PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: DRESSING FOR THE OFFICE - TOP SUMMER DRESSES FOR WORK

When the weather is getting warmer, you may be looking for outfits that work for the office that aren’t as heavy. One of the best solutions is with a dress – it not only means you can feel cooler, but most of the time it’s a quick and effective way to create an outfit. Pop on a few accessories and you are ready to head to the office with minimal stress and outfit planning. However, what are the best summer dresses to wear for work?

In this blog, I’ll share some of my top picks of summer dresses to try at the office, so you can feel comfortable, professional and stylish this summer.

Picking the right patterns and fabrics

The most important part of selecting a dress (or any piece) for work is the colours, patterns and fabrics you choose, in particular when the summer comes around. Linens are a great option, while they may require a good steaming before you put them on, as long as they are not see-through. A white linen dress can be excellent for the summer, but make sure to put a slip on underneath for additional coverage!

Light cotton or silk are also great fabrics for the summer days as they are soft, and delicate fabrics which can keep you cooler in the warmer months. While cotton can be a more relaxed fabric, you can pair it with the more professional fabrics such as a blazer to pop on when you are in the cooler office.

Colours are another way to ensure the dresses you wear are appropriate for the office, deeper colours in your season, as well as neutrals, are easy go-tos. However, I always love to recommend a pop of colour if your office is a bit more relaxed, so deep oranges, forest greens, and brighter blues can be excellent options, too.

Finally, patterns can matter! While pinstripe and graphic prints are often great options for the office, particularly more creative spaces, bold florals (ditsy florals aren’t quite right), houndstooth, and even polka dots can also be added to your professional wardrobe.

Dress styles for the office

A-Line Dresses

A-line dresses are a floaty style of dress that work perfectly for a professional outfit, without feeling too restricted. The great thing about this shape is it is effective for many body shapes as well. Working beautifully in particular for upside down triangle shapes, hourglass (make sure to get a belt at the waist!), and oval shapes (when a looser style at the waist is selected). A gentle A-line style can be accentuated with a belt, such as this navy option from Hobbs, while this wrap dress in a bold blue polka dot can be great for the more creative office. If your office is more formal, such as a law practice, this deep navy v-neck by Libby London, with loose sleeves in a mid-length would be a perfect summer option to replace the pencil dress!

Shirtdresses

One of the new trends coming to office wear, that in fact is inspired by the classic ‘60’s styling, is the Shirtdress. Often with a collared neck and a pleated skirt, the style is more loose fitting, meaning you will probably feel more comfortable in warmer weather. The style is best for those with a smaller bust as they are buttoned all the way to the top and can work well for those with a rectangular shape or inverted triangle shapes. A neutral toned option, like this Proenza Schouler shirtdress is an elegant option, while this blue pinstripe jersey midi shirt dress by Boden is a simple solution, with the belt adding a defined waist.

If you are a triangle shape, opt for a shirtdress with accentuated shoulders, as this will help to create a balanced shape. 

Sheath style dresses

A sheath style dress has a more traditional “office” silhouette and are very well suited for those in a more corporate or formal dress code. You can add a touch of your personality with pieces that have a colour or pattern, while minimal touches like necklines and pleating are also great ways to change up the style. For example, an ivory sheath dress with zip detail by Victoria Beckham is an elegant and summer-ready style, while this Armani navy dress with zip neckline and waist detail is a beautiful option too. If you are able to show your arms in your office, then this navy sleeveless Karen Millen sheath dress is a beautiful option, with a high neckline, front split and elegant waist details, it’s an exceptional style.

(as a personal styling note, you can see in the Karen Millen styling that the model is wearing gold strappy heels – while they are not appropriate in most office looks, it shows the versatility of the garment. You can pop on these heels and go for drinks after work, while keeping your more professional shoes on during the working hours!).

Standout Pattern Dresses

Finally, a patterned dress can feel daunting for the workplace, but it is a beautiful way to add a touch of personality to your office looks. As I mentioned above, a pattern that is more abstract is an excellent way to keep colour and pattern in your looks, particularly if your personal style is dramatic or creative.

If you have a love of abstract prints, this BITE abstract black and white maxi dress with long sleeves is a beautiful option (and can be elegantly worn in day or night). While the keyhole neckline may be best covered in the office for a more modest look, it may work depending on your profession.

Another option for your abstract pattern workwear is this Jigsaw fluted sleeve dress with camisole lining has a hand-painted motif in blues, yellows and whites. The styling is quite romantic with frills and ruching, so can work well for a relaxed office look on a warm summer’s day.

Finally, another standout patterned dress is this dogtooth midi dress from Reiss. While it is a high neck and long sleeved dress, thanks to the fabric it will remain airy and light in the warmer months, and will work beautifully for those in a more modest attire who still want to show off their personality.

