If you’re unfamiliar with the ABC show Scandal, it is about a former White House media consultant who opens her own crisis management firm. It started in 2012, and Kerry Washington stars as the main character, Olivia Pope. It was created by Shonda Rhimes, who also created the hit series Grey’s Anatomy. Scandal has seven Emmy awards and nominations from its six year stretch. The show has seven seasons of intense drama, and of course, stylish outfits.
Naturally, Olivia Pope has some stunning business attire, from paintsuits to dresses to sweaters. If you’re looking to her for corporate-wear inspiration, it’s clear to see why. She’s proven that you can bring your unique style to the office, while maintaining your professionalism. Below, we’ll deconstruct some of her best looks during the show, and provide you with similar pieces you can buy to achieve her style.
This article will cover:
- Olivia Pope’s outfits throughout the show’s seven seasons
- Similar pieces to those worn by Olivia Pope
- Formal attire for everyday work as well as special events
- Dresses, sweaters, pantsuits, blazers, etc.
- Jewelry, bags, and shoes
- Advice on how to style these outfits
White Jacket and Dress Set
Images courtesy of Vogue and Macy’s.
This dress and jacket combination is a classy outfit that is guaranteed to have you feeling confident during your next meeting. This set has great versatility: you can wear the dress alone, the jacket buttoned up over dress pants, the jacket with another dress, the jacket buttoned up with a pencil skirt, and more.
Macy’s has a very similar set for $300, which has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5. The set comes in eight different colors, so if you’d like to buy several in different colors, you can stock up on this staple outfit. The customer reviews describe the set as a perfect fit and their “go-to” outfit that always gets them complemented. You can accessorize this outfit with your everyday jewelry and either flats or heels.
Image courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue.
Olivia Pope paired this set with a white Large Galleria Leather Bag from Prada. If you’d rather a pop of color than a monochrome look, this purse also comes in yellow, black, and brown. It is priced at $5,600, and you can opt to pay $285 per month rather than the whole cost upfront. This bag is helpful for holding a notebook, pen, tablet, wallet, keys, and any other essentials you might need in a meeting or at work in general.
Image courtesy of Michael Kors.
The Prada bag is obviously not affordable for most people, however, this is a dupe from Michael Kors that is just as stunning. The Large Saffiano Leather Tote Bag is $348—still expensive, but a worthwhile investment for an everyday purse, and of course, much cheaper than the Prada bag. The Michael Kors bag also comes in brown, yellow, and white as well as red and pink. The bag has a 4.8 star rating out of 5, and the customer reviews claim that the bag is the perfect size to fit a laptop and great quality material.
Beige Pantsuit
Images courtesy of Pinterest and Sumissura.
We love a pantsuit moment! In Sumissura’s Cream Pant Suit, you can channel your inner Olivia Pope and tackle the work you have cut out for you in style. The pantsuit is $339 and made to measure. Sumissura has been a reliable brand since 2008, and they even remake clothing for you if the fit is incorrect the first time around. You can style this pantsuit with a pair of nude heels and your everyday jewelry. Inside the jacket, you can wear any of your favorite button down shirts. Olivia Pope wears a white button down with this set, but you can opt for a black button down or a thin sweater when it is cold out.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
These Tatiana Pump Leather heels are by Nine West and sold on Amazon. They cost $84, and their average rating is 4.2 out of 5 stars. The customer reviews speak about how the heels are comfortable even after hours at the office and how they fit just right. The beauty of nude heels is that they match with almost anything, so you can mix and match these shoes with several outfits. They are elegant and timeless, plus they will make you feel like you own the world when you’re click-clacking down the halls of your workplace.
Beige Trench Coat
Images courtesy of Essence and Nordstrom.
Olivia Pope absolutely loves layering a trench coat over an outfit, so if you’d like to recreate her style, you need one too! This beige Belted Cotton Trench Coat is $159.99 with a 5 star rating and a fit that is true to size. This is an essential for any corporate woman, especially for those who live in a colder area. You can layer it over almost any outfit, from a dress to a sweater.
Image courtesy of Abercrombie and Fitch.
This Mock Neck Midi Sweater Dress paired with the beige trench coat, nude heels, and a large purse can help you recreate Olivia Pope’s outfit. Aside from this specific outfit, you can also style this dress with different layers. Instead of a trench coat, you could go for a blazer or a cardigan. You can also wear it by itself with a large statement necklace. And, of course, you could swap out the heels for flats or loafers.
Orange Midi Dress
Images courtesy of InStyle and Macy’s.
This orange dress is bound to be incredibly flattering on anyone. Macy’s Sleeveless Bodycon Dress comes in almost the same shade of orange as Olivia Pope’s dress. The Macy’s dress also comes in pink and green, and it sells for $79. It is a super summery piece that would pair well with black or nude heels. Since it is a plain dress, you could go crazy with the jewelry. A statement jewelry set or a minimal necklace would both be a good option, depending on the look you’re going for.
The Limited Scandal Collection
Image courtesy of Popsugar.
Lucky enough, there is actually a clothing line that is entirely inspired by Olivia Pope’s character. Kerry Washington worked with The Limited to design pieces that would be true to Scandal. So, this is definitely the most authentic way you can get Olivia Pope’s style.
Image courtesy of USA Today.
Last Thoughts on Olivia Pope’s Fashion
Anyone that has worked a nine to five knows the struggle of feeling comfortable and confident in office attire. However, your outfits for work do not have to be clothes that you absolutely hate. Olivia Pope kills it in everything she wears, which is usually professional, formal clothing. It is entirely possible to stay true to yourself and your fashion sense without compromising your career!
A main tip for creating office outfits is layer, layer, layer. With a blazer or a nice cardigan, you can transform almost any top into an office appropriate outfit. Another tip is to reuse clothes. This may sound odd, but what most people do not realize is that individual shirts and pants in your wardrobe are not restricted to one outfit. Pieces can be mixed and matched to create multiple different outfits. For example, as mentioned earlier, sets can be deconstructed so you can use the jacket and dress in separate outfits instead of always wearing them together.
Getting dressed for a new job doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank to replace your wardrobe. Instead, you just need some key pieces to create different outfits around. For example, investing in one nice purse, a sturdy black blazer, a pair of dress pants, a pair of black flats or heels, and a pencil skirt can go a long way. If your parents have ever scolded you for treating school like a fashion show, now is your time to shine. After all, if you look good, you feel good! Good luck and have fun.
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