Is it just me, or do you also find the traditional suit kind of boring?

Sure, black is classic, and you can never go wrong with solid colored suits, but the conventional blazer and slacks or pencil skirt combo just seems so stiff. Even when you end up mixing and matching these workwear pieces, they somehow still appear inflexible, in the way that there isn’t much room for personal expression.

While paisley print and short skirts may be out of the question, there are ways you can add more interest into your power suit, without sacrificing the original intent of looking like the boss that you are. Even though you’re still expected to follow the etiquette of either business casual or formal, that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate your personality into your professional attire.

To give your power suit your own personal touch, do the following:

Make sure your suit fits

There is nothing worse than an ill-fitting suit. In order to look your absolute best in terms of style and respectability, you have to make sure that your tailored separates fit. A Korean-style mid-length blazer, no matter how sleek the design, would look awful if the shoulder pads didn’t sit exactly on your shoulders. Unlike with other kinds of clothing where you might be able to get away with a size smaller or larger than what you normally wear, a suit that doesn’t fit just makes a person look silly.

It’s so important that you feel comfortable in your officewear, given how restrictive it can be. If a store doesn’t carry your size, or none of the items have that fit you’re looking for, go a size up and get it tailored to your shape. You can also get a couple suits tailored to ensure they are the perfect fit.

Don’t be afraid of prints

Solid colored suits can appear rather uptight, so if you feel like changing things up, feel free to explore with some printed pieces. Obviously, there are certain prints that won’t work in strict environments, so you just have to be mindful of your office surroundings, gauge what is acceptable within your workplace. Subtle patterns that work across all offices include pinstripe, windowpane check, and glen plaid. Others like houndstooth, graph check and a Checkered Karylle midi skirt would also be options for office appropriate patterns.

If you’re unsure of the whole printed pantsuit, mix and match with solid color separates to tone it down.

There’s nothing wrong with pairing flats with a suit

Most stylists will probably tell you that heels are the best for power dressing. While heels do offer the height that mirrors empowerment, flats can look just as good, if not better, with your favorite suit. A suit is no less powerful if you replace your peep-toe pumps with Lace-up leather flat shoes; the latter just offers a slightly more masculine vibe without taking away from the formidable nature of your power suit.

As long as your flats are clean, polished, and basically look good as new, there’s honestly no reason why you can’t command the boardroom in Spring pointed flats instead of uncomfortable stillettos.

Add some flair into your suit

Although you don’t want to go to crazy with your suit, you can make adjustments throughout to give your outfit a little something extra. On days you’re wearing a solid hued matching skirt or pantsuit, consider going for a print or a ruffled blouse underneath. Or if you’re going with classics on top, such as a white button-up, opt for an interesting shape at the bottom, perhaps Wide leg pleated cropped pants or a Peplum pencil skirt. Little details like these that stray from the typical pantsuit silhouette are what help businesswomen make their office wardrobes much more wearable, while still giving them the confidence they need to be as successful as they are.

With a great suit comes the power needed to command the respect of others, though a great suit with your personal touch comes with the confidence that you don’t need to be anyone else but yourself in order to succeed.

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!

If you look through your wardrobe, you can probably differentiate between the daytime looks to the nighttime outfits. From there, you should be able to pick out an ensemble based on the time you’re heading out. But what if you’ve got a full day planned? When your schedule is jam-packed, what’s a girl supposed to wear?

Some women don’t mind the hassle of multiple outfit changes throughout the day (remember Kim Kardashian’s three wedding dresses when she married Kris Humphries?). But not all of us are that committed to showcasing our clothing collection. In fact, most us probably prefer one outfit that will last us from office hours to the after-hours.

And regardless if you don’t mind changing, it’s not like you even have the time. With the Metro Manila traffic situation getting worse by the day, most of us don’t have the luxury to run back home between work and a dinner date.

Day-to-night ensembles are flexible and lifesavers for all kinds of people, especially those who have to turn their wardrobes inside out before they’re satisfied with their end look. And for the ladies who love fashion but are admittedly lazy, the following pieces are just what you need:

1. A Biker Jacket

A go-to for any night-time events, a motorcycle jacket is also perfect for an edgy twist on an outfit. Don’t feel like being too feminine in your floral dress or LBD? Change it up with a biker jacket and moto boots. Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to the traditional biker jacket. Find them in various hues, cropped styles and with luxe accents to make them appropriate day and night.

2. A Blazer

Almost anything can be dressed up with a blazer. Think about it. A white t-shirt, skinny jeans, blazer and heels will get you ready for a full schedule. How do you make shorts appropriate for the morning to evening? With a blazer, of course!

3. Cutouts

Sweaters and blouses with cutouts really add that extra oomph to an OOTD. Just be weary of where the holes are located on your top. Cutouts around the neckline accentuate your clavicle and can easily be covered up if you’re in the office. Thus, something like our Off-Shoulder Long Sleeve V-Neck Loose Blouse would work. On the other hand, cutouts on your sides our below your chest are best limited to the evening.

