Regardless of what your job entails, popping out of bed, dressing up, and maneuvering your vehicle through the traffic can get you pretty unenthusiastic for the work day ahead. We totally can’t blame you for snoozing that alarm every single morning. And standing in front of your closet can consume the biggest chunk of your time to figure out what to wear, no matter what the office dress code is. But taking the time to spruce up your professional look will not only brighten your day, it might also help you adopt a high-level, abstract way of thinking, and who doesn’t want to reap those benefits?
With access to the best stylists and designers in the country, celebrities get a lot of tips about what works and what doesn’t in a professional setting. If those tired black trousers and blazers don’t cut it anymore, scroll down to find the solutions to your corporate attire woes. With power outfits that are easy to recreate IRL for your 9-to-whenever-the-werq-is-done, you can break away from the herd and make office dressing a breeze.
Anne Curtis
Gone are the days when wearing bright colors like tangerine or lemon were a no-no in the office (well, it still depends on your corporate culture), so if you’ve got a little bit more leeway to experiment dress code-wise, inject a bit of color like what Anne did with her bright green shirt and give your outfit the right amount of pop. And in case your feet are tired of running around in heels, oxfords and loafers are your next best bet for instant polish.
Jasmine Curtis-Smith
Minimal gets a smart update as Jasmine pairs a cool mix of neutral pieces like high-waist flared trousers and a gray tank top. Yes, tank tops can be work-appropriate—just make sure they aren’t the low-cut or are of the strappy variety. (If all else fails, throw a blazer over it!) Another important thing to note: The key criteria in successfully constructing an outfit would be about dressing for your figure, be it a pear, apple, rectangle, or hourglass shape. You can never go wrong as long as you highlight the places you want to show and conceal the parts you don’t. Case in point: long lines instantly trick our eyes into thinking that Jasmine’s got looong legs.
Heart Evangelista
Never underestimate the power of a pristine white frock. As simple as this Mark Bumgarner dress is, its voluminous and fluted bell sleeves make it au courant, which Heart wore with a punch of playfulness as she attended the launch of lifestyle editor AA Patawaran’s new book, Hainaku and the Other Poems. The seaming along the waist of the dress also creates the same curves a peplum would without looking like an outdated silhouette—and who would say no to that?
Kelly Misa
Follow Kelly’s lead by pairing a modest (but not boring) grid print midi skirt, which is much fresher than the usual plaid or houndstooth design. Swap out your plain midi skirts for these, which update the usual black-and-white scheme with bold prints to appear cool, professional, and a little edgy. Also, match it with a breezy white floral top, pointy gold block heels, and pop all your stuff in cute lock bags for a chic and unexpected touch of quirk.
Liz Uy
One day, she is in vintage feathers and gems, the next, she is in whimsical faux fur and sequins—as she attends NYFW, Liz keeps people guessing. It’s not even a question that her choices practically scream for our attention. Jumping from one show to another, she was spotted in a high-shine collegiate Gucci ensemble, which may not be ideal for those with stricter dress codes but it’s a fresh “tough-girl” take on creating buzzy fashion statements in a creative office. Even better, this type of pairing—the sweater-and-pleated-skirt combo—will keep you from turning into a frozen hermit during those chilly meetings in the office boardroom.
Pia Wurtzbach
Black and white may always look cool and contemporary but to keep things a little up-to-date, add a touch of metallic for a one-of-a-kind ensemble that delivers character. Whether it’s decked with 3D embellishments or multi-textured fringe, it’s important to splurge on a unique skirt (one that does all the talking) that still maintains an air of professionalism in the office, while doling out tons of sass on a night out. If, like Pia, you’re bundled and layered up top, it’s best to keep it sleek and simple by slipping into slinky strappy heels and keeping your accessories on the minimal side.