How To Look More Professional And Classy At Work

As more employees return to the office for work, we all could use a refresher on how to look more professional and classy at work. When it comes to making a strong impression at work, looking professional is key. Your appearance and demeanor play a significant role in how others perceive you. Here is how to look more professional at work.

Purchase A Few Loafers

Loafers are excellent to wear to work. Buy a combination of suede and leather loafers and stick to loafers in neutral tones such as black, gray, and brown. Wear loafers with dress pants, chinos, and long skirts. If your loafers get rusty after a while, apply a leather conditioner to them. A suede protector works more for suede loafers.

Add Pops of Color

If you’re relearning how to look professional at work, don’t be afraid to add pops of color to your outfit. Neutral tones are standard for the office, but it gets boring at times. Wear colorful accessories such as bold-colored scarves, handbags, or necklaces to complement the neutral tones. Wear colored blouses with neutral-toned pants and skirts. Or you can wear a neutral-toned outfit but wear colorful pumps with it.

Add Blazers to Your Wardrobe

Blazers are a must for your workwear wardrobe. If you can, have your blazers tailored so they’ll fit just right. Buy blazers in neutral tones such as black, white, gray, brown, and navy. Pair your blazers with skirts and dress pants, and business casual dresses go well with blazers too. In the summer, wear blazer vests with white button-down shirts and shell tops. Floral or pastel-colored blazers are also neat in the summer.

Invest in Pairs of Trousers

Trousers are a hallmark of professional attire, and you should buy a few pairs. Linen and cotton trousers are good for the summer months and wool trousers are better for cold weather months. Mix and match the tops you wear with your trousers. One day you may wear a khaki button-down shirt with them and the next day you can wear a cute magenta blouse with them.

Pair A Cardigan With a Sheath Dress

Sheath dresses are another neat item for the office. Buy sheath dresses in neutral tones such as navy, black, gray, and white. Pair your sheath dresses with different types of cardigans. Pumps, flats, and booties all go well with the sheath dress and cardigan outfit. You can also wear a scarf with the dress.

Buy Two to Three Good Tote Bags

When buying tote bags, think about what you’ll carry in them. If you’re carrying a laptop or a few books, a larger tote bag is a better choice. A good tote bag should also be durable and have enough compartments to keep you organized. Tie a bright-colored scarf around your tote for extra pizzazz.

Avoid Provocative Outfits

Some people feel that overly provocative outfits can be worn to work but this is not true. Avoid shirts and dresses that show too much cleavage and thighs at work. This draws attention to you in negative ways and it becomes hard for other employees to perform their tasks effectively because of the distraction it causes.

Polo Shirts Are A Must

Polo shirts have a simplicity and a touch of class that make them must-haves for your work wardrobe if you want to learn how to look more professional. Loose-fitting polo shirts are not ideal for the office. Wear more tailored polo shirts with dress pants or jeans. Pairing your polo shirts with blazers adds more professionalism to your look. Wear polo shirt outfits with loafers, oxford shoes, and pumps if you’re a woman.

No Graphic T-Shirts Please

Graphic T-shirts shouldn’t be worn in the office unless you work in a casual environment. You should especially stay away from T-shirts that have inappropriate or politically polarizing statements on them.

Wear Pencil Skirts

Pencil skirts are classy for the office. A pencil skirt should flatter your figure without being too clingy on your body. Button-down shirts are the best to wear with these skirts but regular dress blouses are great too. You can pair your pencil skirts with cardigans or blazers. Pumps and heels are the best shoes with pencil skirts.

Add Midi Skirts to Your Wardrobe

Wear midi skirts if you want a more bohemian touch to your work outfits. A-line and pleated midi skirts are ideal for the office. Pair your midi skirt with turtleneck sweaters for the fall and winter months. Stick to neutral-toned midi skirts such as blue, gray, red, and beige.

Hit The Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops

You don’t have to spend lots of money to dress well at work. Check out the local thrift stores and consignment shops to save money. Many of the outfits at these stores are more unique than the ones you’ll see at the department stores. When you add your personality to the outfits, you’ll look fabulous!

Be Well-Groomed

A professional look is more than clothing and accessories. You should also be well-groomed. Keep your nails clean and trimmed. Trim your beard and carry mints with you for fresh breath. Wear work-appropriate hairstyles and if you’re wearing sleeveless tops, keep your underarms free of visible hairs.

Let’s Talk About Shoes

Your shoes are just as important as your shirt, dress, and trousers. Buy a variety of shoes to avoid repeating the same ones throughout the week. Don’t settle for cheap shoes because you should look for shoes that fit well and are of the best quality. If you’re wearing heels, they should be two feet or lower. Avoid excessively high stilettos since this puts too much pressure on your feet. Add a few pairs of flats to your shoe collection. Booties and regular boots are best for the fall and winter months.

Men can wear Oxford shoes and loafers with their outfits at work but if they work in a casual environment, sneakers are a neat option. Men can also wear boots with their work outfits but they shouldn’t wear flip-flops or Birkenstocks in a formal office setting.

Clogs are also stylish and comfortable for work. Leather clogs are the best for office settings and stick to neutral tones. You can pair clogs with trousers, skirts, and even cropped dress pants.

Accessorizing Your Work Outfits

Accessories add extra flair to a professional outfit. Wear a classic watch with a leather band in a neutral color such as brown or black. Watches with stainless steel bands are great for adding a sophisticated look to a formal business outfit. Avoid watches with excess bling since it’s distracting. Have a variety of belts to wear with dresses, skirts, and trousers. You can also add a scarf around your belt for a classy look.

Colorful scarves are another beautiful accessory to your work outfit. Floral and bright-colored scarves complement neutral-toned outfits well. As for earrings, stick to the more conservative ones when you head to the office. Avoid huge dangling hoops since some companies see it as unprofessional. Some good options are studs, pearl earrings, and small hoop earrings.

Office Makeup Tips

Your makeup shouldn’t be too flashy when going to work. Start by applying a primer to your face before you put on makeup. Maintain a consistent skincare routine so your skin will look fantastic. Get your eyebrows tweezed or waxed regularly to keep them from looking too bushy. Apply concealer to hide those puffy eyes or dark circles. Wear a light eyeliner and avoid overly bright lipstick. Light pink, nude, and peach lipsticks are good choices.

These effective strategies will assist you in looking your best at work.