You can also wear a dress with little cutouts at the hem. That way, you won’t worry about showing too much skin while still being playful in your wardrobe choice.

4. Leather Leggings

Got different places to be on the weekend? Leather leggings might seem racy for the day, but pair it with something casual on top, and you’re golden! A cozy knit with our Stretchy Faux Leather Leggings is a great play on textures. If you’ve got a collection of graphic tees, try them on with the leggings. Even those oversized ones will look undeniably cool with some crisp white kicks.

5. A Pencil Skirt

Pencil skirts are not only must-haves for the office. They also double up as evening options, from dinner dates to happy hour. They’re sophisticated and sexy, suited for a variety of occasions. You can choose to be a little daring with our High Waist Bodycon Pencil Midi Skirt. Or if you aren’t a fan of the leather look, a black fitted skirt might be more your style.

6. A Ruffled Blouse

There’s something rather elegant about a little bit of ruffle. A flouncy top is all that you need to transition into the night, whether you’ve paired it with skinny jeans or an A-line skirt. Keep in mind that you’ll want to balance the drama on top with something simple at the bottom. Cropped pants or an A-line skirt will do.

7. A Shift Dress

Truthfully, there aren’t too many dress silhouettes that can last you the entire day. However, one shape you can always rely on is the iconic shift frock. It’s laidback and cute with a bit of sass, perfect for social gatherings and work events. Because of the relaxed silhouette, feel free to experiment with patterns and prints. For instance, the checkered design on the Matty Shift Mini Dress translates well throughout the day.

Got any clothing items that aren’t included in the list? Tell us about your wardrobe pieces that help you transition from day to night.

Every office has their own set of guidelines on appropriate workwear; there are companies are quite lax, while others are quite strict. Some HR departments will simply state “smart casual,” while others will go into full detail of what is and is not accepted in the workplace. Sometimes, guards won’t let you into the office buildings unless you abide by their dress code. But no matter where you work, you have a basic understanding of the right workwear for different settings. Business casual is never as casual as your weekend outfits. Regardless if your company allows jeans and shorts, there’s always a sense of professionalism that you want to convey in your ensemble. Your appearance is not a measure of your ability, but think about it. It’s hard to be taken seriously if you constantly show up to work in tsinelas and a tank top.

For the most part, dress codes are straightforward and easy to follow. Other times, many things are left open to interpretation, particularly skirt and dress length for the ladies. A dress may look perfectly fine on a 5’0 pinay, but on woman who stands at 5’10, it might lead to a warning from HR. Even those that are the same height can look different in the same skirt. Body type can also skew whether one is dressed provocatively for work. And in the battle between whose interpretation of “too short,” HR always comes out on top.

It’s tricky figuring out what dresses and skirts are too short in the place of business. Appropriate length depends on height, body proportions, style and fit of the clothing item. The only way to find out if you can enter the office in your new mini is by trying it on yourself.

No one wants to be tracked down by HR, only to be scolded for being “a distraction” at the workplace. To save yourself from the embarrassment, here a few questions to ask yourself when you’re getting ready for work:

1) How much of my thighs can I see when I sit down?

A skirt might look a modest length when standing up, but it’s a different story when you sit down at your desk. Dresses and skirts will automatically rise several inches up your thighs, which will be more skin than you intended to show. The amount of leg shown while sitting depends on the design and fit. For that reason, the general rule of thumb is to stick with clothes no more than one or two inches above the knee. This gives you some leeway, in case you forget to do the sitting down test before heading to the office.

2) Is my dress or skirt a bodycon?

Bodycon dresses and skirts are hard to get away with at work, considering how body-hugging they are. Then again, it’s different on every woman. Curvy ladies look instantly sexier in a form-fitted dress in comparison to petite, thin girls who look work-decent in a black mini bandage skirt. If you are on the curvier side, be mindful of what you put on display, in addition to the hem. Pair a bodycon skirt with a longer, looser blouse to cover your booty. Match a bodycon dress with a blazer that partially covers your behind. Just think of ways to tone down the sexiness of your bodycon.

In some instances, a bodycon dress could be worn on its own if it’s the right length and design on top. For example, the t-shirt frock as seen on our Cap Sleeve Jersey Bodycon Midi Dress hits below the knee and provides more coverage at the top.

3) Would I wear this to church?

If the first two questions still leave you stumped, ask yourself whether you would wear it to Sunday Mass. Although not all church events are formal, there’s a certain level of conservatism that you should maintain in your outfit of choice. In that same respect, this can also help you figure out if a dress or skirt is appropriate in the office setting. Yes, some things can be worn in the workplace and not in church without getting in trouble, but you’re better off opting for the more conservative item in your selection.

By asking yourself these three questions, you’ll have a clearer idea of what stylish yet rule-abiding work ensemble looks like.