When clients come to me, many are in a professional transition. Some are in the process of going for a promotion while others have recently stepped into bigger job roles and noticed that their images need to be stepped up as well. They want to dress the part to look the part and don’t know how to do it.
If you look at the core of a basic work wardrobe it’s pretty basic. Depending on a person’s work environment, it can consist of things like suits, tailored pants, dresses, skirts, sweaters, blazers and shirts, and the color palette of these basic work pieces are typically very neutral in shades. It doesn’t matter if you are a CEO or a administrative assistant, investment on these items aside (because obviously the CEO will probably spend more for their core pieces than the admin), the work wardrobe itself is relatively similar. So how does one set themselves apart and stand out amongst everyone else who pretty much wears the same thing? Here is my secret.
How to upgrade your work look: It’s all in the finishing
The difference between a standout work look and a perfectly fine one that will get lost in the shuffle is all in how you finish your look. If you read this blog regularly you know that I am a constant advocate of accessorizing because I feel there is nothing more crucial than how an outfit is finished when upgrading your work style.
Now before you roll your eyes because you hate accessorizing, I am going to show you how easy it is and how, with just a few pieces, it can really impact your look. It also means you won’t even have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. A few accessories can go a long way in making a difference because a few simple pieces can add a stylish accent to multiple work looks. This will ensure you will not only get more mileage out of your core work clothing but will also save money.
Using just these accessories, a handbag from Vince Camuto, a skinny belt by Lodis, burgundy Vigotti pumps, Nine west kitten heel pumps, and a colorful necklace from Janna Conner, as an example, I am going to show you how they can be used multiple ways to get the most from them. While the basic looks are perfectly acceptable, by making these changes you will not only stand out but you will be able to get more use from these common work staples and be able to do more with less.
Look #1
Quite a few of my clients have been telling me they love the suited dress look, which is why I chose this dress jacket look from Reiss; it’s basic and very versatile. If your knee-jerk reaction is to pair it with pearls, a black handbag and black pair of pumps, I want to push you to consider alternatives to make this look standout, yet fit in at the same time.
Instead of pearls, try a colorful necklace. The simplicity of black allows you to choose any necklace colors. In addition, a colorful necklace is like a road map which can inform you of other colors that can be added to the outfit. This necklace has shades of blues in purples in it, so the burgundy pumps and a slate blue handbag works perfectly in a tonal manner. For earrings, because the rest of the outfit is so colorfully accessorized, a simple pair of gold stud earrings work just fine.
Look #2
Another common look for work is a pair of tailored pants, like these from Anne Klein, and a button down shirt, like this one from J. Crew. The original outfit is styled the outfit with a pair of brown booties by Fitzwell, a basic brown tote from Franco Sarto and silver hoop earrings by Kip Heath. This is a perfectly acceptable outfit, however, there isn’t much special about it that will help you stand out.
The goal with accessories is to have them be versatile. Don’t buy pieces that only work with one outfit, look for ones that work in multiple ways. In the upgraded outfit, I too the same necklace and handbag and added the skinny belt, which can be used over the shirt or through the belt loops if you tuck the shirt in. It’s the same outfit, just less bland.
Look #3
If your cardigan, layered over a tank, and pencil skirt outfits have been putting you to sleep, consider that it isn’t the outfit that needs upgrading, it’s the accessories. Here, the first outfit is styled with the same pair of black pumps and handbag from the first look, along with those simple pearls. Again, it’s a completely fine look, but that’s the problem, it’s just fine.
To take this basic core outfit look more polished and promotion worthy, try changing up the accessories. Here, again, the same necklace add some punch, the handbag works again and the pair of taupe-grey kitten heel pumps are more exciting while being work appropriate at the same time.
Why this approach is so important
The beauty of this approach is your core work pieces can get recycled simply through the purchase of more accessories. Few have the budget for an entire wardrobe change and, more importantly, once a part of your work wardrobe is well covered, there is little reason to add more of the same. However, it can get boring to wear the same core pieces the same way, day in and day out. Yet, by shopping for accessories in a variety of colors it will enable you to refresh and renew what you already own. Imagine a little black work dress, for example. If you were to purchase a few different necklaces, in a variety of colors and styles, that one dress now gets multiple looks instead of just one. Considering most work wardrobes are basic and neutral driven, the variety of accessory colors that can be added is really endless.
One last tip on how to upgrade your work look
The last thing I want to stress is fit. It is so important. For more extensive information on the importance of fit, you can read this blog post, but, generally speaking, I’ve seen proper fit make or break and outfit. You can have the cutest new dress for work or a great looking suit, but if the sleeves are too long, the hem unflattering or the jacket shape ill-fitting, it can not only make you look unkempt but shorter, heavier and way less professional. If you’re gunning for that corner office, taking some time to ensure that you’ve got the proper fit goes a long way.