No matter who you are or what you do for a living, it’s important for you to get up, get dressed and grind ‘til you own it (thanks for the catchphrase, Beyoncé). How we dress informs how we feel about ourselves and that, in turn, affects how we perform our daily tasks. Confidence is more than a feeling, it’s also a look and it’s one that can easily be achieved (or faked) with the right piece of clothing.
We’re here to show you how to dress for work – and sell you some cute dresses in the interim. Wave goodbye to your money.
If you work in a corporate environment
Corporate dressing is the easiest to style because it’s hardly affected by trends and it rarely offers any room for doubt on what it should look like – longer hems, courts, stiff collars or feminine blouses, strong tailoring and minimal embellishments. To some, this may seem stoic, but others take comfort in knowing that it’ll be the same combinations, much like a uniform. This way, it’s easy to craft a corporate look because you’re working with the same pieces all the time. We’ve long done away with constricting pencil hem in lieu of the sheath and A-line dress instead. See below:
If you work in a creative environment
Creatives are the biggest perpetrators of dressing to express. They’re easy to spot in a crowd because they’re the ones who’ll likely be wearing something so eye-catching that it’ll warrant an interesting conversation to follow. If you form part of this group, you’ll likely be looking for something both comfortable, yet stylish at the same time. Because we know that you still need to adhere to the workplace dressing etiquette, we’ve selected some trendy pinafores and shirtdresses for you to style with whatever accessories and shoes you have at your disposal.
If you work as a freelancer
Freelancing sounds like fun and games until you’re actually doing it. While many are under the impression that freelancers spend their days waking up late and working in bed, the truth is, they’re constantly on-the-go. Whether it’s meeting clients, travelling for business or simply looking for a place to get some peace and quiet (and a good cuppa), a freelancer is hardly ever tied down to one place at a time. This is why they’re always shopping for versatile items that can service their busy lifestyle. The key is to invest in good layering pieces and solid basics. Bodycon dresses may be a thing of the past but they’re a great base layer and they’re super easy and versatile to style. If you’re looking for some more legroom, we strongly suggest the midi dress or a slip dress as it is trending majorly this season. If you’re headed to a business meeting, wear a blazer and heels with your dress or, if you’re meeting a client at a coffee shop, opt for sneakers and a denim jacket instead.
If you work in retail
Buyers, shop assistants and stylists are always the first to know what the latest trends are. As such, it’s expected of them to portray these styles to the public in a way that seems both easy-to-style yet aspirational at the same time. As far as winter trends go, the pleated skirt has renewed its lease for yet another season, as well as moody florals and midi-length hems. Layer a colourful fur or leather jacket over yours and complete the look with a pair of slouchy boots to nail that fashion-girl formula.
Didn’t find what you were looking for here? Check out our What to Wear to Interviews post for more ideas on how to dress for work. While you’re at it, here’s an informative post that tells you what shoes to wear to work too.
