What Are Decent Office Outfits?
21 Oct 2024
Since graduated from the university, work occupies a large proportion of the time of our days. So you need to spend much time in your office outfits. There are always some people believing that it is useless to dress decently to office because you are going to work rather than showing off your beauty.
This view is not completely unreasonable. However, a decent office outfit leaves good impression to your leaders and colleagues, and also provides more motivation for you to work. So it is necessary to dress decently for commuting. Maybe you are a new comer in the workplace wearing your student-like clothing everyday in the office. Or you might have never paid any attention to your office outfits during the years of your career. This passage is exactly prepared for you to give you advice on how to dress decently in your workplace.
This view is not completely unreasonable. However, a decent office outfit leaves good impression to your leaders and colleagues, and also provides more motivation for you to work. So it is necessary to dress decently for commuting. Maybe you are a new comer in the workplace wearing your student-like clothing everyday in the office. Or you might have never paid any attention to your office outfits during the years of your career. This passage is exactly prepared for you to give you advice on how to dress decently in your workplace.
Codes of Office Outfits
Generally speaking, the office outfits should be simple as well as neat. Overly revealing clothing should be avoided. In addition, your clothing should match with your job. These are the overall principles of office outfits. Next, we will explain them one by one in detail.
Firstly, your office outfits should be simple and neat. Throughout the history, these are always plenty of decorations on the clothes of females. Lace, ruffles, puff sleeves, batwing sleeves...You can think of countless decorative elements that are unique to women's clothing. Of course they are beautiful. But in office outfits they will appear overly flashy to a large extent. But it does not mean that there can not be any decoration on your office outfit. You can wear a ruffle neck shirt inside a blazer of course. The most important thing is that do not pile many of the decorative elements in the same outfit. Lace and ruffles can be chosen in some cases because they are relatively modest. But tops with puff sleeves and batwing sleeves are always too exaggerated for the office outfits of most occupations.
The principle of avoiding too revealing clothes is easy to understand. In nearly every culture around the world, wearing overly revealing clothing in public is considered inappropriate and immodest. Although the office is not as formal as an occasion like a business conference, it could be regarded as a semi-formal occasion at least. In summer you can wear a shirt with short sleeves, but slips which are without sleeves are inappropriate. Although you will be energetic and pretty in mini skirts on casual occasions, they are out of the place in the office outfits.
Another principle that you need to remember is to wear the office outfits which are compatible with your occupation. That is to say, if you are a teacher, then the suits which are suitable for most occupations will be a little rigid for you. A lapel midi dress in solid colors is good enough for you. We have mentioned that the exaggerate elements such as batwing sleeves and puff sleeves are not suitable for the office outfits of most occupations. But if you work in the fashion industry, then this principle could be ignored to a certain extent. So there is no absolutely appropriate or inappropriate clothing. The key is to match it with your identity and occupation.
Firstly, your office outfits should be simple and neat. Throughout the history, these are always plenty of decorations on the clothes of females. Lace, ruffles, puff sleeves, batwing sleeves...You can think of countless decorative elements that are unique to women's clothing. Of course they are beautiful. But in office outfits they will appear overly flashy to a large extent. But it does not mean that there can not be any decoration on your office outfit. You can wear a ruffle neck shirt inside a blazer of course. The most important thing is that do not pile many of the decorative elements in the same outfit. Lace and ruffles can be chosen in some cases because they are relatively modest. But tops with puff sleeves and batwing sleeves are always too exaggerated for the office outfits of most occupations.
The principle of avoiding too revealing clothes is easy to understand. In nearly every culture around the world, wearing overly revealing clothing in public is considered inappropriate and immodest. Although the office is not as formal as an occasion like a business conference, it could be regarded as a semi-formal occasion at least. In summer you can wear a shirt with short sleeves, but slips which are without sleeves are inappropriate. Although you will be energetic and pretty in mini skirts on casual occasions, they are out of the place in the office outfits.
Another principle that you need to remember is to wear the office outfits which are compatible with your occupation. That is to say, if you are a teacher, then the suits which are suitable for most occupations will be a little rigid for you. A lapel midi dress in solid colors is good enough for you. We have mentioned that the exaggerate elements such as batwing sleeves and puff sleeves are not suitable for the office outfits of most occupations. But if you work in the fashion industry, then this principle could be ignored to a certain extent. So there is no absolutely appropriate or inappropriate clothing. The key is to match it with your identity and occupation.
