I’m going to take a wild guess and assume I am not the only member of the female population who finds dressing for work somewhat stressful. In fact, I would go so far as to say the main reason I ever run late in the mornings is because I can’t decide on my outfit. The mornings I make it out the door on time, or even early, are often because I knew exactly what I was going to wear.
Having said that, one way to make getting dressed for work easier is to have a strong foundation of items to choose from. The following five staples are must-haves for any successful working wardrobe.
Classic white tee
While a white shirt can do wonders for an office outfit, a t-shirt is even more versatile and, works for smart casual workplaces. Forget any bells and whistles and keep this as clean-cut and classic as possible, opting for a round neck and sleeves of a standard length. To avoid ending up with sweat or makeup stains, make sure you avoid anything too fitted, size wise. A classic white tee is perfect tucked into a skirt or under a blazer. Bonus points for a statement necklace to snaz up the whole outfit.
Knit skirt
Last year I purchased a black knit, high-waisted, A-line skirt from Zara, hoping it would make my life easier. A year later, I can safely say the purchase was a success, without a week passing by in which I have not worn it. An A-line, knit skirt is smart enough that you will always look polished for work, with the added benefit of being able to transition effortlessly to evening attire.
Loafers
Equal parts cool and classic, a pair of loafers is a ‘no-brainer’ for work footwear. They can be worn with everything from jeans and pants, to skirts and dresses and will elevate the most casual of outfits. For a more Italian vibe, choose a style in suede. If you are after something more corporate, a patent-leather pair with tassels or a buckle should do the job.
Black jeans
Although it may be controversial, I am calling black jeans over black trousers as the must-have in this instance. With workwear becoming more casual, jeans are the more versatile choice. The fact they are slightly less dressy works to their advantage, allowing them to be paired with a shirt, blazer, silk top or heels without looking over the top or corporate. Comfort is added bonus.
Black blazer
I doubt I’ll get any disputes over this one. When it comes to work attire you really can’t go past a black blazer. The perfect piece to dress up jeans, a black blazer can be worn over anything and will immediately raise the whole tone of your outfit. This is one item that definitely means business.
What is your go to work outfit for those mornings where it all seems like a bit much?
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