Congratulations to all of the #bossbabes out there who have gotten new jobs this year or have been promoted! Several of my clients have scheduled styling sessions this season for just that reason, so I thought I’d pass along some of the style tips that I gave to them!
Casual Boss Babe
Ann just got a new executive position, but the environment is more casual and laid-back than she was used to. She needed some help figuring out how to “dress down” to fit the company culture, but still look authoritative and professional. My solution for her? BLAZERS.
Blazers can make even the most casual outfit feel more put together and professional. But I’m not talking about your basic black blazer. I advised her to look for design-forward, unique blazers that can be paired with denim for a polished, yet approachable look. The key is to keep your primary clothes more casual and add structured layers and high-quality accessories and “extras.”
My style tips: Invest in good denim, great blazers, good bags (including purses, travel bags and laptop bags), fun heels and funky/unique jewelry.
My favorites: Veronica Beard, Jimmy Choo, M.Gemi, Fidelity Denim, Paige Denim, MZ Wallace
Practical Minimalist
Jane is a minimalist at heart, but with her new position, she needed MORE clothes. And because her job is physical and can get messy, her clothes need to be both practical and stylish. My solution? Versatile dresses and blouses.
Dresses are your friend! I advised her to choose silhouettes that look professional but won’t restrict her movement. They are also good for airflow if you’re a sweaty betty (like me)! She can easily layer a jacket or blazer over her dresses, depending on what her schedule calls for.
Blouses were also a great choice for her since they go well with denim or black pants and can be dressed up with a blazer or worn on their own. I helped her choose a few core pieces that could be worn a number of different ways – both on and off duty.
She also needed shoes that were comfortable for someone standing on their feet for long periods of time – and sneakers just wouldn’t do. So we found some stylish and supportive options that worked for her. The key was to find minimal pieces that provided maximal options!
My style tips: Invest in a few versatile dresses, blazers, blouses, and supportive, yet stylish shoes.
My favorites: Trina Turk, Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, Cole Haan, and Loeffler Randall
Set up a Styling Session!
If you are going through a transition in your career, it’s a good time to take a look at your work wardrobe and ensure that it is projecting the right image. Clothes can make you look more powerful, more approachable, more creative, fun or serious. No matter if you’re moving from a casual to a corporate environment, or from the office to a work-from-home situation, it helps to have an objective eye to find the pieces that will work for you in your new position!
