Summer Work Wear -- Black and White and Bright

Black and White is a perennial trend. Adding a touch of bright color adds a bit of summer fun. This neon green statement necklace was a gift, and I honestly didn't know how I would incorporate something so bright into my wardrobe. When I saw that it was just a brighter version of the green in this floral-printed blouse, I knew I could use it to brighten up an otherwise ordinary look. The key to pulling off a bright statement necklace with a busy print like this is to keep everything else simple. That's really the key to adding anything bright or loud or quirky to your style -- balance. When I first put this outfit on, I had my hair down and big and I was wearing my thick-rimmed glasses -- and it looked like way too much going on up top. As soon as I lost the glasses and put my hair back, the outfit worked -- and I was cooler in the heat. This shirt is great for summer because it's a very lightweight, breathable cotton, and the sleeves unroll for more coverage in the air-conditioning. I've had this one for years, and I think I found it at a T.J. Maxx. The pants are the black version of the teal pants I wore in the previous outfit post.

The other great thing about black & white combos? You can accessorize with more black and white things. Desmond wasn't too happy about the arrangement, though.