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How to stop dressing like a corporate zombie: 10 tips

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So, while it's cool to give little to zero damns about what other people think about your appearance, sometimes you just can't help it. This, can of course be very destructive at times, say like when you max out your credit card just to buy that pair of sneakers you secretly detest, because everyone will think you're cool when they see you wearing them. At other times, caring about what people think can help one not to ride the MyCiti in one's underpants. So, you really have to toe the line sometimes. 

But do we care too much about what others think? Or rather about convention?

Picking the perfect date outfit can cause one to lose more hours of one's life than a good bout of online shopping, and the bitter truth is often that your carefully curated first date outfit might as well have been a burlap sack. Because, let’s be honest, all most people care about on a date is... that the other person shows up (get your mind out of the gutter).

But there are certain expectations when it comes to dressing appropriately. Be it to a wedding (never wear white or show too much skin), a cocktail event (a little black dress and heels) or anywhere the presence of red wine might define your evening (NO WHITE!) or very importantly, in an office environment.

Now the level of workplace "officeness" has become almost akin to the famous Kinsey scale. An office is not always a complete 10 on the scale of "officeness". Being "office-like" has changed meaning over the years too. What is appropriate in a corporate environment now might have changed considerably since 10 years ago. Blame it on the injection of foosball tables into the workplace or the fact that companies now think boring corporate drones are, well, just not on fleek.

The biggest issue I have when it comes to what's appropriate in the workplace is women's workwear. Why so many women still feel the need to dress in grey or the all too familiar black trousers/black blazer/white shirt combo and court heels, baffles me. You know the one...

It's so dull. It’s basically the black one piece of swimwear. Boring as all hell. 

So, if you no longer want to look like a "career woman" stock image, take notes from some of our favourite local style stars, and expect to wow yourself and your co-workers: 

1. Wear all black and mix it up with bright lips and jewellery.

New post on le blog - smiling like a creep & talking Cape Town wind????

A photo posted by Raya Rossi (@thevisualjournal) on

2. Wear all white and repeat the above accessory advice...

An all white chic ensemble up on the blog ?? link in bio // ??: @justinpolkey

A photo posted by Emma Jane Menteath (@emmajanementeath) on

3. Invest in a perfectly tailored black pair of trousers cropped just above the ankle (this length is very flattering). Style it with an ankle boot and a colourful peasant top.

4. Pair a really smart look with a flatform sneaker.

5. Combine your summer and winter pieces: pair a turtleneck with a summer dress.

6. Colour block with bold primary colours.

A Tip On Clashing Colours Link in bio Shot by @keagankingsley

A photo posted by teeteeiswithme (@teeteeiswithme) on

7. Pair a casual tee with a smart blazer and some fun jewellery.

Don't start nun won't be nun. And other poems. #throwback

A photo posted by neema nouse (@neemanouse) on

8. High-waisted everything! Opt for a colourful high-waisted flared or pencil maxi skirt and pair it with a light-weight jersey and heels.

Tretchikoff's Zulu Maiden ?? / ph. @philia_bb

A photo posted by Mr. (@tony_gum) on

9. Go tropical! Pair a shirt that reminds you of an island holiday with a tailored pair of pants.

/ ph @teagancunniffe

A photo posted by Mr. (@tony_gum) on

10. Oversized dresses paired with mules spell grown-up Boho.

Basically Spring ?? #SunglassHutSA

A photo posted by Amy Scheepers (@amy_scheepers) on

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