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businessnewsgazette · 2 years

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Are These 5 Work Outfits Perfect For Relaxed In-office Wear?

Many companies are finally heading back to the office, which means it's time to ditch those PJs and dig your work clothes out of the back of your closet. According to a pre-pandemic survey by Randstad US, around 25% of offices have a business casual dress code, and if you need a refresher on what is—and isn't—acceptable to wear to the office, you've come to the right place.

The following are the guidelines you'll want to follow when dressing for a business casual workplace, as well as several outfits to inspire your back-to-work shopping—because why should students have all the fun?

Bonus: If you're on the job hunt through websites like ZipRecruiter or Indeed, these looks also double as interview outfits and will help you appear professional and polished.

The Rules of Business Casual Attire

Business casual clothing is designed to strike a balance between comfort and professionalism. When following this dress code, you'll look polished and put together, but you don't need to don a full suit and tie, stockings, or other professional attire.

For women, business casual attire often includes:

Modest dresses

Blouses

Sweaters

Slacks

High heels, dressy boots, or flats

For men, business casual attire entails:

Collared shirts or button-downs

Sweaters

Casual slacks like khakis or chinos

Dress shoes, loafers or nice boots

Some offices also allow nice denim—think dark, solid colors with no rips or tears—and open-toed shoes in the summertime. However, it's best to check in with your employer to see if these garments are appropriate before you wear them to work.

1. Go trendy with wide-leg trousers

Slacks and a blouse are a classic pairing for women, but that doesn't mean the look has to be boring. You can stay on-trend by incorporating a pair of wide-leg trousers into your work wardrobe, and the Islet Pant fits the bill perfectly. They're made from a luxurious cotton-linen blend, and they come in white or light yellow, allowing you to add a pop of color to your outfit.

These pants would pair perfectly with any plain top, but we like the Faherty Willa Peasant Blouse, which has a subtle pleated appearance and delicate ruffles on the sleeves and collar. The shirt is available in five different colors, and it's made from 100% organic cotton.

2. Keep it simple with a pretty dress

For those days you don't feel like having to mix and match separates, you can get ready quickly by slipping into a business casual dress. The Floral Flutter Sleeve Flare Dress is ideal for office wear, as it has a modest knee-length hem and short sleeves. However, it's anything but frumpy, boasting a waist tie to flatter your figure and a stylish mock neck. The tan fabric is covered with large burgundy flowers, and it comes in a wide range of sizes, from 00 to 18.

This dress could easily be paired with flats or heels, and the LifeStride Giovanna 2 Pumps come in a maroon hue that perfectly matches the floral motif. The shoes have a closed toe that's office-friendly and a zip-up back that makes them easy to put on, and their lower heel height is comfortable to walk in.

3. Show your personality with bold prints

Business casual attire lets you show off more of your personality with pieces like the REISS Jackson Pencil Skirt. The high-waisted design is navy blue with a tan floral pattern, and the hem hits mid-calf, making it an office-friendly choice. There are pockets in the front where you can stash your phone, and a front slit gives you more mobility than traditional pencil skirts.

Because the skirt has a busy pattern, it's best to pair it with a plain top like this Silky Collar Blouse. It's made from a satin-like fabric with a pointed collar and long sleeves, and the thin material is easy to tuck into the skirt (or any other bottoms you pair with it).

You can accessorize this look with a layered necklace, such as the Women's Coin Necklace Set from Madewell. It includes three complementary necklaces of staggered lengths, making them effortless to layer.

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midlifechic · 7 years

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Hello. We haven’t had a ‘trying it on’ post for ages so today I thought I’d show you some of the things I’ve been ordering. It’s half term here and I’ve been doing my best to work from home and spend some time with the boys because I know these days are trickling through my fingers. In fact I only have 4 more February half terms left in my life.

So, join me in the chaos. In the pictures below, you can see from the landscape behind me that the kitchen looks as though it has been ravaged by wild bears. They emerge from their lairs on an hourly basis to hunt for food – often with cubs from other caves who have ambled over to spend the day with them.

I’ve given up asking them why they can’t clear away after themselves because, like bears, they respond with a hollow grunt. The easiest solution I’ve found is to wait for the nightly return of the Alpha bear and his resounding roar.

