A Banker Gets Some Style Help For Her Everyday Nine to Five (PHOTOS)

HuffPost Social Reading
Photos by Bobby Doherty

One of my best friends is a 24-year-old who works at one of the largest banks in New York and with so much on her plate, she doesn't have a lot of time to think about getting dressed in the morning. "It's always something easy like black pants, a blazer, pretty straightforward since I'm always in a rush," she told me while going through her everyday workwear routine. Though she regularly works in the office, much of her day is spent traveling around the city and outer boroughs visiting clients. For her schedule, she told me that what works best is "heels for the office, flats for out of the office. I tend to stick with neutral colors and solid fabrics." She continued, "it's hard to really dress up for the day and express my own individual style. I don't ever want to be too over-the-top or too fashion-forward since I'm afraid of not being taken seriously in the office because of what I'm wearing."

Being in finance is definitely a tough-as-nails gig, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style for total substance. I had the pleasure of giving this hard working girl and her everyday ensembles a bit of a fashion boost, mixing in some sophisticated prints and pops of color that brought her basic banker look from bland to bold in an instant.

Take a look through the photos to see the entire makeover.

And don't forget to check out these 10 pieces that will help you achieve ladylike polish at the office.

 
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01:47 PM on 10/21/2011
none of these outfits say banker and as a client, I would not be impressed with the choice of dress. the black pants /top/camel blazer works best, is the most conservative and would make me feel best as the client esp. at the junior level. save everything else when you become an MD.
09:20 PM on 10/14/2011
In the 'before' pictures I would totally ask her out. I the 'after'... not so much...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
greymom
07:14 PM on 10/14/2011
What are they thinking? The before outfits were much more attractive and tasteful than the after. All she needed to punch it up were some accessories. That tweed skirt with the print top was ridiculous, as well as the last with the asymetrical hem.
05:43 PM on 10/14/2011
FIRST THINGS FIRST ... start with the make-up and hair ... worry about the threads later ... !
04:03 PM on 10/13/2011
Awful. Before outfits more tasteful but incomplete. After outfits completely inappropriate for a banker. She would never get promoted. Sally Krawshak, former head of private banking for Citibank, dresses correctly. Beautiful suits and "costumes" -- a jacket and matching dress. Simple gold jewelry and pearls. This very pretty young lady needs a haircut. She might not be able to afford Armani, but there are many other less expensive brands that would do the job. French women get it right. They buy fewer but better pieces.
01:08 PM on 10/13/2011
Horrible makeover!! One can never go wrong with neutrals and classics. Keep the clothes you have and either belt your jackets (or invest in some new, high-end quality classic belted jackets) or belt the top underneath. Add a beautiful, stylish scarf or top quality fashion statement jewelry. Cole Haan makes wonderfully comfortable, stylish walking pumps with Nike Air technology. Have a good hairstylist either cut your hair into a more sophisticated style or show you how to do a flattering, polished ponytail. Have a make-up artist teach you how to apply a flattering, professional look. In other words, in addition to having a beautiful face and hair, you also have the right clothes, just learn how to accessorize them correctly, including your hair and makeup to achieve the polished, professional image you're seeking.
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Vanessa1129
Flash Light, Red Light, Neon Light, Ooh Stop Light
10:16 AM on 10/13/2011
...two thumbs down!
09:36 AM on 10/13/2011
The before picture looked better. Understated but classy. The after picture feels showy.
07:37 AM on 10/13/2011
She looks beautiful both before and after despite the K-Mart fashions that some quirky designer has conjured up for her to wear.
07:29 AM on 10/13/2011
anyone would laugh out loud at picture 4/7 , awful .
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
annetteandover
04:17 AM on 10/13/2011
I think the before picture is much nicer and more tasteful. Some of the after's are just hideous! Especially the skirt and blouse in 2 totally different patterns, that is downright ugly. I agree with some of the other's, I don't see why Emily needed any kind of makeover. She looked perfectly fine in the before picture!
02:33 AM on 10/13/2011
Nothing is wrong with the Before pics.
10:44 PM on 10/12/2011
The new clothes are not working. All they need to do is cut and style her hair and she would be good to go!
06:33 PM on 10/12/2011
I think the "before" picture is nice - why did she need a makeover?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
mary collins finn
please empty my micro bio
06:25 PM on 10/12/2011
Absolutely. The before styles are elegant by comparison with the garish outfits suggested.

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