Style dilemmas

Today my sister called and complained about not having any clothes that could go from the office to after-work functions with her work or her boyfriend's work. Being a New Yorker she complains about stuff like this all the time: "What should I wear to a free dinner at Craftsteak?? Wahh!" Yeah, I am so sympathetic.

OK, actually I kind of am, because she hates shopping, doesn't really care about clothes, has no interest in spending tons of money on clothes, and yet she feels compelled to look put together. (Such is life in the big city.) So I will share my ideas for a work-to-after work outfit (on a budget) for my sis.

At work, I can see her building a professional outfit around this knee-length shift dress with bow tie detail on the neck, only $22.80 at Forever 21:

Slim cardigan that she already owns, similar to this eggplant version ($65 at J. Crew):

Tan peep-toe shoes (she already owns these, courtesy of her generous sister), now on sale at Dillard's for $41.40:

Since my sister doesn't really wear accessories, I'm guessing she would grab her canvas bag and iPhone and be out the door.

For the after work outings, I would lose the cardigan and break out a patterned clutch. I love this one, $65 from etsy seller redrubyrose.


I would also love to see some makeup and fun jewelry but I know that won't happen. (The clutch is majorly pushing it.) So, would this fly at Craftsteak? More importantly, would my sister EVER wear the dress to work? Something is telling me no, but I still like the idea. Let's find out!