Four Simple Ways to Up Your Work-From-Home Style During COVID19

Guys, this one’s for you today.  Ladies, I’m writing up a separate one for you as we speak!

Once upon a time, you lived in a world of waking up every morning, shuffling half-asleep into your closet, trying to make out the blur of clothes in front of you in order to decide what you were going to wear to work that day.

Then COVID hit, and you’re in a world now where, shoot, do you even get OUT of bed anymore to start your workday?  I mean, a laptop is the same laptop whether you’re in bed or sitting upright at your desk, right?

And so here is your new Monday through Friday norm.  Week after week.

But let’s say you DO make an effort to get out of bed and brush your teeth at least.  And you actually put on clothes. Eventually you begin to notice that you’ve been “showing up” to your virtual day job wearing your same favorite few tees every day.  Or, maybe it’s just a sweatshirt.  And, does it really even matter what’s on your bottom?

Question for you:

While I’m sure this is comfortable and all, are you starting to feel kind of blah inside?  Maybe a little dull?  Like you’re in this new work-from-home routine and it’s really not all that exciting? 

Perhaps you actually miss coming up with an outfit to wear to work each day because you could at least show off some of your personality. Or maybe, you were one to dress a level above your title in hopes it’d get you promoted faster. 

After all, getting dressed shows purpose.  But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. In fact, just choosing SOME simple accessories that best reflect your authentic style and personality could mean everything! 

So here are four simple ways to spruce up your virtual workday look and #letthrealyoushinethrough in your next Zoom meeting:

Photo by manny PANTOJA on Unsplash

Try Out Some Stylish Frames

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Prescription or no prescription, this is one of my favorite ways that guys can show off their personalities and up their t-shirt-around-the-house game.  In fact, I think frames paired with a comfy tee is a superb way to professionalize your look and show up to your Zoom meetings in casual style.  Kind of like, you make it look so easy, yet you’re so good. 

You can visit website and choose from a massive variety of top brands and styles.  You’re sure to land a brand new set of specs that frame your face and make you look even more distinguished in no time.

The Tiny But Mighty Pocket Square

If you’re more than a t-shirt guy and need to dress to impress on your next Zoom call, look no further than the humble pocket square. They are so easy, so simple, and yet so…bam!  You show up to your video calls looking like a man on a mission.  This little square is the color to your mon-o-chrome, the linen to your life, the silk to your, ok I have no idea where I’m going with that one, but you get the point. Go get yourself some!

Watch This

Photo by Tamarcus Brown on Unsplash

I love a good watch on a guy.  It just says, Hi, I’m a man.  And if your laptop camera is angled the way it should be (ahem, up angling down is a bit more flattering), then your forearms and wrists should be showing.  And who wants bare forearms and wrists??

You don’t need to drop big bucks on a watch, any priced watch does the trick  But if you can afford a Rolex or Omega, then by all means, shop right ahead!  But you don’t need to go the designer route to look great.  Any watch that is simple and well-made will add a dignified note to your look.

On The Cuffs

Photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash

Got an upcoming Zoom video interview?  Nothing tells hiring managers that you’ve got attention to detail like the fact that you’re wearing badass cuff links on a Zoom video interview during COVID 19.  As a recruiter, I would freaking love you for it. 

Why? Because cufflinks are one of the most telling, yet subtle, signs of style for men everywhere. They’re small enough to know their place, yet special enough to have their shining moment in the world. Also, please know that managers hiring candidates using only video interviews will be looking to your video screen for ANYTHING to try and get a better sense of your personality.  And cufflinks show that you are ready to bring the goods, my friend.

In Summary

These are just a few easy-to-implement ideas to polish off that top half of you for when you need to show up to work on a laptop screen.  I’d love to hear other creative ideas you’ve been doing as well so update me in the comments below!

Have a great week y’all,

Kristin

Menswear: Tom Ford Eyeglasses

Men’s accessories. They’re everything. And we so quickly have fallen for the Warby Parkers and Tom Fords of the world because let’s face it, men’s fashion eyewear has come onto the scene HOT.

Just look at our lovely model for example. This is one of my favorite men’s casual outfits by the way. But look at the way the glasses jive so well with the casual sneaks. And the glasses, quite frankly, really finish off his look.

Are any of you guys rocking the eyeglasses to work on a daily basis? Would you? To help you out, I included my four favorite styles below.

Happy shopping!

-Kristin

Forget Following Fashion Trends, You Do You.

