I love the style of the pants in your post, and the outfit with the gingham check coat looks amazing on you! The patterned scarf and the texture of the top provide interest without the use of another color. The slides look so modern and are more elongating on the leg than enclosed shoes, which is a boon for those of us with less stature.

  4. 🤩 That gingham topper on you with your trendy hair style is true checkered couture! You seriously look like the epitome of Spring. Love it all!
    I’m so glad to be retired and far away from the toxic office gossip queens. I think of them at times and pray they’ve silenced their tongues and opened their hearts. And sadly, it’s a place I would not want to go back to even visit.anymore.

  5. Just a quick note to say thank you for the wardrobe inspiration. I saw a woodland animals scarf on your blog, I ordered a similar one at a lower price point and I felt like a million bucks. It helped expand my winter wardrobe to spring and I even wore that denim jacket I was going to give away-I felt terrific . Thank you for keeping it age appropriate(60) and relevant.

  6. Kay, I continue to learn from and enjoy every single one of your posts! I was so excited to read of your pondering the idea of a ladies’ conference in October! Just wondering if you’ve given any more thought to the idea? I absolutely will plan on attending and with a friend! Please share an update when you can, and please do keep up your good work. Your posts are so helpful and inspiring! Thank you so much and God bless.

  7. I’m grateful for you. Thank you for sharing your gifts this way. I’m so encouraged and I learn a lot from you.

  8. Love the black and white and then with a pop of the bright blue. Your hair is really cute. I need to get a styling wand. Like all the volume.

  9. My 5th Scripture Psalms 121

    A song of ascents.

    1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
    2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
    3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
    4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
    5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
    6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
    7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
    8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

  10. Good morning Kay! I loved seeing all of your options from Talbots! Black and white combos are always a hit in my book. Your ideas for capsule or travel wardrobes are easy to follow, Have a safe, fun, and stylish trip to Maine. I appreciate you!

@dressed_4_my_day