How to brighten up a boring work outfit.
Navy, grey and a POP of pink!Workwear can be boring and stuffy, can't it?
Especially in the Winter months, when many people resign themselves to dull outfits for the duration of the working week... Looking forward to breaking free, and being themselves, at the weekends.
But, would your work not be more pleasurable if you felt like your true self, and your personality was reflected in your outfits?
I am in the process of writing a post about bringing your own personality into your working wardrobe (stay tuned) but, for now, I wanted to share with you this simple and colourful work look.
You can't get much more 'classic work' than a navy shift dress.
This navy dress is another of my charity shop finds, and is such a nice design.
I like the looser top half and the wider neck line.
The back is unusual too. It will look great in the warmer months, without my cosy layers.
It shows just a subtle peak of skin!
The fabric is really substantial, and I love the over-sized pockets on the hips.
I do appreciate a good pocket.
I used them to stop my hands from freezing in these photographs!
The detail at the hips works well to give me more shape.
It would also work on a rounder hip, skimming over the body. Details, like this, can distract the eye from lumps and bumps.
I was desperate to add some uplifting colour, so these pink tights (last seen here, with more Navy, and here, with Cobalt!) were an obvious choice.
Navy and Pink is a classic combination, which I come back to time and time again.
These pink, patent, ballet flats work to elongate my leg by extending the line of my tights.
Matching your tights to your shoes (especially if they are flat) is a great way to trick the eye into thinking you have longer legs.
Flat shoes can be very unflattering, but they are so comfortable.
Sometimes we need a compromise... and a trick or two!
I teamed the dress (and bright legs) with a simple grey polo neck.
The grey adds another (subtle) colour to the mix, toning down the hot pink. A pink top would have looked too "Matchy, matchy".
I know the hemline is a little short for some workplaces but, with a thick opaque, and a flat shoe, more of the leg needs to be on show to stop the whole look entering Frumpsville.
A colourful pendant (and hot pink lips) finished things off perfectly.
Are you lucky enough to wear whatever you want for work?
Or, are you restricted by corporate convention?
Please share in the comments....especially if you have any tips to inject some colour!
Or Tweet me @samantha4blair
Dress: Louche (this one is nice....this one is longer, and has a sleeve)
Polo Neck: Topshop (similar one, from Topshop)
Tights: Gipsy 100 (similar)
Shoes: India by French Sole (now half price!)...and these are on sale too!
Necklace: Maja (this one is pretty)
If you liked this post, you might also like these Work outfits... Chunky boots and a vintage pencil skirt, Mini skirt and a white blouse, Grey and more colour! or in a pinafore dress (talking about dressing "too young")
SHOP the look:
This is perfection!! How did you get the shoes and tights to match so well? And really...at work your legs are hidden by a desk most of the time, so why not add some fun! Heck, you could even throw a blazer over this to make it more conservative!! You have such a great eye, Samantha!! jodie
ReplyDeletewww.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you Jodie....I am glad you like it! The shoes and tights were a delightful coincidence. The tights are "Raspberry" and the shoes are "fuchsia" but they just go, mean't to be together I suppose :oD.
DeleteYou are right, lots of people are behind a desk all day. I am on my feet for most of the day and under a lab coat for a large part of it. BUT, I like to feel nice, even if I am not on "show", I don't care. Feeling nice is always a good for the soul. This could be tweaked for desk-workers and teachers too..You are right about the blazer, Great idea! Thank you for your comment. XXX
I love everything about this outfit! The dress is a great find indeed! Great cut & color, and I love the pockets & the fun back! And adding the bright pink pop of color on your legs & feet is just perfect! It's fun yet not over the top.
ReplyDeleteI'm a college instructor, but my campus is very casual, and I could theoretically wear pretty much "anything." I always try to look professional yet have some fun, especially with jewelry & accessories. I also got some fun tights when I was in Germany last months, and I can't wait to wear them to brighten up some of my outfits.
