With things opening up again and more of us returning back to the office, we will soon be finding ourselves reaching into the depths of our closets and dusting off the so- called “business casual” uniform. The black slacks, the polka dotted blouse and the plain ballet flats, or a variation of this, prepared for each day of the week. It’s nice in the beginning, post-graduation, when you finally get to go shopping for “work” clothes that make you feel like a professional. However, after a few years of wearing a variation of the same outfit day in and day out, it becomes somewhat monotonous. As your days, weeks and months become routine, so do your outfits.
Is there a way to break out of this? Well, of course! You can still wear fun outfits while also sticking to your office dress code and maintaining a professional look. Incorporating things like prints, dresses with different cuts, eye-catching accessories, fun shoes, and opting for versatile pieces that you can wear to the office but that still show off your personal style, can help bring more life to your work outfits.
Dresses
One of my favourite things to wear to work during the fall, spring and summer are dresses. Dresses are a great way to feel put together with minimal effort; you just throw them on and go. When it comes to wearing dresses at the office, many typically opt for the standard professional- looking, fitted dress, with cap sleeves and a skinny belt. While that’s a great option, it’s not the only option. One great way to add some personality is to go for a printed dress that is not the traditional office dress shape. Generally, I like wearing flowy, floral print dresses with a longer sleeve, as they typically are not too short and fit well within dress code rules. Opting for puff-sleeve dresses is also a fun way to spice up an office outfit. Puff sleeves have been a trend for the past couple of years. They create a soft, feminine look and can take the simplest piece and elevate it to the next level. If you are wearing a puff-sleeve dress, it doesn’t need to be printed to create a statement. However, if you are rocking a printed, puff-sleeve dress, you’ll be sure to stand out amongst the sea of black slacks and polka-dot blouses.
Jumpsuits
Jumpsuits, like dresses, are a super easy, effortless option; a one-step outfit. They are great pieces to wear to the office since they exist in a variety of different colours, shapes, prints, materials etc. The options are endless. If you wanted to, you could probably just stock your closet full of a variety of different jumpsuits and just live off of those for, well, the rest of your life! I mean, that might get boring and repetitive after a while, but it would definitely possible. In this case, if you opt for a corporate looking jumpsuit, it’ll still create a fun look that’s different than your typical “business casual” attire, and what makes it even better is that it can be recycled as a Saturday drinks night outfit given its dressy, yet fun nature.
Mixing and Matching Fabrics
Another great way to bring some life to a work outfit is to add dimension by incorporating pieces made from a variety of different materials and fabrics. Personally, my go-to fabrics for this are faux leather and satin. There are so many outfits that can be created using these two options. For example, instead of a blazer, you could opt for a faux leather jacket to finish off your look, or, if you want the best of both worlds, a faux leather blazer, which has been a hot trend for the past few months. Instead of regular trousers, you could opt for a pair of faux leather trousers. Likewise, you could switch out a pencil skirt for a skirt made out of satin. Or, instead of wearing a white button-down blouse under your blazer, you could go for a satin cami. The options are endless, and it’s super fun to play around with different looks and combinations to see what works for you.
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
The right accessories can bring an outfit to life! When it comes to office outfits, accessories can add that extra touch of personalization. I, personally, enjoy switching up my earrings between studs, pearls, small hoops and medium hoops, depending on the outfit. Wearing a watch and stacking some rings can also add a bit more pizazz, while still keeping things office appropriate. If you want to level it up, hair accessories are super fun and never boring. My go-tos for the office are headbands – I like the padded ones for some extra drama, pearl ones for a classy look or faux leather ones to make a statement- as well as satin scarves. Satin scarves are super versatile and can be worn, not only around the neck, but also wrapped around your bun or your ponytail, or even tied onto your handbag.
Oh My God! Shoes!
Pairing funky shoes with a simple, minimalist outfit might be my favourite trick. If you’re like me and enjoy wearing head-to-toe black, a little too often, then you’ll definitely enjoy doing this to bring a little bit of spice to your simpler outfits. Loafers are a great way to ensure you’ll be comfy throughout the whole workday, while still looking sharp. Opting for a pair that has some extra added details, like pearls or rhinestones, or perhaps an animal print pattern, is a fun way to dress up your outfit. Although heels can be rather uncomfortable, especially if you’re wearing them for 8+ hours a day, I find that shorter heels, or even block heels, on the right shoe can be a total game changer. Pumps, mules, or sandals (if your company allows open-toed shoes) are all great ways to jazz up an outfit, especially if they are in fun colours, or have added detailing.
Conclusions
Office wear doesn’t have to be boring or lack personality. This is something I struggled to realize for a bit while I transitioned from school to work. I felt as if I was losing my personal style by always wearing some variation of the “business casual” look, and always buying more pieces that fit into that category each time I went shopping. I found myself no longer scoping out fun tops and cute skirts, but rather always looking for more and more black slacks. This was until I realized that I could opt for different pieces that still fit within dress code etiquette, while simultaneously staying true to my personal style, and I never looked back.
What are your thoughts on the typical “business casual” look? Do you prefer to have two very distinct style personalities, i.e. professional style vs. personal style, or do you prefer showcasing your personal style through your work outfits? Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Comments