Working from 9-5 Monday through Friday can become a little mundane as is, but couple that with an uninspiring wardrobe and your days will surely blend together more than your monochromatic look. If you’re looking for ways to make your personal style shine as bright as those fluorescent office lights, you’re in the right place. (Image Credit: Judeus Samson/Unsplash)
In this post, we’ll be exploring seven office fashion tips that transcend black and white blazers and kitten heels.
1. Accessorize appropriately
There’s a balance you have to achieve when you’re trying to dress professionally but also stand out from the crowd. You might not be able to wear a hot pink or geometric pantsuit at your day job, but with the right accessories, standard office attire can be just as striking as your street style.
- Dress up classic looks with jewelry: One way to add interest to your office attire is by accessorizing with jewelry that shows off your personality. An engraved necklace, birthstone bracelet, or geometric earrings are enough to make a subtle but memorable difference.
- Add texture with a scarf: If you live in a chilly climate, women woolen scarf is the ideal work accessory that’s both fashionable and functional. But scarves can be more versatile than you think! Create your own feminine tie by tying a silk scarf around your collar or wrap it up in your hair to add texture, color, and print to your professional look.
- Find the perfect tote: Every woman needs a carry-all bag to hold all her essentials to and from work. But your bag doesn’t have to be just a vehicle for your stuff, it can also add personality to your work uniform. A colorful leather tote maintains a professional aesthetic while still letting your personal style shine through.
2. Dress up your look with patterned shoes
Another great way to add a little spice to your work attire is to have fun with your footwear! If you look around your office floor, we’d take a bet that at least half of your coworkers are sporting some variation of a black kitten heel or solid colored flat. So, take this chance to make your outfit stand out from the rest by opting for some leopard flats or brightly colored Mary Janes instead.
3. Buy versatile pieces
Versatility is key when building your work wardrobe. If you’re shopping on a budget, you’ll likely need to wear similar, if not the same, clothes from week to week, so it’s important to choose items that can easily transform.
Sticking to neutral colors like black, white, tan, and navy is a good place to start with basic pieces like blazers, trousers, and skirts. To add some more interest to your day to day looks, focus on adding in accessories and colorful printed blouses.
4. Create unique shapes
How many straight leg or skinny pants do you already have in your closet? We’re guessing a few too many. To mix things up, consider choosing some wide leg pants to create a different shape from the rest of your weekdays.
5. Embrace bold colors
Neutrals are the staple of any work wardrobe, but that doesn’t mean your closet should be totally absent of color. Don’t be afraid to sprinkle in some fun hues using accessories, blouses, and outerwear, especially in the spring and summer seasons—trust us, it’ll make the workday a lot more pleasant.
6. Mix up materials
Just like neutral tones can get old, so can polyester and cotton materials! Another great way to mix up your work wardrobe is to play with different materials. Incorporate some knits, silk, leather, and wool into your day to day office looks. Here’s a tip to help you find those funky materials your heart is after: shop secondhand to find unique vintage attire.
7. Swap the pantsuit for a jumpsuit
Let’s face it. Pantsuits, skirts, and work appropriate dresses can get old real quick. Try wearing a jumpsuit to work to bring some variety into your professional attire. A denim jumpsuit is ideal for spring while a flowy, 70s inspired jumpsuit is the perfect, breezy choice for a hot summer day spent at the office.
Don’t let the monotony of your Monday to-do list get you down, spice things up with these seven work wardrobe tips!