Five things NOT to wear when you return to the office!

Oh, the goalposts have moved again! I’m not referring to the Euros as I’m no football expert (unless I’ve had a glass of wine then I know everything!) No, I’m referring to the office dress code. 

A common theme is cropping up among the women I have been styling over the past few weeks. With many returning to the office for only one day per week that ‘day in the office’ outfit has to work hard! It has to be appropriate for face to face meetings, video calls and even some socialising at the end of the day. There’s no hiding at your desk anymore as you and your bottom half will be visible at all times.

This situation requires an elevation of your everyday smart casual attire however you don’t want to look like you’re about to receive an OBE and have forgotten that the ‘relaxed workwear’ revolution ever happened! Come back ‘dress down Friday’ all is forgiven!

While it’s tempting to revert to styles you wore pre pandemic you should proceed with caution. Here are five things you should avoid wearing at all costs:-

Overly formal attire

The dress code in most offices is now ‘dress for the day’ so unless you have an important meeting or presentation then very formal attire is really not necessary. In today’s more relaxed dress codes it can look out of place and worse still, make you look out of date and out of touch. Like wearing an evening gown for a trip down the local! The pandemic has had a permanent effect on workwear so before you reach for the shift dress and heels think about ‘what is appropriate’ for your work day.

An outfit you haven’t tried on first

Don’t leave choosing your outfit to the last minute! Not only will it cause you unnecessary panic, you could spend your whole day in the office feeling out of sorts and wanting to hide from colleagues. Chances are you haven’t updated your office wardrobe since before lockdown which means that your clothes may not fit you in the same way. Prepare your outfit in advance and always try garments on first to ensure you feel confident and comfortable wearing them. 

Anything creased, torn or stained

The stain on the sweater that’s not visible on Zoom will be magnified in the flesh and you can no longer get away with just ironing your top! Working from home clothes receive more wear and tear from sitting in them all day, preparing food, household tasks, kids’ sticky fingers and muddy paws. This causes more stains so be sure to give your garments the once over before you wear them and replace styles that are past their best.

The corporate ‘uniform’

If lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that we work just as well in relaxed clothing. According to a recent survey 71% of people in the finance sector say they actually feel more productive in loungewear! Whether you do or not, the positive aspect of this is that there is now a lot more flexibility in how you dress. This means you do not need to leave your personality at home to conform to a strict dress code. Wearing clothes that you love AND that are appropriate for work should be everyone’s goal. 

Unkempt hair 

I’m not suggesting that you need to be immaculately groomed but don’t forget about your hair, nails and make-up. This isn’t just about how you present yourself to your colleagues although that is part of it. Putting on your lipstick has a positive effect on how you feel about yourself and will boost your confidence. It’s an added piece of armour to face the day which is important in these challenging times.

Need a hand to update your style?

If the upcoming removing of restrictions and a return to the office has you in a panic about the state of your wardrobe, then now is the ideal time to do something about it. Taking action today to create a stylish wardrobe that you love is something you will reap the benefit from for months and years to come.

Imagine having ready-to-go outfits that you feel fabulous in? You’ll avoid stress as you go out and about again plus have more time and energy to devote to doing the things you love!

If you’re ready to ditch dated styles and create a wardrobe that you love to wear and gives you confidence, then get in touch or simply reply to this email to book your Full Style Experience with me today!