“Dress not for the job you have, but the one you want”
It’s the age-old saying we’ve all heard a million times, but it turns out that what we wear actually does have a big impact on our confidence levels, and thus our performance in work and life. Sure, there’s been many a day that I’ve gotten a LOT of work done while still in my sweatpants and jumper at my desk at home, but that carry-on just wont fly for those of you not in the freelance game.
Most of us don’t have uniforms for work, and the boundaries of what’s appropriate and fashionably acceptable can often be blurred, especially with modern companies, so what’s a gal to do?
No I’m no expert on corporate dressing, but here are a few of my tried and tested tips for dressing confidently:
Embrace tailoring:
When it comes to dressing for confidence, there’s nothing quite like the fit of a well-tailored garment to make you feel like you can take on the world. You don’t need to spend a fortune to nail this look, well-tailored pieces can be found on the high-street, but you need a good eye to spot them. Look for slightly padded shoulders, good quality stitching and hems, and try on multiple sizes to ensure you find your perfect fit. One tip is to get pieces altered by a seamstress so they fit your exact measurements, which is perfect for women who might be on the shorter/taller side, which high street shops often don’t cater as well to. My Go-to spot is the Zipyard, they have branches nationwide and they have never failed me.
Comfort is key:
When you feel comfortable in your outfit, you exude confidence, it’s as simple as that. This does not mean that I’m giving you free reign to rock up to your next big meeting or interview in a sweat-suit, but it means you should always opt for comfort, first and foremost. How are we supposed to take over the world when we’re limping around in our ill-fitting patent pumps? Ditch the uncomfortable shoes an find a few pairs of heels (or flats) that fit just right, your soles will thank you.
Investment:
You do not need to spend thousands, or hundreds of euro to look and feel confident in your clothes, let me just get that out first. You can however, invest a little more into special pieces which you will have for years, and that will always make you feel confident when you wear them. It might be your perfect Balmain blazer you splurged on for your birthday, or those Louboutins you nabbed on sale, or your beloved Celine trapeze Tote you saved up for all year long. Its those extra-special pieces in your closet that you always turn to when your outfit needs a little pick-me-up on a Monday morning. For me, it’s my Louis Vuitton Speedy, which I bought last Christmas. It was a present to myself after my first full year of starting my own company and working for myself, and it will forever and always be my #GIRLBOSS bag. It’s classic shape, roomy size and handheld style scream business to me, I like to think of it as my own little suitcase, it even has my initials monogrammed on it! I bring it to almost every meeting and work appointment, and I feel like it adds an air of sophistication and maturity to my look, even if Ive paired it with a simple pair of jeans and a teeshirt.
Suit-up:
You don’t have to work in an office to rock a power-suit. There’s nothing that makes me feel quite as capable as when I’m wearing a nice bit of tailoring, even more so when it matches. This outfit is actually a pair of tailored trousers matched with a double-breasted blazer, so really the look is so easy to re-create. The two matching pieces can easily be broken up and worn in more casual looks, so you’re getting multiple outfit options in one. One of my dreams is to one day invest in a two-piece Saint Laurent suit, but they certainly don’t come cheap. In an effort to get my cost-per-wear ratio up I will commit to live, work, get married, and be buried in it, like a true #GIRLBOSS.
Shop the Look:
Blazer: River Island | Trousers: River Island | Teeshirt: Missguided | Sneakers: River Island | Bag: Louis Vuitton Speedy | Celine “New Audrey” sunglasses |
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Shot by Yoseph on an Olympus Pen with a 75mm lens
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Having clothes that fit you well can really give you the confidence you need in any situation! Thanks for sharing!
The suit that you are modelling looks comfortable and at the same time elegant. Thank you for sharing tips to dress for confidence at work while feeling comfortable.