Before accepting a full-time job offer, there are questions one must ask. What’s the pay? What are the benefits? Am I finally going to have to learn Excel after all those years of avoiding it at all costs?
But, the most important question to ask a new employer is this: What’s the dress code?
My search for career-worthy closet staples began long before my job search did. I would hate to be offered my dream career and realize soon after that I have absolutely nothing to wear for my first day in the office. It sounds silly, but appearances go a long way in any business. Who says a fabulous pair of shoes can’t make you a shoo-in for that big promotion? What if the only thing separating you from an equally qualified candidate is your ability to pull off a pair of fit-and-flair slacks? What if your boss is the Miranda Priestly type and lays you off because she’s offended by your frumpy sweater?
In the superficial age of the internet, beauty probably comes before talent. Personally, I’d love to overhear my coworkers saying “She might not be good at her job, but damn, she’s working those kitten heels!” as I strut by on my way to the water cooler. So, how does one dress for a full-time job? Men have it easy — all they need to do is buy five iterations of the same suit and rotate through them each day of the week. For women, it’s a bit more complicated. We need to dress conservatively, but it’s difficult to do so without looking more like a pearl-clutching grandmother than a sophisticated 20-something.
The key to unlocking your full office siren potential is striking a delicate balance between professionalism and playfulness, class and comfort. There might not be a manual explaining the rules of white-collar couture, but there are plenty of iconic “working girl” characters in popular culture who provide helpful blueprints that make dressing for your nine-to-five as easy as lying on your resume.
The working-girl archetype: Lawyer-chic
Inspiration: Miranda Hobbes from “Sex and the City,” Miranda Priestly from “The Devil Wears Prada”
Careers: Lawyer, campaign manager, politician
Forget about dressing to impress — you dress to intimidate. Because of the strict dress code that comes with your high-prestige career, it’s easy to fall into the habit of dressing like an austere librarian, but a tailored silhouette and a pop of color can take an outfit from uptight to upscale. The result is an outfit that’s suitable for both prepping case briefs in the office and sipping cosmopolitans at the cocktail bar.
Try wearing a vivid red or green trench coat to offset the varying shades of black, tan and gray that you’re obliged to wear every day; opt for a patterned silk scarf around your neck over a dainty gold necklace every now and then; and upgrade your plain white button-down to a cheeky peplum top or pleated blouse. And always steer clear of ruffles, ribbons and puffed sleeves, lest you want to look like a pompous Victorian-era judge.
The working-girl archetype: Office princess
Inspiration: Charlotte York from “Sex and the City”
Careers: Art gallery curator, receptionist, nonprofit worker
Office garb needn’t be drab. If you prefer cardigans to blazers and ballet flats to stilettos, and if you wouldn’t be caught dead in a pencil skirt, this style will suit you best. It’s old money tempered with a bit of girlish panache — think cropped tweed blazers, drop-waist skirts and Kate Spade clutches. Patterns like houndstooth, plaid and polka dots are timeless and on-trend, plus they’re fabulously thriftable.
Don’t be afraid to play with textures, either: A pair of scalloped pants or a pastel corduroy skirt can add some youthful intrigue to any overdone office getup. You might have a 401k, but you’re no old lady just yet.
The working-girl archetype: En-vogue Vogue assistant
Inspiration: Andie Sachs and Emily Charlton from “The Devil Wears Prada”
Careers: Marketing, fashion journalism, public relations
You know, in the early 2000s, when the main character of every chick flick seemed to work at some big-name women’s fashion or lifestyle magazine? This style channels that main character energy: posh (but not pretentious), sophisticated and versatile, with a hefty dose of Y2k flair. Like Anne Hathaway in “The Devil Wears Prada,” post-makeover.
Invest in a few staple pieces, like tailored black trousers, boat-neck tops and classic white button-downs to layer under off-the-shoulder sweaters, then dress up your look with some 2000s-era accessories, like big gold hoops, newsboy caps and layered necklaces. You probably live in a big city with lots of subway grates that are basically stiletto death traps, so wear a respectable pair of Mary Jane pumps or slouchy suede boots with a chunky wedge heel instead. You might not be working overtime all that much, but those shoes are!
Frequently asked questions – Office attire
Is denim for casual Fridays only? It depends on where you work. I’m of the opinion that light wash is too informal for a white-collar work environment, but a tailored pair of dark-wash jeans (with no rips, but that goes without saying) is OK.
Help! The office is hot, but I can’t show too much skin. It’s hard to stay cool when you’re forced to cover up. Cowl-neck and square-neck tops may not be as cooling as tube tops, but they’re less suffocating than turtlenecks and look just as professional. Find some staple pieces made of breathable fabrics like linen, cotton and silk, and steer clear of wool and cashmere.
I’m prone to blisters — are sneakers too casual for corporate life? This is a tough one — sneakers dress down any outfit dramatically. With that being said, a nice pair of Golas or New Balances in a muted shade like brown, black or cream can go perfectly well with a simple ensemble of wide-leg trousers and a boat-neck top. If it’s comfort you’re worried about, a trusty pair of loafers or ballet flats are more professional than sneakers, but less likely to give you blisters than high heels.
