Style
Through stories and statistics, we have learned that dressing for success leads to success.
While rocking a tailored suit may be considered dressing for success, it is also important to incorporate your personality into your career looks. I will admit that for years I chose to wear more classic styles because I was fearful of what my coworkers would say. Tyra Banks said it best, "Never dull your shine for somebody else."
We should all feel empowered to be the perfect balance of Annalise Keating and Cookie Lyon in our respective workplaces.
We all strive to be booked, busy, and blessed, much like style aficionado, Kéla Walker. This #girlboss is a seven-time Emmy nominated television host, producer, and life and style content creator. Kéla manages to boss up 24 hours a day and keeps it super stylish while she does. She's the woman we all strive to be with her bubbly but relatable personality. There is never a moment we aren't wondering what she's wearing and how she so skillfully curates her outfits.We follow her on Instagram, not only for inspiration, but to see how she's able to infuse her personality into her work wear.
"I work in a creative environment so the dress code policy isn't very stringent," Walker said. "As a result, I get to wear whatever I want, but I'm no slob. I wear a lot of dresses, matching sets, and dressed up denim. I feel smart and most stylish when I wear a dress—specifically a great fitting shift or sheath dress with a pair of killer heels. I feel like the boss even though I'm not."
Though dress codes can vary between offices and industries, Kela gave us the scoop on how we, too, can look stylish at work.
Here are her suggestions for how you can feel like a boss (even if you aren't—yet):
Shop Smart
"Everyone knows the popular spots like H&M, Forever 21, and Zara, but one shouldn't turn their nose up at fashion from places like Kmart and JC Penney. They have some great pieces at competitive prices. You shouldn't spend a lot on pieces you're only going to wear for a couple of months. Also, check out Target. They have an incredible fashion department outside of their designer collaborations. Really you can shop anywhere, all you need is the style and know how to make pieces work to your benefit."
Invest Wisely
"Think [about] pieces that will work for both your professional and personal life. One of the reasons I love dresses (besides the fact that they're great for those days when you're running late and don't have time to put an outfit together) is that they are easily transitional. You can dress them up with heels and blazers during the day, or dress them down with sneakers and flats on the weekend. And depending on the cut, they also make great layers once things start to cool off. On the flip side, separates are also really great because you can mix and match them with other pieces in your wardrobe to really maximize their budget."
Get Colorful
"A great way to make office attire stylish is to infuse color—whether it be with your blouse or slight details like your nails. Also, great heels and accessories that complement your personality without disrupting your professionalism always make for great style. Also wear pieces that fit. Nothing screams polished and chic more than well-fitting clothes."
Don’t Feel Like You Have to Wear a Suit
"I don't wear suits in the traditional sense to work, only the trendy matching sets and coordinating suits."
Still Embrace Trends
"I'm into culottes, I love that they are not quite pants but much longer than shorts, which can be a no-no at work. Also sleeveless coats and vests. That makes every look polished and chic. And when the vest and culottes come together, they make really cool suits for summer."
Isn't she great? Be sure to check out her style blog, Kéla's Kloset for more tips for maximizing your style.
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