Item 1 – the Boden dungarees

So, moving on to midlife sanctuaries – I spent ages going through the Boden catalogue when it arrived because I really wanted to order a few things to try on. The problem I had was that I couldn’t find enough for a whole post. I was looking for a new story but most of their collection seems to be a repeat. But then I came across the dungarees… and thought I’d give them a try.

I haven’t had a pair of dungarees since I was 13. I remember being the first person in my village to have any (the advantages of having a brother who lived in London). They were my first real foray into fashion and as I wandered around doing my best to look nonchalant, even the girls who hung around the bus stop gave me a nod of respect.

So, I thought these were going to be one of those things that I tried for a laugh and then sent back. However my friends, I love them.

This is how I wore them for a day in the office on Wednesday, the heels smartened them up sufficiently. In the evening I had to rush out as soon as I got home to meet friends for a drink in the new pop up bar in our village (where we found the farmers struggling, unable to match our enthusiasm for the row of expensive gins). Anyway I just rolled them up a bit, changed the heels for boots and added one of my long Hush cardigans.

Dungarees

I know I’m late to the dungaree party but I’ve since tried them with lots of other tops such as high necked blouses and cashmere jumpers – and then with ballet flats and Mary Janes. Everything seems to work with them and adjust the look slightly.

They have of course given Mr MC and the boys no end of amusement. Despite their requests, the one thing I have refused to do is wear a red jumper underneath so that they can call me Mario.

They’re selling out quickly so you need to move fast if you want to try them. Code A6M7 will give you 20% off with free postage and free returns until midnight 18th February.

Dungarees

Item 2 – the Finery peg trousers

Continuing with my quest to update the clothes that I wear in the office on days when I don’t have to meet up with formal clients, I know I need to update my tailored crops. As trouser shapes continue to move towards the more generous, I wanted to give pegs a try.

Again they take me back – but to to the early 90s this time, when all trousers had a pegged waist. These are from Finery. The quality is, as always, amazing for the price. However their sizing seems to have gone small again. These are a size 12 and they were a bit tight when I sat down. With the pleats, this made them bunch around my waist like a balloon.

So, I’m going to exchange them for the size up because otherwise they’re perfect. Finery do seem to struggle with getting trouser sizing right – they’ve always come up small on me until last season when they seemed to have it right.

Item 3 – the Forever Sweatshirt

The other item that I am trying on here is the sweatshirt which is a thing of pared down beauty. It was released as part of Finery’s ‘Forever Pieces’ collection last year but in grey. I loved it but just didn’t need a grey sweatshirt. It is now available in this beautiful inky blue which is just a shade lighter than navy and more flattering to most skin tones.

The gold zip detail on the sleeves makes it slightly smarter, giving you a touch of athleisure that you could still wear for work. It is a fantastic quality heavy cotton so it will be great for summer evenings too.

Item 4 – the ‘V’ Vamp heels

Moving on to the shoes (and forgive my dry ankles and feet, it’s the first time they’ve seen the light of day for months). These are another success. The V shaped vamp is very Victoria Beckham and they give you another way to extend the life of your skinny jeans for a while.

They are new in but there is already limited stock in most sizes. They’re also available in khaki and black but all shades of pink are going to be huge this year and this dusty apricot shade is a little less saccharine.

I wonder if you can guess where they come from….

V Vamp shoes

Item 5 – the ribboned ballet flats

I had high hopes for these, I particularly need comfortable flats when I’m in London and spend the day running up and down the escalators at different tube stations to get to meetings. They’re extremely comfortable but I’m not keen on the high vamp. It made my feet look and feel too big so I’ll be sending these back. If you have tiny feet they’d be great, they’re lovely quality and the width of the grosgrain ribbon is better than the others I’ve seen.

Lace up ballet pumps

There was one more winning outfit in the boxes but I’m wearing it tonight for the opening of a new play so I’ll hopefully have some good photos to show you next week. In the meantime I just wanted to alert you to the new season launch from Hush.

The new collection from Hush

Hush are one of the only brands that I haven’t had chance to meet up with yet but I’m seeing them next week. However they released their new collection on Monday and so I’ve pulled together the pieces that I think are particularly strong.

