Do you need outfit ideas to go from work to picnic because your office picnic starts an hour before EOB? Read this post to know what to wear to a work picnic; how to master the challenge of looking office appropriate, but also well dressed for the picnic without having to change in the restrooms or going home; and how to have picnic fashion style. Get inspired by great picnic outfit ideas
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What To Wear to a Work Picnic?
Sunny summer evenings after work, Saturdays and Sundays are perfect for a picnic in the park. You get some fresh air, have great food and a glass of wine, can relax, and talk with your significant other, friends, family, colleagues, or with whom you picnic. It’s like a mini-vacation. While dressing stylishly for a picnic on the weekend already requires some logistics, dressing for such an event after work or as an office social event is more tricky.
A picnic is like a mini-vacation.
Keep the Venue and Entertainment in Mind When Styling an Outfit to Go From Work to Picnic
When you do your picnic the classic European way on a large blanket, you may sit on the grass. Thus, grass spots are likely. Accidents can happen when food and drinks are placed on an uneven surface, such as a blanket. Hence, add such spots to the list of dangers concerning your clothes. To avoid lasting harm, look for fabrics you can wash at a hot or at least warm setting. It’s best to have a stain remover like a dry cleaning pen in your bag or picnic basket.
When you do your picnic the American way and bring your folding chairs or use the picnic tables in the park, knits and delicate fabric may get ripped easily. They can get stuck in the chair’s mechanics or on uneven pieces of wood. Therefore, avoid crocheted, loosely knitted, lace clothes or clothes in other delicate fabrics.
Tip: When dressing for a picnic keep the venue and potential spots in mind.
Outfit Ideas to Go from Work to Picnic
Sun dresses and printed cotton shirts or fit-and-flare summer dresses are always a winner. At the office, wear a cardigan over them or a blazer to look work appropriate. A wide or flare skirt with a T-shirt or blouse is a great separate alternative to a dress. In both cases, add a hat to keep the sun out of your face and flat shoes, flat mules, or flat sandals that you can kick off easily when you sit down on a blanket. Riot your closet for a skirt (of the dress) that is wide enough to sit down easily and comfortably. Great cover-ups are stoles or cardigans for later in the evening after sunset.
Casual Office Picnic Style
When the work picnic is on Friday, and your office has a Casual Friday culture or a casual dress code, shorts, Bermuda shorts, or a T-shirt or polo top are great options. Style them with a blazer while at the office. Pants will be a better choice than skirts/dresses when ball games are planned as part of the picnic entertainment. Add a baseball hat for sun protection. When a soccer or volleyball game is scheduled, go for canvas sneakers. Otherwise, flat sandals do the trick when the office dress code permits sandals.
Comfort tip: Avoid skinnies or any tight bottoms as they will dig into your belly when you sit when going to a picnic.
What to Wear to a Work Picnic
When you go to a work picnic or head right from work to a picnic, your outfit has to do double duty. It has to fit both dress codes with minimal changes. The OOTD in this post can easily make this change. Just take off the pearls and belt, and swap the pumps for ballet flats, and you are picnic ready.
When you loved this post and want more of this type of tips, for all kind of dressing situations, my style book How to Dress for Success in Midlife will keep you covered. Don’t miss its load full of styling tips. Buy it now.
Photos: G. Kramm
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I love the idea of a flowy dress or denim for a work picnic. I would pair it with sneakers for myself as I would want my feet to my comfortable.