How to Create Fashion-Forward Corporate Style Outfits

The dress code of the corporate world is pretty tight. Without any effort everyone looks the same. Or like wearing a uniform. Cookie-cutter style. Read how you can meet the dress code expectations while creating unique, chic promotion-worthy, modern corporate style professional looks. Get inspired by these fashion-forward corporate style outfits, and styling tips to underline an innovative, modern professional image.

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What Are Typical Corporate Style Color Combinations?

In the corporate world, there is not much wiggle room for experimenting with fashion and style. A classic go-to corporate style is the gray pencil skirt with navy blue blazer. Skirt and pantsuits in neutral colors come to mind and are appropriate with tops in light or muted colors. Try a black and white look.

Don’t wear your suits only as suits. Separate the pieces in your closet and wear the jacket as blazer with other pants or skirts and vice versa. Embrace the increase of options and looks from what you own.

The limitations on the clothing don’t mean you have to wear a uniform, look like your colleague aka wear cookie cutter style, sort of. First, you can wear all neutrals without looking boring. Second, you can be creative on how you wear and style your work outfit. Sure, you have to stay within the tight rules of the HR-approved dress code.

Work the Loop Holes of Your Work Dress Code for Fashion-Forward Corporate Style Outfits

Read the HR approved work dress code closely. There are usually no codes on accessories. There may be some rules on your footwear like “no open toes” or no heels higher than XYZ inches; also rules on the professional sleeve length, cleavage, dress/skirt length, legwear.

Shake It Up with Interesting Pumps

When there are no restrictions on footwear, have fun with your shoes like shown here with the multi-color metal kitten heel pumps. They are a head turner, but do not break the corporate look as metals are neutrals and the style of the pumps is a classic. The heel can’t be interpreted as “sexy” and these pumps qualify for “no open toes.”

Sheer Pantyhose vs. Opaque vs. Pattern

In the corporate world, most dress codes ask for legwear. When there is no specification like nude pantyhose or sheer legwear or dark legwear wearing opaque tights in the color of your skirt or dress is a  great option in winter. A big advantage of doing so is that shoes, tights and skirt in the same color give the illusion of height and being slim. The first helps with being taken seriously, the second is associated with being healthy. Both associations are helpful for your career. Especially, when you are over 40 and have to compete with the twenty somethings.

Also  work the options of sheer pantyhose in the shade of your clothes. What about sheer pantyhose with little woven-in dots? Opaque tights with small print pin dots or knit-pattern are also great options how to wear the patterned tights trend.

Always stay away from lace tights and black fishnet! They work for date night and not for the office except jobs in the creative field or bars. In a casual work environment, you may get away with nude fishnets.

Tip: When wearing pantyhose always have an extra pair in your work bag. Runners are never in style.

Tip: Instead of pantyhose wear nude tights.

Express Your Personal Style with a Scarf, Shoes or Jewelry

Keep your work outfits interesting with scarves. Curate a scarf collection. The choice of the scarf or the way you wear the scarf (compare photos above) provides variations of the corporate look. There are many ways not to get into a style rut or feel like wearing a uniform.

Necklaces, brooches, watches and earrings are also great to mix things up. Wear your brooches in an unusual way. What about a big brooch on the collar instead of a necklace? Or a brooch to hold a scarf?

Pearls are always appropriate. – Jackie Kennedy

Avoid earrings that cause continuous noise when you have to be on the phone often. Instead wear the earrings that are most appropriate for the dressing situation.

Get a unique watch collection. Yes, you check the time on the phone like every other gal, but a watch conveys the message that you take time seriously. In contrast to bangles and bracelets, a watch looks very professional.

Tip: Express your personal style with one accessory.

Tip: Select the right eyewear for your professional  image.

Exchange the Belts for Different/Better Looks

A lot of work dresses, pants and skirts come with a (plastic) belt. Always toss cheap plastic belts. Cheap belts just make you look cheap as well. When the clothing comes with a belt and buckle in the fabric of the item, it doesn’t mean that you always have to wear the item with that matching belt. It’s one option, but you have much more options when wearing the piece with other belts from your closet once in a while.

Express Your Personal Style with Your Coats

Unless your outerwear is part of your work wear, you can go wild with your personal style here. But don’t go over board. Your colleagues and boss may be in the elevator with you. Therefore, create an awesome coat wardrobe.

The photos below show examples of the same dress with different belts, footwear and outerwear.

Tip: When you have to meet clients at their office wear a classic, traditional  (trench, pea) coat because in this case, your outerwear becomes work wear too.

Easy-to-Copy Fashion-Forward Corporate Style Outfits

Here are some corporate style outfit ideas that are easy to re-create with pieces from your closet.

Chic Fashion-Forward Corporate Style with Dresses

Jersey Dresses with Blazer

Interesting Separates Pairings for Corporate Style

Fashion-forward Corporate Style Outfits: Unmatched Suits

Photos: G. Kramm

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