I bet you could wear ANYTHING (within reason!), working at a college. It is nice to have the freedom to choose whether to dress smartly, or not. Accessories are definitely the best was to inject some personality, and fun. I hope you enjoy 'playing' with your new tights....be careful, it can become addictive! XXX
DeleteYou look fabulous and like me you mash up your colours. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI work from home but I like to choose a different outfit to wear each day. It's part of my morning ritual. Good job I don't have to rush off out as I can be ages
Working from home is a tricky one....I could quite easily slop around in leggings and sweatshirts....even staying in my PJ's all day long :op (I did that a few days when we had a free day over Christmas and I don't mind admitting that I loved it!). Hats off to you for making the effort to get properly dressed everyday! However, it must be much more fun with so many vintage items to wear....much better, for the soul, than black trousers and a white blouse. No wonder you like to wear something different everyday. XXX
DeleteSamantha this outfit just totally dazzled me (in a good way!!) - it must be lovely to work with you to see what you wear every day! The grey/navy/pink combo is gorgeous, and what better way to show off those legs than to wrap them in hot pink hosiery :))
ReplyDeleteWhen I used to work in an office I was able to wear anything - the only rule was no ripped jeans or trainers. I definitely ran with it and wore my most creative outfits there!! Now that I work from home and am a f/t blogger it's harder to find a reason to dress up... The irony of that hasn't escaped me!! I've made a NY resolution (that's not really a resolution) to dress up a bit more, even if it really is only me that sees it. A wardrobe cull is in order I think!!!!!!
Catherine x
http://notdressedaslamb.com
P.S. Never thought about it before, but isn't "hosiery" a funny word?!! Like "lingerie"... I ALWAYS call it "ling-ger-ree" ;))
You are right...there are some odd words out there... "linger-E" (my version) and now "hose-er-E"! Hahaha.
DeleteI appreciate your comment about how easy it is to slip into "not dressing up"...Pj's all day and/or jogging bottoms are so appealing, aren't they? The irony of it!
There are bloggers out there who claim to be in full-on high-fashion (or structured) outfits, everyday. Including sky high heels.
I, for one, find this hard to believe.
Who doesn't love to kick off their shoes and slip into furry boots or cosy slippers?
I would much rather follow someone who is honest, real and relatable.
Wearing what I want(ish) for work is great. Although sometimes I need to take a change of shoes. Being on my feet all day in certain shoes (not necessarily heels either) can be painful.
I often have a change (or two) with me...and even swap back later in the day.
I would like to have the tough feet that some women possess....I envy those who can wear anything and all day too!
I hope you fulfil your "resolution" but don't beat yourself up about it, if you reach for the comfy trousers. As long as the great blog posts keep coming, who cares what you are wearing while typing them?
I certainly don't!
XXX
Simple, stylish yet very chic. That dress is a gem find. What a great cut and can be worn all year round. Looks really good with the polo underneath. And then those wonderful tights. Always rely on you for great tights!
ReplyDeleteNever understand why people say their best clothes for the weekend. Your personality doesn't suddenly change once the weekend hits. Of course people might work in environments where you have to tone down the creativity but it doesn't mean you have to be bland. I spend my working hours in lycra and leggings. I could just wear black but I purposely choose colourful leggings and tops which is often a great ice breaker.
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
I agree! I wear a neck to below-knee lab coat at work but, when I take it off (at break times) I want to look and feel like "me". Saving things was never my style...life is too short (a total cliche, but true!). I do wish you lived a little closer...I would love to try a pilates class! I have tried Yoga but it is hard to find a teacher...any tips as to finding a good one? XXX
DeleteI love the dress and what a fun way to pair it with the bright tights. Thanks for linking up for Style It Friday. xo~ Megan The Fashionista Momma
ReplyDeleteThank you Megan. XXX
DeleteFirst I want to start by saying if I were not a hijabi, I would a hundred percent wear this outfit out. Hot pink tights! Why didn't I see any of those when I was in uni? (I wasn't wearing the hijab back then, by the way.)
ReplyDeleteLiving in a country that's hot and humid all year round, it's only recently that I've been very fascinated with the subject of colours of different seasons. I do notice that people tend to wear more muted colours during winter, and I'm wondering why, when there are so so so many colours to choose from. I mean, this hot pink shade seem pretty winter appropriate (and just gorgeous!) to me, but it is so hard to find this colour in winter street style photos. But then again, this IS coming from someone who lives in a tropical part of the world.
Maybe I just have a lot more to learn when it comes to seasonal trends! I don't get to experience the four seasons every year but the topic of season-appropriate is really interesting to me.
This is so interesting, Liyana.
DeleteThank you for this comment.
I can't imagine living without defined seasons but it must be so nice to be able to dress a certain way and know you will not freeze, or get soaked!
I always (and I mean everyday) carry an umbrella. Even when the sun is splitting the sky in the morning, it can rain anytime.
We can get Sun, Rain and Snow all on the same day here....all 4 seasons in 24 hours!
I sometimes yearn for "proper" warmth, the kind that gets through to your bones, BUT I would miss my changing wardrobe.....and I do love to pile on the layers :oD.
