Charlotte Phoebe

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5 Ways to Accessorise Your Work Wardrobe

Keeping your work wardrobe stylish and professional whilst still injecting your own personality can sometimes seem challenging. Fortunately I have a relatively relaxed dress code so jeans, baggy sweaters and more daring style pieces are excepted. That said, I am always most comfortable in neutral tones, tailored pieces and a pair of heels. No matter how casual your dress code, there's something empowering about nailing an outfit for a busy day at work, something that gives you the confidence you need to tackle whatever the day throws your way. 

Whatever your style and dress code I've found there are 5 simple ways that you can accessorise any outfit, smart or casual, to add a little personality, change up a minimalist wardrobe and still remaining office appropriate. 

1. Hats

Outwear is always a great way to accessorise an outfit and pull everything together. Granted, you cant wear it inside the office and it's not really advised to wear a hat at your desk (unless that's cool with your boss) but it's a great way to transform an outfit quickly and add an edge as you're running between meetings. Baker boy caps are everywhere at the moment and I'm a self-confessed lover but if you're more of a floppy-hat kinda wearer then mix it up as you see fit. 

2. Scarves

Whether you're adding in a pop of colour, keeping warm or accesorising your hairstyle, scarves are an incredibly versatile way to change up your outift. There are a hundred and one ways to style a scarf but personally I love the look of a silk (or faux silk) scarf wrapped around the handle of a bag. It elevated any look, can add colour without being overwhelming and can easily be swapped for a new look. This particular bag cam pre-scarfed (if that's a term...) and the black suede front helps to give this a more luxe finish. It's easy to re-create though, grab your favourite scarf, wrap it around the handle and tuck it back in to keep it secure throughout the day. 

3. Statement Earrings

Jewlerry is another easy way to make a simple outfit look more stylish without breaking the bank and maintaining your office look. Statement earrings have been everywhere over the past few seasons and makes any up-do look instantly more glamourous. A simple ear climber is a favourite look of mine. They're stylish, make a statement but still look chic and aren't too much for the office. 

4. Detailed Basics

Large buttons blazers, dramatic ruffles on blouses or extreme flares on trousers; curating a collection of basics that have that little something extra is a great way to elevate your everyday look. Take a simple white shirt, pick one with flared sleeves or a ruffled front and you're instantly able to add in that little bit more personality and excitement to your outfit. This silver button detail on this Zara body helps to take an otherwise boring basic and make it that bit more interesting. This works particularly well when matched to the rest of your jewellery to give a cohesive and classic look to the outfit. 

5. Interesting Shoes

We all know, shoes should always be comfortable (especially for work) but this does not mean that they have to be boring. Experiment with a different style, go for a pair with an interesting design detail and experiment with different colours and textures to finish off your outfit perfectly and stay on trend without needing to revamp your entire wardrobe. These velvet kitten heels from Mango are easy to walk in thanks to the low heel whilst the pointed front leave them looking elegant and the bow detail on the sling-back add a little something extra to the finish. 

We spend the majority of our time at work so I'm a firm believer that our work wardrobe should, wherever possible, reflect our personal style and allow us to enjoy fashion. No matter how strict your dress code or restrictive your budget it's easy to incorporate at least a couple of these tips into your outfit planning to keep things looking fresh, interesting and fun.