This can be partly determined by the industry you’re working in. For example, in a creative industry, anything goes, whereas anything in very serious business will probably expect you to dress like it’s serious business. Where I was interning, I was lucky because it was a business environment but in a science industry, where things tend to be a bit more relaxed. I could get away with a more dressed-up version of my own style. The easiest way to figure out what you can get away with is to have a nosy at what the most out-there person is wearing – whether it’s dressed-down or just dressed-a-bit-mental, if the boss is ok with them wearing that, you can assume that’s your limit.
Think about the key items that make up your style in terms of shapes and fabrics, and how you can get them into a work outfit. Midi skirts kind of your thing? Full ones are perfect with a tee and heels, Grease-style, and narrower or pleated ones look great with a slim-knit jumper for a very put together look. Pretty tea dresses look perfect with a blazer and flats, just watch out for very short hemlines on high-street versions. Opaques are your friends here. If you’re more of a Kate Lanphear rock n’ roll type, swap out the skinny black jeans for black cigarette pants, and tone down the heels a touch or two to stop the HSSE people having a mare! To be honest, there’s a lot more to go into here, but in short a good blazer is essential for any style. You can get away with a lot more with it!
Take a look at your wardrobe and see what colours stand out (except for black and navy!). Everyone’s got one – I wear a lot of cranberry and blue. First thing is to pick your neutrals accordingly; if you’re a big fan of tan, pink or orange, steer very clear of black and instead look for navy or oatmealey kind of colours. I’d go for black with my colours every time because I think cranberry or cobalt with monochrome looks AWESOME, no? The other thing to think about colours is how you can incorporate them into your style with accents, like scarves and bags, as well as smaller details like nails. This way you can show off your personal style every day. At work I swore by a couple of wool scarves in cranberry and cobalt, which looked awesome tucked under the lapels of a blazer or coat on a chilly morning as well as chucked over a Breton top and short-ish circle skirt. I’d have loved to have had a bright bag with me, though – that would have been perfect with monochrome looks. Nails are one place you can afford to be mental, though, so get practicing that nail art!
