We’ve all seen movies and TV shows like The Devil Wears Prada, Girlfriends, and Sex and the City, right? Who hasn’t drooled over some of the wardrobes that characters like Miranda Preistly, Joan Clayton, Carrie Bradshaw, and Andy Sachs (post-makeover) wore?

Now who here dresses like that at least part of the time at your own job?

If you’re like me and work in a conservative industry (I’m in finance and it’s no wonder that a few years ago I veered to the left to become a stylist and makeup artist, albeit part-time) you likely have somewhat of a strict dress code. My dress code includes suits, nothing above the knee, pantyhose with skirts (although I’ve gotten away without wearing any in certain offices), closed-toe shoes (although I’ve gotten away with open-toes at certain offices), no cleavage, and hair must be dyed natural colors–you know BOR-ING stuff. I also see clients all day so I can’t walk into work looking like I’d actually want to (with facial piercings and bright pink hair….just kidding…lol), so I have to be conscious about what I put on yet since I’m a creative spirit I have to let my personality shine through my wardrobe.

So if you work in a similarly conservative environment, here’s what you do:

1. Think basics with a twist. Who says you must don the basic white button down blouse all the time? And who says it has to be white? Try pretty options like these under your suit jackets instead:

First row (from left to right):Miu Miu Pussy bow shirt at net-a-porter.com; Vivienne Westwood Red Label Popeline collar cotton shirt at net-a-porter.com; Vince Cascading ruffle blouse at net-a-porter.com; 3.1 Phillip Lim Smocked-bib tuxedo shirt at net-a-porter.com

Second row (from left to right):Silk Pleated Top at Banana Republic; BR Monogram Tuxedo Blouse at Banana Republic; Short-Sleeve Pleated Blouse at Banana Republic; Silk Pin Tucked Blouse at Banana Republic.

Third row (from left to right):Women’s Plus Lightweight Ruffle Tops at Old Navy; Women’s Tie-Waist Linen-Blend Tops at Old Navy; Women’s Cowl-Neck Tops at Old Navy; Women’s Sleeveless V-Neck Tops at Old Navy.

2. Don’t think a suit must consist of a jacket and matching pants or skirt. Think outside the box and go with different shapes and prints. Don’t be afraid to mix and match–force yourself to never wear a matching suit together again!

First row (from left to right):Marc by Marc Jacobs Tweed cropped blazer at net-a-porter.com; Vera Wang Tartan print jacket at net-a-porter.com; Oscar de la Renta Silk pleated sleeve jacket at net-a-porter.com; Matthew Williamson Cotton cropped jacket at net-a-porter.com.

Second row (from left to right):Marc Jacobs Chain detail bouclé jacket at net-a-porter.com; Vivienne Westwood Red Label Stretch wool blazer at net-a-porter.com; Textured funnel jacket at Banana Republic; Peplum jacket at Banana Republic.

Third row (from left to right):Cotton mandarin-collar jacket at Banana Republic; Crocodile cocktail jacket at J. Crew; Casette-tweed Marcel jacket at J. Crew; Crocodile cocktail cardigan at J. Crew.

3. Don’t forget to accessorize! Choose a big, bright bag over a brieface—it can hold all your belongings and it adds punch to your outfit.

First row (from left to right):Miu Miu Bow detail tote at net-a-porter.com; Miu Miu Matellasse tote at net-a-porter.com; Chloe Shelby shoulder bag at net-a-porter.com.

Second row (from left to right):Marc by Marc Jacobs City Bag tote at net-a-porter.com; Marc Jacobs Robert canvas tote at net-a-porter.com; BSweet at Steve Madden.

Third row (from left to right):BTina at Steve Madden; BSelma at Steve Madden; BHOTSTUDHB at Steve Madden.

First row (from left to right):Tayla at Steve Madden; Tantlize at Steve Madden; Fortay at Steve Madden.

Second row (from left to right):Bijoux Heart Stone embellished necklace at net-a-porter.com; Square Stackable Rings at Banana Republic; YSL Arty Dots ring at net-a-porter.com.

Third row (from left to right):Barrel Cuff at Banana Republic; Hammered disc snake necklace at Banana Republic; Coin Bib Necklace at Banana Republic.

Knowing your measurements is extremely important when shopping for clothing, especially when shopping online or going vintage. There’s no standardized size system in the U.S. so you can be a size 12 in one brand, and an 8 in another. So to help, I found this really easy-to-do guide from the Curvy Counselor:

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 2-5 minutes

Grab your tools.

You’ll need a cloth tape measure, a piece of string, paper and pencil or pen and a mirror for best results.

MEASURE YOUR BUST:
Take this measurement wearing your everyday bra. Facing the mirror, wrap the tape measure around your back and bring forward to the fullest part of your bust. Check the mirror to make sure you’ve got a straight line. Now write that number down as bust with everyday bra.