Styles Suitable for Office Outfits
Maybe you will ask: must we wear the business suits as our office outfits? The answer is absolutely no. Business is only one of the styles which are decent for the office. Actually, we have many choices among the styles that are suitable for office outfits.
Firstly we have the most frequently seen business style. When it comes to the “office employee”, most people will imagine a man or woman in a shirt and business suit wearing a tie. This is exactly the most classic business style. Business style could be seen as one of the most formal one among all the styles suitable for office. On a formal business occasion, a business suit is necessary. In everyday work, you can also wear a business suit, but certain decorations can be added. For example, you can wear a blazer with plaid patterns or a pair of micro flared pants.
Secondly, you can try the “all grey style”. As its name suggests, the “all grey style” is characterized by the colors such as grey and black. The all grey style can provide you with the sense of calmness to a large extent. In most cases, the office outfits are in dark or cool colors because they make you look more reliable. The “all grey style” is in line with this kind of convention. And since grey and black are both versatile colors, nearly all ladies of all occupations can try this style.
The quiet luxury style is another good choice. Usually when the word “luxury” is mentioned, people will think about the flashy things such as bright jewelry and watches of a famous brand. But quiet luxury is on the contrary. No flashy things can be seen in quiet luxury outfits. To speak simpler, this style emphasizes more on the quality of clothing. The clothes of quiet luxury style are simple but delicate, which is suitable for the principles of office outfits. You can choose some clothes of basic style as well as high quality if you would like to try the quiet luxury style.
Firstly we have the most frequently seen business style. When it comes to the “office employee”, most people will imagine a man or woman in a shirt and business suit wearing a tie. This is exactly the most classic business style. Business style could be seen as one of the most formal one among all the styles suitable for office. On a formal business occasion, a business suit is necessary. In everyday work, you can also wear a business suit, but certain decorations can be added. For example, you can wear a blazer with plaid patterns or a pair of micro flared pants.
Secondly, you can try the “all grey style”. As its name suggests, the “all grey style” is characterized by the colors such as grey and black. The all grey style can provide you with the sense of calmness to a large extent. In most cases, the office outfits are in dark or cool colors because they make you look more reliable. The “all grey style” is in line with this kind of convention. And since grey and black are both versatile colors, nearly all ladies of all occupations can try this style.
The quiet luxury style is another good choice. Usually when the word “luxury” is mentioned, people will think about the flashy things such as bright jewelry and watches of a famous brand. But quiet luxury is on the contrary. No flashy things can be seen in quiet luxury outfits. To speak simpler, this style emphasizes more on the quality of clothing. The clothes of quiet luxury style are simple but delicate, which is suitable for the principles of office outfits. You can choose some clothes of basic style as well as high quality if you would like to try the quiet luxury style.
Accessories You Can Wear in Office Outfits
Although office outfits are always required to be simple and less flashy, certain accessories can make your overall outfit more harmonious. But indeed, some accessories are considered out of place in the office outfits. So in this chapter, we will talk about the accessories that you can wear in office outfits.
Although the delicate office ladies in movies and TV shows are always wearing their high heels, it is unnecessary for us to do the same. Even on business occasions, we can wear a pair of flat leather shoes. But if you prefer wearing a pair of high heels, then you can wear it for commuting of course. In everyday work, you can also wear a pair of sneakers for comfort. But for a business conference, a pair of sneakers is much too informal.
In terms of bags, we always believe that a tote bag is the most suitable for daily commuting because it is simple in style and with large volume. To attend a business conference, you can also take a delicate clutch with you. If your office outfit is in the sports style, then you can also carry a backpack or messenger with you. As long as they do not appear on more formal occasions, they are acceptable.
As for other decorations, on business occasions, a tie or bow tie is necessary. So if you would like to wear a tie clip, it might improve the charm of your outfit. In daily life, it is unnecessary to wear a tie or a bow tie. But you can wear a brooch on the outerwear as a decoration. In winter, you can wear a scarf to keep warm. Whether it is a knitted scarf, a woolen scarf or a silk scarf is acceptable. But remember that it is better to choose a scarf in solid colors, and avoid wearing a scarf with too flashy patterns.
