❧ Black, White & a Little Gold ♡ ❧

Some outfits are effortless because they’re soft and cozy.

Today’s is effortless because it makes me look like I had a much more organized morning than I actually did. 😂

Black trousers, a black-and-white blouse, and a long white blazer are about as classic as office clothes get. But, naturally, I couldn’t just leave it there.

There are bows. There is a butterfly. There are shoes with enough straps to require their own diagram.

So yes. Still me. 😂

❧ Black, White & a Little Gold ❧

I started with loose, flowy black trousers and a black blouse trimmed in white. The neckline has this tiny gold bar across the opening, which is such a small detail, but it ended up deciding almost everything else.

I added a white belt with gold hardware and my long white blazer, with the sleeves pushed up a little so it doesn’t feel too formal.

From a distance, the whole thing is very clean and simple: black, white, gold.

Very responsible office person.

Then you get closer. 😂

❧ Apparently, I Have a Thing for Bows ❧

Today’s earrings are these delicate gold bows with long little ribbon-like tails, and I love them.

They’re feminine and a little whimsical, but because they’re so fine and simple, they don’t feel overly sweet with the blazer and trousers.

I think that’s becoming one of my favorite ways to dress for work: let the actual clothes be fairly classic, and then sneak in the fun through the details.

Professional from across the room.

Oh look, she’s wearing bows once you get closer. 🎀😂

Watercolor fashion journal illustration of a black-and-white work outfit with a long white blazer, flowy black trousers, gold bow earrings, gold butterfly hair clip, white belt, and black platform heels.

❧ And, Of Course, a Butterfly ❧

I pulled my hair into a loose updo again today, with a couple of pieces left around my face, and used a big open gold butterfly claw at the back.

Which means the front of my outfit says, “I am here to handle business.”

The back says, “Also, butterfly.” 🦋

Honestly, this may just be my personal style in one sentence.

I really like that the butterfly doesn’t match the bow earrings exactly. They’re connected by the gold and by that slightly romantic feel, but it doesn’t look like I bought a matching jewelry set and wore every piece at once.

❧ The Shoes Are Hiding a Secret ❧

And then there are the shoes.

With the wide, flowy trousers, you really only see a little bit of black heel peeking out when I’m standing normally—which makes what is actually happening underneath pretty funny.

These are not simple black pumps.

They’re black platform heels with crossed straps over the foot and a separate ankle strap with little metal eyelets and a buckle.

Basically: the pants are doing an excellent job of concealing the drama. 😂

And I kind of love that about this whole outfit.

At first glance, it’s simple, classic black-and-white workwear. But every time you look a little closer, there’s something else—a gold bar at the neckline, a bow hanging from my ear, a butterfly tucked into my hair, or a much more interesting shoe hiding under those trousers.

Maybe that’s the trick to making classic clothes feel like your own.

You don’t have to make the whole outfit loud. Sometimes the little details can do all the talking. 🤍🖤✨

Today’s outfit: long white blazer, black-and-white blouse with gold neckline detail, loose black wide-leg trousers, white belt with gold hardware, gold bow earrings, gold butterfly hair claw, and black platform cross-strap heels.

Are you more of a classic-and-simple dresser, or do you also like hiding a little bit of whimsy in the details? 😂