by Paul Julch

I love being inspired by my clients.  I spent time in a new client’s closet a few weeks back, and we focused on the versatility of specific pieces in her wardrobe.  We took items she normally wears during off-duty hours, and I showed her how to wear them to work.  A different jacket here, a change of shoes there, and presto!  These styles were now office-appropriate.

Versatility is key in any modern wardrobe.  You can ignore any outdated classifications of ‘workwear’ and ‘weekend-only’ clothes, and instead think about how you can wear work styles on the weekend, and how you can wear weekend styles at work.  With this client, I showed her how to wear her ‘summer Saturday’ red dress, her ‘date night’ animal print skirt, and her ‘lazy Sunday’ drapey pants anytime of the week.

RED DRESS: WEEKEND

A sleeveless knit dress is a wardrobe staple, and (depending on the weight of the knit) it works almost year-round.  It’s all about what you wear it with and the layers you choose.  For late summer weekends, pair your red dress with slip-on sneakers, a printed bag, and a white denim jacket for when the evenings turn chilly.

RED DRESS: AT WORK

Take your amazingly versatile dress to work and no one will know you wore it all weekend.  A more serious (but still casual) jacket is destined for a relaxed office dress code.  Earth-toned accessories and a stunning pendant complete the look.

ANIMAL PRINT SKIRT: WEEKEND

An attention-getting skirt is a go-to for date night.  All this one needs is a simple cami, your favorite fitted leather jacket and some killer heels.  A cheeky clutch shows that you’re not all about the sex appeal, and detailed earrings bring attention back up to your face.

ANIMAL PRINT SKIRT: AT WORK

Yes, you can wear a skirt like this to work – just tone down everything else.  A color blocked cropped sweater balances the all-over animal print, and subtler accessories support the ‘I’m here to work and I can look great doing it’ vibe.

DRAPEY PANTS: WEEKEND

Lazy Sundays were made for relaxed pants, and a tight color palette makes getting dressed a snap.  Metallic accessories and a neutral striped T and cardigan are weekend workhorses – they’ll go with almost any color.

DRAPEY PANTS: AT WORK

If you didn’t think you could take pants this drapey to the office – think again.  What makes them work is a structured jacket (and a not-too-conservative work environment).

*****

Paul Julch helps busy people to streamline, organize, and update their wardrobes so they can get dressed with ease and always look stylish and feel confident. Any budget, any lifestyle, any body.  His business is Urbanite|Suburbanite, and he works with clients to develop a modern, current, versatile wardrobe that expresses personal style rather than trends. Paul is based in the SF Bay Area, and remote wardrobe & style coaching is available for out-of-towners. Visit Paul’s website  for more style advice, and follow him on Facebook , and Instagram to stay up to date on the best styling tips and tricks.