Remember to take this measurement again if you plan on wearing a different type of bra.

FIND YOUR NATURAL WAIST:
Your natural waistline is easy to find using a string. Tie the string so it’s snug but comfortable around your waist. Now bend to each side. The string will move to your natural waistline. Check the mirror. This time the line may not be straight and that’s fine. Pick up your tape and measure over the string exactly where it is. Make sure not to hold your breath or pull the tape too tight.

Jot this down as your natural waist.

MEASURE YOUR HIP:
What you want here is the absolute fullest part of your low hip. Stand with your feet together. Check yourself both front and side in the mirror to make sure you’ve got your fullest hip and that the tape measure is straight.

Call this low hip and write your number down.

FIND YOUR INSEAM:
Your inseam is measured crotch to ankle on the inside of your leg. Start at your anklebone and measure up. This is easiest with a partner. If you want to go it alone, start at the ankle and measure up. You can take this in two parts if needed: from your anklebone to where your knee bends and from that spot up to your crotch. Use the mirror and double check.

Call this inseam and note your number.

TIPS ON HOW TO TAKE BODY MEASUREMENTS:

* For accurate results, wear only your undergarments.
* Want to see a big difference in your measurements? Repeat the process wearing shapewear. See what happens!

Matte Jersey Dress at Old Navy. Wool Blend Trench Coat at Old Navy. Classic Rise “The Flirt” Boot Cut Jeans at Old Navy. V-Neck 1/2 Sleeve Sweater at Old Navy. Alexander McQueen Blow Oversized Hobo Bag at Old Navy. Brian Atwood Cosmic Bis Ankle Boots at net-a-porter.com

Being a plus-sized fashionista is NOT an oxymoron! Wearing a size 14 or larger is not the end of a perfectly stylish world. While full-figured women have more style options available now than in the past, in my opinion there is still room for improvement in plus-size departments–so creativity is key. If you’re plus-sized, look for clothing that is close to the body; trying to hide your fabulous figure underneath baggy clothing will only make you appear larger. Keep clothing simple and add stylish accessories like bags and shoes to make an outfit pop. Keep proportion in mind when dressing your body–plus-sized bodies come in different categories, too (small/large breasts, short/long torsos, petite/tall, etc.) and dress for them accordingly. Check the categories (listed on the right panel) on this blog such as big breasts, big tummy, long torso, and what to wear if to get additional style tips that can also be used for plus-sizes.

Shopping online for full-figured fashions has become easy thanks to So What If: The Ultimate Guide to Plus-Size Fashion!

Check out other Love Your Body posts:
For Skinny Girls
For Curvy Girls

Next up in our Love Your Body series is for the skinny ladies out there! Now skinny girls get a bad rap, too–often being accused of achieving their svelte status via unhealthy means, often being insinuated as not being “real women”, and assumed to have no problems at all because of their frame. Unfair. Remember, it’s all about appreciating all the different body types out there, yet still loving the body you have and keeping it healthy no matter your size.

To dress a slender frame, look for clothing that mimics curves like well-tailored jackets, cinching at the waist, and details like ruffles and pleating to visually create curves.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Jabot Herringbone Coat at net-a-porter.com. Moschino Cheap & Chic Fishtail Pencil Skirt at net-a-porter.com. Moschino Bow Detail Blouse at net-a-porter.com. RM by Roland Mouret Kleber Mohair Dress at net-a-porter.com. Bpossh Satchel at Steve Madden

In order to be truly fashionable, you have GOT to love the body you have! Whether you’re curvy, skinny, petite, statuesque, plus-size, or short-waisted, love every inch of it. It’s much easier to dress for the body you have than to obsess over changing it. My Urban Glamour brings you tips on how to dress YOUR body and will celebrate different body types in a series called Love Your Body. You can check out posts that have already addressed dressing for your body by scrolling through the categories links and looking for your particular topic of interest.

First up in our series is for our curvy ladies! A curvy body is defined as one with pronounced hips, thighs, booty, and boobies. A curvy body is best suited in sleek, well-cut clothing that fit close to the body adding statement accessories for character. One error many curvy women make in their wardrobe is to try and hide their curves with baggy or bulky clothing—doing so actually adds visual weight to a voluptuous frame! Dressing in a monochromatic theme can help to visually lengthen a curvy body.

Moschino Cheap and Chic V-Neck Back Dress at net-a-porter.com

Alexander McQueen Stamped Leather Tote at net-a-porter.com

Black Halo Jackie O Dress at revolveclothing.com

Diane von Furstenberg Martine Pencil Skirt at net-a-porter.com

Stella McCartney Single Button Tailored Jacket at net-a-porter.com

MCQ Wool Admiral’s Coat at net-a-porter.com

Steve Madden Endear at Steve Madden