We’ve all seen them; the women at the office who don’t look put together. Maybe their shirts are a little too tight or their skirts are a little too short. Or maybe you are the one committing an office fashion crime without even realizing it. Well, don’t sweat it. Moxy is here to offer you a guide on what not to wear to work.
The warm weather tends to bring out the worst in people’s wardrobes. As the temperature rises, the decorum falls. Even though you might be tempted to breeze into the office wearing whatever is the coolest—don’t. Nicole Crimaldi, the Founder of MsCareerGirl.com and an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot offers this advice. “Summer can be really tough; but a dress with a jean jacket or blazer over it with some great bracelets and a long layering necklace is really cute.”
Layering is key in the summer. Adding a cute jacket or cardigan lets you wear a tank top or a strapless or halter style dress to the office. But keep the jacket on, as those pieces are summer office don’ts, even if your company subscribes to a casual dress code. And if tanks are off-limits, don’t even think about tube tops. Be careful with fabrics. Linen is comfortable, but you’ll look like a total mess by the end of the day. Choose cotton or blended fabrics to get through the day wrinkle-free.
Flip-flops and too short hemlines are two other major summer work fashion faux pas. It doesn’t matter if you’re rocking super-pricey designer flip-flops, you’re still headed to the office, not the beach. As for your skirt length, there’s a lot of debate over what is appropriate. One rule of thumb: Would you wear an outfit out to the bar with friends? If the answer is yes, then you might want to head back to your closet and get changed.
Winter doesn’t pose quite as many wardrobe challenges, but you can still be stuck with poor fashion choices. There’s still the risk of showing too much skin in the cold weather. If you prefer lower-rise pants, for example, make sure your shirt is long enough to cover any gaps when you sit down. Showing too much skin on top is a no-no too. Be cautious of how much cleavage you show. At the office, you want people to notice you for the awesome job you’re doing, not your body.
If you work for a company that lets you wear jeans (lucky you!), don’t be sloppy. Baggy “boyfriend” style jeans or distressed denim may be stylish, but save them for the weekend. Choose well fitting dark washes in either straight leg or boot cut. Leggings are a tricky fashion choice. Each office is different and you need to have a clear sense of your company’s fashion vibe before attempting them. “Remember that leggings shouldn’t be a substitute for regular pants at the office! If you do choose to wear them under a skirt or long top, be sure that your top is long enough,” says Crimaldi.
So, how do you begin to chose what is appropriate? If you’re new to the company, ask human resources if there’s an official dress code. But the best way is to observe your co-workers. The old adage says dress for the job you want not the job you have. Crimaldi says, “Look around you at what leaders in the company are wearing, then use your best judgment.”
Your industry also plays a big role in what you wear to work. If you’re a teacher, you’ll probably wear flats because you’re on your feet all day. If you’re in finance, you might have to wear more tailored separates, if not a suit. If you’re in a creative field, you might be able to get away with something trendier, but as always, use your best judgment.
Dressing appropriately for work doesn’t have to mean dressing boring. Crimaldi suggests bold accessories to brighten up your nine-to-five attire. A statement necklace, cocktail ring or chandelier earrings (though not all at the same time!) will express your personality while staying true to the office dress code. You can be an office fashion star without losing your sense of self.
Article written by Danielle Bullen for Moxy Magazine, October 2011. Image courtesy of Rubbermaid Products.
