Dressing with confidence Archives

Back to the office for work? Dressing made simple

Over the last couple of years, our working environments were switched to our kitchen tables, home offices or our spare rooms as we settled into working from home. The lines of home and work were blurred and inevitably a more relaxed and casual dressing style followed.

However as many of us prepare to go back to the office for work, it’s going to mean a shift in our dressing style! Our morning dressing routines are going to look a lot different. For some this may be causing a little dressing anxiety as we transition from loungewear to more office-appropriate pieces.

Are you excited at the prospect of dressing up again in your smarter clothing or are you feeling a little reluctant to part company with your leisurewear?

You may need to invest a little time to reap the rewards, but trust me, it will be worth it.

But first…create your own Style Mantra

The fact is that clothes are incredibly empowering so the key to successful dressing is that we feel good in our clothes and particularly at work. Having style confidence provides us with the power to feel comfortable, to feel authentic. Confidence in our presentation can open doors and new opportunities. Firstly we need to identify clothes that help us feel confident.

Implementing a style mantra really helps when choosing clothing from our wardrobes or when selecting new clothing. By choosing three words that describe the feeling we want to have in our clothes allows us to apply these words to each garment we choose. For example, feminine, edgy or professional. We can then assess if our mantra aligns with the clothes hanging in our wardrobe. Of course I am able to help you develop this during a Personal Styling session.

Let me inspire you to dress with confidence for your return back to the office for work. Read on for some top tips.

Assess your wardrobe

Take some time to try everything on that you have in your wardrobe. Does it still fit? Does if flatter? It matters!

Ask yourself how it makes you feel. Our wardrobes should be a place of joy and should inspire us as we leave our homes each morning. Wouldn’t we rather make clothing choices that have a positive impact? I assure you that the way our clothes make us feel, influences our day ahead.

New Pairings

This editing process will shed some light on these those items that don’t look or feel good but may also highlight some new pairings and create some entirely ‘new’ looks. Shopping our wardrobes (particularly in January) is also worthwhile and reminds us of the hidden treasures at the back of our wardrobes…and maybe with the tags still intact!

Lay your clothes out the night before

This is a great strategy and saves valuable time in the morning. This helps us identify the stain from a garment’s last wearing or the missing button that needs replacing. We have time to take action when we spot it early! Dare I say, that it’s even better of you can plan for the entire week.

Knowing what may need laundering, which shoes may need a polish, will all save dressing anguish in front of our wardrobe in the morning. Trust me it’s a game-changer.

Work out our wardrobe neutrals

What about wardrobe Neutrals?

We all need a neutral base in our wardrobe that make creating oufits a little simpler. I’m talking about navy, grey, brown, beige, camel tones, white, cream and black. In choosing our base colours carefully we will find that introducing complimentary colours to your basic outfits is simplified.

Work out our wardrobe staples

Image credit Pexels

Our choices will differ wildly dependent upon our own personality but also our industry or place of work. Therefore spending money wisely on our outerwear is a good investment. For example, a good quality leather item will look better for longer when cared for so your footwear, handbags and laptop bags are important.

Consider a great fitting blazer, a couple of blouses, a white shirt, tailored trousers and a smart pair a well-fitting jeans will all serve us well.

What if we have gained weight?

I hear this often particularly since the uncertainty of these last couple of years… we have been opting for the comfort of an elasticated waistband and lost sight of how our more tailored pieces might fit.

What can we do?

A blouse that gapes at the bust and no longer fastens can be used as a loose ‘shacket’ style layer with a smarter tee under

A shirt dress that no longer fastens can be worn open with a pair of trousers and fine knit under

The trend for more fluid trouser styles will be with us for some time so perhaps seek out a pair in a colour that can be worn with your existing wardrobe.

If you are pondering your own office return and you are back to the office for work, take a peek at my suggestions here.

How would you feel if your 'back to the office' dressing choices were a little simpler? I would love to work with you personally, do get in touch if I can help.

Jackie Crawford

07494 644788

Published by Jackie Crawford in Business Dress Codes, Dressing for Confidence, Uncategorized

Tags: AUTHENTIC DRESSING, BACK TO WORK DRESSING, business dressing, Dress for success, Dressing for work, Dressing simplified, Dressing with confidence, elevate your business, personal brand, Personal Branding, Personal Development, RETURNING TO WORK

Have you ever thought that when you want to create a great and lasting impression, the small touches will set you apart?

Making some small changes to your wardrobe can play an important part in your success. Wearing clothes that boost your confidence is a good place to begin. Remember also that our clothes should enhance our reputation and credibility and as such, are an investment in our future success.

I’ve met many women who have felt stuck and find it difficult to navigate their way through a change in their dressing style.

However it needn’t be a daunting task if you tweak just ONE thing. A different trouser style, a fitted top rather than the baggy one you reach for each day or trying an alternative to black.

How about introducing a flattering colour, changing up your jewellery or adding a scarf. It need not cost the earth to get you started.

The key is to understand what makes you feel comfortable and developing your Signature Style may provide something that people will remember about you.

Changing up your jewellery or adding a scarf will add impact

Take a peek in your wardrobe...

And identify those items that you love to wear and feel great in. Can you pair them differently and inject some colour using a scarf or jewellery?

Now that technology has made us more visible, colour will add impact to our appearance so don’t be afraid to experiment and add personality to your working outfits.

A stylish twist using your accessories will certainly give you the edge. A striking necklace or bolder lip colour is a good start.

Develop some key staples that mix and match together

Plan

The key to making some small changes to your appearance is to plan. Developing some key staples that mix and match together will provide you with a polished and comfortable look.

Gradually building a wardrobe of flexible pieces allows us to maximise what we already have and ultimately saves money.

Laying your clothes out the evening before...

Laying out your clothes the evening before saves you valuable time in the morning

Saves valuable time on a busy morning when your dressing routine is shared with husbands, partners, children or animals who may all take priority. Preparing for the next day allows you time to be a little more creative with you choices. Try it and let me know.

When did you last change your hairstyle?

We can get comfortable with our appearance and become afraid to change in-case we stand out, draw attention to ourselves or in the event we don’t like it.

Long hair at any age can look great but clinging to a style from long ago can make anyone look and feel stuck in the past. If you are in any doubt, take a look at this amazing transformation.

Never underestimate the impact of any small change you make to your appearance. For example, a simple swipe of lipstick or as we have seen above, a change of hairstyle could be the catalyst to really positive and fundamental change.

So if you want to be remembered for the new job, the promotion, the new addition to the Board, the new partner, the small touches will set you apart.

If you would like to open some new doors and take some small steps to creating a lasting impression toward new opportunities, then do get in touch anytime for a courtesy consultation, I would love to help you.

Jackie Crawford

Image Consultant

Published by Jackie Crawford in Dressing for Confidence, Dressing for Success, Personal Branding, Working from home