While there are many organisations who insist you wear the traditional and conservative corporate uniform, other workplaces are giving their employees more freedom. Are you one of those lucky ones allowed to bring some personal style into your corporate wear? But, you’re not sure how to go about doing it without compromising your professional look?
The way you look can have a big impact on how you work and business leaders are acknowledging this when it comes to improved productivity in the workplace. Business attire has changed over the years and companies are taking note of the need for comfort as well as uniqueness when dressing for the office.
Read on to find out how you can bring some of your own personality into your corporate wardrobe while still looking good when at work.
8 Tips to Creating Your Personal Style in Corporate Wear
1. Comfort
When bringing your personal style into your corporate wear, it’s essential that you feel comfortable at all times. This means wearing clothes that are neat, tailored and presentable while still being easy to wear and move in while you work.
Comfort also means getting the right balance between your office dress code and personal style so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb among your fellow colleagues. You should feel comfortable that you seem part of the team.
2. Experiment With Colours and Print
Traditional corporate wear normally requires clothing to be in solid, neutral colours such as black, white or navy. However, as the corporate workplace eases up on workwear guidelines, your company may allow you to wear more colours and prints. By experimenting with these elements, you can incorporate your personal style into your work wardrobe.
3. Accessorise
Adding accessories to your office wardrobe is another clever way of giving workwear your personal stamp. When accessorising, be careful not to overstep the dress code policy. Smart accessories such as the following can safely be used to bring in your own personal style:
- Laptop bags
- Funky jewellery (but don’t go gaudy!)
- Scarves
- Handbags, tote bags and backpacks
- Watches
- Belts
Accessories can make a personal statement while still maintaining a professional appearance. Observe how other people you admire in the organisation are using accessories when dressing for the office. This will give you some ideas to implement.
4. Feminise Menswear
By feminising menswear, you can blend into male-dominated industries such as the construction sector while still looking confident and professional. This means:
- Picking bolder colours
- Managing your silhouette that the clothes create
- Picking menswear designs that have more of a feminine edge
And, always keep a pair of construction boots in the car for those days when you need to remove the heels for site visits!
5. The Right Fit Still Matters
Even if your company gives you more flexibility in how you dress for the office, the right fit still matters. Your personal style on weekends may be tight-fitting designer jeans. Comfy, right? But, tone this down in the office by making sure you pick a pair of slacks that are cut to fit your body shape neatly. Personal style can be enhanced through finding cuts that show off your figure without being too sexy or revealing.
6. Understand Business Casual
If your company dress code is strictly business casual, then rule out jeans, crop tops and open-toe sandals. Business casual means looking professional, so aim for items such as:
- Pencil skirts in bolder colours
- Statement heels
- Dresses in brighter colours such as yellow or pink
- Costume jewellery
See how far you can go when making your business casual wear personal without blurring the lines between office and home.
7. Experiment With Hairstyles
While not strictly part of your corporate wardrobe, your hairstyle is a great place to start when adding your personal flair to your work appearance. Again, you have to make sure you don’t overstep the boundaries in the workplace. After all, going bald is acceptable if health challenges lead to it, but shaving off your hair is not the way to make a statement in your law firm!
Play with different hairstyles and find one that maintains your professional look while clearly stating your personality.
8. Take Advantage of Casual Fridays
If your office has a strict business professional dress code, you’ll be restricted by how much personal style you can work into your corporate wear. But, if your company allows their employees to step out of the norm on Casual Friday, then this is your opportunity to show off your personal style. Get creative with your Friday office workwear and have fun displaying your personality through various fashion items.
Final Thoughts
Career women can have a lot of fun adding personality to their corporate wear while still adhering to the office dress code policy. Using colours, prints and patterns, modern cuts and accessorising are some of the tips to get you started.
The key is to get creative. Experiment with your wardrobe and allow your creativity to come through in the items you select to personalise your office workwear. Make a statement, each time you enter a room!
