Casual Fridays have become as commonplace as the Xerox machine in most offices. If you work in an environment where a more lax attitude about dress is supported on the last day workweek, for today’s post in this series, here are my tips on how to take some causal weekend pieces and make them work for casual days at work.
First, here are some general tips.
Casual Fridays mean different things at different workplaces
For some of my clients, who have to wear suits or tailored pieces to work, their version of casual Fridays are often dressier than what the average person would wear on a normal workday. It is important to know the parameters around what is and isn’t acceptable for your workplace if Casual Fridays are allowed. Yet, despite the rules there is one universal rule that applies wherever you work…
Look neat
This should go without saying, but casual Fridays does not mean sloppy, unkempt or not polished. This day of a more relaxed dress code does not mean sloppy weekend wear, sweatpants, scuffed shoes or outfits that are not pulled together. Regardless of what the dress code is you should never come to work in a thoughtless manner and you should always feel like you are going to work in your outfit, not raking the leaves or grocery shopping, no matter what day it is. I know this is so obvious but until I stop seeing sloppy people wearing inappropriate things to work I will continue to beat this drum.
Be careful of casual jeans
In some workplaces jeans are considered way too dressed down for casual Fridays while in others they work. Yet, regardless of the fact that you can wear jeans to work special attention and care should be paid to the pairs that you wear to the office. Avoid over-washed jeans, jeans that have holes or jeans that you would wear super casually on the weekends. For more tips on how to wear jeans to work you can click here. A tip to consider for workplace jeans is to buy a new pair of jeans for work, have them be fresh and neat. Then, when they eventually wear out, downgrade them to the weekend.
All it takes is one bad apple to spoil the bunch
I love this episode of The Office when casual Friday’s were cancelled because the employees really didn’t get the concept, and what they chose to wear was definitely questionable, particularly Meredith. Casual Fridays can be so subjective, especially to those with little to no common sense, that it often gets taken away. As they say, all it takes is one bad apple to spoil the bunch. Don’t be the bad apple who neglects to realize that casual Friday’s is a privilege, not a right, and that there are dress code rules that should be adhered to. Friday is still a workday, it’s not the weekend. Once the 5 o’clock whistle blows (ha, as if anyone leaves work at 5 o’clock any longer) you are free to do whatever you want. Until then you’re at the office, dress like you are.
How to Wear Weekend Pieces on Casual Fridays
Workweek and weekend differences does not mean you need a whole entire wardrobe just for casual Fridays. You can borrow from your weekend wardrobe and wear it to work, if, and only if, you know how to do it right. Here are five weekend looks where take a piece from each outfit and make it work appropriate. With these easy tips you can get more versatility from your wardrobe by having these bridge pieces go from weekend to casual workday with ease.
Outfit #1 – The Novelty Top
A novelty top is a piece that can easily transition from fun weekend to workday appropriate, if the right steps are taken. On the left I paired this Zara top with a pair of dark denim skinny jeans by Kensie. For the weekend look, I styled the outfit with a metallic cardigan, bolder earrings, a blingy bracelet, a clutch purse by BCBG and wedge sandals by Seychelles.
While this outfit works for the weekend I would advise against super skinny jeans, metallic cardigans, a sequin clutch purse and such bold jewelry for work. Additionally, for some offices, an open toed wedge like this isn’t appropriate, even on casual Fridays.
However, it is easy to take the top and transition it to work. Instead of a metallic cardigan, I chose this Modcloth cardigan that looks like a jacket, but is more relaxed in a knit, and styled it with a pair of khaki skinny pants. For skinny pants at work, they can be okay if they are not too tight and the top you are wearing covers your butt. But, again, it all depends on your work environment and what is acceptable. If these jeans are too casual or skinny then a pair of khakis would work just fine. Next, to give this outfit a professional finish, I added a metallic tote (metallic is okay for work if the pieces are still professional and sophisticated), simpler earrings by Kenneth Cole, and a splash of color with Nine West ballerina flats and a colorful Stella & Dot bracelet. The outfit still says casual but it is professional at the same time.
Outfit #2- The Denim Skirt
A denim skirt is an easy weekend staple. For work, with a bit of polish, it can also be great because you can do denim without wearing jeans. For the weekend, this micro-dot denim skirt from Boden looks casual with a blue striped t-shirt, a pair of green wedge sandals, a coral, straw handbag and a pair of simple green earrings.
Keeping the color combination exactly the same, I changed up the skirt for work by laying a coral cowl t-shirt from Mango under a navy and white striped blazer from Zara. I added a more work appropriate handbag in green, nude open toed wedges by Cole Haan, that say casual without being too casual, and used the same earrings from the casual outfit.
When wearing a denim skirt to work, try sitting and bending in it before you wear it to the office. Denim skirts are only good for the office if they are long enough. A super short denim skirt is not okay at work.
Outfit #3 – The casual weekend dress
Once the weather gets really warm I live in dresses. While I do have some dresses that are only for super casual and others that I prefer to wear more when I have to dress up, I do have hybrids that can go either direction, depending on what I am wearing with them. The best way to get value for your money is to have summer dresses that fall into this hybrid category. With the proper accessories it is easy.
On the left, this peach Modcloth dress is perfect for the weekend when styled with a pair of gold metallic sandals, a denim jacket, chambray linen and coral handbag, a bold, coral necklace and simple earrings.
For work, all it takes is a few changes. Instead of the denim jacket, I chose this novelty jacquard blazer from Boden, work appropriate coral ankle strap flats from Modcloth, pendant necklace and a cream leather, work-friendly handbag by Vince Camuto.
For some of you the casual Friday looks I put together may be perfectly fine for every day of the week and for others these may be Friday only outfits. Like I said, it all depends on your work environment. However, one things remains universal, no matter where you work– keep it clean, polished, crisp, neat and, most importantly, professional and you’ll be one step ahead of most.
Get more of my workplace dressing tips in April’s People StyleWatch
And speaking of workplace style, I happen to be in April’s issue of People StyleWatch. The magazine asked me to offer my tips to their publication. Be sure to pick up your copy to check it out.
