Day after day, wearing professional work clothes can be a tough thing. If you go too straight-laced, your personality won't shine through, but if you improvise too much you'll be seen as unprofessional. Follow these tips to learn how to walk the line with style.
Integrate Accessories
Even if you're stuck in a suit Monday through Friday, you can add personality to your ensemble with chic accessories. Long, flowing necklaces are a good way to add personality, especially if you add several of them together for a bold statement. If necklaces aren't your thing, try funky earrings or a wild bracelet.
Another way to spice up an outfit is to accessorize with a unique handbag or some brightly-colored shoes. Try a bright silk headband, a metallic blouse under your jacket or a sparkly pin on your jacket.
Add Color
Most suits and professional business attire come in basic black or other equally uninspiring colors. But there is a way around being head-to-toe boring. Try matching something colorful with it.
Wear your dark-colored jacket with a bright-colored blouse layered underneath it, or even match the jacket with a brightly-colored skirt for something whimsical and bright, especially on a sunny day.
You can also add color in your shoes, your handbag, a scarf in the winter, your hair accessories or your jacket, paired with dark pants or a skirt.
Mix and Match
If you have several suits or different jackets, pants and skirts, make sure you're picking different things you can mix and match together. Make sure you could wear each jacket with each set of pants or skirts. You can also pick some brighter pieces that you could wear with anything in the set, like a brightly-colored jacket or a pair of light-colored pants. The more you can mix and match within what you have, the more options you'll have when Monday morning rolls around again.
Rethink Casual Friday
Ahhh, casual Friday. The jeans come out and the dress code relaxes a little. But don't let this chance to be chic become a time to get lazy. It's a time to show off some of your other finds while still looking professional.
A great casual Friday look is some dark-wash designer jeans in a flattering fit paired with heels and a bright-colored jacket or a silky top (no cleavage, bra straps or midriff showing, though)! You could also wear a dress with a fun pattern paired with strappy sandals and throw on a more casual jacket over the top.
Overall, it's important to remember that "dressing for success" is real – whenever you wow people at work with your ability to pull together an outfit, you'll also be proving yourself as a competent professional who's headed right for the top.
