disclaimer: i may earn a small fee if you buy something through the links in this post, at no extra cost to you!
struggling to figure out how to dress for a role in corporate without feeling like you’re wearing a costume? i feel you. trying to find that sweet spot between looking professional enough for the office and still feeling like you can be so exhausting when you’re building a new wardrobe from scratch.
the issue is, most workwear advice tells us to just mirror the people on your team/floor, but there’s no fun in doing that. the solution? building a capsule wardrobe of smart pieces you can actually mix, match, and accessorize so you look put-together without feeling stuffy.
the all-black monochrome moment
the playful color pop
the classic navy set
here’s the exact outfit rotation i relied on this workweek:
- the all-black monochrome moment: a sharp cropped black vest and straight-cut gray slacks layered under a black jacket, finished with nude (for my skin tone) pointed heels. i love how sleek this look is, finding a nude shoe in your skin tone is like hitting the lottery, be sure to keep an eye out. nude shoes really elongate the leg. i made sure to go with a cropped vest here and not a full length one, to make my legs look as long as possible (i think it worked lol, #petitegirlproblems).
- the playful color pop: a rust-colored jacket thrown over a vibrant floral blouse with wide-leg black slacks, tied together with tan and black cap-toe slingback heels. proof that you can wear patterns to the office without compromising your youthfulness. it’s not the what, it’s how you style it. i’m in love with florals so i felt so playful in this outfit. if you have a unique-colored blazer, this is your sign to start wearing it.
- the classic navy set: a bootcut navy suit paired with a smooth champagne-colored blouse and classic black shoes. the contrast between the deep navy and soft champagne is just effortless. every office siren needs a pair of comfortable black heels for work. also, don’t shy away from matching blazer/slack sets, you can dress these up or down depending on your environment. there’s something so timeless about a suit set.
if you're hunting for good, affordable pieces to build your own rotation without dropping a ton of money, here are the spots i typically check out:
- ann taylor: literal heaven for classic trousers, vests, and structured blazers that fit a corporate dress code (especially for petite girlies!).
- nordstrom rack: amazing for snagging lovely blouses, sweaters and work dresses way under retail price.
- dillard's: seriously underrated for shoe shopping! they always have an excellent selection of shoes on clearance.
to accessorize, stack on your favorite gold rings, bracelets, or a simple headband, and you're good to go!