Once upon a time there used to be a season for certain colors and an era for certain styles.

We can look back on the decades of our past and pretty much generalize the fashion trends for each era. 70s were the hippies. 80s was total hair. 90s was cutoffs and hip-hop. 2000s were punk rock and skater boys and babes. And now here we are in 2018, with the onset of social media’s Pinterest and Instagram. Photography and fashion are in full swing.

But here’s one thing I’ve noticed about this new digital world that we’ve all come to love and hate. It’s given us an outlet to express our individual style.

You can scroll through Pinterest and Insta feeds for hours and hit the like button on all different types of fashion. Why? Because the pictures look good. Because the ENTIRE LOOK looks good. You fall in love with the person’s overall style. The clothes, the makeup, the expression, the background, the lighting. Take all of that combined and the fact that a girl is wearing white pants in winter is pretty meaningless because, well, her photo completely ROCKS.

Fashion is a massive part of our modern lives, especially since so much of our lives have been shifted towards showing off our looks. And with any industry, some people have such a true passion and love for it that they dedicate their whole lives to it. (Think your major bloggers on Instagram)

Once upon a time we were also taught to dress a certain way for certain circumstances or occasions.

Interviews, weddings, corporate jobs. Shoot, think of the countries where women don’t even have a choice in what they can wear! And while times are changing for the better, the fact remains that if you dress outside what certain people consider “the norm,” you very well might be looked at twice.

Is that a bad thing though?

And honestly, what does it matter to people what you wear if it’s not hurting anyone?

Well the truth is, it does. Because your style speaks louder than your words. Especially on first glance. But just because people make judgments in a matter of seconds doesn’t mean you can’t tailor a polished look to reflect your individuality.

Freedom of expression is important for maintaining our identity as individuals. You can still totally do this even if you work a corporate 9 to 5 job by adding your unique favorite trends to a more conservative polished style. I explain exactly how to do this in fashion posts throughout my site. Crazy story but I actually work in a global pharmaceutical company and I can easily think of 4 coworkers that have tattoo sleeves. BUT they balance that with a more polished professional outfit so the whole look is just totally badass! (Side note, if you’re going a tattoo route, be sure to use barrier tattoo gel)

Remember that you should dress according to what you truly like and feel comfortable in, but by also dressing in such a way that makes others comfortable and shines you in the best, most respectful light. This is what Suits & Sneaks is all about! Follow along for loads more tips on getting dressed each day that gains you respect and authority in the workplace, but also lets the real you shine through at the same time.

Cheers!

-Kristin

How to Save on Corporate Style: Clever Cost Saving Tips

Polished casual styled with Seavees

If you’re like most, you’re anticipating the arrival of the new year with hopes and dreams to bring out a new and better you. New mindset, new habits, new routines, new goals. Heck, maybe you’re even on a mission to find a new job that you love for 2019. So what better way to package up this NEW YOU than with a fresh, new wardrobe?

Except that, this is the busiest shopping season of the year and you’ve probably already spent a TON of money. (And I’m guessing well beyond your budget?) So, how do you now build a stylish work wardrobe with the little that you have left in the bank?

I’ll give you a hint. The answer is not always to start from scratch. To take the pressure off you a little, here are six ways I typically save on my corporate style.

1. Stick with the simple

I’m a huge fan of basics for two reasons. One, because they never go out of style. You can wear them in different ways forever. And two, because it’s not as noticeable when you repeat a basic piece of clothing as it is when you repeat a flashy or trendy one. (Case in point, I haven’t gone shopping in OVER A YEAR.)

Get these basic pieces for Men and Women

I would even advise being strategic with your COLOR choices and stick with basic colors like black, white, or gray. I know this sounds boring, but remember, this is your foundation. Spend minimal dollars on a few basic things and your opportunities to style in different ways on top of that are endless. See #2 below.

2. Mix and match with layers and accessories.

Shop the look here

An added bonus to the basic foundation above is that any accessories or jackets you layer on top will instantly stand out. Whether we’re talking about a diamond necklace from Ritani or a scarf from Target, if you have a basic foundation, then most likely you’re pretty much guaranteed that any accessory or layer you add on will match.

Men’s Flatlay

This is genius I tell you for yet another reason: Accessories DON’T WEAR OUT! They don’t fade with washes, they don’t get ruined from spills. They take up little space. And what’s more, they typically go on major sale at certain stores throughout the year. Set this 1:3 spending rule for yourself: I will figure out how to buy a single shirt-price worth of accessories that can translate into three different looks. Boom, financial win. It’s that easy.