Although the delicate office ladies in movies and TV shows are always wearing their high heels, it is unnecessary for us to do the same. Even on business occasions, we can wear a pair of flat leather shoes. But if you prefer wearing a pair of high heels, then you can wear it for commuting of course. In everyday work, you can also wear a pair of sneakers for comfort. But for a business conference, a pair of sneakers is much too informal.
In terms of bags, we always believe that a tote bag is the most suitable for daily commuting because it is simple in style and with large volume. To attend a business conference, you can also take a delicate clutch with you. If your office outfit is in the sports style, then you can also carry a backpack or messenger with you. As long as they do not appear on more formal occasions, they are acceptable.
As for other decorations, on business occasions, a tie or bow tie is necessary. So if you would like to wear a tie clip, it might improve the charm of your outfit. In daily life, it is unnecessary to wear a tie or a bow tie. But you can wear a brooch on the outerwear as a decoration. In winter, you can wear a scarf to keep warm. Whether it is a knitted scarf, a woolen scarf or a silk scarf is acceptable. But remember that it is better to choose a scarf in solid colors, and avoid wearing a scarf with too flashy patterns.
Fashion Tips for Decent Office Outfits
As we have discussed about the principles of office outfits above, then there will be little chance that you can make mistakes as long as you choose your outfits according to the principles. But if you want to dress not only decently, but also beautifully, then some fashion tips might be useful for you.
A shirt + a blazer + a tulle skirt
This is a very elegant as well as formal outfit. On business occasions it will not be criticized for not formal enough, while for daily work, it will not out of the place either. If you would like to look more reliable and capable, then choose the low saturation colors such as grey and brown. But if you would like to look more outgoing and energetic, bright colors like yellow and pink are also good choices.
A solid color shirt + an A-line midi skirt
This outfit is suitable for summer. An A-line skirt can clarify your figure curves and is eye-catching. In autumn, you can wear a trench coat directly over this outfit. In addition, this outfit is appropriate for even more occasions than the first one. You can even go shopping or attend a party in this outfit.
A bow tie neck shirt + a mermaid skirt
This outfit is relatively convention, which means that it is more in line with people’s imagination of an office lady. But the designs of bow tie neck and mermaid skirt can add the sense of elegance to you.
A white shirt + a knitted vest + a pair of jeans
Compared with the former outfits, this one is more nifty and more energetic. Especially, you can wear a knitted vest in a bright color, otherwise, the whole outfit will be too monotonous. But since this outfit is not formal enough, you can only wear it in everyday work. On more formal occasions, a pair of jeans and a colorful knitted vest are both the symbols of informality.
A shirt + a cardigan + a pair of wide leg pants
This outfit is suitable for autumn. Since there can not be plenty of patterns in this outfit, it emphasize more on the combination of colors. The wide leg pants also provide a sense of relaxation.
A shirt + a blazer + a tulle skirt
This is a very elegant as well as formal outfit. On business occasions it will not be criticized for not formal enough, while for daily work, it will not out of the place either. If you would like to look more reliable and capable, then choose the low saturation colors such as grey and brown. But if you would like to look more outgoing and energetic, bright colors like yellow and pink are also good choices.
A solid color shirt + an A-line midi skirt
This outfit is suitable for summer. An A-line skirt can clarify your figure curves and is eye-catching. In autumn, you can wear a trench coat directly over this outfit. In addition, this outfit is appropriate for even more occasions than the first one. You can even go shopping or attend a party in this outfit.
A bow tie neck shirt + a mermaid skirt
This outfit is relatively convention, which means that it is more in line with people’s imagination of an office lady. But the designs of bow tie neck and mermaid skirt can add the sense of elegance to you.
A white shirt + a knitted vest + a pair of jeans
Compared with the former outfits, this one is more nifty and more energetic. Especially, you can wear a knitted vest in a bright color, otherwise, the whole outfit will be too monotonous. But since this outfit is not formal enough, you can only wear it in everyday work. On more formal occasions, a pair of jeans and a colorful knitted vest are both the symbols of informality.
A shirt + a cardigan + a pair of wide leg pants
This outfit is suitable for autumn. Since there can not be plenty of patterns in this outfit, it emphasize more on the combination of colors. The wide leg pants also provide a sense of relaxation.
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