Trends Never to be Worn at Work, and What to Wear Instead

When you have a casual wardrobe, weekend wear can be tempting, cause it’s casual right?…WRONG Certain pieces are still a no-no and should be kept to off the clock styles. We’ve rounded up trends that shouldn’t be worn at work and suggested a bunch of options to rock instead.

Hello Loves! Being in the corporate world for a while has not only taught us some great business skills but we’ve learned A LOT about what should and should not be worn to the office. In today’s day and age, the lines are continuously getting blurred within office attire. Many companies, especially startups, are adopting the “casual” dress code and while wearing your festival converses at work may be comfortable, it’s definitely not appropriate if you ran into the CEO.

Personally, and probably like many of you, I find the casual dress code to be extremely confusing. What seems to happen is people think “casual” and think “weekend” and last time I checked, none of those words have any letters in common. Men pull out their best cargo shorts and women bring out their favorite off the shoulder tops, and now, the office looks like you’re heading to Sunday brunch or camping. It can be tempting to lean into the “casual” dress code but no matter what “the code” says, you should never wear these trends in the office…like ever. Now, you might think I’m being a bit harsh but I’ve had fellow employees (multiple times) come up and say “You should run a session on what’s work appropriate”. So, if you see something you recently wore and your boss probably gave you a side-eye, swap it out with these suggestions below:

Never Wear: Off the Shoulders/Cold Shoulders

Do Wear: A sleeved ruffle top with embellishment.

I love a good off the shoulder top as much as any young woman but off the shoulders belong off the clock. This is a perfect look for a weekend brunch or running errands but it’s a big NO for the office. Instead, if you want to add some interest to your blouse, go for a ruffled top with embellishment or a pattern. It’s a fun detail that doesn’t involve any skin.

Never Wear: Distressed Denim

Do Wear: Clean Dark Denim

You wouldn’t wear a shirt with holes in it to the office so why would you wear pants with holes? If your office allows jeans, always go with a darker washed pair that is clean and well fitted. If you lean to the casual side, I wouldn’t bash you over a bit of raw hem either if you’re really into the trend and your space skews casual vs. business casual. It’s small enough to not be noticeable and look best when paired with a blazer which ALWAYS gets you bonus style points.

Never Wear: Mini Skirts

Do Wear: Midi and Knee Length Skirts

If you went to school, (which I’m assuming is everyone) you’ll know these are consistently frowned upon. Over the summer, nearly every intern pushed the limit with this rule. Few called them out, but many noticed. Instead, go for knee length (MAX 2 inches above the knee) and midi length skirts for your office attire. There are multiple styles available that are both long and on trend for the season. Plus, the longer skirt eliminates the need to tug and pull on the skirt throughout the day. If you’re presenting, you wouldn’t want to distract your audience with an ill-fitting skirt.

Never Wear: Shorts

Do Wear: Loose Culottes

Never Wear: Sneakers/Gym Shoes

Do Wear: Trendy Oxford/Loafer

Now, I love a comfy shoe as much as the next gal but by no means are sneakers appropriate for the office. Even your best pair of Nikes couldn’t do the job. Instead, go for a casual oxford or even loafer option if you’re looking for comfort. My favorite is the Cole Haan Zero Grand which can run you a solid $100+ BUT, they are completely worth the investment. However, if you’re looking for a less expensive option, the one’s below should do the job. Style and comfort don’t have to be exclusive of each other.

Never Wear: Spaghetti Straps

Do Wear: Sheath Dress

When it’s hot out, or you haven’t done laundry, it’s easy to resort to some pieces that might be walking the line of office appropriate. We talked about bare shoulders but I wanted to be clear that even if there is a strap, stick to the old rule of assuring it’s a minimum of 3 inches. One of my favorite hot weather staples are a simple sheath dress. It’s classic, well put together, and you honestly can’t go wrong. Come Winter, sport it with a turtleneck and tights for a different but versatile look. Stack up on a few of these and you’ll be set through the seasons.

What is your office style like and can you see yourself wearing some of these pieces? Let us know below!