3. Always check the labels.

I completely stay away from anything that needs to be dry-cleaned. It’s just not worth it to me. I actually take it a step further and stay away from anything that needs to be ironed, because well, ain’t nobody got time for that. If you’re looking for money AND time savings, checking the labels is super important.

4. Shop out of season. Heck, shop out of style.

I could care less if clothing is in season or not. Why? Because quite frankly guys, it’s not so much about the clothes as it is the person wearing them.

Let’s all get real here for a moment. Think about when you see fashion bloggers on Pinterest or Instagram. What about the pictures attract you to it? Is it 100% the clothes? Or is it the model’s hair, his or her fitness level, the camera angle, the lighting, a statement accessory? There are a number of factors that can take a look from being blah to wow, and it will always be more than just the clothing pieces themselves.

So with that, buy that’s-so-last-season clothes! They’re cheaper! Because guess what? You can make anything look attractive by adding additional layers like a blazer or accessories, and most importantly, you will strut into your office silently screaming that this look is yours to OWN.

5. Look for deals online.

Like most purchases in life, you can usually find work clothes cheaper if you shop around for them online. You can use price comparison tools to compare similar items from different stores. You can leverage online voucher sites to find coupons for money off products both in-store and online. Heck, you can go sign up for mailing lists or newsletters for your favorite retailers because they will give you a discount code. Don’t want spam mail? Who cares! You just got 25% off!

6. And lastly, wear what is provided.

I’ll save the best scenario for last, in that if you’re a uniformed worker, then you luck out and don’t have to buy wardrobes of clothes. Though many might argue this and say you wish you could wear what you want, how easy and cost-effective is it to wear the same things everyday?! Am I right? But even if you’re not a uniformed worker, many companies give out branded shirts, polos, socks, etc. for free. Why not wear them?? This means one less outfit where you can save the money to buy something else.

Make use of company-provided shirts

So there ya have it folks! I live by these rules every time I look for something new to wear. I honestly am a cheapskate when it comes to fashion and style. I buy everything at discount prices, and at most, once a year. Building a work wardrobe from scratch can be costly, but, hopefully, with these tips, you can save yourself some money as you start the new year with the new you!

Kristin, Suits & Sneaks

-Kristin

Advice For Purchasing A Wedding Suit

It’s the most, wonderful time, of the year! The holidays are here and love is either madly in the air, or it’s most definitely not. But the fact of the matter is, right around the corner, is wedding season.

There are fewer and fewer reasons to wear formal clothing these days, but one of those that still holds on is that of a wedding. Now, while wedding season might still be a few months away, being prepared for that time of year, believe me, is the right thing to do. Whether you’re buying suits or dresses, here are some things to consider before you find yourself overwhelmed shop-hopping trying to find your wedding best.

THE POCKET SQUARE

suit pocket squares

Men are in a somewhat fortunate position (actually a lot of fortunate positions if you ask me lol) in that suits tend to come in a small variety, and are quite frankly, the only expectation people have of you when it comes to formal attire. Especially for a wedding.

That said there are parts of suit buying and wearing that we should discuss, especially if you’re not used to the clothing, such as how to fold a pocket square .

And let me share with you my thoughts on pocket squares: I FLIPPING LOVE THEM. These little guys will take a look to the next level. They come in so many different styles, colors, fabrics. Oh my gosh, I just get so excited by them, for ALL looks and styles, from wedding formal to street and smart casual.

I included some of my favorites here, scroll to the right to view them all!

THE SUIT STYLE

While the number of jobs requiring suits has decreased in the last couple of decades, so too has the need for men to own them, so let’s take a look at the different styles and the etiquette of wearing one.

SINGLE OR DOUBLE-BREASTED

Suits do come in various styles, and this tends to be for different reasons. If you’re not the groom, you’ll likely be considering a single-breasted or double-breasted style and the decision will come down to your personal preference.

The double is more traditional for a taller man to wear and will usually have four or six buttons. Whereas a single-breasted jacket will have only one set of buttons - up to three - and holes that do not overlap. There’s a great article on this here

Now if you’re the man of the event, or in the main wedding party, there are of course the wedding suit and tuxedo for the much more formal look.

THE WAISTCOAT

Once you have chosen a style, you may then wonder whether or not you should purchase a waistcoat. Well, for starters, most suits will come as two or three-piece and so the decision will be made for you. The waistcoat is a personal choice once again, but it does a little more than just adding to the style. It in fact should be doing two things. One, to direct attention towards your face, and two, to keep your tie in place. It can be a great complement to your suit, but again the personal preference is yours.

