How to look more stylish at work

H ere are a few suggestions for how to style your work look to put your best and most professional foot forward — without being boring or getting bored.

1. Organize what you already have. Figure out what you already have and what already works for you. What’s your power color? Your best-fitting skirt or pair of pants? If you don’t already have a lot of pieces that go with your power pieces, then you’re doing something wrong. Instead, maximize what makes you feel best by choosing complementary items to supplement your wardrobe. It will make outfit planning that much easier, and means you feel great more often than not.

2. Balance your textures. As much as you want to wear a suit made out of sweatpants, most work-wear isn’t like this. Especially if you wear a lot of one color or fabric, it’s best to add in a textural mix to keep your whole ensemble from looking really boring. Examples of good textures to try include: leather, cotton, chiffon, silk, satin, and waxy coated fabrics.

3. Get a good fit. Next time you’re clothes shopping or pruning back your wardrobe, try the following tricks. Check to see whether you can push your elbows back in a button-down shirt without buckling and gapping (no one at work wants to see your bra), and whether you can wedge a finger space into your waistband. Leave it on the rack if it isn’t special and doesn’t meet this criteria. And, most importantly, avoid anything that isn’t comfortable! And if a few wonderful things don’t fit you to aT — consider alterations.

5. Jazz it up. Jazz up your classic (or even downright boring) look with a single statement piece fun shoes, a bag, a fabulous necklace, interesting watch, or even lip or nail color. It’s all in the little deets.

6. Mix business and casual. Turn a casual looking outfit: feminine top, structured trousers or jeans, jacket, and professional bag into something truly fierce with a pair of killer shoes. The shoes and quality of the bag (and structure/ fit of the major pieces of the outfit) will sell it, even make you look relaxed and hyper-competent.