Work it, girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
by: Nica Dobles<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Personally, one of the most nerve-wracking things about entering the workforce was the change in wardrobe. Moving from my staple t-shirt-and-jeans outfits in college to the world of corporate attire was a scary prospect \u2014 especially since I wasn\u2019t sure exactly what<\/em> corporate attire was, exactly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is that in the modern corporate world, dress codes are a little more relaxed and the rules aren\u2019t as hard and fast as they used to be. That said, there are still some general guidelines that are essential knowledge for any working woman. Read on for our beginner\u2019s guide to corporate attire!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Err on the side of conservative.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you aren\u2019t sure how strict the dress code is at a specific office, it\u2019s safer to go overdressed rather than underdressed. If you\u2019re starting out at a new job, go with a conservative wardrobe to start with and take a week or two to get a feel for how everyone else dresses before adjusting accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stick to well-tailored pieces in classic colors.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neutrals are a safe bet: black, grey, dark blue for jackets and bottoms, and whites and pale neutrals for shirts and blouses. Avoid flashy prints; a subtle stripe is okay. All your clothes should fit perfectly \u2014 not too baggy, and not too tight. Don\u2019t forget to give your outfit a good iron before putting it on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When in doubt, go with a suit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
You really can\u2019t can\u2019t go wrong with a coordinated suit. The blazer + matching pants or skirt combo is a classic that will make you look polished and professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blouses + Pencil Skirts\/Trousers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most basic corporate attire top is a button-down, long-sleeved shirt with a collar,<\/strong> usually in white or a light pastel. You can also opt for other types of dressy blouses, but make sure that they aren\u2019t too tight or too low-cut<\/strong>. If you wear a sleeveless blouses, play it safe with thick straps, and bear in mind that some offices have rules against sleeveless tops \u2014 so make sure to have a blazer on hand to cover up (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pencil skirts should hit your knee, or just a little above it. Make sure the skirt doesn\u2019t ride up when you sit down<\/strong> \u2014 there\u2019s nothing more uncomfortable than having to keep pulling down a skirt. For pants, tailored trousers are both sleek and comfortable. Just pay attention to the length \u2014 the hem shouldn\u2019t be long enough to drag on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can\u2019t be bothered to match tops and bottoms, nothing says #GirlBoss like a sheath dress<\/strong>. A slightly more comfortable option is <\/strong>a demure fit-and-flare dress<\/strong>. Whatever the cut, like with pencil skirts, the key is to make sure your dress is an office-appropriate length. Pair with a skinny belt for an extra-polished look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you go with separates or a dress, throwing on a tailored blazer on top will emphasize that you mean business. Every working woman should have a structured black blazer <\/strong>\u2014 it will truly go with anything, even your weekend denim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s how a classic workwear blazer should fit:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you work in a less traditional office, feel free to play around with different colors, patterns (we\u2019re big fans of checked blazers<\/a>), and even more flowy constructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always <\/em>go with a closed toe shoe<\/strong>. Some offices require heels \u2014 pointed-toe pumps are sleek and forever stylish, although make sure to avoid heels that are more than three inches high<\/strong>. If you can get away with flat shoes, ballerina flats or even menswear-inspired loafers are chic but professional options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep your bag and jewelry simple<\/strong>. A black handbag is a great investment piece \u2014 a well-made one will go with anything and last you forever. Stick to basic studs for your earrings, and maybe a classic watch to finish off your look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Got any other dress codes you want decoded? Let us know in the comments section below! Head on over to ZALORA Philippines to\u00a0<\/em>shop our Women\u2019s Workwear edit<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Work it, girl. by: Nica Dobles Personally, one of the most nerve-wracking things about entering the workforce was the change in wardrobe. Moving from my staple t-shirt-and-jeans outfits in college to the world of corporate attire was a scary prospect \u2014 especially since I wasn\u2019t sure exactly what corporate attire was, exactly. The truth is that in the modern corporate world, dress codes are a little more … Continue reading Dress Code Decoded: The Working Woman\u2019s Guide to Corporate Attire<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":246390363,"featured_media":781,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3737,694480465],"tags":[694480476],"class_list":["post-750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fashion","category-style-trend","tag-corporate-attire"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\n