Working 9-5 in office wear means you should let loose your style goddess over the weekend
It’s back to work, back to school and you’re probably wondering like me, ‘how have the holidays zoomed by so quickly?’ Now, if it’s back to monochrome work wear for you, and the kids are back in school uniform, then I bet you look forward to some weekend dressing up.
Dressing for the weekend is much more fun because you don’t have to adhere to a fixed dress code and can bring out a bit more colour that shows off your personality. But you can slip into the same combinations of jeans and tees, old comfort wear, or a repetition of the same jewellery!
If you think ‘that’s me’, then check out these five super easy, yet effective, ways of dressing for the weekend. You are sure to be inspired to try something new, just wait for the compliments to roll in to a more stylish you!
Stripe it up
I can’t stress enough that a striped tee is an absolute wardrobe essential! Stripes just spell instant style. I’ve heard that coloured jeans are passé… maybe, but if you team these with a striped tee and a cute silk or cotton scarf in a delicate print you will be making a classy statement indeed. Wear white or tan flat sandals for the perfect casual touch. This would be a great option for visiting friends at lunch or taking the kids out to the art gallery. If you’re worried about stripes making you look wider, then why not opt for a striped infinity scarf over a black or grey dress for perfect casual elegance!
Jeans ‘n tee with a twist
The best way to add instant chic to a basic jeans and t-shirt combo is to add a colourful floral or abstract print scarf that ties in with the colour of the jeans and top. A well-fitting pair of jeans is super versatile while adding a bright tee instead of the usual neutrals (read: black, white and grey) can make it a cheerful outfit straight away. Wear your slip on sneakers or loafers and pick up your roomy tote for a relaxed day out with girlfriends, a day trip or even just a visit to the shops. And if you are out and about in the sun, a Panama hat will be a cute addition to keep you shaded and looking very stylish!
Long or short
If you are a shorts lover and feel super comfortable sporting these, then why not try a mix of neutrals for a fun yet restrained look. I would recommend khaki shorts with a grey tee, beige with a white tee or light wash denim shorts with a black tee. Try knee length shorts if the sight of ‘short’ shorts scares you! And if it’s still not your cup of tea, try utility pants. They are soft, comfortable to sit in unlike fitted jeans and you could team these with a pastel tee or relaxed shirt.
Smart casual approach
What exactly is ‘smart casual’? A simple answer to that, is that smart casual describes a mostly casual outfit with one or maybe two structured pieces. I like a striped tee and jeans with a smart blazer, for example. It could be a printed dress with a structured bag and block heel sandals maybe, or a cute printed pencil skirt with a neutral tee and layered necklace. The key is in the simplicity of the accessories and the couple of structured pieces that you are intending to use to balance the look.
Raise your style quotient
And now, last but not least, what do you wear to those parties that demand a dressier, formal look? Like you, I get tempted to jump online and buy a new dress for each new occasion. That was until the time I started to realise that the dresses just hang around in my wardrobe afterwards and take up unnecessary space. So, how do we tackle this one? It is best to buy a couple of high quality, high repeat value dresses like an LBD (little black dress), a navy wrap dress, or even a gorgeous white dress in a flattering shape. Invest in some great patterned ones too. This may be slightly more tricky as prints tend to date quickly, so a textured dress might prove to be a safer bet. You can certainly buy the trendy printed dresses at lower price points, but they may not last long and can quickly become dated. Use rich accessories like a thin metallic belt, statement necklace or gorgeous patent pumps to highlight the look. An investment handbag will go a long way in terms of your party outfit – it will make your look expensive and sophisticated.
