How to dress professionally without looking lame
If you’re a stylish person by nature, it may feel like your options for workplace wear are terribly limited. However, as you’ll soon see, office attire can help you look sharp and definitely not make you scowl with embarrassment every time you look in the mirror. The suggestions below are also useful if you have never been extremely confident about picking out clothes but want to make improvements.
Contrast carefully. Contrasting colours can really help you make an attractive and poised statement, but be careful not to overdo it. For example, try donning a dark blazer and pencil skirt with some tan pumps. Alternatively, slip into a crimson sweater and wear navy blue bottoms. The point is to be very strategic about how you use a bold hue so nothing looks too dramatic. Think about how people who wear makeup often choose to either emphasise their lips or eyes with a dramatic shade but usually not both at once. Use that technique as inspiration.
Rock layers. You can often get great results by wearing layers to the office. Try a sleeveless, form-fitting top as your base layer, and then wear a lightweight jacket over it. Scarves can offer an interesting and work-appropriate additional layer that can quickly add a bit of colour to an otherwise monotonous colour palette. Alternatively, use a necklace as a statement piece.
Know that prints are your friend. Fabric that features a reoccurring print or pattern could be another safe bet, as long as the design is not too busy. Sort through clothing store racks and try to find a possibility, such as a silk blouse that features a delicate, moderate pattern. The herringbone pattern offers another classic pattern that almost always captures attention, but not in overbearing ways.
Accessorise carefully. While at work, wearing jewellery is all about making an impression that shows you care about the way you look but aren’t trying to be flashy. Consider wearing a diamond-studded tennis bracelet or an elegant bangle bracelet. A ring could be an excellent choice too, as long as you don’t have a career that requires you to work intensively with your hands. If you decide to accessorise by carrying a designer bag, always think practically and make sure it’s roomy enough to easily hold all your office essentials.
For shoes, comfort is key. Being fashionable around the office doesn’t have to mean you come home each day with aching feet and blisters. When picking out shoes, focus on comfort first and appearance second. Fortunately, you’ll find there are numerous choices to pursue that pamper your feet and make you look great.
Pay attention to detail. You’d be surprised how much of an impact small things can have on your overall appearance. If you wear nail polish, make sure each nail is chip-free and that the colour still looks vibrant. Also, try to scope out colours that look especially flattering with your skin tone, eye colour and so on. It’s more than likely the people at your office who seem to dress handsomely every day aren’t necessarily the ones who spend the most money on clothes. Rather, they probably have just become very accustomed to knowing what types and colors of clothes look best on their bodies, and always try to purchase things accordingly.
The best accessory is confidence. Even the most carefully tailored outfit won’t look amazing if you lack the self esteem to pull it off. No matter which of these tips you try, spend time finding attire that truly makes you feel comfortable. When you are at ease as you wear something, that attitude generally gets projected outward, meaning you cause others to take notice.
Hopefully you now feel much more equipped about choosing what to wear to work and making sure you look beautiful instead of bland. Once you find a few pieces or outfits that work well, you should start feeling more able to find winning workplace wear whenever you shop.
