What’s even more of a struggle than dressing for your first job or internship? Dressing for your first job or internship where you’ll be working in an office with a casual dress code. Especially if you’re working for a smaller company or a startup, tons of offices have completely dropped the “business” in “business casual”—which can make it pretty tough to walk the line between professional and overdressed. Luckily, we’ve laid out four ideas—and why they work—to get you started!
1. Back to basics
Your best casual office outfit might already be in your closet! Basic staples like a denim jacket and striped tee keep the look easygoing and cool and are elevated by fashion forward pieces like cropped faux leather culottes; which are perfect for those hot summer days ahead!
2. Cotton candy hues
Just because your office has a casual dress code doesn’t mean you have to forgo your favorite skirts and dresses in order to fit in! It’s easy to make a pleated mini skirt look dressed down when paired with those printed slip-on sneakers you normally reserve for off-duty looks! Topping off the look with a leather jacket toughens up your pastel hues!
3. Fun florals
The casual office’s version of the blazer? The sleeveless blazer. With all the professional vibes of a blazer but the effortless sleeveless silhouette, it’s a must-have piece for a casual workplace. Contrast its structured shape with a laid-back floral shift and chunky wooden platforms for a look that is easygoing, but still totally pulled together.
4. White jeans
With the casual, relaxed look of denim in a slightly more dressed up shade, white jeans are your new best friend! They’re the perfect piece to throw on since they can be worn with anything, but we love them topped off with easy layers, like a chambray shirt and a patterned sweater.
What other tips and tricks do you use to stay chic at your casual office, collegiettes?