Getting dressed for work can be hard enough on its own, but if you have plans after work.. forget about it. It’s like automatic mental block, I swear!

I try to keep myself busy at least once a week with something social, fun and unrelated to blogging (hence the one day a week you don’t see a new post!). I’m still new here in the city after all! When I do, I always have a tough time finding something that works for my day and night equally.

I’ve recently come up with a new motto to attack an outfit that has to take me from work to happy hour, dinner or elsewhere. 60% business, 40% party.

I can keep the main part of my outfit pulled together – a structured top (one of the reasons peplum is any easy choice, because it’s polished and classic), jacket or blazer that can be easily replaced with a tweed jacket instead to make it feel less formal, and then a skirt (I’m a big fan of the Ann Taylor pencil skirts right now, they feel effortless and wearable outside of the office in the new textures and patterns they have).

The rest, leave up to your whim and personality! I went for a nude pair of ankle strap heels that I’ve been dying to wear when the sun finally came out and a gold statement necklace, and of course my favorite leopard bag. I could’ve easily added some color into this look with shoes and accessories and it’s always easy to swap out a more fun pair of heels and leave your work pumps under your desk (that’s my trick at least!). How do you dress for after-work activities?

SHOP THE POST

BAG: Reiss leopard elliott bag c/o •  SHOES: Manolo Blahnik laramod ankle strap sandals  •  JACKET: Zara tweed jacket (old, others here and here)  •  TOP: Zara peplum top (similar here)  •  SKIRT: Zara pencil skirt (similar here)  •  NECKLACE: c/o Rocksbox

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Photos by Lydia Hudgens