Over the holidays I had a chance to catch up with some girlfriends. We were chatting about the family reunions and get-togethers that usually take place around the holidays. One friend of mine told a story about one of her younger cousins who came to their family reunion dressed in a very short mini-skirt and crop top. An outfit that might be considered “inappropriate” for such an event. This story got us talking about how we’ve noticed this in other scenarios as well. Where sometimes we’ve encountered people who just don’t dress appropriately for the event they are attending. This got all of us (and especially me) thinking about how we learn to dress for the event we’re attending or for the job that we commute to.
Workplace wardrobes have evolved enormously over the years. Going from corporate office jobs that required a business attire to tech startups where employees not only wear jeans, they wear their pajamas to work! Seems like industry plays a large part in determining workplace wardrobe. More traditional industries such as banking stick to a business attire dress code. More current industries have a more lenient dress code. But just because you can wear sweatpants to work doesn't necessarily mean you should.
The wardrobe you build says a lot about you. It’s a personal reflection of your style. What you choose to put in your wardrobe should flatter you. Over time, you want to build a wardrobe that is versatile enough to cover you from formal to casual and everything in between. Your work wardrobe should reflect your position and your industry. A senior position at a bank would require a very different wardrobe from that of a senior position at a tech start up. If you’re office is more on the casual side, don’t think that means your wardrobe can be reflective of the same thing you wear to the park with your kids. Even in a casual environment, you can still look professional in jeans. Be thoughtful about your wardrobe and what you want it to say about you.
So whether it’s dressing for work, a family reunion, or even date night, be thoughtful about your wardrobe. When it comes to work, dress for the job you want. I remember once hearing the phrase “you can never be over-dressed”. I think for the most part that’s true. I’ve found it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. When in doubt, take the high road and dress it up.
Below I’ve highlighted a few options in versatile pieces that will go far in your wardrobe.
The right cardigan can make all the difference. Depending on your style and the occasion you have lots of choices in this great layering piece. A delicate stylish cardigan can dress up an outfit. A boyfriend cardigan can give your outfit an edge. These two cardigans below (both from Ann Taylor Loft) offer a little feminine structure to your outfit. Perfect for business casual (paired with a blouse and pencil skirt or trousers) or date night (with a V-neck tee or tank and jeans).
These two dresses (both from Ann Taylor) offer versatility to go from the office to evening out. What about a school fundraiser or charity auction? We all have different functions that we find ourselves struggling to dress for at the last minute. A simple black shift dress can be the answer in a pinch when you’re unsure what you wear. A wrap dress is classic and timeless. Both options are easy and flattering. Why makes things complicated? Keep a simple solid dress in your wardrobe that can be dressed up or down in a moments notice and you’ll never be caught with nothing to wear!
Also, it’s worth mentioning that Ann Taylor has a section on their website highlighting their work wardrobe options. In fact there are several retailers offering this type of collection shopping where you can pick the style of clothing you are shopping for to help filter your options.
These two J. Crew blazers show just how “non-traditional” your blazer can be. There is a good chance you already have a black or navy blazer in your closet. But what about a blazer with a twist? This velvet option adds texture and sophistication to an otherwise very plain tank and jeans. Imagine what it might do for a little black dress. The metallic tweed blazer is also featured over a white t-shit and pants offering a quick pick me up (perfect for date night). But this same blazer could easily be paired with a tank and pencil skirt, a shift dress or your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans. The structure in these pieces adds a little formality to an otherwise casual look.
As you can see from these few examples, there’s plenty of options in versatile clothing pieces that can keep you dressed appropriately for just about any event. You don’t have to buy a special outfit for brunch with the family. You also don’t have to wear sweatpants to work. Invest in a few key pieces and add on from there. When in doubt keep it simple and appropriate.