SHOES

Once you have the suit sorted, you’ll need to start considering the shoes. Your dilemma could be around the color, whether to match the shoes to the color of the suit (black, brown, or burgundy are most common). OR, your dilemma could be on style, i.e. formal or casual, slip-ons or laces, minimal or funky loud. Suits or Sneaks. :) But for all the shopping in the world, make sure they are comfortable and fit you properly. Weddings can be lengthy affairs.

I just started a Pinterest Board - Wedding in Sneakers and pinned some of my favorite looks. Go check it out and follow along if you think you’ll be in the market soon! :)

ACCESSORIES

Wooden bowtie

The most important, of all the accessories that make up formal wear, is the tie. This is where it gets overwhelming and I feel for you guys. There are so many different types of ties! From the skinny traditional, to the wide traditional, to the bow tie. Your selection will need to consider several details, most importantly, your size. If you are a tall man you will require a longer tie, if you’re a short man then bow-ties are great! If you’re a skinny man then you might want to consider purchasing a tie that isn’t too wide.

The Tie Bar

And then there’s the colors. I love this part. First consider two factors - the color of your suit and your complexion. Then figure out the statement you want to make. Formal and serious? Go with your traditional colors and patterns. Prefer to be loud and proud? Then the possibilities are endless for you my friend. Go bright, crazy-patterned, and flashy for that matter if you want. Here are some of my favorite looks.

You can shop some of my favorites right here! Scroll to the right to view them all.

Finally, other accessories include the aforementioned pocket square which should complement your tie. Cuff links for a shirt with French cuffs are a nice addition to the formal attire and give you an opportunity in a limited environment to add some character to your wear. And lastly a dress watch or tie clip; both of these can complement the suit you are wearing and add an air of elegance to your wedding appearance.

Oh Happy Day!

Happy shopping!

-Kristin

Menswear Blogger, Igee Okafor, On How To Dress For Summer

"When it comes to personal style at music festivals, anything goes." 

Read the full post by Igee Okafor & Peter Minkoff here.

Photography by: Sebastian Cintron

Massive Brooks Brothers Sale Is On!

Hey guys, it's summer time which means major sale time.  And I know many of you trust Brooks Brothers from head to toe, so I took some time to scour their online offerings and find you the best sales in line with my favorite styles below.  Major markdowns at over 50% and more!  Enjoy!

Brooks Brothers Button-Downs Over 50% Off!

Brooks Brothers Polos Under $50

Brooks Brothers Ties Marked Down To $25!

Brooks Brothers Blazers Over 50% Off

And Last But Not Least, My Favorite Brooks Brothers Kicks!

Suits + Sneakers + Sunsets

Suits & Sneaks' smart casual attire for the end of your workweek.

Congratulations, you're approaching the end of your workweek.  And what better way to step out of the office and into a happy hour sunset than in your most comfortable and casual pair of suits and sneakers. 

Here, Brooks Brothers meets Ben Sherman.  It's my motto of offsetting at its best. The Brooks Brothers blazer is offset with a more casual Brooks Brothers tee.  BB's pants are then offset with a pair of white canvas sneakers by one of my favorite men's lines, Ben Sherman.

It's the perfect way to untuck your shirt, let loose a little, and still look like you owned the day.  Cheers gents.

-Kristin

Brooks Brothers suit with Ben Sherman sneakers

Suits & Sneaks smart casual with Brooks Brothers and Ben Sherman

Got an Upcoming Interview? I've Got 5 Pieces of Advice For You.

Hey y’all I’m back with probably the biggest interview tip I could ever give you.  You could be the sweetest, smartest, most hardworking person in the world, but if you don’t have this one skill, I’m really sorry, but you likely won’t advance in the interviewing process.  You have heard it before, but I can’t stress the importance of it enough. 

And so I tell you that, COMMUNICATION SKILLS are EVERYTHING.  Now, before your two-second attention span closes this window because you’re like, yeah Kristin I already knew that, realize that there is in fact a LOT more to this communication word than you might realize.  And you not being seriously self-aware and socially aware of each of the five points below could very well cost you the job.  I have seen it many times.

So without further ado, let’s examine the most critical parts of communication:

1.       Your energy

Communication skills are key

If you have naturally low energy, I implore you, I beg you, to do whatever it takes to up your energy level, even if slightly out of your comfort zone.  If you lose someone in the first few minutes, it will be close to impossible to get them back. 

