5 secrets to dressing confidently at work
“I have tons of graphic tees and clothes from college that don’t work for a young professional. I’m not sure how to really update my wardrobe so I just keep wearing old pieces." Preach, sister-friend, preach. This is a response I received when I asked my Internet friends what their biggest struggle is with their closet. And if you're in your twenties and you've never stumbled over your work attire, well, you're lying.
Let's look at five lessons that will help you update your wardrobe, feel more confident and be an even bigger boss.
Name your style
This might sound a little kitschy, but hear me out.
If you're someone who constantly says, "I have no style," this is going to be an important step for you. Of course, you can also download my worksheet to go through my super scientific process to truly define your style.
This process is not in an effort to put you in a box, but because giving yourself some parameters makes it so much easier to evaluate whether a piece serves you. It helps you quickly identify when you hit the mark and when you miss it. And it can be a great opportunity to realize you can be a combination of styles. Someone recently messaged me asking if you can be two styles, like edgy yet sweet. Heck yes, you can! I help my one-on-one style coaching clients define this dichotomy of styles all the time. Here are just three:
Audra: polished with an edge
Ashley: classic with a pop
Joanna: effortless polish
What does naming your style do? It gives you a more objective lens through which to evaluate your clothes. I often work with women and say to them, "That is a cute top, but it doesn't feel like polished with an edge." And they immediately realize that's why they have never felt great in that piece. Lots of things are cute on a hanger, but that doesn't make them you.
Know your age
Another quick way to objectively evaluate your work attire (or any clothing, for that matter) is to simply ask yourself: Would a professional insert-age-here wear this?
If you're like most women who are still making the transition to adulting, there's a good chance you have your fair share of holdovers that aren't a resounding "yes." I, for one, was very resistant to admitting I didn't know how to dress for work.
I identified so closely with my clothes that it was hard to admit that I didn't look appropriate. You can't even let your budget be an excuse for this one, sis. If you want to be taken seriously, you have to take yourself seriously.
Don't let trends dictate your purchases
This step is next because it is directly tied to the above. One of the fastest ways to look like you don't have a style of your own or—worse—look younger than you are is to blindly follow trends. (We all know my feelings about cold-shoulder tops.) But looking the part at work can often be as simple as following classic silhouettes. One question I often get is, "How can I look professional but still feel like myself?"
The easiest way to do this is to find a fun take on a classic silhouette. Maybe this is a well-tailored blazer in a brocade or velvet (I just snagged a brown $55 Theory blazer at a local consignment store). Maybe it's a modest sheath dress in your favorite bright color. Or maybe it's a modern loafer with spikes. Stay classic and you'll stay polished and professional—but you can still be all the things that make you, you.
Imagine the future you want
When you detox your closet or shop for new pieces, ask yourself, "Would the woman I want to wear this?" Picture her: her confidence, her responsibilities, her charisma. Would she—future you—wear this? You know, there is also a psychological factor to clothing.
Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and fashion psychologist, says,“When we put on an item of clothing it is common for the wearer to adopt the characteristics associated with that garment. A lot of clothing has symbolic meaning for us, whether it’s ‘professional work attire’ or ‘relaxing weekend wear’, so when we put it on we prime the brain to behave in ways consistent with that meaning.”
It’s the reason you feel more fit in your Nike joggers or more professional in your pencil skirt. So, ask yourself if your wardrobe is helping you be the woman you want to be.
Find your constant
Pick a template or a signature to make the few purchases you do make, simpler. A template that I would love to see happen for our friend in the opening of this article is graphic T-shirt + blazer + dark denim + Oxfords + chunky necklace. In this scenario, let's say you have in your closet three blazers, a pair of dark blue jeans and a pair of black, three pairs of booties, a few necklaces, and then all the graphic tees you already know and love.
I'm no mathematician, but that's a whole heck of a lot of outfits that feel both unique and super office appropriate. I love it.
Or, you could find a signature color so you know that most of your new pieces need to fit into that world. For example, let's say your signature color is orange, like the top I'm wearing here. That tells me that the rest of my pieces need to be more neutral (gray and denim) and that any other colors need to go with that hue (mustard heels and gold accessories).