The modern office space can be challenging. Often you are spending most of your day at your desk in front of your computer, but thanks to the growing virtual meeting spaces, clients can now come to you in an instant. This means looking professional on a regular basis is important so you are always prepared for spur of the moment meetings.
When you work in tech, comfort is key. Often, I will need to get down on the floor and readjust extension cords or camera equipment. A typical day, I could be hauling gear, meeting with clients or camped out on a chair typing away. So what is the trick to looking classic, cool, and still comfortable at work? Here are just a few of my tips to looking professional while staying comfortable in a business-casual work environment.
Tip 1: Build a capsule wardrobe- The basics are the most important pieces. Build a collection of pieces that are in classic colors like tan, navy, and black. Then have a mixture of other solid colored pieces that coordinate well with each other. By mixing and matching the basics, you can create numerous looks, by adding colored pieces and accents the outfit combinations become endless. By creating a small variety of smart clothing purchases, you can have different looks for weeks.
Tip 2: Add Color Carefully- A few elaborate or unique pieces can be added to add some variety and personality to your wardrobe. Incorporate accessories that can be used to dress up basic outfits and give more flexibility when creating outfits. This can be achieved by purchasing scarves, statement jewelry, and belts to your clothing arsenal.
Tip 3: Shoes can pull it all together- Purchase shoes in classic pumps and/or flats in black, navy, and tan to match wardrobe staples. Having a pair of black pumps are the most versatile for business casual dressing while still being appropriate for more formal attire events.
Tip 4: Shop Like A Pro -When shopping for wardrobe pieces, think about it as a pyramid. The largest part and foundation of the pyramid is made up of the basic colors. Then moving upward on the pyramid, add other coordinating colors and accent pieces.
Quirky and cute are fun in the right environments, but dressing professionally is a sign of respect for your clients. Pinterest has a ton of great ideas about building an easy functional capsule wardrobe. Seriously.. just match the pictures! You can do it. What are your favorite tips for dressing professionally and comfortably at work? Share below! I would love to hear from you.
Marina Baker 
December 21, 2016 at 8:33 pm
very interesting and helpful
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December 23, 2016 at 9:18 pm
THIS!
Capsule wardrobe has arguably become too crucial to ignore in a time like todays. Completely agree with you when you say comfort is the key but I believe it entirely boils down on the work profile. If someone’s in the aviation industry, you really don’t get to see pilots or any of the flight crew getting all relaxed cutting themselves slack on their dress codes in ground or while in the air. However the client facing roles could’ve some room to experiment depending on the days & the agendas.
More often than not, I get to meet quite a few professionals from diverse domains, mostly tech backgrounds. I usually look them up beforehand, just to see the kinda taste & outlook they’ve about things in life, generally speaking. If the client’s age group falls anywhere between 20-30, I usually keep myself from dressing heavy & tie colors matter a bit if I’m cutting loose the suit jacket/blazer, which I do. I’m rather picky on that one. And then we’ve situations where a client has little to no time at all & has scheduled a meet at the hotel itself. Considering the chances that we might end up walking by the pool or sit at the bar, I tend to go semi-casual to reflect a complimenting attitude as that of a fellow traveler like someone who’s always on the go? I feel it’s these situations where one needs the capsule wardrobe more than anyone else because the way some of these clients occasionally feel is that you’re being a talk shop guy trying to bait them into signing documents or leading them into a negotiations cage & well, that’s the last thing you want happening because I’ve noticed they [instinctively] try avoiding finalizing decisions in laid back environments like those even when, in fact they were scheduled for the sole damn thing in the first place & as prior agreed. They’d go something like, email me & I’ll have my associate look over these. So, I try mirroring some of their vamonos vibes to prevent giving them the blues. However, I’m not really sure how a specific styling angle changes the end outcome but instead, I focus & personally rely more on the things that I’m saying during the interaction.
There’s another thing I’d like to bring out & which is, most of the millennial clients really don’t care what we, as professional service providers show up wearing at a meeting with them. I’d want to give credit to this Silicon Valley & Startup culture of T-shirt & Jeans that has broke them free from these conventional workplace cultures around fashion protocols which are in fact, far more uptight. Probably the only times you’re going to see them pulling off a suit & tie is when when they’re out meeting with their “Wall Street” investors [or similar] for institutional fund raising which a few of them view it as if they’re kicking off to some combat mission. Lol
Thus, when I’m meeting with the rest of the client age group of 31 & beyond who could be having upper management roles & senior leadership positions, I’m always dressed formal to be taken seriously. Seriously!
Also, as evident by the landing page’s content; while I appreciate the embed Pinterest link for helping ladies put together their professional wardrobe, try linking to site[s] that’d cater to menswear as well. We want to look good too! But hey, thanks for this post & the valuable tips. Keep writing.
Merry Christmas | Happy Holidays | Happy New Year 😀
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December 23, 2016 at 10:12 pm
I completely agree that it depends on the culture of the workplace and several other variables when it comes to dressing for the day. This article is geared more towards women and has a “business casual” attire in mind to hopefully fit into most work and social settings. However; I have not forgotten about men’s attire! I am currently working on an article geared more towards men and their capsule wardrobe needs! And Happy Holidays & New Year to you as well!
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December 24, 2016 at 5:55 am
Ah my bad! Couldn’t figure it out that this one’s for the ladies. Probably should’ve guessed it on that footwears part as for whom it’s meant & whom it isn’t. Lack of explicit gender identifiers may have got to do something but I’ll read between the lines better next time. 🙂 Plus, thanks for writing one for the men’s. Looking forward to that.
Much appreciate your wishes.
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