Try your best to be dynamic and bring feeling into your conversation.  The reality is, it’s you and a handful of other people interviewing.  You need to come to the table with a level of professional energy that can outpace your competition. 

2.       Your flow

It ain’t just for yoga class people.  Strive for really good flow in your explanations.  Think chronologically high level with the ability to dive into detail where needed. 

Chronological, high level points will make it easy for the interviewer to follow you.  It shows them you know how to get the most important points across quickly.  Then, dive into detail when asked for specific examples.  This will validate to the interviewer that you’ve actually worked through your situations and can recap your processes and learnings for someone else as well.    

3.       Your questions

While there’s always a balance between quality and quantity, please at least have some questions put together for your interviewers.  A lack of questions will make us think either you don’t care, or perhaps you’re not as well-versed in the subject area as you say you are. 

Very important though, really think through how what you’re asking might be perceived.  For example, I cringe when I open it up for questions and the candidate goes, “what are the working hours?”  Seriously, that’s your first question for me?  Now there could be a legit reason you’re asking, i.e. you have kids to pick up at 4pm, but you need to ask questions demonstrating your interest in the role first, then you can ask logistical questions later.    

4.       Your tone

Be very, very careful with this one.  I’ve seen really good candidates mess this part up in the interview and instantly lose the hiring team’s trust.  If you have a tendency to let annoyance or sarcasm creep into your conversational tone, make sure you check that, and any potentially demeaning words in your vocab, at the door. 

Your ultimate goal for this interview is to remain as positive as possible.  Now sure, you will be asked about difficult situations.  And you most certainly should answer them truthfully.  But you can do this by explaining your difficult situation in a more neutral tone, and then wrap it up by explaining what you learned from that particular situation. 

5.       Your ability to read the room.

Learn to read the room

Otherwise known as social awareness.  Since nobody can be perfect, the next best thing you can do is at least learn to read your audience and adjust accordingly.  If you notice any of your interviewers' eyes start to glaze over, or they lean back in their chairs and sort of slouch, then you’re not talking succinctly or dynamic enough.  So try to make your points a little clearer and a little faster.  If you notice your interviewers suddenly raising eyebrows or looking uneasy, something you said is causing them to question their trust in you.  Don’t be negative and consider adjusting your tone. 

At the end of the day, you should always be you.  Just remember that technical skills can be taught a lot faster than communication skills can.  So as you prep for your interview and gather your technical skills together, use the five points above to make sure you can communicate your experiences to your interviewers as best as possible.

Good luck and as always, comment below if you have any questions!

-Kristin

I Guess I'm a Guy's Girl? My Style Explained.

I’ve never officially coined myself as such, but it was the two words that came to my mind when I thought about the history of my style.  I did an Urban Dictionary check just to be sure (total sarcasm people, but for kicks, see below): 

"Guy’s girl:  That girl who can just chill and be one of the guys.  She’s into sports, beer, action flicks, and doesn’t give a damn what others think.  However, unlike the tomboy, she has her gang of girl mates who she shops with and does girly stuff." (Source: Urbandictionary.com) 

So yeah, I guess you could say this describes me.  And anyone who’s known me throughout my life would probably agree:  A guy’s girl. 

Kristin Leigh, Suits & Sneaks

The guys of my youth:

Maybe it’s cause I was the first-born and my dad and I were (still are) super close.  My dad helped me out with everything, from homework to coaching me in softball for years, to perfecting my volleyball serves, to somehow getting the message across when my skirts were too short. 

My cousin Brian lived next door to me on one side, and on the other side of my house were two boys also my age, Keith and Craig.  So we all grew up together, playing mostly non-girly games.  You could probably label me as a tomboy in my youth.  I definitely rocked the backwards hat for longer than I’d like to admit.  But that’s what my inner circle wore.  Don’t get me wrong though, I still had what seemed like the largest Barbie collection in the world.  And yes, I thought Ken was hot AF.  But sitting right next to the Barbie bin was a bin of Legos, and right next to the Legos, a bin of cars.  I really was into just about everything. 

Anyways I guess with all of that, I just took a liking to chillin’ with the boys.  I think cause it was just that, chill.  I showed up to hang out and play games as I felt best myself.  I never really worried about having to win guys over with my appearance because they all liked hanging out with me for my personality.  I think?  (c’mon, we were like 8 years old). 

