How to Work Workwear
How to Work Workwear
Girlboss, gatekeep, get dressed.
This may be hard to believe, but I’ve never had an office job. I have, however, worked in an office building: at a coffee shop in the atrium of a 64-story skyscraper that housed dozens of businesses across dozens of industries. For four days a week, from 5:45am to 5:30pm, I saw engineers, creative directors, hedge fund managers, executive assistants and vice presidents collect their lattes and make their way to work, all wearing some variation of the same workwear. Coupled with my collared uniform shirts and Seattle’s Best apron and hat, to say I was sartorially uninspired would be an understatement.
But, there is a better way. While I can’t single-handedly reconstruct society’s ideas of professional dress, I can help you have a little more fun with the ones we have.
New Cut…
How many of y’all are still doing the go-to slim button up blouse tucked into tapered slacks with the occasional fitted blazer to the office? Don’t lie! I see your closets!
Luckily, there’s a way to stick to your tried and true outfit formulas, while still looking, you know, sick af. It’s all about playing with the cuts of what you’re wearing.
Bringing in new cuts, new lengths, and new details like volume and asymmetry not only makes basic pieces look less basic, but also gives you the opportunity to play with proportions that can end up feeling even better than the more conventional go-tos. Hard to find pants that are long enough? Go cropped and make it look intentional with a sleek ankle boot. Or, do your pants fit a little too snug in the thigh? Go wide! Do you already have a blazer that hits you in a weird spot? It’s like $20 to get it cropped by a tailor into an all new look.
Likewise, if you just really hate something (I can’t stand pencil skirts), you have the freedom to try something else that reflects you better. Basically, don’t feel beholden to traditional styles if you ain’t a traditional person!
New Color
Black, tan, white, and navy have long been considered the biggest part of the “professional” color palette. But life’s too short to be drab, especially when there’s so many easy ways to inject some excitement into your usual wear.
Luckily, this is something that can be slowly introduced and doesn’t require an entire overhaul. Pick your priority: are you wanting to go all in, or just a pop here and there? And what’s your color palette? If you’re particularly drawn to monochromatic looks, you want to build out items in similar colors (but different shades) early on. Most importantly: what do you already own? I have suggested that many a client turn their “going out” blouses into work blouses.
Oh, they’re too sexy, you say? Let’s talk layering.
Layer Cake
Damn, offices sure do be cold, don’t they ladies? I know. I’ve heard. Tell me: if you know it’s gonna be freezing at your work, why are you still waiting until you’re sitting in your cubicle to put on that same old wrap cardigan that looks like you’re standing out on your balcony overlooking the ocean with a glass of wine waiting for your cheating husband to come home so you can tell him you want a divorce?
I get it, we all have our comfort zones. But sometimes our comfort zone isn’t our coolest zone, so we tweak our current normal to create a new normal. And you can tweak with things that you most likely have in your wardrobe!
The sweater + button up top is loved by many a middle manager, but, let’s be real: it’s kinda dorky at times. Instead, try a wrap sweater or top over your button up. You get the added bonus of being able to ditch the buttons for happy hour if that’s a thing people do (I thought my entire life would be going from the office to the bar growing up…).
If you live in a cold climate, your turtlenecks can come in handy as layering pieces as well. They look great underneath a button up, and even better underneath a dress that’s almost office appropriate but maybe makes it too obvious that you have breasts.
For those who don’t need to keep that warm but still want a little pizzazz, try a waistcoat/vest. And, to the opposite end of the spectrum, try layering blazers if you’re in a super cold climate.
Accessorize to Maximize
I can’t say it quite enough: An outfit without accessories is just clothes. In the same vein, you’d be surprised just how much the right necklace or pair of earrings can transform your entire look, especially if you’re working from home where only the top half of your torso is visible.
I’ve already written a guide to finding your accessory personality and how to build your selection, so, check it out!
