Looks That Kill: 9 to 5

As a receptionist, I'm fortunate to be employed in a creative field where I'm allowed to take some liberties with my clothes. (I'm absolutely allergic to the concept of "work pants," and I don't imagine that a lot of my work ensembles would fly at a law firm.) With that in mind, sometimes it's fun to dress for work in a very literal sense. I like to look at my wardrobe with the eye of, say, a fashion magazine editor, and think about how they would dress and style a receptionist. (Here, for instance, Joe Zee for Elle rips the costume department at "Ugly Betty" a new one with his take on office dressing versus theirs -- I especially love the neon yellow Marc Jacobs skirt suit with the big Michael Kors fur.) Clearly I don't have Elle's budget, but I can still play the role of fantasy secretary with a look that's literal but just a touch over the top:

Click for full-size.

I love the drama of this high-necked, intensely ruffled chartreuse blouse -- it's like a classic secretary blouse on acid. It makes such a statement by itself that the only accessory necessary is orange lipstick (one of those things that I feel I am lucky to be able to pull off and am thus obligated at times to wear). I paired it with a classic black pencil skirt cinched at the waist to maintain the Girl Friday quality I was going for, and serious lace-up gladiator platforms add some edge and keep the ruffles from looking too precious. My slim black cardigan sweater isn't as impactful as, say, a huge fox fur, but as you know, a girl's gotta keep those tattoos covered somehow.

Chartreuse ruffled blouse: Forever 21, around $26.
Black pencil skirt: Forever 21 as well -- I bought this skirt when I first got hired at my current job over two years ago. Can't believe it's held up this long!
Patent cinch belt: Came with a vintage dress I scored on Ebay.
Black slim cardigan: Mossimo for Target, $17.99.
Lace-up gladiator platforms: GoJane.com, $19.99.