Winter Faux Fur for Work

Well, my nice long break is over and it's back to school for me! Even though I spend about a week of my break grading and planning to go back to school, getting up at 8 AM and working at Starbucks or in front of my beautiful Christmas tree is quite different from getting up at 4:30 AM and working at school. But, when we return from winter break, we start AP Comparative Government - my absolute favorite part of the course. So, when my awesome students walk in and class begins I'll remember how much I love doing what I'm doing and I won't miss my couch and tree quite so much :-)

When it comes to transitioning back into work, I like to keep it pretty formal. More formal outfits make me more awake and feel professional, helping ease the transition back into the classroom.

Lately I've been loving black on black. There's just something so chic about it. I could have just worn the pencil skirt with the flowy top, and that would be a great work outfit on its own, but the faux fur adds warmth and takes it up a notch by adding some interest. I love the texture and colors of this vest (see another way I wore it here). I've been trying to figure out how to make my faux fur a little more formal (ie: not with jeans or leggings) for awhile and this was finally it!

So, for those of you who are teachers and headed back to school, I hope your first day back is a smashing success! For the rest of you professionals who are already back to work after the holidays, here's an idea for how to take professional basics and make faux fur work-ready!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by! I'm looking forward to further developing More to Mrs. E in 2016!

Outfit Details: 

Top: Nordstrom, here.
Pencil Skirt: Ann Taylor, here. Similar here and here.
Faux Fur Vest: Marshalls, in the fall. Exact here in Alexis. Similar here and more great options in the widget below!
Black Pumps: TJMaxx, old. Similar here and here.
Lips: Nars Lip pencil samples. Velvet Matte in Cruella, here and here. Satin Lipstick Pencil in Rikugien, here and here.
Earrings: Crystal Circle Studs from Forever21, old. Similar here or love these sparkle studs here.
Necklace: Kendra Scott, c/o. Elisa necklace in Iridedescent Drusy/Gold. Here, here and here.
Leopard Clutch: Amazon. Almost exact here and similar here.