Fitting In Doesn’t Mean Blending In

By Sharmin Musca, Personal Stylist on December 29, 2015 in Other

Even those with no interest in fashion should know that what you wear to work matters. Research shows it takes just seven seconds for a person to form a lasting opinion of you based on your appearance. That’s why the service industry insists on uniforms for its front-of-house staff.

Before you judge your waiter, flight attendant or bank teller for wearing an ill-fitting work uniform, consider whether your own choice of work attire is sending the right message.

Decoding the dress code of any office takes time. While fitting in is important, it doesn’t mean blending in, and what’s left unspoken is sometimes more important than what’s explicitly stated. Do your colleagues consider expensive labels flashy or de rigueur? Is yours a team that views a mass outbreak of the same Zara shoe a sign of office solidarity, or is there a strict first-dibs policy in operation?

If denim is tolerated, what kind? There’s a vast perception gap between a pair of tailored, dark denim jeans and ripped to shreds boyfriend styles. If you’re tone-deaf to office nuances, stick to this rule: good-quality fabric and great cuts will always trump flashier trimmings.
The following items add style to any work wardrobe:

1. Capes: Capes or split-sleeve jackets are a great way to bring interesting shapes to otherwise dull pants and skirts.

2. Shirt dresses: Quality pieces, particularly the silky variety, are sleek and just as relevant as a tight-fitted office dress.

3. The block heel: A perfect work shoe that’s both elevated and practical.

4. Wide-leg trousers: These create the illusion of height when worn with heels.

5. Matchy-matchy prints: Coordinated separates that both make up an outfit and can be worn on their own are useful. Together they’re more playful than a conventional suit, worn separately they add interest to any outfit. Use sparingly; they can get stale quickly.

6. Dark tailored denim: Smart, good quality dark denim is perfect for the more relaxed office or casual Fridays.

7. A-line, below-the-knee skirts: Nothing too exaggerated or they’ll make you look like an isosceles triangle.

Keep things subtle. Details like notched necklines, contrasting cuffs, or a discreet flash of colour should be slyly eye-catching rather than conversation stoppers. Muted ‘in-between’ shades are the intelligent choice.

Shop cleverly; nothing you wear should ever look cheap, but that doesn’t always mean spending a fortune. When you’re well dressed and feeling great about your appearance, you radiate confidence and success. Remember that you are your brand. Make sure your appearance does you justice.

On the streets this month I found:

Name: Jodie
Lives: Bondi Beach
Occupation: Health coach
Street Style: Jodie rocks denim shorts by Nobody, Tony Bianco shoes, Commes des Garcon tee, Dior sunnies, Phillip Lim bag and a scarf from Bali.

Name: Amanda
Lives: Bondi
Occupation: Art curator
Street Style: Amanda wears a skirt by Cheap Monday, Vanishing Elephant tee, Stella McCartney sunnies, Copenhagen bag and Birkenstocks.