High school:

Once I hit the teenage years, my parents might argue I was anything BUT chill, but whatever that’s called hormones.  And yes, I still crushed on the cute guys in school.  So at this point my parents (poor dad) had their hands full because I basically always had a boyfriend.  I couldn’t help it, I just liked hanging out with the guys!  I liked what they talked about.  They talked about ACTUAL STUFF, rather than gossiped about each other.  Actual stuff was way more interesting to me.  And I’m not stereotyping girls NOW, I’m merely telling you what I actually experienced BACK THEN.  20+ years ago.

College:

I joined a sorority in college.  Three months of that was all I could take.  I made some amazing friends through it, who were very much guy’s girls like myself.  And basically, we just enjoyed hanging out at the frat houses drinking beer and playing games with the guys.  That didn’t sit well with the more senior sorority girls as you could imagine.  Things started to suck, people were mean, and I asked myself, why would I want to spend my free time in such mental state?  So I quit, and then I could hang out with my frat guy friends as much as I wanted.  Bye Felicia. 

The last two years in college I lived with my two best girl friends, on a floor of otherwise guys.  The guys were our “bros”, and we, although girls, were their “bros”.  Again, one giant group of friends that just enjoyed watching football and drinking beer together.  We wore some makeup.  I’d say we were attractive.  But we just enjoyed hanging with the guys.  Nothing more.  We still call each other “Bro” to this day by the way.

Me, today:

So my style today has been what it always has been, 100% me and however I’m feeling at the time.  I’ve never condoned wearing something outside of my comfort zone solely to solicit a response from someone else.  Though sometimes you just have to do it in the working world (i.e. wear a suit to an interview, please).  But such is the premise of Suits & Sneaks.  I prefer to feel myself and wear what I’ve got.  I can polish things off where needed, but otherwise I’m using my confidence in dressing as the real me, to make wearing jeans, sneaks, and a hat look cute. 

My Style - Kristin Leigh, Suits & Sneaks

If the whole “polish off your look” part leaves you feeling a little clueless, well that’s what I’m here for, so holler at me anytime.  And definitely subscribe and follow me on Instagram.  I give lots of examples on how to effortlessly spruce up your sweats, ripped jeans and then some.  But more than anything, let your confidence come from within.  Be proud of who you are now, where you came from, and the direction you want to take.  A light on the inside can almost always be seen on the outside.

Suits & Sneaks' Kristin Leigh shows off her Kicks of the Day in Tampa Bay. (Vans)

Chat soon!

Kristin

A Gift of Time for Mom

JORD Wooden Watch in Mint

I’ve heard it many times, “There is nothing greater than being a mom.”  While I’m not one myself, I’m awed by the fact that every time I hear this, I’m watching the words come out of a somewhat exhausted-looking woman’s mouth.  I can tell that underlying those words are hours, days, and years of worry, sleepless nights, and money hard spent.  And I can’t find any other way to describe witnessing motherhood as witnessing a life of complete selflessness.  While these two words can’t ever truly portray that amount of gratitude I have in my heart, I want to say to my own mom, thank you.

Mother’s Day is around the corner and chances are your mom, or your wife, to this day continues to run around the house, checking off her to-do lists, cleaning up after your family, cooking you dinner, and transporting your kids.  Basically, everything you somehow never remember to do, yet she always does.  Because Mom always knows the time and when to be where...

 

 

I came across a totally unique Mother’s Day gift idea to share with you. 

Have you ever seen a wooden watch? 

JORD Wooden Watch in Mint

Now when it comes to shopping, I am one who tends to venture off the beaten path.  If the rest of the world has it, I don’t want it.  So as you can imagine, when I came across such a unique watch I didn’t think twice about getting one.   

If you’re shopping for Mom, here is a link to the women’s watches.  Or, if you’ve already fallen in love with the glowing mint-faced watch in this post, here is the link to this specific mint-faced watch. 

Now that I own one, I can tell you what I love about it:

1.  Shipping is free and mine arrived in two days! 

2.  The packaging makes for the perfect gift. 

I opened the packaging to find this beautiful wooden keepsake box.  Spend some time looking at this box because you’ll even see it has a little hidden drawer.  Perhaps, the perfect place to store your most treasured rings or earrings. 

JORD Watch Keepsake Box

3.  The wood color on these watches is beautiful and so different than the typical metal watches.

And when you finally get past the packaging, you’ll notice your brand new watch resting on its little JORD pillow.   

