Office clothing can be boring. It’s meant to be functional and professional, allowing you to focus on your work without being too uncomfortable or drawing too much attention to your appearance, rather than your skills.
For women in the workplace, though, especially those with a flair for fashion, wearing the same basics day after day can quickly become dull. Finding the right accessories and accent pieces can help make your day a little brighter – work isn’t a runway show, but it doesn’t need to be monotonous, either.

Style With Scarves
Boldly patterned silk scarves were a popular work accessory for women in the 1980s and 1990s, but there’s no reason to leave these accent pieces in the past. Reintroduce the silk scarf into your wardrobe with flair by learning new ways to tie a scarf. Whether twisted into a belt, worn as a headwrap, or adding a flash of color to your purse, a scarf is a multipurpose accessory that you’ll get a lot of use out of.
Luxurious Leather
You can never go wrong with a leather bag, but too many women end up buying low-quality bags that break down, rather than investing in a quality bag. Upgrade your daily wear with an American-made full-grain leather bag – and don’t be afraid to choose a colored leather tote that reflects your personal style. Quality leather doesn’t have to be expensive, and it will last you for years to come.
Make A Statement
Style guides often talk about wearing statement jewelry for interviews or at networking events as a way of starting a conversation, but don’t stop there. Curate a collection of statement pieces that let you express your style. Ideally, these pieces will also communicate something more about you; maybe that necklace is from an international product launch or was made by an artisan in your family’s hometown; maybe your watch is a brand one, not necessarily a Rolex, but a Tissot would be an excellent choice. It’s always great when you can pivot a compliment into a deeper connection.
Flip Your Flats
Sure, you can wear heels to the office – maybe that’s your style, and if so, you should certainly embrace that look. For most women, though, flats are a daily staple since they’re considered professional and comfortable. Given that, look for alternatives to the basic black, matte flats or textured or patterned styles like snakeskin, color-blocked, or floral prints.
Embrace Patterns
Even if you prefer to have a capsule wardrobe for work, you don’t have to forego patterns. All you have to do is make sure that your patterns stick to an overall color scheme. Invest in a few patterned blouses rather than solid white – you only need one of those – and pair them with solid bottoms. This will help keep your wardrobe livelier and lift your mood, especially when you’re getting dressed in the depths of winter.
You can’t go wrong with black pants and a white shirt, for most women, that look gets old fast. Luckily, workplace fashion norms have changed a lot in recent years, allowing women to express their own style in the workplace without constant scrutiny. Let your style shine.
Image by DanaTentis from Pixabay.
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