Working in an office environment can (at first glance) not seem like the best inducement to get your fashion glad rags out and about. Office environments have for a long time seemed to be the torchbearers of conservative and staid attire – where everyday wear is not long out of the 1950s.
Modern offices have come a long way in the past decade, and anyone with an inkling of fashion nous can now add their own sparkle to their daytime gig with a little bit of creative thinking and clever curation.
Clean Lines
Creating a sharp, well presented aesthetic for your life in the office requires attention to the lines and shape of your garment choices, and choosing fabrics which hold shape well while also being easy to care for and clean.
To integrate your fashion-forward pieces into your work wardrobe, opt for minimal shapes and lines which incorporate tailoring and fine finishing techniques (darts, tucks and hidden closures). These intricacies will allow your clothing to stand out from more generic, mass-produced options, while also being well-crafted and classic enough to withstand the tests of time.
Another benefit of implementing fashionable choices in this way is that it allows you to begin making other sartorial additions which may otherwise seem unorthodox, including the incorporation of materials and designs which aren’t traditionally seen an office environment, such as perspex boots, or leather tailoring.
Smart Accessorizing
Jewellery and fine details matter as much to the overall effect of an outfit as any larger piece of the puzzle. Finding ways which express your personality through accessories can allow you to communicate and converse with people in a neutral fashion, as you don’t have to convey as much through language, or attempt to compensate for any perceived sartorial blandness.
Select accessories which enhance and not overwhelm your office attire. Earrings, jewelry and scarves, and shawls are all great choices when trying to add interest to your outfit, and they’re all office acceptable and easily updatable. If you’re a glasses wearer, there are many options available which heighten the fashionability of your outfit. Gone are the days of small librarian specs and cheap chemist readers.
It’s In The Bag
A bag can provide you with more than a lovely piece of arm candy. A bag provides an on-hand place to stow items and in many cases, can provide a change of wardrobe for any after-work or extracurricular activities you may have to attend to.
Having a change of clothing for walking/exercise/after work activities allows you to easily transform modes without the necessity of returning home, allowing you to partake in social activities. It also gives you the flexibility to change or amend an outfit for a purpose (such as for an important meeting or event) in order to more accurately control your image for a purpose.
Well-Groomed
Good grooming brings together all of the details and disparate elements of your outfit by creating a clean palette which is neutral enough to be able to withstand the stress of any activities a day brings. Keeping your hairstyle up to date and well maintained is an excellent and not-too-budget hitting way to remain in fashion’s good books, while also helping to keep your outward image and self-confidence in good check.
Small details, such as well kept nails and well-groomed eyebrows also translate in a fashion sense, as they provide signifiers to clients (and any stakeholders) that you care enough about your personal hygiene to make sure that you’re well presented.
Make-up is another way you can easily engage your fashion prowess in a work-appropriate way. Choose colors which emphasize and brighten your features without overwhelming the rest of your outfit or your face. Neutral colors and bland beiges are no longer the working woman’s best friend – it’s more than okay to opt for a splash of color or a bold lip to create drama and energy.
Creating an outfit which is both fashion-forward and office appropriate is no longer as hard as it once seemed. By pairing expertly tailored items with more individual and essentially fashionable pieces, you’ll be well on your way to your most stylish self, whether that’s in a boardroom or in a barroom.