4. Because it’s wood, it’s lightweight. 

Which means there’s no sweat piling up between your skin and the watch. 

5.  The face color options they have are so springtime and beautiful.

All of the models and colors for women can be found here.

And GUYS, men's models and colors can be found here

BONUS:  Best of all, the company, JORD Watches, will engrave the watch for you.  Honestly, could this timing be any more perfect for Mother’s Day?

If any moms are reading this, I wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day.  Whether your kids are with you or far, know that your time is cherished and you are so greatly loved.

~Kristin 

Thinking about a Grad Gift or Father's Day surprise?  Follow @suits.and.sneaks on Instagram where I'm giving away $100 for a JORD Watch on 5/21/17!

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Suits & Sneaks: How to Look Polished Casual

So you’re one of the lucky ones who got hired into an office casual workplace.  Your brilliant HR department recognizes that productivity, creativity, and innovativeness can be directly correlated with comfort.  I mean let’s be real here, how can you think freely when you’re being choked by your necktie or trying to sit still to avoid wrinkles?  Ladies, how can you run down the halls cranking out work when you run the risk of tripping over your heels?  So much for efficiency.

But now you can breathe a sigh of relief.  Those days are behind you.  No more ironing or dry cleaning.  You get to wake up and throw on whatever the heck you feel like and waltz into work straight up Zuckerburg style.  You’re ready to innovate, produce, and speak freely in your white tee and jeans.  Your productivity has soared.  You feel like a gazelle flying through the Sahara.  Nothing is stopping you now.  At least nothing YOU seem to notice.  But not so fast speed racer. 

Let’s face it.  Work clothes are annoying.  They’re expensive, and they put many of us in a bad mood even before we put them on.  But I think we can acknowledge that, when worn correctly, they make a good employee look really good.  A serious employee look seriously driven.  An all-talk employee look, well, believable.  Basically, work clothes make a worker look legit.  Put someone like that next to the t-shirt and jeans guy and let the stereotype answer the question for you – Mr. Suit-and-Tie surely has to be the other guy’s boss, right?  Not necessarily.  But you must realize, perception is everything.  And whether you like it or not, a HUGE part of one’s upward movement in a company, no matter the size, industry, or location, is based largely on the element of perception.  Perception of your work ethic, your accessibility to others, your willingness to help, and, wait for it, your appearance.  And guess which one is recognized by most people first?  Ding, ding, ding!  First impressions are everything, right?  This still holds true in an “office casual” setting, yet this logic often gets thrown out the window with the dry cleaning bag full of no-longer-needed white collar shirts. 

So let me introduce you to a concept I like to call, “polished casual.”  This is my inspiration, my passion, my main purpose behind creating Suits & Sneaks.  You can dress as casually as you want, exactly to your personality, and still look driven, passionate, and promotable.  So, some tips:

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1. Rock the Suits and Sneaks look (obviously):  I’m not even kidding, blazers are the godsend to the office casual phenomenon.  And yes, I know they can get hot, but listen here, if I can sport this attire in Tampa, Florida’s 100 degree, 98% humidity months, then y’all can too.  The look here is to be yourself, with an added layer of professionalism (blazer), offset with an added layer of hip (sneaks).  Contrary to the full business professional attire, you’ll rock the same fashionable look while appearing as if you didn’t even try.  [suddenly singing Beyonce’s “I woke up like this” song…]  I can’t even tell you how many times people have stopped me and said, “I love the Chucks,” or, “You’re rockin’ that outfit, nicely done!”  So find a few good fitted blazers or jackets, pair with some hip, casual sneakers, then get ready to rock. 

2. Wear the right balance of fit vs. comfort:  Obviously fitted clothes will always look better than baggier clothes.  But, you can totally mix both!  Gentlemen – Wear that comfy t-shirt with an added sport coat on top.  Add fitted jeans, and finish off with some spankin’ new casual kicks.  I can’t speak for all women, but for those who share my style, gentlemen - you will look HOT (again, that Beyonce song is in my head).  Ladies – there are some awesome linen pant styles out now that finish off fitted at the ankles.  Tuck a loose fitting shirt into these, add a scarf, pull your hair back, finish off with fashionista sunglasses, and voila! You’re totally comfortable, yet look like you stepped right out of a Pinterest board.  Which leads me to my next tip...

3. Accessorize!  Guys and girls both.  Guys – you can do this by rocking all different watches, belts, ties, and shoes.  Girls – Scarves are the easiest, most manageable, versatile, cost effective accessory you could buy.  Check out some of our favorites on our Shop page.  Accessories will instantly dress up your I-rolled-out-of-bed-and-threw-on-what-I-had look. 

