Creating a work wardrobe for a variety of environments is all about finding basic pieces that can work in any situation, and then dressing them up or down as needed. If you want to know how to create the perfect hybrid work wardrobe, read on. 

But First: Types of Dress Codes and What They Mean

While many workplace dress codes are becoming more relaxed, it is still important to know what your place of work considers to be appropriate. Oftentimes, your workplace will specify what type of clothing is appropriate for the office using one of the following terms. 

Business Formal

This type of attire is the highest level of professional dress attire. For women, this typically means a suit or skirt paired with conservative accessories and shoes. Along with this dress code, your employer will expect you to maintain a high standard of appearance when it comes to overall hygiene. This style is losing popularity in some workspaces with the rise of hybrid and remote work, but it still may be required in certain professions.

Business Professional

While business professional is a step down from formal, it is still very traditional and conservative. There is a bit of room for flexibility here with patterns and colors, but workers still tend to wear suits and skirts. In this style, you can add statement jewelry and chunky watches if you want—just don’t go overboard. 

Business Casual

Business casual is a popular style in the modern workplace and is usually acceptable for video calls. In this style, you don’t need to wear a suit, pumps, and stockings every day, but you still need to maintain a certain level of professionalism with your outfits. You will not see jeans in this style very often unless your employer specifies that it is okay. Women usually wear nicer shirts like button-ups and blouses and comfortable dress pants or skirts. You are allowed more freedom with jewelry, hair, nails, and accessories. 

Casual

This style might make it sound like you can wear whatever you want, but just because your employer says the dress code is casual doesn’t mean you can show up in shorts or a tank top. You still want to maintain professionalism when in the office. Make sure your clothes are neat, free of wrinkles, and appropriate for the type of work you do. For women, this style typically includes nicely fitted tops and comfortable dress pants or skirts. Jeans are sometimes acceptable in this style, but some employers still frown upon it. If you’re not sure, ask your employer if jeans are allowed in the office.

Work Wardrobe Basics Every Professional Should Have

Building a work wardrobe for hybrid work can be difficult because you will often wear different outfits at home than you would in the office. To make this process easier and in a way that won’t break the bank, consider having these essential pieces in your wardrobe. These pieces can easily be dressed up or down depending on the dress code and occasion, giving you more flexibility without needing hundreds of pieces in your wardrobe.

Pants and Trousers

When deciding how many pairs of pants you need, consider how many days you’ll be in the office—and remember, if you’re on a Zoom call, nobody can see below your waist! For those days you do need to maintain a certain standard, though, there are a few options to keep you both professional and comfortable based on your company’s dress code:

• Black dress pants
• Khakis or tan dress pants
• Black jeans
• Dark blue jeans

You may find other colors of dress pants to give your wardrobe more variety, but they’re definitely not required.

Tops

Having a variety of basic tops is great for allowing you to mix up your wardrobe to match the dress code and weather. Here are some suggestions to include in your work wardrobe:

• White button-down
• Patterned button-down or blouse
• Basic, solid-colored sweaters
• Basic long-sleeve shirts
• White collared shirts
• Basic t-shirts (white, gray, and black are staples)

Having different styles and colors of tops that work with different bottoms make it easy to switch up your look.

Jackets

Jackets are essential for colder offices and locations with colder climates. Here are a few work-appropriate options:

• Black blazer
• Brown blazer
• Tweed jacket
• Leather jacket (for more casual work environments)
• Suit coats, if applicable

If you live in an especially cold climate, consider investing a little more in a nice winter coat that matches some of the basics in your work wardrobe.

Shoes

Here’s a hard truth: You do not need a million pairs of shoes. A simple pair of everyday shoes will match almost any dress code. Think, leather oxfords or basic flats. If you like mixing it up, consider adding the following pairs to your wardrobe:

• Ankle boots
• Closed-toe heels
• Loafers
• Clean, white sneakers

The colors of your shoes should match multiple outfits you’ve made with tops and pants. This will allow you to easily mix things up whenever you feel like it. Ladies, if you don’t like heels, don’t wear them! Most workplaces do not expect women to wear uncomfortable heels all day. If your workplace requires heels or if you enjoy wearing them, be sure to invest in a comfortable pair and take them off as soon as you get home. Your feet will thank you.

Accessories

Adding accessories is a fun way to express yourself in the office. Make sure any accessories you choose are appropriate for your workplace. Here are a few popular choices:

• Black and brown belts
• A functional bag (Find one that can carry your laptop!)
• A watch
• Simple gold or silver rings and bracelets

What You Wear at the Office Versus at Home

What you wear in the office versus at home is going to look a little different. For the office, stick to the dress code your employer requires. If you’re working from home, your attire should depend on where exactly you are working and whether you have any video calls. If you have video calls, consider a comfortable pair of pants and a nice shirt, like a button-up. Pair it with some stud earrings or a simple necklace if you want to accessorize. If you don’t normally have video calls when you are working from home, consider yourself lucky: You can wear virtually anything you want! Think twice before staying in your pajamas all day, though. Putting on clothes for work helps your brain get into a work mindset, allowing you to be more productive. How much to dress up? That’s up to you. 

