By Guest Writer, Rachel Clinkard, on behalf of shoe retailer, Charles Clinkard
Please note that this is a promotional post on behalf of Charles Clinkard, for which I am not getting paid.
Having to wrap up in the winter can wreak havoc on your daily outfits, especially when you're trying to look stylish and professional for work. But, this needn't be the case. You can still look and feel great going to your job when you give your winter wardrobe some thought. Here, Rachel Clinkard from shoe retailer, Charles Clinkard, shares her top four winter office fashion tips.
The working world is busy enough without having to consider what to wear every day, but with clothing able to positively influence your mood, self-esteem and creativity, you're bound to want to look your very best. While tailored shirts and suits in lightweight fabrics and floaty dresses may have been the obvious choice in summer, winter can bring a new obstacle when it comes to dressing for work.
The colder weather calls for layering and sturdier footwear styles, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice looking fashionable at work. Here, I will be sharing my top four winter office fashion tips to ensure you still look great during the colder months.
Learn how to layer up with style
When the wind, rain and ice strike, it's time to wrap up. At one point, layering in the winter had become synonymous with unfashionable outfits, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of reaching for your chunkiest jumper, think about utilising thin layers as these won't look as bulky.
For women, this could mean teaming your best polo neck jumper with a chunky knit cardigan or wearing thermals underneath your formal work shirt and layering a V-neck jumper on top. If you enjoy wearing skirts and dresses to work, shopping for some in thicker fabrics will lock in heat, but to keep even cosier think about wearing a roll neck underneath these. To keep your legs warm, wear woollen or fleece-lined tights and some under the knee boots.
For men who have a business casual dress code to stick to, layering a round neck Aran jumper on top of your work shirt can ensure you look smart and be warm. If you're required to wear a suit to work, I recommend opting for a thicker suit material like wool and making use of thermals underneath this.
Add a splash of colour to your outfits
When the weather is dreary and dull, it can be all too tempting to dress in darker colours to match your surroundings. But, livening up your outfits with some colour can boost your mood and self-esteem, as well as increase creative thinking, all of which can have a knock-on effect on the quality and quantity of work you get done.
While standard black, grey and navy tones are associated with professionalism, don't let it put you off from incorporating more cheerful colours into your winter wardrobe. Burgundy, bottle green, mustard and camel hues are particularly popular during the colder months, so it's the perfect season to add these into your workwear.
Both men and women will benefit from having a good collection of knitwear such as cable knit jumpers and cardigans that they can layer on top of their shirts and long-sleeved tops this winter. So, try shopping for these in the above colours for a statement look that will win you some style points at work.
If you like to keep your clothing simple, investing in some standout shoes and accessories can help. For women, I recommend ankle boots or block-heeled court shoes in beautiful autumn/winter shades like terracotta orange and mustard yellow and matching any handbags, scarves and hats to these. Similarly, men should keep an eye out for leather loafers in statement colours or choose smart dress shoes in subtle yet stylish colourways like bottle green.
Shop for oversized coats
A cosy, warm coat that is equally as stylish will be a staple piece to have in your wardrobe this winter, but it's important that this still looks professional. There are so many coat styles to pick from, including hooded trench coats to puffer jackets, but if you're looking to tick the boxes of AW19 fashion, you're going to want to invest in some oversized outerwear.
Women's oversized pea coats were big on the catwalk this year. As well as being roomy enough to fit your layers underneath without looking bulky, their simple silhouettes look sophisticated and chic. Shop for one in a classic plaid or check design or find one in a seasonal tone that will inject colour into your workwear. For a truly put together look, you should ensure your shoes match the colour or one of the shades in your coat.
Finding the right coat for men can sometimes be a tricky feat, but you can't go wrong with a camel trench coat. The straight cuts of these create a versatile aesthetic but fancy button detailing, or a waist tie can add an extra sophisticated edge, so keep an eye out for these. Pairing these with some smart leather moccasins and shorter length tailored trousers will win you some serious style points. However, if your dress code is a little more relaxed, some lace-up military-style boots will look undeniably stylish.
Choose winter-appropriate footwear
What counts as appropriate work footwear can be a grey area in the winter, with a need for more practical styles that offer a good enough grip for icy and wet conditions outside. Women will want to put any stiletto-style heels away and focus on smaller block heels to keep them more balanced on slippery surfaces. If you tend to wear soft, slip-on ballet shoes during the warmer and drier months, I recommend switching these for stylish ankle boots that have a good, chunky sole on them.
For men who are required to wear smart dress shoes to work, you'll want to make sure they are made of a material that's easy to wipe clean and won't get ruined from rain. Leather is typically a good choice for this, although they will need treating correctly with protector sprays and maintaining if you're going to wear them often. Another option could be to get patent versions as the smooth and polished surface tends to be more resistant to wet weather.
Dressing for the winter doesn't have to mean losing your sense of style. Take my top four tips on board to ensure your workwear stays on trend in the colder months.
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