5 Ways to Dress More Professionally

5 ways to dress more professionally

While it’s true that more and more company’s are choosing a rather casual approach to work wear nowadays, I still believe in dressing for success. Professionalism and presentation are paramount when it comes to a work wardrobe – no matter a company’s standard on dress code (casual, business, business casual, etc.). My fellow working gals, there is always, always something to be said about a polished and professional power outfit. So, I’m excited to share 5 ways to dress more professionally and elevate your office-style.

However, I’ll admit… when I first joined corporate America, dressing professionally was slightly intimidating. Especially coming from a retail/fashion environment and when you have such a strong love for expressing yourself through style. Did that mean I had to wear a boring pant-suit and plain flats every day? I quickly found that there was a way to dress professionally and still be stylish. Let’s discuss.

No. 1 - Invest in versatile staples (blazer, pencil skirt, pants)

My first step in creating a more professional wardrobe is by acquiring staple items, like a classic pantsuit, a tailored blazer, or pencil skirt. There are tons of stylish pantsuit options available nowadays – perfect for work and even weekend, like this one or this one here. Also essential to any working gal’s wardrobe: a tailored blazer. You can instantly create a more polished look by simply adding a blazer to an outfit, like this one or this one. These pieces are timeless and versatile for really any type of wardrobe, but are great staples to invest in when curating a polished collection of workwear. Then, look for sleek and chic bottoms like a pair of crepe pants or a pencil skirt to interchange with blouses and blazers.

No. 2 - shoes can be a game-changer

One of the easiest ways to dress more professionally can be as simple as wearing the right pair of shoes. Adding a pair of chic heels, flats, or loafers to a seemingly plain pantsuit can take your workwear to a totally different level. I love when my shoes can be the statement of my office style – ok, ok… I just love shoes. Period. If you are on your feet a lot during work, opt for block heels like this or this, or a pair of stylish loafers. And if your office allows a more casual dress code, you can’t go wrong with a pair of classic pumps like these, styled with darker denim and a blazer or dressy blouse.

No. 3 - accessorize appropriately

When it comes to accessorizing in the office, “less is more” is always a safe bet, but in my opinion, it’s perfectly appropriate to incorporate the occasional statement piece. For handbags, I typically carry a larger tote. Mostly because I’m usually lugging a lot of things with me for work/personal, like my planner, laptop, glasses, hand sanitizer and beauty touch-up essentials, etc. So, a classic tote like this one here says ‘professional but big enough to hold all of the stuff you hoard with you at all times.’ For everyday office jewelry, I typically reach for classic pieces like these pearls or this bracelet. But don’t underestimate the power of statement earrings when the occasion arises.

No. 4 - The "Desk-to-Dinner" Style Mindset

Finding versatile workwear that can be worn to the office, but easily transition into any after-work function is vital. Especially for those of you with busy schedules, like me! Having a “desk-to-dinner” mindset when it comes to your wardrobe will make it easier to shop and eliminate having to rush home after work for a quick outfit change. An easy after-work fix to the outfit above? Lose the blazer! Dresses are my go-to for an effortlessly polished look, but there are also tons of great work and weekend-approved skirt and jumpsuit options as well. For work or weekend, I like to choose a dress length that hits right above the knee like this one here or a midi dress like this one here.

No. 5 - let's smooth out any wrinkles, folks.

Ok, last but not least… Make sure your outfit is wrinkle-free or avoid wrinkle-prone materials like satin or linen. A great dress can turn into a sloppy mess when there’s tons of wrinkles. Presentation is key, afterall. So, for a completely polished and professional look, I recommend this travel steamer here. It heats up in a matter of seconds and it’s super quick and easy to use. Especially for skirts, dresses and blouses – this is a much easier way to get out the wrinkles than pulling out the good ‘ole hotel iron and ironing board.