Whether you believe in dressing for success or not, for most of us, the way that we dress at work can have a huge impact on our day. When you feel confident and smart in what you’re wearing, often your behaviour at work will follow on. A 2014 study at Yale showed that those who dressed in a smart and formal way for work were more likely to make significantly higher profit than those who dressed in things like sandals and sweatpants. What you wear to work will not determine your success but it can definitely contribute to it. Work dresses are the perfect way to achieve this strong, confident and powerful look in an effortless way that doesn’t need to be expensive, or add hours to your morning routine.
Here is everything you need to know about how to wear dresses to work and make everyday a power dress day!
Neutral, muted colours will go a long way in your work wardrobe. Attaining a sleek and professional look that also exudes confidence, lies predominantly in your colour choices. White, black, grey and navy are your best options as these more subdued colours will give you a sophisticated look that bold and bright colours will not achieve so elegantly. Try a white dress to give you a clean, fresh look that is both basic and refined. Starting with neutral colours in your work dresses also creates more room for you to be creative with jackets and shoes, so use your accessories as your source of bright colour.
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Similarly to your colour choice, the style of your work dresses should stay classic and simple in order to obtain the most effective professional look. Try to avoid layers of frills in your work dresses and stick to a clean and sleek silhouette to enhance your power dressing. A basic dress is elegant and classy, and will transform your work outfit into a sophisticated look. In a work setting, less is definitely more and a minimalistic dress will give you a bold yet effortless look.
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Even if your work dress code is not particularly formal, dresses can still be your go to look for your professional setting. Dresses are an effortless, sophisticated style even for casual days. Dresses have a unique versatility compared to other pieces, so with the right selection of work dresses in your wardrobe you can style one dress to be both casual and formal. Wear one of your more formal options but style it down with some smart trainers or sandals and a loose jacket rather than a blazer. Alternatively, try a shirt dress for a more casual, yet professional look. The looser fit and collared neckline of a shirtdress (especially when paired with a belt) make it a much more relaxed and effortless look whilst still retaining an element of elegance and sophistication.
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Keeping your work style simple and elegant doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. Pair your classic dresses with some statement jewellery, like a chunky necklace or some bright coloured earrings. Or, use a bright and patterned bag to complement your plainer dress; a stark contrast in colour and pattern will add depth to your work outfit and instantly transform a simpler outfit into a stylish and daring look. Accessories are a great way to make your work outfit more adventurous and bold whilst maintaining an aura of professionalism and sophistication.
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Dresses are an easy way to get a look that is extremely formal and professional but with very little effort. A longer dress paired with heels and a blazer is the best way to instantly look smart, chic and elegant at work. Although your work look doesn’t always need to be on the formal side, sometimes dressing up will make your confidence and productivity follow the same path, bringing out your most powerful self and therefore your best work. With work dresses, embracing a formality in your work place becomes just as easy as dressing casually.
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