Finding office workwear for women is no small feat. What you wear to work should be professional yet comfortable enough to wear all day. You want to look stylish, but you also want to look capable and in charge.
Are you starting to feel stress and sweat coming on just thinking about it? Don’t. This is where professional advice from trusted style experts comes to the rescue.
At Next Level Wardrobe, we take the guesswork out of finding the right office apparel. We’ve helped more than 250+ clients nationwide find their style. We work one-on-one with women in all fields and industries to help them look their best without the dressing room meltdowns.
We systematize their closets, give them easy formulas (not rules) to use, and we skip the fast fads. Instead of working off of commission, we listen to what you want and build you a personalized wardrobe.
So let’s make things easy. Here are the only three things you need to master to make workwear simple:
- Style
- Color
- Fit
These are the three pillars of the Next Level Wardrobe Style System. Scroll on to see how to crush these three areas and up your style game today.
Your Style, Your Ladies’ Office Workwear
- DON’T: Stay stuck in outdated styles.
Your style at the start of your career shouldn’t be the same one you have today. As you move upward, it’s only natural for your style to do the same. Especially when you’ve just got that executive role you’ve been eyeing or started your own business.
Just remember, elevated and professional doesn’t mean stuffy and boring. You can easily infuse your own personality in timeless style. So don’t resign yourself to yawn-worthy pant suits from the 90s. Workwear for the office has come a long way since then. - DO: Update your style.
If you don’t know what to wear to work, you probably don’t know your style. Again, don’t sweat it. We’ve got you. Just take our Find Your Style Quiz to figure it out. You’ll discover how your clothing ties into your personality and get an action plan for the next steps.
Once you know your personal brand, you’re ready to start thinking about how to update it. Here, we recommend making a Pinterest board. Add outfits to it that align with your current interests. Pin looks from your style role models, colors, patterns, and pieces you like.
Level-Up Your Look with the Right Color Palette
- DON’T: Fill your closet with only black and white options.
Don’t get us wrong, we are huge fans of core colors like black and white. But a successful closet is one with variety. Without other colors, textures, and patterns, you’re doomed to fall into a style rut.
A monochromatic closet is a common mistake in office workwear. Women want clothing that’s easy to turn into outfits. Plus, they know those two colors are dress code-proof. But these colors should just serve as a base, not your entire wardrobe. - DO: Follow the NLW Style System’s 45/35/20 Color Rule.
We use the pyramid below as a framework for finding the right color balance in your apparel. This rule will save you time while shopping and while cleaning out your closet. Why? Because it tells you how much you should have of each color group in your wardrobe.
NLW Hierarchy of Color Pyramid
The concept behind the 45% /35% /20% rule is this:
- The largest percentage of your closet should be dedicated to core colors: black, white, navy blue, and grey.
- Give the second-largest third of your closet to tonal colors. These are the original core colors’ hues, tints, and textures. Think olive, light blue, and rich brown shades.
- Leave the smallest portion of your wardrobe to accent or seasonal colors and patterns. This is the spot to add in those stand-out colors. Using them sparingly means that they get to act as the cherry on top instead of overpowering your look.
As you become more comfortable styling yourself, you can adjust these percentages here and there. Just make sure you’re sticking to the overall idea to have the most versatile and useful assortment.
Get the Perfect Fit for Your Women’s Office Workwear
- DON’T: Settle for clothes that almost fit.
The toughest part about office workwear is clothing that doesn’t fit. One of the clients’ biggest misconceptions is that clothing should always fit straight off the rack. The reality is that’s almost impossible. Most workwear needs tailoring in at least three key areas: the waist, the hem, and the arms.
Too often, people settle for clothes that almost fit because they think that’s “close enough.” Wrong! A baggy blazer or too-long trousers may not seem like a big deal to you. But these small details stick out to others, especially on first impression. If you’re taking your career seriously, you should take your fit seriously, too. That’s the difference between “just okay” and a polished, executive look.
- DO: Invest in a tailor.
Having a trusted tailor makes it easy to get new clothes that fit your body and preferences perfectly. One of the perks of hiring Next Level Wardrobe is having direct access to alterations.
Our services include working with a tailor to get your fit just right. We’ll connect you with the right specialist and be there to ensure you get exactly what you need. Whether petite, plus, mid-sized, or straight-sized, we know how to get you your perfect fit.
Discover How Our Clients Elevated Their Professional Style and Executive Image
Our client JoAnna’s style transformation as an attorney after NLW Styling.
NLW Client Using The 45/35/20 Color Rule In Her Outfit
NLW Client Updating Her Outdated Style
We’re all bound to have stumbling moments on our way to great style. But if you stick to these three principles, the work gets so much easier. Make these small changes, and you’ll see a huge difference in how others view you and, more importantly, how you view yourself.
Are your office workwear outfits representing your style?
Are you ready to get the help you need to have great office workwear for women? Apply for Next Level Wardrobe’s Women’s Styling Services and see your results.
