How to Cultivate Your Own Fashion Aesthetic in the Workplace

For many women, fashion is a form of expression. It's a great way to communicate more about your personality, your interests, and more. However, when you're in the workplace, it can get tricky. Many people feel tempted to conform to a certain standard in order to stay professional. However, there are ways to infuse your own fashion aesthetic in the workplace while staying professional. In order to be successful, consider the following tips.

Choose a New "Black"

With respect to your workplace, consider choosing a new alternative to the black items in your wardrobe. Instead of using black as your go-to neutral, consider using cobalt blue or emerald green as your neutral color. This means that you'd purchase shoes, skirts, blazers, and dresses in that color. Making this one change can add new life to your wardrobe. So many people wear tons of black. Even if your neutral color is an option like yellow or pink, have fun with it. When you choose a new "black", it will force you to become more creative within the ways you build an outfit.

Incorporate Patterns and Prints

You can opt to use a pattern as your new "black". Floral prints and bold graphic designs are always interesting to look at. Even if you're a medical professional, find ways to infuse prints and patterns into your wardrobe. Whether you're a Disney lover or a fan of wildflowers, check out the variety of women's Cherokee scrubs that are both flattering, colorful, and fun.

Find a Staple Piece

Some of the most fashion-forward people always wear one staple item. Whether it's a purse, necklace, or an anklet, find one piece that can always remain associated with you. That one piece is going to be the thing that makes your style iconic. Think about the iconic fashion figures within the media. Carrie Bradshaw always wore fashionable pieces. She also wore that iconic name-plated gold necklace that so many associate her with. You can choose a really nice watch, a pair of glasses or even a scarf, but find a wardrobe identifier that people can associate with you.

Choose Simple Silhouettes

While prints, patterns, and bright colors are amazing, it's also wise to maintain a neutral foundation. Purchase foundational pieces in neutral colors like black, taupe, and white. Foundational pieces include pants, skirts, cardigans, and button-down blouses. When you can wear a monochromatic outfit in any of those colors, it's so easy to jazz up the outfit with a fun statement necklace or a stunning pair of pumps.

Consider Your Shape

Dress to flatter your shape. One of the easiest ways to look older than you are is by making an effort to look younger. Instead, work towards evolving and rediscovering new ways to make your shape look great. It's also great to collect universally-flattering pieces like wrap dresses, blazers, and straight-leg pants. As you adjust your work attire to flatter your shape, it'll be a lot easier to cultivate a look because you'll enter the store with an understanding of the cuts that work for your body.

Tailor Your Pieces

Unfortunately, most people take the art of tailoring for granted. With the right tailoring, you can easily make a cheap blazer look as though it was custom-made in Italy. Whether it's a pair of jeans or a button-down shirt, get everything tailored to fit your body. Sure, it's going to cost a little more. Thankfully, most tailors don't charge exorbitant prices. Plus, if you'd like to enjoy a garment much longer, tailoring is a great way to take care of it. It's especially important to tailor pieces such as your classic blazers, pants, skirts, and professional tops.

Respect Your Surroundings

If you work in an environment with very strict guidelines, it's important to respect that. There is a time and a place for everything. It's more important to remain employed rather than make a fashion statement. Once you've been told about the dress code, stick with it. If there's flexibility regarding what you can wear, it's still important to remain respectful of the environment you're in. When people try to push the limits too far, that's when employers get really strict about attire. Do your best to be agreeable and respectful of the rules when you're getting dressed to go to work. It's okay if it takes you some time to build a look that you're happy with. Take a look at inspiring photos on sites like Pinterest and Instagram. Create a glam board where you cut out pictures of styles, colors, and garments you really like. Once you've cultivated your fashion aesthetic for the workplace, getting dressed in the morning will feel as easy as breathing in and out.