Some context

We’ve already alluded to the strong throwback to the end of the last century that is visible in the world of art and high fashion. There’s a nostalgic yearning for those pre-Millennium days: post iron curtain and IRA, pre 9/11 when, for a while, there was burnishing hope. We had BritPop and BritArt, Tony Blair was newly elected and there was a mood of optimism everywhere.

Of course this nostalgia has been heightened by the shocking loss of so many of that era’s cultural icons in 2016. You can see it coming through in stylistic and graphic references everywhere.

I’m highlighting this cultural zeitgeist not in a nerdy fashion way but because in my view, it gives more context to the new range from Hush. The thing is that instead of the rock band graphics and grunge influences that are appearing elsewhere, Hush have referenced it in a wearable way.

Their t-shirts and graphic motifs will add a splash of youth to your wardrobe without you looking as though you’re having a midlife crisis and running off to join the band. These pieces may have jarred with you initially but they are the ones to consider.

The lightning bolt

With this you can salute Bowie and all that he stood for. I really like the grey and copper colourway, it would look great with a blazer and jeans. I know it’s early to be thinking of t-shirts but I suspect with the first shot of sunshine, this will sell out (it’s also available in black and white, or olive and white – which is already out of stock).

Lightning bolt tee

The same colourway has also been released in a sweatshirt but that has currently sold out too – hopefully it will be restocked soon.

Lightning bolt sweat top

If you prefer something more subtle, this is the way to go. Hush always cut a v-neck so well and the fact that they have used the fabric on the bias means that this will not cling but hang in a relaxed, flattering way.

Mini lightning bolt tee

It’s also available in white and gold which would be even more wearable.

Mini lightning bolt tee

The 80s graphic style

So, as you can imagine, 80s graphics major on an American vibe. You’ll have seen the Joanie loves Chachi sweatshirt which is a real Marmite item. It’s not for me but clearly a lot of people love it because it’s currently out of stock.

Joanie sweat

Slogans are big again this season and this tee will be great worn with the new pale blue wash jeans that will be everywhere this summer.

Aloha tee

Even this season’s stripe has 80s spacing – do you remember having hearts like this plastered all over your 6th form folders?

Heart stripe tee (also available in grey and white)

The heart is also available in a jumper

Heart stripe jumper

Or you can just opt for a simple metallic stripe

Striped v neck tee

Something to wear now

If you need something new to wear now, Hush have released the Stella jumper in two reversible options: soft grey with either navy or blush so with these, you have two jumpers for the price of one.

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Reversible Stella jumper

So, I know it’s freezing February and it’s hard to think of t-shirts but these are the pieces that I suspect will go before we’ve even seen the first swallows arrive. I’m sure I’ll have more to tell you about Hush once I’ve caught up with them and had a chance to really look at the clothes.

Midlife lately

We’ve had a lovely half term week and I’ve managed to have some simple times with the boys. Most days I’ve persuaded them to emerge from their lairs and do something with me for a while. I was particularly surprised when they both said they wanted to see Lego Batman at the cinema. As I sat there surrounded by dozens of little boys in their Batman costumes and their weary mums, I savoured every minute of it, knowing that it could well be the last time that they’ll want to see the school holiday blockbuster.

We’ve also spent time out in the woods with Gary. This week the first real signs of Spring have arrived and I thought you might like to see them. The snowdrops are in full bloom…

…the trees are laden with catkins…

…early primroses are peeping through…

…and the daffodils are on their way.

Of course as soon as you manage to detach teens from their media sources they quickly regress, even though their legs are now too long for the old rope swing…

…and, despite endless attempts, they couldn’t release the other one that has been tangled high in the branches of the trees by the Winter winds…

…but there are always rocks to clamber over.

And with that I’ll leave you. Happy weekend everyone, I hope you’ve enjoyed your half term if you’ve had one and that you’re sensing that hopeful feeling that comes with the first glimpse of Springtime. The woods are waking up, the warmer days will soon be here and before we know it, we’ll be basking in sunshine wearing those t-shirts!

Disclosure: ‘Trying it on – Boden, Finery, M&S…and Hush SS17’ is not a sponsored post.