Whether you’re in a corporate setting, a business casual environment, or a creative field–what you wear to work can make you feel blah or bold. If you have some flexibility in your office outfits, here are some ideas to add some punch to your business attire.
Tip 1: Switch out your button down for a graphic tee. Grab your vintage band tee and rock it with your suit and give your look an “I mean business, but let’s discuss it over a cocktail” vibe.
Tip 2: Replace your blouse with a hoodie. Instead of your thick Champion gym hoodie, look for options that are thinner and can be worn under your blazers. Knit hoodies in cashmere and wool can give this combo an elevated appeal. Wear a pull over, or try a zippered style open and layered over a tee on casual Fridays.
Tip 3: Combine some bold colors: cobalt with citron, yellow with purple, orange with hot pink. If you want all eyes on you, an unexpected combo of color will make you the focus.
Tip 4: Ditch your white blouse for a color in a same family as your suit (think: pink or peach with red, sky blue with navy, or soft grey with charcoal) to create a monochromatic look. A black or white blouse can tone down a bright suit–instead opt for a color in the same family to create a more impactful impression.
Tip 5: Embrace a head to toe print suit–you’re not stuck with pinstripes and solids! Try a gorgeous floral suit, bolder stripes or polka dots to add some unexpected whimsy to your corporate gear.
Tip 6: Add some metallic elements. Try a metallic top paired with a black suit, a blazer in a shiny jacquard fabric, or trade out your basic black handbag to a silver or gold metallic to add some pop to classic business attire.
Tip 7: Add some playful accessories. A grouping of lapel pins, a large floral brooch, a menswear tie or silk scarf worn as a tie, or a bold earring shape can add a pop of personality while still adhering to your office dress code.
Tip 8: Mix up textures. Wear velvets and tweeds, silks and leathers, faux fur with mattes. Especially in a monochromatic look, the blend of textures and sheen will add dimension and the different saturations of color will make the overall effect much more dynamic, even in a head to toe black outfit.
Tip 9: Ditch the blazer for a long vest/gilet to make your workwear less formal. And try layering your long vest over a blazer to create a fun coat effect.
Tip 10: Mix up some prints. Sure, you can wear a paisley blouse with your pencil skirt, but take it up a notch! Try stripes with leopard, polka dots with florals, checks with plaids. An easy print mixing tip: find a common color or two in the separate prints to make it feel more cohesive.
Which tip are you going to try? Let me know in the comments below!
I have tried adding different colors and replacing a blouse with a graphic tee.