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Returning to the office – top tips for styling success

Posted By Stefania Bartolomei, 11 September 2023

This week I was getting ready for heading back to my London studio, as my son is going back to school, and I realised the stress that dressing for work can bring.

Getting back into the swing of heading to the office, going to meetings (whether online or in person) can be a difficult start to the day. Even if you’re not going to the office every day, you may be heading to more meetings or attending more online meetings, meaning your dresscode may be changing back to more professional looks.

This can mean being unsure what to wear! With the changing of the season adding an added concern for outfit styling, I have compiled this guide to help you have confidence when dressing for work.

Check the weather forecast

The seasons always change in London, no matter the time of year! I have seen many professionals get caught out by wearing summer dresses and being welcomed by a downpour, while others have brought layers for a cool Autumn day and hit by 30 degree weather (as we had at the beginning of September).

One way to make sure your outfit will complement the expected weather conditions is by checking your weather app. With the knowledge of rain to come, or a heatwave, I can plan my outfit to accommodate. This saves so much stress in the morning (and during the day if a downpour comes, but I have made sure to pack my umbrella and coat).

You can then utilise the fabrics and layers to reflect the expectations of the day. For example, adding a leather jacket if it’s going to be cooler, or adding sandals instead of boots for a warmer day. For some inspiration for summer outfits, check out my blog, while the weather is still hot outside, these may help you plan some beautiful looks for going back to work. 

Plan your outfits in advance

Avoid the morning let downs of not knowing what to wear, misfitting pieces or outfit problems by planning your outfits the night before (or if you’re super organised, why not try a few days or the for the full week?).

Getting your outfits together can look like simply laying them out on the bed and knowing what to put together, or why not make it a pick up and go by adding everything together on a hanger? You can put accessories, layers and the full outfit all in one spot so you can get up in the morning, reach for the outfit, and know it works beautifully together.

If the thought of planning outfits causes you more concern than joy, I can help you by creating an easy to use personal style board, which is part of our Colour and Style Clinic. Click here to find out more.

Invest in key pieces for the new season

Every season requires a few essentials. Making sure you have them at the ready as you welcome a new change in the season will help you to prepare and plan for your outfits without any stress. Autumn usually welcomes cooler climates, so layers, jackets, and tights will now be needed (on most days!), so make sure all of last year’s pieces all still fit, work for your style needs and if they need washing, tailoring or to be donated.

Making sure you have pieces that you love to wear, and feel great in, are so important for day to day, and in particular when you are going to meetings and heading to work. Understanding the styles, outfits, and looks that you feel best in will help make you walk taller and feel more confident every day, making dressing for work a little easier.

To find a few of my autumn essentials, I have shared my top five in this blog.

If you are going back to work after the summer holidays, I hope these tips help you feel more confident. However, if you are unsure where to start with styling, colours, and what to wear for your professional life, I’d love to help.

Find out more about our Professional Styling services: https://www.oneofastyle.com/color-analysis

 

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Tags:  BACK TO WORK  CAREER STYLE  CORPORATE STYLE  DRESSING FOR SUCCESS  FASHION ADVICE  FASHION TRENDS  OFFICE FASHION  OFFICE OUTFITS  OFFICE WARDROBE  OUTFIT IDEAS  PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS  PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE  RETURNING TO THE OFFICE  STYLING SUCCESS  STYLING TIPS  WORKPLACE FASHION  WORKPLACE STYLE 

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The Smart Works Female Unemployment Index is here

Posted By Rachel Bradley, Volunteer, 04 April 2023

At Smart Works we passionately believe that female workers are one of the greatest assets we have in our economy. However, too often our clients come to us after months and years of trying to secure work without success and lacking confidence.

The Smart Works Female Unemployment Index is a report designed to highlight the experiences our clients face when looking for work. It covers all aspects from experiencing unemployment, experience of the interview process and the meaning of having a job.

1 in 4 unemployed women revealed they have been out of work for over three years. The average time spent applying for jobs is 23 hours a week and more than 1 in 10 women have applied for over 50 roles.

When they do make it to interview women had an Overall Confidence Score of 68 (with 100 being positive about succeeding in interviews, 50 being neutral and 0 being negative).  They felt least positively about employers’ perceptions of them being a woman, with an Interview Confidence Score of 61, and being a parent, with a score of 55.

In a three-month period almost 900 women shared their experience of being unemployed with us to help create this report. During this time there has been one recurring theme; that despite the barriers faced our clients remain determined to find employment with 23% citing their main driver for getting a job was to find a sense of purpose and identity.

The process of securing a job is increasingly complex but by researching and publishing data on the issues facing unemployed women, we can help pave the way for progress.

By giving a voice to unemployed women, we can help unlock the female workforce.

Smart Works Reading opened in October 2015 with a vision of bringing a dressing and interview coaching service to women across Berkshire. The Smart Works Reading team is available five days a week (4 days for client appointments) and has delivered over 350 appointments in the last year.

Smart Works Reading has a team of over 75 highly skilled, fully trained, professional volunteers. In addition, all our stock is donated through professional women & organisations or comes direct from our retail partners.

For more information, please visit Smart Works Reading.

 

Tags:  back to work  employment  report  Smart Works Reading  survey  women in work 

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