Office Chic: A Guide to Finding the Perfect Outfit for Work

By Brittany Dobbins

I’m sure all women struggle with finding the perfect outfit for work; you can wear something that shows just a little bit of skin but yet classy and chic. For example, if you are going to a work party with co-workers, you might want to wear a chic black high-wasted pencil skirt with a white button-down sheer blouse and heels. Showing too much skin can give people (your co-workers) the wrong idea, a little FYI: you are not at a club. It is a work event. There is a difference! I think many young women are tired of wearing work clothes everyday, but what could help is if you accessorize or try wearing something that is colorful and less boring!

So let’s start with the...

What to Wear to Work--Top 10 Fashion Trends 

Victoria Bekcham's Dresses on Celebrities--
Beyonce, Elle McPherson and Miranda Kerr (respectively) 

1. Pencil skirts: 

These skirts are everything! I love pencil skirts because they make you look thinner than you actually are, which really helps boost your confidence. You can wear them with just about anything. Maybe you want wear a black leather pencil skirt and a long sleeved white sexy lace embroidered top with black Christian louboutin heels. But also make sure your outfit isn’t too sexy. Also try a pencil skirt with patterns or prints. It could literally be anything you want. That is the fun thing about wearing a pencil skirt. There’s no shame in trying different things, especially in fashion! You have seen Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Blake Lively, Angelina Jolie, Mandy Moore, Kate Middleton, and many more wear them, and they are the biggest trend in Hollywood right now. I love that pencil skirts are so versatile. Everyone should wear a pencil skirt to work; it’s classy yet sophisticated at the same time. So wear a pencil skirt!

Natasha Poly, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Love Hewitt (respectively) wearing pencil skirts

Pencil skirt outfit inspiration 

2. The shirt dress:

I have actually never heard of such a thing until I googled it. But there is an outfit called the “shirt dress”. You can wear it in any style you like, maybe a snake print shirtdress for something funky and cool or a more classic look you can go with an all- black shirtdress with some heels and add a gold statement necklace. The trench- inspired shirt dress is very popular now as well. You can pair them with an oversized belt and maybe a Giuseppe Zanotti heel or go with some strappy sandals. I really like the idea of making the trench coat into a dress because it’s something different for once and you need that in the fashion world, an outfit that will create a lot of buzz!

3. Black Jumpsuits: 

Not many women would wear a black jumpsuit to work, unless you were some big celebrity like Beyonce… then maybe. But I think what is so interesting about a black jumpsuit is that you can wear it many different ways and create your own unique trend (with wearing a black jumpsuit). There was this chic Saint Laurent black tuxedo inspired jumpsuit Selena Gomez wore to the teen choice awards that caught my eye. It wasn’t about the way she looked wearing it, the jumpsuit looked sleek and well put together. It was the perfect office chic look. The jumpsuit fit her perfectly and that is what wearing a black jumpsuit is all about. To look and feel comfortable! 

Chic but sleek is the key.

4. The classic black and white dress: 

Every woman needs that one classic black and white dress in her closet. This dress in particular has an office chic vibe and definitely is the perfect outfit for work. You could wear a black and white dress with some really nice floral patterns or prints...like say a black and white leopard print. Something fun! Pair it with heels and a glam clutch, then your set! Also a method you can try is pairing a white sheer blouse and a fun long high wasted black tulle skirt with an oversized belt, then there you have it…the classic black and white dress! This trick can be done with any outfit of your choice. I love wearing a black and white dress because it’s simple and sophisticated on every level! A little black and white can’t hurt anybody!

5. The suit: 

Suits on women are very work chic; help make you look classier, because nobody wants to come into work looking like a complete slob wearing a long t-shirt and slacks. It isn’t really all that appealing or stylish! You can wear a classic black and white suit with a white blouse underneath to give it that office chic affect. If you want a suit with a little color wear a bright ruby red suit and black strappy heels. Suits are not just a men’s trend, women wear them to all kinds of events and to the office as well. You don’t have to be a man to wear a suit! I think the idea is brilliant and super sexy. It’s a trend that every woman on the red carpet has been wearing from Emma stone, Charlize Theron to Eva Longoria, Cate Blanchett and Kirsten Dunst. 

It’s all about a woman living in a man’s world!

6: Chic fall dresses for the office: 

A chic fall dress is an outfit every woman should wear and is perfect for the office as well. If you want to go with a dress that has a lot of patterns or something simple….that is up to you. You could wear a v-neck form-fitting black lace dress and an oversized belt (of course with stockings of your choice). Or it could be a long maxi dress with some cute DSW booties, make it colorful too! Add some jewelry and a chic cardigan to match the dress. I really love fall dresses because you can mix and match. Find different ways to make the dress your own, glam it up a bit! Don’t be afraid to accessorize the dress either, you need something else that will bring attention to it as well. (Prints, patterns, stripes, polka dots, etc.). 

So I advise you all to wear a chic fall dress to the office and work it!

7. The perfect hounds tooth outfit: 

I love hounds tooth, I am sure every woman does too! Hounds tooth is one of those things where you just can’t get enough of it and is quiet a popular trend in Hollywood! I have seen many women on the red carpet wearing it such as; Paris Hilton, Lady Gaga, the Kardashian sisters, Penelope Cruz, Dita Von Teese and many more. You can wear a hounds tooth skirt and matching blouse with red heels for a more sexy look. Also you can pair it with some hounds tooth accessories (a scarf or a fabulous bag!). I think a black sheer long-sleeve top and hounds tooth pencil skirt would be a great look for the office. Another idea, pair a hounds tooth trench coat with a very chic black LBD and heels (perfect outfit for fall). 

There’s nothing better than a hounds tooth outfit!

Street style: hounds tooth suit

8. The classic cardigan: 

For me, I love a classic cardigan because you can wear it with any piece of clothing. It’s also very Audrey Hepburn-es…she wore a classic red cardigan paired with a white blouse, tailored pants and some very chic flats. Simple as could be but classic. I think every woman wants to look like Audrey Hepburn but they also need a classic cardigan! You want to wear a cardigan that is colorful or has a lot of prints because it makes your outfit more appealing! Some people might think wearing a cardigan is not that stylish, but cardigans have been around for a very long time and can be a fabulous fashion statement. Fashion is not about whether you are stylish or not. It’s about being able to go out there and create something people would enjoy wearing. Cardigans have set the standard for fashion and will continue to do so!

9. Cargo pants: 

The one thing I love about cargo pants is that you can wear them with absolutely anything in your closet. It could be a long-sleeved crop top paired with a vintage leather jacket and some flats. Cargo pants are also perfect for any occasion not just for the office! It’s sophisticated but casual at the same time. As long as you are comfortable in the work place while wearing them, then there is nothing to worry about. Cargo pants are a new and hip trend and are popular among many celebs such as Jessica Alba, Rihanna, Kate Bosworth, Cheryl Cole, Julianne Moore, my favorite fashionista Olivia Palermo and Alexa Chung. So go out and buy a pair of cargo pants!

10: The ruffled skirt: 

The ruffled skirt is perfect of the office; you could wear it in any color. You can go with vintage hug-every curve leather ruffled skirt like Kim Kardashian paired with a cream colored blouse and pumps. A ruffled skirt can make your outfit more edgy and bold! I love a great ruffled skirt because it’s something you can wear every day and of course office savvy! I suggest you go with a ruffled skirt that has a slit for a little something extra. To give a little sass, maybe wear one with a polka dot pattern or a really bright color. My advice is to work that office with everything you got!

I look forward to seeing your feedback fashionistas! 'Till next time….xoxo!