What to wear to the office in winter
It’s been almost six years since I worked in an office that wasn’t part of my home.
The closest I come to imitating office wear now is if I’m going to a meeting, a breakfast or lunch networking event or a speaking engagement – like this outfit I wore when I recently lectured to journalism students.
Mela Purdie top and pants (current and available here) | Sussan jacket (two years ago) | Michael by Michael Kors shoes (two years ago bought in NYC) | Dinosaur Designs ring (last year)
What to wear to the office in winter – or any season for that matter – is not as clear cut as it used to be.
This is a good thing because traditional office wear of a pant or skirt suit and shirt could get pretty boring, especially if the creative inside of you was screaming out for some attention.
Work places in general have become a whole lot more relaxed. Not every office has relaxed dress code but across the board this is the general trend.
Here are my tips for making office wear work for your wardrobe personality (also check out Wednesday’s post as one of the reader questions I answered might help too).
What to wear to the office in winter
1. Consider the overall dress code for your office. Is it creative-relaxed or corporate-conservative … or a bit of both. Take your cues from those around you whose style you admire. This will help you to quickly work out the level of acceptable dress in your work environment.
2. Make sure you have the basics covered. Office basics may include pants, skirts and jackets. A combination of these creates the building blocks for your work outfit. They can be worn many times over and just “freshened” each time with different tops and accessories.
3. Show your personality through accessories. No matter how conservative your office, this is the easiest way to show your personality and offer up a “surprise and delight” factor to your outfit. Think leopard print pumps, a statement necklace with a conservative top or shirt, a brightly coloured handbag. This type of accessory not only gives your outfit a lift, it will give your whole mood a lift.
4. Show your personality through colour. It’s so easy to fall into the neutrals’ territory when it comes to colour and the office. There is nothing at all wrong with neutrals and they really do make the best investment colours when it comes to your basic pieces but it’s also easy to splash a little contrasting colour around with those basics. I like doing that with a jacket (see above) or in a top that makes the basics just pop.
5. Master the art of layering. This applies whether it’s winter or not. Office temperatures are generally the same all round which means you have the unfortunate situation of freezing in summer and overheating in winter. And then when you step outside the office you’re likely to overheat in summer or freeze in winter. In winter, some kind of coat is an essential as the beginning and end of the working day is when it’s most chilly. I think it’s then essential to have a jacket or knit underneath that could be taken off should it get too hot in the office. The key with layering is that your base outfit needs to be ok to be on show on its own. This is your starting point when getting dressed. Think does what you’re wearing as the base layer constitute an acceptable office outfit? Then add layers from there as the weather dictates.
Your #everydaystyle for the office in winter
Not everyone who joins in #everydaystyle each week works in an office but many do – or have cause to dress like they do.
This is a great cross-section of the office style that I see popping up each week. I love how each of these women have brought their own style to their work outfits.
Each has winter elements to their outfits and each has employed layering to add interest but also much-needed warmth.
Left column (from top): @kimbalikes | @peta_ballerina_traineemama
Middle column: @bespoke_heirlooms | @shergb | @fashionista_in_suburbia
Right column: @creatingcontentment | @smaggle
Which winter office style can you most relate to?
Join in
Want to join in? Simply upload a photo of yourself showing your everyday style to Instagram or Facebook, use the #everydaystyle and tag @stylingyou so I can find you. Don’t feel you have to post every day. Post when you can. For consideration in my outfit of the week round up, I look first for clear, in-focus photos without text or borders on them. These work in best with the montage layout.
More inspiration
Check out Wardrobe Wednesday with Kim-Marie on Kimba Likes.
Over 30? Rach from Redcliffe Style links up with other style bloggers each Thursday for 30 Style.
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