Creating a Hybrid Wardrobe That Works for You

Your hybrid work wardrobe shouldn’t break the bank. By creating a closet of basics, you can easily mix them up for a variety of situations. Use accessories to dress up your look for the office, and dress it down with a comfortable pair of pants and a nice top when you’re at home. Whatever style your work requires, the basics listed above will help you get started. 

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We have empirical evidence (trust us) that more women hate their arms than any other parts of their bodies. No matter how many wonderful things those arms have done for a woman, she still finds them to be flawed and wants to cover them up or draw attention away from her arms.

Formal wear designers have taken notice of this disdain and are providing women more options to drape some cover over their arms. Once only the purview of mother-of-the-bride dresses, now a variety of sleeve types have taken their place on the formal wear runway.

Consider the options:

Long or Three-Quarters Sleeves

When long sleeves began appearing on two-piece prom dresses a couple of years ago, that was pretty much the clincher for us that sleeves would be here to stay for quite a while. After all, why would young ladies slim enough to want to show off their abs feel the need to cover up their arms?

Unlike mom dresses, however, most of the full to three-quarter sleeves you find on formal dresses, both short and long, feature light lace or mesh, giving the illusion of cover more than fully disguising the arms.

Long sleeves also have made their way into wedding gowns, varying from the billowy styles for a bride searching for a Victorian look to the bedazzled sleeve for the modern bride who cannot get enough bling in her gown.

Short or Cap Sleeves

Cap sleeves have been a staple of the mother dress for those moms who wanted a little modesty but didn’t want to look grandmotherly. These also have risen in popularity in the younger formal wear dresses, though often they are brightened with beading, lace, and sequins to ensure the look remains flashy, fresh, and youthful.

Short sleeves are more rare among the prom and wedding gown styles, though the girl who really is searching for such can be accommodated.

Illusion Sleeves

Probably the biggest change in styles over the past five years in the formal wear industry has been the addition of illusion sleeves to the predominant sleeveless styles. Whether these wider-than-a-typical-strap sleeves appear as plain mesh or decorated with lace, beading, or embroidery, they provide both an extra layer of modesty and the security of holding the dress up during a long evening of dining and dancing.

Bridal gowns have followed this trend as well, much to the relief of late 20s and 30-something brides who don’t want to look like teenagers but also don’t want to look like their mothers.

The Latest: Off-Shoulder Sleeves

The hottest trend right now in the formal wear industry is the off-shoulder sleeve, a revival from the early 1800s, the 1960s, and the 1980s. Since this trend hit the ready-to-wear runways in summer 2016, formal wear designers have embraced the look and added many twists of their own.

Off-shoulder styles in formal wear range from loopy straps to muscle-tight bands to deconstructed long sleeves. They also range from plain jersey fabrics to bejeweled bands to intricate lace.

InStyle noted the trend in deconstructed sleeves, where the sleeves appear to be detached from the dress, have made an appearance back in the ready-to-wear fashions in spring 2018 as well.

For the prom girl or bride who doesn’t want to give up the security of the strap, a new trend for 2018 is the circular off-the-shoulder, where the top of the circle serves as strap while the bottom drapes across the bicep.

Wrapping Up the Cover Up

Whether you really do hate your arms or merely want to feel warmer or just believe the sleeve trend will make you stand out at your formal affair, designers are working to meet your desires with a plethora of options.

Of course, if you really are proud of all your arms have carried you through in this life and want to show them off to the world, styles also are available to draw attention to your amazing arms and shoulders.

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Understanding Your Wedding Attire Options

Before you can make a thoughtful decision about what will be appropriate attire for your wedding, you first need to understand what your options are. You and your soon-to-be spouse will cherish these memories for the rest of your lives, so it’s important to make sure you look the part! However, you don’t want to be overdressed any more than you want to be underdressed. Let’s take a closer look at menswear for weddings.

The Tux (To Wear or Not to Wear)

This is the big debate. Will you be donning a three-piece tuxedo on your big day, or will you trade in this traditional stunner for something a little less showy? There is a time and a place for a tuxedo, and we’re here to help you decide if your wedding is that place.

When to wear a tuxedo

• You’re having a formal cathedral ceremony
• You’re having an evening wedding ceremony
• Your ceremony spans from day to night but has a sophisticated air
• You’re communicating “black tie” attire to your guests

Suit Yourself: Wear a Suit!