I like the anticipation of a day where my toes won't go blue in sandals!
Sometimes we get days like that, sometimes not...it is pot luck.
Thank you for your comment.
XXX
I love the way your tights and shoes match so perfectly, but most of all I adore the whole outfit. It is simple but works brilliantly! Kx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! The tights and shoes were a happy coincidence :oD XXX
DeleteI really like the outfit - it's definitely something I would wear myself. The dress was a great charity shop find! The only decent stuff in my local charity shops is what I have donated myself, so I'm always intrigued by what other people manage to pick up, and a little envious too! I'm lucky enough to be able to wear what I want at work - there's no formal dress code and really it's just common sense that dictates how I dress. So, my outfits can range from jeans and Converse to full-on vintage-style glamour, depending on how I feel on any given day!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool, Fran! Converse one day and a full-skirted dress the next sounds perfect. I often dress for my mood. I laughed at your comment about decent charity shop finds...I have been known to buy back something that I had donated! Hahaha. I love going to "posh" parts of the cities to look through the local charity shops but more often than not a gem is found in amongst the grotty t-shirts at my local shops. There is nothing quite as exciting a finding something perfect :oD. Online charity shop shopping is not quite the same, although there are some beautiful items for sale out there! Thank you for taking the time to comment. XXX
DeleteI've been having a massive clear-out lately, and have donated loads of my pre-loved clothing. Out of the myriad garments that have gone to a new home, there was just one dress that I really regretted giving away... so much that I spent a whole evening seriously considering how much I would spend to buy it back. Next time I was passing the shop I did look for it, but it had already moved on to its new owner! Hopefully they'll love it as much as I did.
DeleteIt must have been a good one if it went so quickly. Sigh....that is sad, a moment of overzealous clearing out.... Take comfort in the fact someone would have been delighted with their new purchase and you can have fun looking for something new, and equally lovely!
DeleteYou wanna know what else I noticed in this post Samantha? The perfect pink lip! It looks sensational on you!! Are you starting to love the bright lippy too?
ReplyDeleteI am so lucky. I can wear pretty much as I please at work. I need to watch my hemline, but even that is generous. Basically, since I work in a high school, I have a ton of freedom--just as long as I follow the same dress code as the kids. Should straps need to be four fingers wide and my hem needs to go past my hands. See? Lots of leeway. The thing I think I probably appreciate the most is calling a jeans day whenever I want. I actually don't wear a lot of jeans, but with the sneaker trend circulating my weekly outfits, it's been nice to have more casual wear as an option. The other thing I just love about dressing for work is when a high school student compliments me. Totally makes my day! For sure they influence me, for sure!
Hmmm, is it time for me to try bold tights again now that it's chillier in Hong Kong. Maybe....
Super combo! Super work outfit!!
Love, Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
I thought you would Ann!
DeleteI am glad you approve.
I am getting much better :oD
It must be healthy (style wise) to work closely with young people. They tend to be very open mined and willing to take people at face value. There is no chance of being boring or (worse) a frump, when you are surrounded by high school kids and their positivity. Bold tights next!! XXX
Op! That's it. That's what I'm afraid of. Bold tights!! I must conquer this fear!! I like this pink pair A LOT!
DeleteI'm going to be honest about something that DOES drive me crazy about the girls' style at my school. (I don't think they'll ever know I'm saying, but I feel like I could say to them, so it's all right.)
They wear Lulu Lemon type black leggings each and every day--it's a tragedy because I know it their wardrobes there is so much more. There are a few fashionable kids, but mainly it's super tight black pants day in, day out. Drives me crazy!
So, there's my rant! I do know the stylish ones though--we are friends!! Hehehe.
Thanks for linking up to the Kremb de la Kremb Style Stories Link Up Samantha.
Love, Ann
I love the dress, very figure flattering and it looks great with the grey turtleneck. You are the Queen of Layering! The last school was a private school I taught at and I taught Gym, Math and Music. I was not a fan of teaching 44 kids to 1 Gym, as I was overwhelmed, especially football to 8th grade boys, So i could wear jeans, and what I wanted, but was always cold being outside teaching gymclass.
ReplyDeleteI love tights, and those certainly fit your personality Sam!
jess xx
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday!
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you, Jess! XXX 44 children in one gym...that sound like a nightmare!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but all links that do not redirect to blogs will be deleted.
DeleteThank you for taking the time to comment though. XXX
What a cool necklace. I always enjoy your interesting combinations, Samantha. You have a lot of creativity and a good eye!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being part of Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com