How To Dress For The Office But Still Look Stylish

The days of "power dressing" for the office has long gone along with those big square shoulderpads thank goodness and most offices today offer the "business casual" option. This certainly operates in many of the offices I have been in, but in a way its almost a shame as a lot of office workers use it as an excuse to be slightly... well scruffy almost. I like to think that part of the "fun" of working in an office where maybe day-to-day life isn't that exciting is that at least you can dress for the part. Here are some tips for brightening up that office day existance.

The Bag (No not your boss!)

  • Many of us cart around a large array of items day-to-day including items such as umbrellas, books, iPods, phones, makeup, lunches, purses, notepads etc etc, which means either a substantial hand or shoulder bag or at worst two separate bags. I recommend opting for the larger hand or shoulder bag - which should be smartly styled and in winter be of leather or similar and for summer a lighter design in fabrics of your favourite summer colours. A great bag can make any outfit - if you go to work in a plain skirt and sweater - a smart and stylish bag over your shoulder can definitely brighten up your day.

Trousers

  • Trousers are definately one of the most popular items of clothing for the office for many women now. Nothing looks smarter than a trouser suit with a stylish cut - for which my favourite colour is black. This can be matched with a feminine blouse (very in for the latest season), or even just a plain t-shirt which can be accessorised with a colourful pendant or necklace. A suit like this looks super stylish with a set of heels.

Tights...

  • If you are a fan of above the knee skirts, unless you are lucky enough to have gorgeous legs like Cameron Diaz then I recommend tights as its not so nice to sit and look at a colleague's white and pudgy knees. Seriously, a great pair of tights can make legs super shapely, and there are some great opaque tights both plain and patterned which look great with shoes like Mary-Janes. If you don't like wearing tights, a skirt suit with leather knee boots with heels also looks very smart for winter.

...And Tight Tops

  • I'm not a great fan of tight lycra tops in the office, mostly because offices can be quite warm or alternatively quite cold if air-conditioned and both of these climates have their disadvantages in a tight top - I'll leave that to your imagination. Also sitting at a desk all day is not great for your posture, and unless you have a supermodel slim figure a tight top is probably not the most flattering garment and I'd save it for a night out.

Jewellery

  • The office is not generally the place for piles of diamante or sparkly jewellery, but I recently had a meeting with one of our European colleagues, she was actually Italian. She was dressed all in black - tailored black trousers and a fine knit black round neck sweater. What made her outfit super stylish but still formal enough for the meeting was the chunky silver jewellery she had teamed with her outfit, including a large silver ring, watch and bold silver pendant.

I'm still a fan of dressing for the office - if you feel and look good, your day will be much brighter in my opinion. You may or may not agree or you might not be able to wear what you want to work - so let us hear about it.

Recommended products: