We are in our work clothes for at least 50 hours per week. During this time, we need to look a certain way, depending on the dress code of the company or on the work environment.
But even though there are clothing restrictions for each member of the office, we can still inject little bits here and there to let our personality shine without going over the top.
And most of the time, the stuff we can add are items we already have with us. So, there’s no need to break the bank just to revamp your work wardrobe.
A fitted blazer can work wonders on a work outfit. Always choose a tailored and well-fitted blazer for a professional look. A blazer that looks frumpy or too big on you (unless you can pull it off) will make you look uninterested.
Every working woman should have a pencil skirt in their closet. Depending on your office dress code, feel free to have several in different colors and designs. If your dress code doesn’t allow for bold colors or designs, then always make sure they fit you well, not too loose, not too tight, and not too short.
High waisted pants are unique and fits the work place but still a unique style. Even if you pair it with neutral colored top, it still gives you that elegance and that desired personality quirk at the same time.
4. Wear Black Trousers With Colorful Tops
If your office dress code allows it, then pair your black (or dark) trousers with a different colored-top. If the office only allows neutral colors, then pair it with a blue, green, cream, or white top. If there’s more leeway with the dress code, then go for a deep purple top.
This will take a lot of experimenting with the mix but when you find the right combo, it will transform your look. You can mix check print pants with a striped top, or pinstripe pants with a top with small polka dots, or a striped skirt with a polka dotted top.
You can also try mixing up your outfit styles. You can pair trousers or a pencil skirt with a lacy or ruffled top. Or you can also pair a tailored top with an A-line skirt. It’s up to you.
7. Wear Other Neutral Colors
Whatever office you work at, neutral colors are always a good choice. But neutral doesn’t only mean black or white. You can also wear brown, cream, blue, or green. The trick is to find a color that will prevent others from getting distracted and are easy on the eyes.
8. Mix Up Your Wardrobe Daily
There’s no need to wear pants every day. Shake it up! You can wear pants on Monday, a pencil skirt on Tuesday, a dress on Wednesday, a blazer on Thursday, and an A-line skirt on Friday. It’s up to you how you’ll plan your weekly outfit. If you want to go with pants every day though and wear tops with different styles every day, then go for it, too!
9. Wear A Top With Collar
Ditch the blazer once in a while and go to work wearing a collared top. Wearing a collared top actually exudes a different kind of confidence in the work place. Try it.
10. Play Around With Colors (Even If They’re Neutral)
You don’t need to go monochrome all the time. Sometimes, you can add a splash of color without going over the top. Wear a black dress with nude pumps or pair white pants with a green top. Or, if your office allows it, wear dark-colored pants with a yellow top.
Stripes are a great way to add print to your work clothes without violating dress codes. Be sure to keep the stripes minimalist without too many colors. That goes for whether your office allows business professional or business casual outfits.
12. Tailored Cardigans Also Work
If you want a cover-up but don’t want to wear a tailored blazer, how about going for a tailored cardigan instead? They work the same way as a blazer and still looks professional.
13. Choose Knitted Clothes
This is a great idea, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Structured knitted clothes will keep you warm and looking professional.
14. Mix Pants And Jacket From Different Suits
Mixing up pants and jackets from different suits creates a whole new outfit. And when you look good, you feel even better.
15. Mix And Match Colors Of Your Whole Outfit
Use all elements of your outfit and mix and match the colors. You can wear a green dress with nude heels and carry a black, structured bag. Or you can wear black trousers with a black top and a white or cream blazer and dark green heels.
A vest is not for everyone but you won’t know unless you try it. Be sure to borrow one or try it out in the mirror first.
Heels are nice to wear but repeated daily use will make the feet hurt a lot. Switch it up with block heels. They’re friendler on the feet, too.
Maybe there’s not much you can do with your office outfit. So work with what you’ve got. Sometimes, rolling up the sleeves of your long-sleeve top or blazer makes such a big difference.
19. Make Sure Your Bra Fits
A well-fitted bra makes any outfit work well and make you look good. So take the time to have yourself properly measured for a bra and buy the right ones.
Depending on your work environment or office dress code, a statement necklace or bracelet can add so much uniqueness and personality to your outfit. And remember, statement jewelry doesn’t always have to be big and bold, as long as it’s got a story to tell.
This is one of the easiest ways to spice up an outfit. You can wear it so many ways. But the easiest would be to just drape it around your neck.
22. Use A Colorful Scarf Or One With A Unique Pattern
A scarf with a different color or unique pattern can definitely brighten up a solid-colored outfit. You can drape it, tie it in different ways, or use as a neckpiece. You really can’t go wrong much with a scarf.
23. Wear Your Scarf On Your Neck
There are so many ways to wear a scarf. You can even use it as neckpiece to add flair to your work outfit.
24. Wear A Scarf On Your Head
You can also tie a scarf around your head like a headband or a turban. For this purpose, try to stick to dark, muted colors, or subtle designs.
You can also make your scarf look like part of your outfit. Use one with a subtle, minimalist design in neutral colors and tuck it in your belt.
Sometimes, a hat completes an outfit. You don’t need to wear inside the office but you’re not in the office all day. You can still wear a hat going to and from the office.
