Office Fashion

Getting dressed for work is not an easy task. Us AskBronny types want to look fashionable and stylish, yet professional. So unless you are blessed with a job somewhere like Singapore Airlines where your uniform is striking and flattering, there is the daily challenge of donning something appropriate, but also appropriately fabulous.

I have found myself spending more and more money on clothes that are intended purely for work. And as tragic as some may think that is, I realistically (and sadly) spend many more hours at work than anywhere else, so I think it makes sense that I would want to look good there. I also work in an industry that attracts many fabulous air kissing counterparts, and it is just spirit crushing to feel like the least glamorous person at an advertising, marketing or media function. Or any function for that matter. Or any meeting even. Which leads me to the crux of this whole dilemma. Work wardrobes are important!

This then leads us to a little list of AskBronny Office Fashion Do’s and Don’ts. If you follow these simple guidelines, your work wardrobe will be a much more fun place to hang out. As well as kudos for all that great work you do, you’ll also start getting admiration for your incredible dress sense. 

1. Don’t scrimp on work clothes
Never let your friends tell you that spending a couple of hundred on an amazing pair of trousers (or an amazing skirt, or a fabulous dress) is silly if you’re only going to wear them to work. Every time you wear them, even if it’s once a month, it will be for about 8-10 hours per day, and probably around people you are probably trying to impress. Which means that at a minimum you are going to feel absolutely stunning, and most likely more confident, for around 1200 hours every year. So you tell your friend she is talking nonsense and buy the pants! We drop hundreds of dollars on dresses that we put on for about four hours at time, and then cant be seen in again for at least 18 months. So why are we so funny about how much we spend on work attire? If this is you, you need to follow AskBronny’s lead pronto and start spending!

2. Do Split your wardrobe into rough sections of "work" and "non-work".
Wardrobe splitting makes it much easier to pull your choices together in the morning. I have gone so far as to also split mine into seasons, and I have my fun shoes in an entirely different room. But if space is an issue, even fun clothes to the left of your wardrobe and work clothes starting from the right is a good idea. It also means you don’t end up staring wistfully at your last Harry Who dress purchase and wishing you had a fabulous party lined up in your social calendar so you could wear it soon. Dividing your wardrobe doesn’t mean giving up the fun clothes all together, and some great fun clothes can be teamed with work attire to give a groovy alternative. I often wear a 3/4 sleeve, knee length dress over jeans with a chunky necklace which makes the best of both worlds.

3. Don't Fool yourself into thinking you work somewhere you don't!
You need to dress for your industry and every industry has different standards. My sister is a solicitor and couldn’t wear a lot of what I can get away with because I am in what is considered a "creative" field. And many of my friends in IT get away with looking like they just rolled out of bed and probably don’t actually own pants other than jeans. So although there may be an expectation of how you dress for work, remember that regardless of how strict your place of employment, you can always rely on the fabulous world of accessories to lift your spirits. A sleek black outfit is pretty much perfect for any profession, and you can funk it up with chunky silver accessories, a low slung belt, or a fabulous pair of leopard print or solid red pumps. 

4. Do Dress appropriately at all times.
Even though you want to look stylish, you are still at work, and chances are the way you present yourself will reflect on your company. So although jeans on a Friday may be cool, a mini skirt on a Monday is not. I work with a lot of older ladies (we are talking 50+) who still come to work showing more leg than I do on a Saturday night. I recently saw a lady who’s skirt was so short I actually saw cheek when she walked away. This is not okay. And everyone who has to meet with this kind of employee probably feels the same. Standard dress rules apply. Wear flattering ensembles that make the most of your shape without scaring your colleagues with the bits that should be kept hidden.

Looking fabulous and like you know what you're doing on a daily basis is definitely a challenge, but with these handy hints, hopefully getting ready in the mornings won't be as much of a drama. And then no matter how horrendous your day in the office, you can always look down at your fabulous shoes, think how well they go with your fabulous outfit, and then things suddenly won’t be seem so bad.

Office fashion doesn’t have to be as boring as your job sometimes is. Work your wardrobe properly and you’ll be working the office too baby!

Got a fashion question about your wardrobe? AskBronny and she'll get an answer straight back to you!