SUITELIFE: COFFEE TALK: AMY STRAUSS- BLOGGER, ENTREPRENEUR

Our Coffee Talk for March highlights the hilarious creator of www.storygirlpress.com and co-founder of Femworking, Amy Strauss. Along with Kelly Sanabria, Amy created Femworking an encouraging business-to-blogger networking group for women that I happen to be a proud member of and I have to say it is one of the best business groups I have had the chance to be a part of. Here is what Amy had to share about dressing for her day job in DC. Thank you to Brenda from Precious Wisdom Photograpy for capturing her Suite Style.

So Amy, please tell our readers a bit more about you and Femworking?

Femworking a business-to-blogger networking group for women. We are each other’s mini consultants and force multipliers. I also have an indie-publishing company, Story Girl Press, and I’ve seen it grow so much from the support of my fellow Femworkers. We publish what I call “E-books with a bad attitude,” and from the get go the girls really understood my brand and were so supportive. Beyond Story Girl, it is really amazing the connections the girls are making—watching their projects grow is so inspirational. And of course, each meeting we have together is a mini fashion show, we love dressing up for each other.

Tell us a bit about your work style?

Out of necessity I’m pretty conservative. As a young, female professional, you don’t get a large margin of error working in DC. I noticed early on in my career if wore a suit I got more respect at work. It wasn’t hard letting go of the bright colors, and flirty blouses and skirts, because I just transitioned those outfits to my weekend wear. Women express their emotions through how we dress, and I think it’s difficult for us to adopt a more severe “uniform” of a suit. For me, the suit has become my armor.

Where do you do your shopping?

I’m a Midwestern girl, so Nordstroms is my end-all-be-all for shopping. I go with my girlfriend, Nesanet, and we start at the very top with lunch at the Café, and then we work our way down every floor. Yes, I realize I sound about 70 years old, but we love it. They have the brands I like and the most amazing customer service.

Who are your at-work style inspirations?

Remember when Romy and Michelle get dressed up as “serious businesswomen?” I love that part of the movie and it’s totally how I see myself at work. I really wish there were more options for that type of style. A lot of what I see in department stores and magazines is great if you work at a fashion magazine, but unfortunately for the rest of us we need more conservative options.

Favorite labels?

Theory is great for suits, and I also love Jcrew. Those are the two brands that fit me almost perfectly off the rack. Under my suits I wear Lululemon tops. It’s such a great tip I got from one of my girlfriends. The shirts come in great colors and don’t pill. So I can wash them over and over again and they hold up.