Dressing Down Button Downs

The longest job I ever had was with a very conservative company with a very strict dress code where casual Friday was unheard of.  My go-to outfit was usually a long sleeved button down shirt with slacks or a long sleeved button down shirt with a skirt, you get the picture.  So when I resigned, I had myself a closet full of button down shirts.

Now that I don't have to dress up as much, I'm trying to incorporate my business-y shirts with my more casual outfits.  Here are some of the looks I've come up with.

The Obvious Choice 

Shirt: Old Navy

Shorts: Greenhills

Shoes: SM

I know, it's such an obvious choice but I like the casual vibe going on here.  This is my take on the boyfriend shirt look, the kind of boyfriend who's into flowery prints.

A Stripey Affair

Shirt: my closet

Red tank top: my closet

Denim skirt: People are People

Slip-ons: Mphosis

I like the stripe on stripe detail here.

White Wash

Shirt: Mango

Shorts: Greenhills

Belt: my closet

Sandals: People are People

An all white ensemble reminds me of a cool breeze in the heat of summer.  It looks so calm, collected and put together.

Any more ideas on how to dress down a button down?

*first image courtesy of www.kpao.org

Mango Outlet Store at SM Fairview

There's now a Mango Outlet Store at the second floor SM City Fairview.

I recognized some of the clothes from past seasons. Here are some of the prices: Php295 for basic tees and tank tops, Php500 for skirts,  jeans and trousers start at Php600,  shoes at Php 895, some dresses at Php950 and evening dresses start at Php1495.  I didn't see anything above Php2,000.

I tried out a couple of things hoping to score something.

 Gold leather obi belt at Php495.  Me likey.

I like the details of this skirt and it fits me well.  Not bad for Php700.

Check out the studs.  Yikes!  Too short!  I have to pass.

The sales attendant insisted I try this sparkly number.  I'm blinded by the sequins and it's too big for me.  A bargain at Php1495.

 I've been eyeing this dress since it came out a few seasons ago.  I sooo luvet!  So posh, so Serena Van der Woodsen but a liitle too big.  This is a steal at Php1550 plus I think I have the perfect shoes for this outfit. Oh woe is me.

This dress fits me well waist down but is a little long and loose along the neckline.  When the sales attendant told me that this dress only costs Php950, I told him to put this on hold.  I'm seriously considering having alterations done.

In the end, self-control (and budgetary constraints) won out, I left the store empty handed..  Oh well, there the Pucci inspired dress to think about.

Day to Night Outfit

Day outfit: all set for a meeting.  Jacket and gold belt from my closet;  tank top from a tiangge; skirt an ukay find and ballet flats from SM, they truly got it all for you!

That afternoon I received an invitation to the soft opening of a friend's bar.  I didn't want to go to a bar in my meeting outfit but there was no time to go home and change.  I took off my jacket to be more "bar appropriate" but I didn't like my outfit.

Then I turned my skirt into a strapless dress. Tada!

Definitely, me likey!

Alas!  The bar was too cold so I ended up wearing my jacket.

Except for the lack of accessories, not bad at all.  What do you think?