What to Wear (and Not to Wear) to Work
These are just a few tips and tricks to help you put together a wardrobe that will allow your work and not your poor choice of clothing to standout at the office.
1 Take Cues from Female Role Models
If you’re not sure what you should be wearing, take cues from other women at your office. Identify top performers that everyone respects. Are these women wearing shorts and tube tops to the office? Most likely no. Don’t go out and copy your role model’s outfits exactly… but pay attention to the message that her outfits convey and work within those guidelines using your won fashion sense.
2 Work Wardrobe Staples
The modern woman’s work wardrobe most likely includes quality material blouses, sweaters, skirts, dresses, trousers, and suits. There is great room for interpretation here but you should choose structured, quality pieces that fit and can be mixed and matched for versatility in your wardrobe.
3 Fit
Yes, I’m a huge fan of Stacey and Clinton on TLC’s What Not To Wear. My friends and I used to joke about turning each other in just for the free shopping trip! One thing we’ve all learned from that show is that fit is KEY!
We’ve all been there ladies-you’ve gained a few ten and you’re still trying to fit into your old go-to work outfit. Everything still fits-but it just doesn’t look like it used to. Maybe rolls can be seen through your favorite blouse or there’s a muffin top or belly bulge in those formerly amazing slacks or skirt.
I feel your pain-you don’t want to buy new things because then you’ll just continue growing into the new larger size. Trust me -just do it. Confidence is key in weight loss and business. How are you going to be successful in either if you’re going through life pulling and tugging at everything or wearing the few remaining frumpy outfits that fit in the back of your closet?
4 Keep “the Girls” to Yourself
There’s “That Girl” in every office. You know the one who wears low cut blouses and too short skirts every day and that your male colleagues gawk at. Don’t be that girl! You can look feminine and amazing while at the same time keeping your “Assets” to yourself. Rule of thumb-you should never see more than a hint of cleavage if at all before 6 pm and more than two inches above the knee is just too much for the work place.
5 Dressing Too Casual
Business Casual is not equivalent to casual. You shouldn’t be wearing jeans to an office deemed business casual unless it’s authorized for casual Fridays-check with your HR Department for further guidelines. Also, if you would wear it to the gym-don’t wear it to the office. No sweat pants ladies-please! I’m also against sleeveless shirts at the office. You don’t want to show too much skin at the office. Shorts and cut-offs are a big no!