While a sleek tux is still probably your best bet if you’re opting for a formal, elaborate wedding, a suit can be an equally appropriate choice for many formal weddings. Additionally, a suit is more versatile, making it a fantastic option for smaller occasions.

When a suit is a better option

• Destination wedding. A lightweight suit works best for a beach wedding, while a gray or brown suit fits the natural vibe of a mountaintop wedding.
• A morning or afternoon wedding. Daytime weddings are growing in popularity, and a tux will most likely feel out of place at your brunch reception. Suits are preferred here as they are a more casual option.
• A backyard wedding. Backyard weddings, often with less traditional receptions featuring food trucks, barbecue, or lawn games and canapés, are meant to be charming but comfortable. A tux will seem too fussy in this setting, but a suit is just right. Feel free to ditch the jacket if you want. It won’t look out of place here.
• A romantic elopement. More and more couples are choosing to skip the trouble (and expense!) of a traditional wedding in favor of elopement. A tailored suit will help your elopement feel as remarkable as a more formal ceremony and look great in the photos you send to friends and family back home.
• A civil ceremony. Getting married at the courthouse doesn’t have to be drab, and a suit is the right attire to feel dressed up during your civil ceremony. Suits also provide you ample options in color, fit, and style so you can customize your look to your liking and still have a personalized ceremony without the to-do of a traditional wedding.

The Final Verdict? Focus On Fit & Style

Unlike the tux rentals of yore that often left grooms in attire that didn’t quite fit or suit their overall look, the wedding suit trend means a focus on individual fit and style. You will want to allow plenty of time to have your suit professionally tailored, ensuring that perfect custom fit that will make you look like you’re on the cover of GQ.

The modern suit tends to be worn with a slimmer fit and comes in such a wide range of shades and fabric. You may even feel more overwhelmed by options than your bride! If you hope to wear the suit often after your wedding, a neutral like gray, tan, or navy is a great bet.

Some adventurous grooms are choosing bold color and even patterns in their suiting, whether it’s olive green, checked tweed, or even an eye-catching burgundy. If you’re not sure where to start, check out Pinterest to get inspired. Just remember to keep your lovely bride in the loop, since she most likely wants your wedding suit to complement her concept of the overall color scheme and look of the wedding.

The shift away from tuxes toward suits for grooms is more practical and economical. However, you can still be quite stylish. If you’d like a consultation to help you find the perfect suit (or tux!) in our boutique, schedule some time with us today.

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Jewelry is such an easy way to add a little sparkle, creativity, and individuality to any outfit. Even a basic gray tee shirt, jean cutoffs, and sneakers can look put-together and cool with the right jewelry.

While accessorizing with jewelry can be fun, it can also be daunting to know where to start if you’re a beginner. Or, if you’re a pro, you might find yourself in an uninspired fashion rut. Do you rotate through the same three pairs of earrings day after day? Have you forgotten to wear bracelets completely? Is your jewelry lying in a tangled mess in a drawer somewhere?

Luckily, it’s easy to change up your jewelry-wearing habits and get excited about accessorizing again. Whether you want to buy something new and totally different from your usual style or you’re simply looking for inspiration on how to wear your older jewelry in a different way, here are a few fresh jewelry-wearing ideas that might catch your fancy.

4 ways to elevate your jewelry game

1. Layer necklaces and bracelets

You probably layer your clothes all the time, especially during those times of year when the weather ranges from warm in the sunshine to downright chilly when you’re in the shade. Why not layer your jewelry, too?

Layering your accessories is an easy way to add depth and interest to any outfit, but it works particularly well when amplifying a subdued look. We’re talking about a plain white tee and heaps of dainty gold necklaces of different lengths for an on-trend look. Or, you could try pairing a pendant with a simpler chain or choker. (This would look great with your favorite LBD!) or a simple black dress with a long pendant plus a few silver chains.

Bracelets are also fun to layer, and doing so really adds a little something special to your outfits. Layers of gold or silver bangles mixed with thinner bracelets is a great look, especially with a simple sundress in the summer. Mixing woven leather or cloth bracelets with metal ones looks artsy and adds visual, textural interest.

Keep in mind, however, that if you’re going with a statement accessory, it’s best to just wear one at a time so that you don’t detract from or totally overwhelm your outfit. The most important tip for layering? Dimension. You wouldn’t want to wear three t-shirts at a time just like how you wouldn’t want to wear three 16-inch necklaces at once. Shake things up with different shapes, sizes, and materials to create a stunning look.

2. Wear a necklace over your high-necked shirt

This is a great technique for looking put-together on those cold winter days where you just want to slink into your turtleneck and never come out! It also works in the summer when you might want to wear a lightweight, long-sleeved button-up with shorts, or a high-necked, dressy tank.

