How to dress for the casual office

Knowing what to wear to give the right impression is always tricky — especially when a work environment is relaxed. These two things have really worked for me...

Wearing a skirt, and
A tailored coat

Wearing a skirt instantly gives me a sense of feeling well-dressed without losing the appearance of being casual. An interesting ¾ length coat, which is a tailored, has become a staple of my winter wardrobe. It can be worn over jeans and casual shirts or a top with boots. This gives me a look that is both elegant and casual.

By using simple lines and simple colours I immediately limit the amount of impact an outfit has on my colleagues or clients and this automatically tones down the formal appeal. At the same time I want to fit in with the casual environment so I avoid suits, rather opting for jeans, skirts and dresses.

When it comes to colours and patterns, the following guide is indispensable:

Colour goes with colour
Try to generally keep hot colours together — pinks, oranges and reds. Cool colours such as blues and greens should also be combined. There is however one exception and this is lilac, which can go with either cool (blues) or hot (pinks).

Black with black
Black should only be worn with black, white and perhaps a bit of grey! Grey evidently is ‘the new black’, but please watch out for fads and trends. Following a trend or fad is expensive and if you are not careful it could end up as a disaster. Trends and fads never last very long anyway!

The simpler the better
This is true for the workplace — especially a casual work place. Limit yourself to one busy pattern or focal point. If you want to wear beautiful jewelled sandals then team them up with simple plain trousers and a top. If you want to wear a floral skirt, wear a plain top and shoes to match.

Less is more
Think less is more with regards to your work outfits. Spend money on quality items. Just because you have a casual work environment doesn’t mean you should look like a slouch. For instance, if you can wear jeans then invest in really amazing ones — which fit you perfectly and will last long. Sevens jeans may cost you half your pay packet but they will make you look and feel a million dollars. The pain caused to your credit card will soon subside whenever you try them on!

Never forget your grooming
It doesn’t matter how great the outfit is if your grooming isn’t on par. Never be caught wearing anything you would find a hairdresser using in their salon! Those clips and hair tongs are just so terrible! Spend a little money on good hair accessories such as clips with a motif or a hair band with a flower. Grooming and accessories are often what sets a good look apart from a bad one. It finishes off the picture and makes you appear to have thought your look through.

Accessorize
Whilst concentrating on your basic clothing never forget your accessories. They are key when pulling an outfit together. When you have a limited budget you will often find someone with the same pair of jeans, top, dress or skirt as you, but your accessories are generally what sets you apart and gives you your own sense of style. Match shoes with your handbag — I am not saying you need a different one for each day, but if you are wearing black shoes then your bag should be matching. If you are wearing brown shoes choose a brown based bag. The French have been following this simple rule for years and their style and dress sense has been the envy ever since — even when they are casually dressed.

Never be tempted to wear clothes that don’t fit!
Trousers that are too long or clothes with holes, or equally items with stains or marks are a no-no — no matter how tempted, or desperate you are. Even in a casual work space first impressions count and ill-fitted, stained or holey clothing certainly won't send out the right message.

Cover up bad feet
If you haven’t had time for a pedicure then cover up those feet — no one wants to see chipped nail varnish and hard cracked heals. Flat pumps in a metallic colours, or black, are fabulous and comfy and will go with every colour. They will carry you through a casual day at the office to a chic after work cocktail party.

Plan ahead
With the above rule in mind get organised, plan what you want to wear and always have it washed and ironed the night or even the weekend before. Always have a basket for mending and a basket for dry cleaning. Once a few items have been collected take them to the tailors/drycleaners or mend buttons yourself.

Take time to shop and to try things on
Consider what you have in your wardrobe before your next shopping expedition, and make a note of what you need before leaving home, so that you don’t get distracted. Trying lots of things on, even if you are not sure, will often lead to all kinds of exciting surprises and discoveries.

Often things you thought wouldn’t suit you actually end up suiting you and sometimes your thoughts may be confirmed that that dress simply does not do anything for you! Know your body shape and if you have great legs wear skirts! If you have big hips, wear plain items on the bottom and match it with a pattern shirt. Also remember the bigger you are the bigger the pattern you should wear and visa versa.

Having a casual work environment does not mean that your wardrobe does not need planning and thought, and it certainly does not give you permission to be a slouch. Impression counts — casual or otherwise!