4. Carry a trendy laptop bag.  This is getting easier as more purse-laptop bag hybrid styles are hitting the market.  Buy a few different colors so you can swap them out with your outfits then get ready to rock your new arm candy.  See some of the styles we picked out on our Shop page.

5. Look crisp.  This is all about ensuring you look polished in your comfy clothes.  So give them a good starch and iron before wearing them.  Don’t come to work in wrinkly, casual clothes.  That is when you look like you don’t care.

And finally, be yourself!  Dress to your personality.  Make your base truly reflective of you and use some of the above tips to simply polish off your look.  Then, go into work feeling fabulous in your body, because your outer shell better reflects the inner you.  And to have a feeling as fabulous as that during your 9 to 5 workday is truly rewarding.

So you get the concept but need some inspiration ideas?  You came to the right site my friends, because this is what I love to do.  Follow Suits & Sneaks on social media and check out new outfit inspirations weekly!  Want to contribute your inspirations to Suits & Sneaks?  Go ahead and tag us on social media or submit your best kicks here. 

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The Most Flattering Piece of Clothing You Should Wear Today

While the name “Suits and Sneaks” speaks for itself, I wanted to take a quick moment and share with you why the “Suits” part is so key to your polished causal wardrobe.  Guys and girls, read on for the top four things simply wearing a jacket can do for you.

1.       You can wear whatever style you want underneath.

Photo credit: http://mensfashionworld.tumblr.com

I love when I see professional on the outside and then something so stylish, trendy, or heck, even downright funny underneath it.  It shows the world that you can be professional and have a totally kick-ass personality shining through at the same time. 

2.       It shapes you where it counts.

Ladies, the blazer tucks you in on both the waist and chest lines so you can walk into work with clean edges.  Guys, if you’re looking for size, the jacket gives you the broad shoulders and chest you’ve been working towards (with no extra reps needed).  And just as the ladies benefit, it also polishes off your waist line by hiding that little bit of extra you might be carrying.

3.       It hides wrinkly or sloppy shirts.

Photo credit: stylemeblue.wordpress.com

Even if your shirts are perfectly pressed in the morning, they’re going to soften up and wrinkle as the day goes on.  The jacket however, being the heavier material it is, will stand strong for you, keeping you crisp looking and sharp for the entire day. 

4.       It shows you care.

Throwing a nice, fitted jacket on top of your outfit is the easiest way to one-up your level of professionalism without actually having to do any extra work.  It gives you an added layer of clout, of stature, and it simply polishes you off.

Suits & Sneaks' Kristin Leigh

So hold up your jacket my friends, give it a great big smile and say, “Jacket, you complete me.”  Because that’s exactly the look it’s giving you, one of polished completion.  Be sure to check out some of my favorite styles I picked out below.  And of course, follow @suits.and.sneaks on Instagram for your dose of daily Suits & Sneaks fashion posts.

Jackets for the Gals:

Jackets for the Guys:

Suits & Sneaks: Be Comfortable. Look Polished.

Good morning, it's Monday!  Chances are you enjoyed a few too many football games over the weekend and haven't quite rehydrated yet.  And on that note, we bet the LAST thing you feel like doing is sitting at your desk in an uncomfortable, starched button down.  Or tight-waist pants.  Or cute but painfully, unbearable heels.  Don't worry, we get it, and we got your back.  So, here are two simple outfit ideas to get you guys and gals through your Monday.  Enjoy!

Suits & Sneaks Girls Polished Casual Monday Outfit

Suits & Sneaks Guy: Feel Comfortable. Look Polished.

Suits & Sneaks: We Are Live!

Hello friends and welcome to Suits & Sneaks!  Here, we're all about being modern, casual, and straight up simple in an otherwise complex working world.  So here are four things to know about our site so you get the best experience:

1. First, be sure to check out our About page to learn how we were founded. 
2. Next, subscribe to our blog where each week we'll post an article on career-related advice and an article on polished casual fashion. 
3. Third, make sure you follow us on social media so you can be in touch with the entire Suits & Sneaks community! 
4. Enjoy our site!  Leave comments, share with your friends, AND send us what you got!  Love to write?  Have some killer outfits?  Submit them on our Contact page and we just might be featuring you! 

Doin' it for kicks,

Kristin Leigh, Suits & Sneaks Founder