How to Wear: Bright Pants

Color in a typical workplace used to be a huge NO. Today, companies like Facebook and tech start-ups are paving a new road for work wear and it’s filled with jeans, graphic tees, and of course, color.

One of my first jobs after high-school was interning at a corporate bank and 90% of my wardrobe consisted of black, navy and off-black. Depending on the industry, of course, there are different rules for different offices but currently, I basically have the opportunity to wear anything and everything to the office within reason. One of my favorite ways to “lean in” to the casual workplace dress code can be summed up in one word…COLOR. Which brings me to the case of the Magenta SEA pants from Rent the Runway.

I spotted these on the site a few months ago and was hoping, praying, and wishing that I got the opportunity to sport them. They arrived and I immediately fell in love with them. While I initially envisioned about 4 looks to sport, I kept wondering, can I wear this color to work? In short, the answer is yes, yes I can!

If you’ve ever been hesitant about wearing brighter colors to work, don’t be. While every office does have a dress code, a little color never hurt anyone especially this time of year. Take it upon yourself to brighten up the office space with a bold color sure to command the room. If you lean more on the conservative side though, opt for a bright blouse or a pop of color on your footwear. It’s a subtle way to stand out without making a scene.

The true key to work wear, especially if you want to be risky, is pairing something that’s bold with something else muted or deemed “appropriate”. Start with a standout piece then build from there. A great comparison is interior design. Think about how maybe your couch or bed is the main focus of the room and then the rest of the accessories are simple but they somehow tie everything together. In this case, I opted for a menswear-inspired look and sported a casual grey sweatshirt over an oxford shirt and my trusty metallic loafers.
If your workplace doesn’t have a clear dress code, that leaves room for you to push the limits and try something new! Unique pieces like this definitely have a place in the office, so give it a go!