Sleeveless at Work

I read Angie's "You Look Fab" blog on a regular basis, and read this column today about wearing sleeveless tops for work. I don't often have time to read the comments, but I read through them all while I ate lunch. I would love to read or post in the forums, but I just can't keep up with all the people - I prefer the connections I make on the blogosphere.

And since I haven't said so recently, to my regular dozen or so commenters, thank you so much for popping in every few days with your kind words, humour and pizazz (because you know I always come say hi in return!). It means a lot to me to connect with a few people this way, and every comment is like a little gift when I log in. It's so cool. You all rock.

Anyway, as I've mentioned before, my office gets hot, especially in the afternoon. I also go for a 1/2 hour walk around 3pm (I like a late lunch break) four days a week, so in the late afternoon I'm rather...glowy. However, I always like a fairly dressy casual look in my Business Casual dress code office and that usually includes a jacket, a cardigan or sleeves:
This week, I planned my whole week's outfits on Sunday evening. Of course, I always have to take the weather into account, as well as the erratic A/C in my office, so I gave myself options this week.

I rolled the sleeves up on this thin jacket (I usually wear it done up, like here) and then shoved them up to my elbows. It was excellent temperature control.

But around 1pm, I gave in and took the jacket off:
I'm talking to Inigo. He's just been fed and is licking his lips and giving me lovey eyes.

I think this is a very appropriate top worn on its own for work. When I worked in ladies' clothing retail, our dress code was very rigid (whenever I'm in doubt on how to dress, I go back to it), and one of the things was "no sleeveless ever," always a jacket (we had to wear suits) or a twin-set. Man, we baked in the summertime in the mall.

I was really pleased with the leopard belt and this paisley pattern. Ooh, I'm so bold, look at me mixing my patterns, hee hee!

Okay, check out the back:
Besides being Wrinkly McGee (I sit most of the day), I love the little V at the top of the waistband. And oh, how I love a fitted high waist: it acted like a corset and kept me sitting up straight and tall all day.

The stuff:

Those shoes are one of my favourite pairs. Top 10 favourite, even.

Jacket (Pelican Cove), blouse (Talbot's, consignment), skirt (Bedoe, thrifted), shoes (Steve Madden, thrifted), belt (Dana Buchman, consignment), necklace worn as bracelet (80s vintage, Eatons), earrings (Aldo Accessories).