Camila Cordeiro，Oleg Ivanov，lexie janney / Via Unsplash

How about showing up to work in a casual outfit and still come off as smart and formal? This is impossible isn’t it? Well, maybe that's what you think and just like in many cases what we think may not necessarily be correct. You probably have the idea that office clothes have to be too edgy and uncomfortable, permit me to announce to you that you can dress casual and smart at the same time. Come along as I show you how.

Jeans on Heels

Chema Photo / Via Unsplash / unsplash.com

Conventionally, flats are perceived by many ladies as the shoe for official duties and rightly so because depending on the nature of your job, you tend to spend long hours at a stretch in the office, however, if you are comfortable with heels on your leg for long hours, please go with it. Who says you can't look chic at work? Also, denim should not just be left for social functions, it can be deployed as office wear too! In fact, I feel it could pair well with a pair of heels. Girls, whatever makes you look fab and confident, please go with it, after all the more fabulous you think you look the more confident and productive you are likely to be on the job.

You look better in a firm color

Priscilla Du Preez / Via Unsplash / unsplash.com

Casual and formal are not necessarily opposites; indeed they are rather complementary of one another. It is true that clothes with high color combinations and busy patterns may not be the best bet for official duty but that does not mean you have to arrive at the office in monochrome dresses all the time. You can swap some patterned clothes with your regular singular colored or patterned clothes for a change.

Pointed footwears are a darling

wu yi / Via Unsplash / unsplash.com

You will agree with me that shoes are an integral part of every woman's outfit because they could make or mar your appearance. Pointed shoes are a bridge between heels and flats and make you look a lot more business minded and formal than many other shoe types can possibly can. So, it's best to throw a pointed shoe into the mix once in a while, if you don't already do, it could transform your appearance in a big way.

Cardigan power

Maksym Kaharlytskyi / Via Unsplash / unsplash.com

Less seems better when dressing for the office because you want to be as comfortable as possible but may I tell you about a not so common fashion secret? Cardigans look good on women especially if the color complements the colors of the pants or skirts you are putting on as they accentuate your appearance and makes you look chic and lovely. Look at it this way, cardigans are casual attires, you can blend them with your professional wears to create a lovely and endearing appearance.

 Prioritize your hair

lexie janney / Via Unsplash / unsplash.com

Oh, I guess you are already aware that the appearance of your hair means a lot and says a lot about you. It is not good enough to splurge on the latest fashion accessories without paying attention to your hair because however good you look, people tend to look at you from head to toe and how will it be that you dress good but don't look good due to the state of your hair! It doesn't take much to style your hair, heck you don’t even need to blow dry it every morning. Rock whatever style you like but keep it neat and tidy all the time. Ponytail, braids or bun, whatever rocks your boat is just good enough.

You don't have to appear to work looking unhappy and uncomfortable with your dressing when you could as well jig it up and look casual and formal at the same time. You don't have to cage yourself when you actually can be free. You are beautiful and unique and you don't have to hide it.