Confusion over what to wear in the morning is nothing new.
But as Americans return to the office after working from home for over a year, the decision making process has become much more difficult.
What are the new rules of office style? Experts from the fashion and beauty industry break the code.
‘It’s all about the mix: suiting and sportswear, formalwear and casual wear,’ says Banana Republic’s Chief Business Officer, Ana Andjelic
‘This recontextualization of workwear isn’t new – it’s been going on for a while now – but since last year it’s been on steroids’
GET CREATIVE WITH SEPARATES
‘It’s all about the mix: suiting and sportswear, formalwear and casual wear,’ says Banana Republic’s Chief Business Officer, Ana Andjelic.
‘It’s very much about utilitarian chic and slouchy elegance. Workwear has become a creative canvas where now a lot of different fashion genres meet.’
According to Ana, individuality can now be expressed across all categories of wardrobe.
‘This recontextualization of workwear isn’t new – it’s been going on for a while now – but since last year it’s been on steroids.
‘It is all about being confident in combining genres: heels with sweatpants, sequins with a tailored button-down. A white t-shirt is always a good idea, as it can be dressed up and down. Sneakers with a suit are a norm, too.’
‘It is all about being confident in combining genres: heels with sweatpants, sequins with a tailored button-down’
CARRY A SLEEK AND PRACTICAL BAG
Radley London’s head of Design and Chief Product Officer, Jackie Hay, says their design team has been working on what women will want to carry post pandemic for the last year.
‘While a traditional work bag is always an elegant solution, for a one-bag look we like a backpack,’ she said.
The British accessory brand’s fall collection includes stylized options in rich colors like Merlot and navy and cross body options for handsfree convenience.
Jackie believes the new Flute Street or Lattice Remastered are also must-haves!
MIX AND MATCH COMFY AND CHIC
‘Today, some traditional industries are going back to the office with a more relaxed clothing policy,’ said Otaner King, Director of e-commerce at Liverpool.
‘It’s not so corporate or buttoned-up anymore. Women are incorporating denim, luxe loungewear pieces, knit blazers and trousers into their workwear.’
A great outfit is dependent on how you mix and match, according to Otaner.
‘We love a look that is unexpected. Pairing luxe loungewear with a printed woven top and a knit blazer is a way to look polished and still be comfortable.
‘If you need a break from loungewear, Liverpool offers fabulous knit trousers and blazers that work effortlessly together.
‘Customers know us for our fit and comfort, so denim is always a great idea, especially when it stretches and recovers.’
SLIP INTO SMART SHOES
‘People are beginning to return to work and return to life, and there’s a new dress code,’ said Angelique Joseph, Vice President of Design and Product Development for Naturalizer.
‘They want shoes designed in the spirit of today with a relaxed approach to dressing up.’
According to Angelique, high vamp mules and pull-on boots from Naturalizer are must-haves.
‘Consider these comfy, effortless styles to be your work-to-weekend essentials,’ she says. She recommends the Paloma mule and the Platt bootie.
OPT FOR AN EASY-TO-CREATE UPDO
‘A great way to return to the office post-pandemic is with a no fuss swept up messy bun,’ said Matrix Artistic Director, Nick Stenson.
According to the expert, the bun can be high or low and it to achieve the easy-breezy look is not to overthink it.
Step 1: ‘On dry, detangled hair begin by spraying Matrix Total Results High Amplify Dry Shampoo focusing on mid lengths and crown area. Brush through to distribute evenly.’
Step 2: ‘Next, neatly rake all hair back with your fingers and tilt your head back so that hair flows behind you and spray with Matrix Total Results Miss Mess Dry Finishing Spray keeping plenty of distance between that nozzle and the hair to ensure the product is lightly distributed.’
Step 3: ‘To follow, keep your head tilted and work into a ponytail position placing a clear elastic ponytail holder to secure with light tension and gently scoot the elastic to the midpoint of the ponytail.
‘Once done spray secured ponytail with Matrix Total Results Miss Mess Dry Finishing Spray and fold in half sweeping the ends toward the base.’
Step 4: ‘At the fold point, begin to role the hair toward the base until you reach the scalp. Note-for additional flair you can leave the ends out or tuck them in for a more polished vibe.
‘Secure the rolled hair with a few large hair pins and you are set for a focused day in the office with just the right amount of hair control. For a softer and more casual look, reduce your tension when securing the hair and finish by pulling out minimal face framing pieces around the face.’
Left: Matrix High Amplify Dry Shampoo , $18; hair.com. Right: Matrix Miss Mess Dry Finishing Spray, $18; hair.com
APPLY SIMPLE (but pretty) MAKEUP THAT REQUIRES LITTLE TIME
‘After returning to work, I only keep a few things on my vanity to apply before I head out the door,’ said Dani Schmidt, Global Makeup Artist for Sigma Beauty.
For a beautiful look that doesn’t take a ton of effort, Dani suggests:
Step 1: Apply Renew Lip Oil in the shade Hush.
‘I love this as a first step to help hydrate my lips right away in the morning. Since this is PH activated, it does leave a subtle pink tint on my lips by the time I’m finished with my makeup, which is a bonus for me.’
Step 2: Even out complexion.
‘I’ll apply a bit of foundation and concealer using my F47 Multitasker™. It’s so quick and easy and I immediately feel put together within seconds. I keep my Sigma Switch on my vanity so I can easily wipe off any excess product and go straight into my bronzer with the same brush.’
Step 3: Add color.
‘I take my Sculpt Highlight + Contour Palette which is the perfect versatile palette for bronzing up the face and also adding definition to the eyes. I’ll take the shade Poppin’ which is a beautiful rose-gold hue and place this on my cheeks and eyes. You’ll look more awake and instantly have a glowing complexion.’
Step 4: Manicure brows + lashes.
‘Even if I’m not wearing anything else on my face, I’ll do my brows. This makes such a huge difference in my routine. I’ll run a bit of Tint + Tame Gel in Light through my brows and lightly fill in with the Fill + Blend Pencil in the matching shade. A quick, light coat of Sinuosity Lash just to open my eyes is the perfect final touch.’