One of the main reasons I started this blog years ago was to help women realize that dressing for work doesn’t have to be boring. It is possible to have personality in your wardrobe at work while dressing appropriately. Today, I am sharing five business casual outfit ideas that I think can work for most job settings. Keep in mind that what is acceptable to wear at my job may not work in your office…always be aware of your office climate to judge if a specific outfit will work for your setting.
1. A Statement Piece
You should have something in your closet that makes you feel…and look…confident. For me, this dress makes a statement with the bold colors and pattern, and I feel amazing in it. Not everyone feels comfortable in a bold print, so my other suggestions for a statement piece include a fun colored blazer, a great red dress, or a patterned skirt.
2. Subtle Print Mixing
Print mixing at work can be intimidating. I’ve found it best to not go crazy with it when I’m teaching. Here, a simple striped skirt (similar) and polka dot blouse (similar) go together perfectly because of the black and white colors in both pieces. If you do want to go a bit bolder, such as pairing the skirt with a colorful floral top, I would recommend wearing a solid colored cardigan or blazer over your top to tone down the look and keep it professional.
3. A Denim Jacket
A denim jacket is a stylish goes-with-almost-anything alternative to a blazer or cardigan. The key to pulling this off is to make sure your jacket fits well and has no rips or tears. This might be the piece you leave at work to throw on over your outfit when you get chilly. Keep in mind, be sure to check if wearing a piece such as this is appropriate in your workplace, as all situations are different. I’ve gotten a ton of use out of my denim jacket, some alternatives are here and here.
4. An Unexpected / Fun Color Combination
One of my favorite things to wear to work is an unexpected / fun color combination. Here, I started with my blouse and pulled two colors from it, teal and peach. Make sure the pieces you are choosing are tailored and fit well. Also, keep your shoes and bag neutral. This teal pencil skirt is one of my favorites, I own it in several colors.
5. Fitted Trousers
One of the hardest items to find when building a work wardrobe are great fitting pants. So many seem to fit great in one area, but then be super baggy or unflattering in others. My absolute favorite work pants are these fitted trousers from Banana Republic. They are constantly coming out with new colors, so I add to my collection often. I love the slightly cropped length, as they can be worn with both flats and heels. Some other fitted trouser options can be found here and here.
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