Updating your wardrobe from corporate to smart/casual or business/casual
If your office has recently relaxed its dress code due to Covid-19 or just because it’s now de rigeur then it’s essential you update your wardrobe to fall in line. Sticking with the old corporate styles, fitted dresses, dated tailoring, could make you look dated and if you are post 40 stuffy and unable to move with the times.
Even if your office is still on the more traditional side, nowadays the workplace allows for sartorial individuality, not the clones of days gone buy in a grey or black skirt suit with a white shirt. More and more we are seeing relaxed dress codes and workplaces that maybe were once corporate, and only accepting of suits are now moving towards smart/casual or business casual. The problem is, this way of dressing is hard to master as it requires skill and narrowing down of choice in the shops to find the right mix of stylish separates.
Now that we are able to bring more of ourselves to work and show some personality, the workplace is becoming more vibrant. But what if your wardrobe is still full of the old style corporate clothes and you don’t know where to start?
Don’t worry! This is what my blog is all about, scouring the shops, cutting through choice and sharing my knowledge as a personal stylist for professionals to bring wardrobe solutions that work NOW, giving instant results.
This is my selection of the base pieces to get now to pivot your wardrobe from corporate to business/casual or smart/casual.
Tailored trousers.
This cut is modern with it’s cropped and tapered leg and looks great on all body shapes. I just want to mention how it works really well on a pear shape - pears have proportionately bigger thighs and bum compared to their waist so that often causes a gape at the back in lots of tailored trousers - these will work.
If you are unsure of your body shape - download my free body shape guide with the five main body shapes and which specific cuts and styles of clothes suit each one.
Whistles Anna elasticated waist trousers
2. Soft cropped tailored blazer
This is such a wardrobe essential, somewhere between a blazer and a really smart cardigan, soft tailoring in both cropped and (3) long will be a life saver. Not too stuffy or formal, this pulls your look together nicely. Works really well on Zoom too if you are senior and want gravitas but don’t want to look OTT if on camera from home - there is a find balance to get it right.
I’ve gone for this collarless soft tailored blazer because the lack of collar makes it even more WFH appropriate if you show up on zoom and don’t want to look too ‘try-hard.’ Works for the ofiice too.
Whistles collarless cropped blazer
3. Longline relaxed blazer
It’s good to have a longer line blazer as well to give a different look. Again in a relaxed ‘unstructured’ cut, loose and flowing to follow your body lines, flatter and keep in line with the more relaxed dress codes.
I would definitely recommend getting away from corporate colours of back, grey and navy in the summer especially. This is going to help you stand out in a good way in a formal environment rather than blending into the background.
4. Tops with flair and tops without
I recommend you get at least one of each - a statement top with frills or colour or pattern plus a really plain but silk or lace top to use for the more serious meetings and days ahead.
If you are appearing on Zoom, make sure any top you wear does not have a really loud pattern that will strobe or be distracting on camera, a block colour usually works best on zoom.
5. A non-formal dress
What I mean by this is a more relaxed dress than the old style tailored body-con everyone used to wear in the boardroom. Do you know the dress I mean? It was always from LK Bennett or on the higher end Roland Mouret. Thankfully there’s no need to hold it all in after lunch anymore in the looser styles that are now far more ‘on-trend’ and up to date, especially in an office with a relaxed dress code.
All these items will get you on track to look relaxed but still smart and appropriate in a more formal office.
If you feel you’d like some help with your wardrobe get in touch with Lisa to book a discovery call. She now offers virtual services via zoom as well as her usual 1 to 1 consultations.
