3 Unexpected Office-Friendly Looks

fashion

We're so used to dividing our closet into workwear and non-workwear that we never considered mixing the two – until now. While it's easy to fall into the mindset that your office outfits have to be boring and lacklustre, we're here to remind you that it's okay to have fun with your 9-to-5 attire. We took on the challenge of working three pieces that wouldn't typically turn up at the office into HR-approved outfits. The result? Three fashionable looks will up your style game at work – no matter the dress code.

Unexpected piece: Mini skirt
How to style it: To make a mini skirt work without breaking any dress code rules, choose one in a subdued colour that won’t immediately draw all of the attention. You also want to keep things quite conservative on your top half, to balance out the more revealing bottom. A mock-neck top is a pretty yet understated way of adding coverage, and the high waist of the skirt makes it feel more substantial, even with the shorter hemline. Keep the look on the simpler side by pairing it with loafer pumps or Oxfords that have a slight masculine edge.
Pro tip: Add a vest or jacket that is the same length as the skirt, or even a bit longer. This will make the skirt appear longer, and add extra coverage to make sure the look feels professional.

Unexpected piece: T-shirt
How to style it: You might feel more comfortable wearing a t-shirt with jeans or a pair of shorts, but don’t rule it out of your work wardrobe just yet. The trick to pulling off a tee at work is to pair it with pieces that are dressier and more sophisticated than your t-shirt. A high-waisted pencil skirt adds instant professionalism to your look, and allows you to tuck in the t-shirt to create a more structured shape. We stuck to a muted colour palette of black and white to help the contrasting fabrics and patterns blend seamlessly.
Pro tip: Add a statement necklace to bring some colour into the look and elevate your tee even further.

Unexpected piece: Crop top
How to style it: Wearing a blouse underneath your crop top is an effortless way to make it work-appropriate. Layering white under black emphasizes the pretty details in the crop top, and the layered effect feels stylish and professional. Opt for patterned, formfitting capris to inject some extra personality, and balance out the volume on top. More of a cropped sweater kinda gal? We’ve got you covered, here.
Pro tip: Choose a crop top that is one size bigger than what you would normally wear to keep the shirt underneath from bunching.

And there you have it – three easy ways to work unexpected pieces into your office outfit rotation. Have an item that you’re struggling to style for work? Let us know and we’ll do our best to help!

Visit these St. Vital Centre retailers to shop the looks in this post (check stores for availability):

Look 1: Mini skirt
Black vest: Reitmans (Willow and Thread), $85.00
Grey mock-neck top: Le Chateau, $29.00
Suede mini skirt: BCBGMAXAZRIA, $139.00
Black loafer pumps: Browns, $158.00
Tan fringe purse: Aldo, $50.00
Light tortoise shell sunglasses: Pearle Vision, $349.95

Look 2: T-shirt
Striped t-shirt: Garage, $19.95
Grey pencil skirt: RW&Co., $89.90
Black heels: Hudson’s Bay (Circus by Sam Edelman), $120.00
Peach necklace: Le Chateau, $18.00
Purse with gold chain: Browns, $165.00

Look 3: Crop top
White blouse: RW&Co, $59.90
Black crop top: BCBGMAZAZRIA, $248.00
Patterned capris: RW&Co, $55.90
Black pumps: Browns, $168.00
Dark tortoise shell sunglasses: Pearle Vision (Prada), $159.98

 

comments powered by Disqus