Be Seen For All The Right Reasons.
Dressing for the Office can be extremely tricky. Especially for a woman. There's a fine line between stand out power dressing and the Office slut. Rather than using your skirt length to get attention in and around the office, let your accessories do the talking. The age old trick of teaming bright handbags and shoes with a dull black office dress has been long overdone. While I'm not disputing the impact these simple additions make to work wear, there are a few new ways to be grab attention whilst still remaining respectable. It's just down to a few ideas and some simple rules.
IDEA 1:
The highstreet is bursting with statement necklaces. A necklace combined with well coordinated office separates can bring an outfit to life. Some may be a tad worried that a blingy necklace can take you from 9-5 to 5-9 after work drinks, but worn in the right way (sticking to some simple rules), they add impact whilst not looking too overdone. Below are some of my favourites from the highstreet's best.
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| Zara £25.99 |
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| Zara £19.99 |
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| Topshop £13.50 |
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| Topshop £30 |
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| Miss Selfridge Limited Editon £55 |
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| Miss Selfridge £14 |
Rule 1:
Whilst these statement necklaces are perfect for the workplace, they can be a step too far when worn with the wrong thing. Unless you work in a very creative, fun or relaxed environment (and can get away with anything) follow my simple rule.
You want to stand out for the key piece you're wearing. It should become a point of interest/ a topic of conversation/ something to remember you by (for all the right reasons); as a result of this, avoid very heavy make up while wearing your key piece. Bright lipsticks and sparkly eye shadows could make you look like you're trying too hard, or worse, that you haven't gone to bed yet! You want to look effortlessly chic, NOT a barbie. Also, it goes without saying avoid lots of focal points. Choose one key piece and stick to it.
IDEA 2:
Going to work doesn't have to be boring. You can add personal touches with a bit of nail art! Before you panic, I'm not talking about animations or multi-coloured alternating nails. I'm talking about understated but glamourous nails.
My personal favourites (as taken from my Pinterest) include:
If you like these designs and want some more for the odd weekend nail painting session, follow me or just my Nailspiration board at http://pinterest.com/paigesime/.
Rule 1:
Avoid chipped nails. No matter what the colour, if your nails are chipped, picked or chewed they will make you feel self concious if you're anything like me. You want to be focusing on the day ahead and excelling at your job, not trying to hide your nails while pointing something out. Finish off your look with some beautiful painted nails or if you're in a rush just leave them plain. Easier said than done I know, but keeping on top of chipped nails will make you feel so much better.
IDEA 3:
Invest in some nice tights! Sheer tights are the way forward and only on the days between you shave your legs, wear flesh coloured SHEER tights so it'll be your little secret you've even got tights on! On days requiring a black pair, opt for thin ones over woolly. Your warmth should come from your coat, not woolly tights suitable for a child. Hopefully you'll be in a nice warm office for the most part of the day so the weather shouldn't ever trouble you.
Rule 1:
Select your tights well. There's nothing more unsexy than a pair of unmatched flesh coloured thick tights with bobbles. While you're in the shop take the tights out of the packet and put your hand inside them. Don't be shy! Think to yourself, can I really get away with this shade? It's nice to cheat your way to a base tan but remember what else is going to be on show - your arms and face. If your tights aren't the same colour as the rest of your body, it's going to look very odd indeed.
Rule 2:
Something my Mum taught me; always remember to keep a spare pair of tights in your handbag AND hide them in a zip pocket. It gets awfully embarrassing having someone spot them in your bag... trust me, I learned the hard way! There's also nothing worse than getting half way through the day and spotting a pesky ladder in your tights.
THE END.
A very long post today. I hope I've given you a few ideas to help brighten up your workwear. There's lots to be said about first impressions and you want to leave people with the right one of you. Power dressing will give you more confidence and impact the way you act and hopefully how quickly you progress in your job (NB. This does not mean sleeping your way up!).
Let me know if you have any other simple changes to enhance your work wardrobe!
All the necklaces can be found online:
