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Happy Friday, everyone!
Hope you all had a wonderful and productive work week. And if you didn’t, it doesn’t matter because it’s Friday. With it being the end of the work week, we thought it would be appropriate to dedicate today’s post on Casual Friday’s.
What’s acceptable and not acceptable varies across companies, superiors, locations etc., but we’ve got a bunch of suggestions that will help you dress down your usual work outfits while still maintaining the look of a businesswoman.
We’re not trying to push the boundaries of acceptable office wear. Your clothes are a reflection of how you are as an employee, and you want to hold yourself to the highest of standards to maintain the level of respect you have among your colleagues and superiors.
What to Wear on Casual Friday
Tops
It’s always safer to wear a button-up, but if you have any shirts that you wouldn’t consider part of a typical work outfit, save it for Friday. Shirts like a V-neck bat sleeve shirt are eccentric, yet still suited for the workplace.
If you’d rather wear a blouse than a shirt, go right ahead. Just make sure that you’re not wearing anything sheer, cropped, low-cut or decorated with distracting patterns. A blouse like a Retro floral print loose long sleeve blouse checks off everything on the list. Additionally, the dark floral print adds some personality in your ensemble.
Pants
Jeans are certainly the first choice of bottoms at the end of the work week, but it’s important that you choose a pair that’s solid toned and clean cut, which means no acid washes nor distressed detailing. Cropped boyfriends jeans are a great choice, though it is safer to go with dark blue or black skinny jeans, such as Korean style elastic high waist jeans, if you’re unsure.
Shorts are obviously a no-go (unless your office is extremely casual), but you can get away with cropped or capri pants, like Carly culottes. They’re well-tailored and much less restrictive than your regular workwear pants.
Skirts
Pencil skirts are form-fitting and midi skirts can be pretty heavy, and so you probably want options that are lighter, freer to move around in for your Friday work outfit. When it comes to styling Summer A-line pinstripe midi skirt, you’re better off matching it with a crisp white button-up with matching kitten pumps. A t-shirt with the skirt sends those weekend vibes that might not bode well in the office.
Dresses
Work separates can be pretty tedious after a while. On the other hand, dresses are effortless, one-pieces that are perfect for Friday’s. The beauty of simple frocks, such as the Cap sleeve jersey bodycon midi dress, is that they can easily be dressed up or down. A blazer or a denim jacket would pair well, depending on how casual you want to be. Something like the European short sleeve doll collar mini dress can even work on its own, worn with tights to polish it up slightly. Tights are also a safety net if your dress might be a tad too short for work.
Shoes
Tired of wearing heels throughout the work week? Let Casual Friday be the opportunity to give your feet a rest. Many people would probably want to go for something super comfortable like sneakers, but it all depends on your office environment and what’s indicated in your Employee Handbook. In any case, the type of sneakers you do want to go for are sleek leather types, matched with something a little more polished on top. If you decide on jeans and leather sneakers, perhaps finish the outfit with a blazer over a tank. A black jersey dress with a denim jacket could also work.
Flats are the perfect alternative to heels as they help to refine an outfit. Think closed toe footwear like Oxfords, loafers and ballet flats, or even beautiful Butterfly suede shoes. It’s all about having a little more fun with your workwear.
This goes without saying, but absolutely no flip flops.
Accessories
Nothing too drastic should be changing in the accessories department. Your Friday bag should still be the work tote you use during the rest of the week, so don’t go switching things up with a fringe cross-body for the sake of it. As for jewelry, nothing too chunky or showy. The rule of thumb is if it makes a bunch of noise while you’re walking, change your jewelry.
Keeping all that in mind, there’s still fun to be had on Casual Friday’s. It’s the time of week when you can wear something a little more trendy that you’d never wear on a Monday. You just have to hone it in a bit, opting for fun and comfy while still editing your final look so you are perceived as the professional that you are.
Have a great weekend!
