Dressing right for work

Looking professional can have a significant impact on your confidence, as well as how people view you and your work.

If you want to up your professional game, here are some useful tips for you to dress well and mean business.

Capsule wardrobe

Amidst unnecessary consumerism, there’s been a global shift and with that has come the desire for a simple capsule wardrobe. Capsule wardrobes are simply a wardrobe filled with 37 items per season – timeless items you can mix and match, that you love and will rest assured be worn instead of sitting there collecting dust.

Shoppers globally don’t usually stick to the strict 37 number but have curated their closet to hold only items that bring joy, selling or donating unnecessary items – now famously labelled the Kon Mari method. Don’t worry, it’s not small enough to make you feel like you’re wearing your school uniform again.

This minimalist approach makes it easier to put outfits together, to organise, and means you can purchase higher quality pieces you love. As a result, you will turn up to work more professionally than ever!

Iron, steam, fabric shave

Always iron or steam items that are prone to creasing. Think about the first impression you give. You want it to look professional – if they see a scrunched up blazer, it’ll give people the impression you just rolled out of bed.

Investing in a steamer can be great. The pros to steaming is the convenience of not having to take the item off the hanger, and the fact steamers are more gentle on clothing.

Make sure you’ve ironed or steamed your outfits before the workweek so you’re prepared. No more looking for outfits to wear last minute.

A cheap fabric shaver is one of the best investments I’ve made. Run it over your knitwear and coats, and more, to get rid of bobbles. It makes an old knit look brand new – saving you the need to repurchase!

Test your colour palette

Did you know you may have been wearing colours that make you look washed out or worse, despite the stunning style or hefty price tag? Every skin tone and hair colour matches well with different colours.

For instance, if you have cooler undertones, bold colours will wash you out, making you look even more pale. Whereas, clothing with blue undertones will flatter you, and make you look more lively.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you have a warm skin tone, you’re quite lucky when it comes to colours you suit. You can pull off bold primary colours as well as cool colours.

There are four colour families:

Summer: Ashy blonde or light-medium brown hair -Cool skin tone -Green, light blue or grey eyes

You suit soft pastels with blue undertones (light pinks, blues and yellows), greys, off-white, blues – from pale to navy. You don’t suit yellow-based colours (coral, salmon pink, mustard, orange, tan), pure white, bold, primary colours.

Winter: Medium to dark brown, or black hair -Cool skin tone -Brown, green or deep blue eyes

You suit bold blue-based colours, icy, cool primary colours (bold reds, blues and golden yellows), black, dark grey, pure white.

You don’t suit yellow or orange-toned colours (rusty browns and reds), pastels.

Spring: Golden blonde or light-mid brown hair with highlights -Warm skin tone

You suit warm, bright colours (blue, brick red, salmon and coral), beige, yellow undertones – light grey, dusky pinks, subtle green.

You don’t suit deep shades or cool pastels.

Autumn: Red, black, or dark brown hair -Warm skin tone

You suit warm/golden autumn undertones (rich browns, earthy reds and bronzes, olive/dark greens, burnt orange).

You don’t suit pastel or bright colours, blue tones (except navy).

Now you have some insight into dressing professionally, good luck and smash it!

By Tony R.
Christ & Co.