It adds just the right amount of sparkle, so even if you’ve slipped into something cozy and comfortable, you can still look like you’ve spent hours putting together an outfit.

You can easily wear a pendant with a high-necked sweater, tucking the chain around the back and letting it hang in front. Try wearing a statement necklace that matches the color of your high-necked blouse. If you’re wearing a blue shirt, go with a necklace with stones of a slightly different blue. If you’re wearing a shirt with a collar, you might try wearing a short necklace under the collar, letting it peek out from the front.

3. Don’t match your jewelry

Usually, when you wear a necklace, you tend to reach for a pair of earrings or a bracelet that came with it so that all your jewelry items match. However, it’s a lot more fun and eye-catching to wear things that aren’t part of a set. For example, if you’re wearing a necklace with red stones in a flowery pattern, you could throw on a pair of simple gold chandelier earrings to go with it. You could also combine a chain necklace with a geometric bracelet.

This is a technique you can try with your clothes as well by mixing up the patterns and colors in unique ways. Just try to make sure that there is a theme as well as complementary colors running through your outfit, so that the various elements don’t clash too much.

4. Stack your rings

Rings are the perfect way to amp up an outfit, and stacking your rings takes it to a whole new level. Because rings are a simple addition, hopefully you’ll find them easy to begin incorporating into your go-to looks.

First things first: rings aren’t only for ring fingers. Thumb rings, pinky rings, you name it. It’s all fair game.

To take things a step further, consider stacking your rings. Much like layering necklaces or bracelets, stacking rings adds visual interest. Start with a simple metal band and then add something with texture. Do this on a few fingers, and you’ve got a sophisticated look that is both classy and captivating.

Are you ready to think outside the jewelry box?

What are your favorite jewelry trends for today? Let us know in the comments. Need something new to spice up your jewelry collection? Browse our boutique collections online and take advantage of our mix-and-match discounts to find your new favorite pieces for every style!

The post 4 Jewelry-Wearing Tips You Don’t Want to Miss appeared first on Verblio.

Choosing the perfect party ensemble doesn’t have to be difficult. These 10 fashion brands have got you covered in the season’s ugliest sweaters, with designs that would even delight Scrooge. For the latest holiday looks, check out their fashion brand blogs for tips and trends that will have you turning heads and looking your best, even when the attire is technically “ugly”.

• Tee Fury wins big with fans and gamers, young and old. Their arcade-inspired characters and Pokemon parody score major party points, not to mention there are dozens to choose from. Cheap shipping and fast production means you will get your selection long before Santa loads his sleigh and have plenty of time to show off your Christmas spirit.

• Festified has all of your favorite holiday movie classics in the form of warm, woolly sweaters. With designs from seasonal hits including A Christmas Story, Elf and Christmas Vacation, you’re sure to offer party guests a heaping dose of comedic relief.

• Love on a Hanger turns lines of beloved carols’ chorus into messages of teenage angst with sassy mantras like “Fa La La Blah Blah Blah”. Grab one for yourself or wrap one up for your teenage party guest.

• Tee Shirt Palace knits presidential laughs, jumping on the election-year bandwagon to “Make Christmas Great Again”, which features Donald Trump donning a Santa hat.

• Tipsy Elves has a huge collection of ugly sweaters, ranging from merry and bright, to dark and deranged. The wacky wear includes tongue-in-cheek styles suitable for adult crowds along with options for good, clean Christmas fun.

• The Ugly Sweater Shop.com is the go-to source for all things ugly. Featuring more than just sweaters, they also sell pajamas, hats and vests with ugly seasonal themes. In addition, the site’s fashion brand blog offers plenty of conversation material, seasonal news, fashion advice and lots of laughs.

• Swell is the place to shop for pet owners or those who spend a lot of time in the dog house. They have dogs of all kinds that are decking the halls on their ugly sweaters. You don’t have to be a dog lover to appreciate their hilarious “Feliz Navidog” chihuahua.

• IWOOT (I Want One of Those) turns up the volume with their rapping Santa sweater. Their collection has amusing graphics and is reasonably priced for shoppers who are on a budget.

• Halloween Costumes.com may not conjure up sugar plums in your head, but don’t let the name scare you away. They have plenty of holiday spirit and some of the most original designs that you will find. One of the ugly sweaters on this site boasts Christmas cats with laser-beam eyes, that will get you plenty of strange looks no matter where you go.

• The Sweater Store by Ragstock not only has bold, eye-catching, quality ugly sweaters, but their fashion brand blog offers readers a wealth of resources, including video clips, recipes, coloring pages and online games that will keep you entertained all season. The site’s blog is worth a visit, even if you are finished with your shopping list, for fun activities and helpful holiday hacks.

These 10 retailers know all about ugly sweater parties and their accompanying fashion brand blogs are an unexpected gift for holiday shoppers this season.

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