No matter your needs this summer, these dresses will help you feel great while heading into the office. Make sure to stick to the guidelines on fabrics where possible, or when trying on the dress feel if it is more floaty and skims you to ensure you don’t feel to restricted.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: BACK TO THE OFFICE - 3 COMFY SHOES AND HOW TO WEAR THEM

Often my clients struggle to match shoes with their outfits. Now that the priority seems to be comfort, particularly after such a long time at home in slippers.

However, when we go back to the office, we often expect ourselves to put on those heels and begin to relive the aches of stilettos and work shoes, but what if I told you there were work appropriate shoes that won’t feel uncomfortable from the first minute? Well, there are shoes that work for the office and for your feet, so in this article I wanted to share 3 comfy shoes you can wear to the office, and how to style them.

Loafers for women, and how to style them

Loafers were often a men’s-only shoe, but now that shoemakers have moved into a more androgynous flow for their offerings, loafers have become incredibly popular for women. They’re not only comfortable, but can be matched with a multitude of outfits, here are a few of my favourite ways to style loafers, specifically for the workplace.

Loafers with tapered trousers

When you’re wearing a beautiful pair of loafers, why not show them off with a pair of tapered trousers that are cut above the ankle? You can match a stunning pair of red trousers with a gold pair of slip on loafers as a funky stand-out look, or keep your look monotone with black trousers and black leather loafers that have a little detail in them to keep some style in the outfit.

Loafers with a midi skirt

If you are more into skirts at work over trousers, then as with the tapered trousers, a midi skirt is a great option to match with your loafers, throw on a turtleneck and a belt and you’re ready to take on the office with style! You can go completely flat, or you can find a pair with a small heel, depending on your preference. A quirky pair with a fabulous pattern, like these bumble bee pattered Gucci loafers are a fabulous and fun addition to your wardrobe, and work well if you want to showcase personality, but can’t do so in your full outfit – match them with a black midi skirt, simple shirt and blazer and you are ready to take on the office! 

Pumps for work and how to style them

Now, bear with me here, ballet pumps have come a long way from our classic school-wearing pump days! You can get some incredible elegant women’s pumps that are both comfortable and work-wear ready.

There are an incredible array of options when it comes to pumps, you can have flat options that are perfect for sheer comfort. They usually have a very minimal heel as this can help those with flatter feet who need a little uplift for comfort, or just prefer shoes that have a heel and feel better to wear them for work.

Pumps with a dress for work

The beauty of ballet pumps is because they are often very decorative, which means they can be paired with a minimal outfit such as a classic office dress. Look for a pair with a scalloped pattern to bring a little edge to your look without having to go all out with a pattern!

You can also wear a pair of ballet pumps that have a stiletto-like toe, without the heel, and I love finding these pumps without the rounded toe, as they really do match the expectation of a stiletto, without causing aches in the heels.

Pumps with flared trousers

I love seeing trousers that hit just a few millimetres above the floor (we all know winter can mean puddles so be careful not to go for trousers that are too long!) and pumps can be a great option to match with flares that work really well for those of us with larger his to balance us out. Throw on a colourful pair of pumps, match them with a dark pair of work wear flares, and then match with a flowy blouse on top.

Boots and how to wear them for work

As I am writing this in the colder Autumn month of October, boots are on my mind! While we can play with fun boots for casual wear, such as combat boots, some of us have steered clear from wearing boots to the office, but they can work beautifully, and they can be very comfortable! Now, I may not be suggesting combat boots for the office (unless you have a more casual workplace that is), but there are some great options that I wanted to share with you. 

High boots with tights and a skirt

Skirts can work really well at the office, when they are paired well with the right accessories and footwear. When at the office, skirts may not be as favourable, but when Autumn comes along, you can pop on some thicker tights to feel more appropriate for the office. Pair with some black high boots that have a small heel, in black leather and you will feel on top of the world. I highly recommend investing in a pair of boots like this, as they will last year on year, and will look much more appropriate for work when they are of a higher quality. I would also recommend a pair that fall just below the knee, as over the knee can feel a little less appropriate for work. Try a mini skirt with a blouse; or an a-line skirt that cuts just below the knee so you have no gap between the boot and the fabric.

Ankle boots with an a-line dress or skirt

Another option when it comes to boots at the office is the classic ankle boot! One way to wear them is with an a-line skirt or dress as they will graze below the knee with enough space for the boots to not cut you off. Ankle boots can be a little trickier to pair with garments at the office, so styling with a skirt is often the best option in my experience. You could also try a pair of cowboy-esque leather boots with a pair of flared trousers as they are more comfortable than classic heels, but have a slight heel so you feel uplifted yet cool with the western style.

I hope these options for more comfortable work-appropriate shoes have inspired you for your next visit to the office. If you would like the support of someone by your side to help create a wardrobe that works for your day to day life, then please get in touch about my personal styling or personal shopping experiences.