27. Wear A Belt With Your Dress
Wearing a belt with your dress or pants adds another dimension to your outfit. It also helps reinvent an outfit you’ve worn several times and make it look new.
28. Invest In Classic Styles
If you’re not sure how to experiment with different colors or patterns, invest in classic styles instead. You’ll learn to mix and match later on but until you do, stick to classic styles that fit you well.
29. Wear Heels With Subtle Design
If you can’t do anything about your clothes, try to dress up your shoes instead. Look for ones, whether with heels or flats, that have a subtle design. Even a small bow will do.
If you want to give your feet a break or not really into wearing heels (even the short ones), feel free to wear flats instead. And there are plenty to choose from. There are ballerina flats, pointed toe, strappy, loafer and oxfords.
31. Pointed Toe Shoes Instead Of Chunky Pumps
You can also switch to wearing pointed toe shoes (flats or with heels), depending on your outfit. Pointed toe shoes also make a person feel differently than when you wear chunky pumps.
32. Wear A Classic And Elegant Watch
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a classic timepiece. There are reasonably priced ones out there just to be sure to do your research on a brand’s quality before you buy it. You definitely want a piece that will go with a lot of your outfits and will last you years.
33. Wear A Necklace With A Lovely Pendant
You can wear a necklace that says a lot about you without the big and bold design. You can go for something subtle, too. To add uniqueness to it, look for a design that really catches your eye and fits with your story.
Instead of just opting to let your hair down loose on your shoulders or pin it back into a ponytail, you can also pin it back with a hair barrette.
35. Change Up Your Ponytail
Change up your ponytail. Sometimes, changing your hairstyle takes a lot of energy and time to practice, especially when you’re running late in the mornings. But changing up your ponytail doesn’t take a lot of time and you can experiment with different twists during your morning rituals.
Headbands are so creative and practical. They definitely add a personality quirk to your outfit and whole self. And they also keep your hair off your face.
37. Change Your Hair Style
Sometimes, we just need to change our hair style to make our outfit look different or brand new. Even if it means just straightening your hair into a sleek style or curling the ends, that still works. If you want something fancier but not sure how to do it, you can either go to a salon and pay them to teach you or ask a friend to teach you or just watch a video tutorial
If you can’t figure out what to do with your hair, stop. Have it blowdried instead.
39. Wear Minimalist Jewelry
When you can’t do much about your outfit and dress code, go for jewelry instead. But keep the design minimal and subtle.
40. Go For Minimalist Rings As Well
Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings aren’t the only jewelry you can wear. You can also wear rings. And there are a lot out there with minimalist designs that you can wear to the office all the time.
41. Wear Vintage Sunglasses
Traveling to and from the office and between meetings, there’s no reason for you to ditch the sunglasses. Use vintage sunglasses for more personality.
42. Bring A Structured Work Bag
Always bring a structured bag to the office. It will make or break your outfit and you. It doesn’t have to be expensive but it has to look structured.
43. Get An Everyday Work Bag
You can also invest in a tote bag that can fit almost everything. Lots of shops offer tote bags that are guaranteed to last through different offices if needed.
44. Alternate With Different Perfumes Regularly
Switch up your perfumes regularly. You can do it every day, every other day, or every week.
45. Get A Manicure And Pedicure
Some offices have certain dress codes that doesn’t allow for exceptions. Your nails aren’t part of those. Get a regular manicure and pedicure. Hide the bright colors on your toes. And get classic colors or a french manicure for your fingernails
46. Wear Different Lipstick Colors
Buy different nude or matted colors for your lips and wear different ones every day, depending on your outfit. You can go for
nude, light pink, orange, rose, cinnamon, or mauve colors.
A lot of people believe we can only liven an outfit by adding another piece. We forget that we can brighten up our clothes with ourselves. Start with a facial and you’ll feel renewed after every session. If you can’t get one professionally done, get one of those facial masks and do it yourself at night
48. Plan Your Outfit The Night Before
Plan your outfit in advance so you’re not always rushing to choose every morning. This way you’ll be able to choose the right pieces that work together and show you off.
49. Plan Your Entire Outfit Around One Piece
Choose a neutral colored piece that you want to wear for that particular day. Then choose other items that will fit that piece to create a whole outfit.
50. Make Sure Your Clothes Fit Well
This could not be stressed enough. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing the most expensive or cheapest clothes. If it fits well on you or you use other items to make it fit well on you, it will look professional all the time.
Always steam your clothes so there are no wrinkles. It doesn’t leave a good impression to come to work with your clothes full of wrinkles (unless the design really calls for it).
52. Take A Look At Your Clothes Again
Inspect each of your clothes once again, especially the ones you hid before because you no longer like them. Look at them again. Your perspective has changed since then and you may look at that piece of clothing in a different light once again.
53. Do A Clothes Swap With Your Friends
Maybe your friends have pieces that you need and you have something they need. Set some ground rules for swapping and make sure you only swap the pieces you want to exchange.
54. Practice Good Posture
Always practice good posture. A well-curated outfit will not work well if you’re slouching. So stand straight and keep your head up all the time.
Even if you wear the plainest of clothes, when you put on a sincere smile, it will liven up your outfit. So wear that smile proudly!
