Finding your style at work: A guide to successful style
Just like gestures or the way you speak, dressing is a real communication tool.
Understanding your professional environment
Tips for choosing the right clothes
Taking your lifestyle into account is essential if you want to feel comfortable and enjoy your day. Your style should adapt to your lifestyle, not the other way around.
To choose the right clothing, ask yourself the following questions:
- What are your daily activities?
- What type of clothing do you feel most comfortable in?
- Do you have any constraints?
It's impossible to talk about adapted clothing without mentioning morphology.
Morphological analysis helps you better understand your body structure, so you can choose clothes that harmonize your silhouette. By highlighting assets and rebalancing proportions, it helps you feel more confident and assert your style. This principle avoids wardrobe faux pas by guiding you towards the right cuts and materials.
To find out more, read our detailed article with the experts!
The X (hourglass) morphology is characterized by a bust and hips in line with a pronounced waist. Slim-fitting jackets and high-waisted pants harmoniously enhance this silhouette without creating unnecessary volume.
The O (apple) morphology features a wider body center with slim legs and arms. Double-breasted jackets and V-necklines elongate the silhouette and highlight the assets.
The A (pear) morphology is characterized by hips that are wider than the shoulders. Carrot pants and structured jackets rebalance the silhouette by drawing attention to the upper body.
The V shape (inverted triangle) has broad shoulders and narrower hips. Sleeveless vests, wide pants and slim-fitting jackets balance volumes by emphasizing the lower body.
The H (rectangle) morphology features a similar width of shoulders, waist and hips. Slim-fitting jackets and cigarette pants elegantly structure the silhouette. In general, curves, ruffles and peplum create the illusion of curves.
If you don't know your body type, don't hesitate to make an appointment with one of our image consultants. This will give us the opportunity to analyze your silhouette and determine the cuts that best suit you.
This 45-minute workshop also includes a colorimetry workshop to find out whether warm or cool colors are best for you. Your color palette will depend on your skin tone, hair color and eye color.
This workshop will give you a different perception of fashion and clothing. The aim is not to restrict you, but to reveal you through your style.
Identify your personality for an authentic style
Find your style thanks to your personality
Your style is a language, it speaks for you even before you say a word. To align your style with your personality, ask yourself the following three questions:
- How do you want to be perceived in your personal and professional life?
- Does your style lean towards the sophisticated, the minimalist, the creative or the bold?
- What clothes reflect your self-confidence and energy?
To refine your style, create inspiration boards on Pinterest. You can select complete outfits for inspiration, but you can also save materials, colors or even cuts that inspire you on your profile.
Inspiration doesn't just come from fashion: art, architecture or even design can feed your stylistic vision.
Your ideas will come to you over time, and a number of themes will emerge directly from them, so you'll see whether you're naturally drawn to a comfortable chic style or more classic, but still elegant, attire, for example.
The basics of a professional wardrobe
Must-have pieces for a professional look
There's no better way to design a professional wardrobe than to start with quality basics. Think of these items as key elements of your wardrobe, and use them as the basis for integrating more original pieces to assert a more personal effect.
A beautiful, classic shirt is the timeless piece you need to start building your ideal wardrobe. If you want to have more than one, opt for a variety of fabrics to diversify your outfits and have pieces to suit every season.
A suit jacket remains an essential. If you prefer to play it safe, opt for a navy blue suit. It goes equally well with heels or sneakers, depending on your company's dress code and professional occasions.
Pairing a blazer with a blouse and tailored pants will give you a versatile look, while adding accessories to suit your mood.
Thanks to their timelessness, these pieces make for a long-lasting, elegant dressing room.
Incorporate color into your office attire
Choosing a colorful outfit will make you particularly visible, especially if you're surrounded by men and women in gray or navy blue suits.
Historically, navy blue entered our society between 1910 and 1950, gradually replacing black, considered too dark.
Mastering the use of color in your professional image is an invaluable asset. A true communication tool, colors speak for you and directly influence the way you are perceived.
Colors convey emotions: Blue inspires confidence and authority, red evokes energy and passion, yellow creativity, green harmony...
Choosing the right color can help you convey the message you want, or tone it down.
Colors help you stand out: In an environment where everyone wears neutral colors, where black dominates and blue goes unnoticed, a splash of color can make all the difference and help you stand out. It's a nice, subtle way to attract attention.
If you'd like to explore the world of color and take a colorimetry and morphology workshop with our image consultants, you can book an appointment here.
Accessories and details that make all the difference
Choose accessories that reflect your style
In the professional world, accessories play a key role in asserting your style while respectingcompany rules. A structured handbag, discreet jewelry or a well-chosen pair of pumps add a personal touch without overdoing it.
Whether it's an elegant knitted sweater or refined ankle boots, every detail counts to enhance your appearance and make a lasting impression. Whether in a meeting or with your team, these subtle choices allow you to stand out with taste, while remaining true to your professional dress code.
Accessories are a goldmine for expressing your style and keeping up with the latest trends without necessarily buying expensive pieces. Pairing jeans with a blazer might seem too classic, but if you decide to buy the shoes you've been eyeing for weeks, your outfit will become unique and personal. Every accessory becomes a unique expression of your personality.
The importance of detail in professional attire
Adopting a recognizable style is a general eye-catcher. This doesn't mean you'll be the first to catch everyone's eye, but it does mean you'll gain in self-confidence.
Have you ever heard of layering?
Layering involves layering different garments to play with shapes, textures and volumes. This technique lets you adapt your outfit to suit the circumstances, whether it's for a serious morning's work or a more casual evening out.
In a professional context, layering combines style and professionalism by subtly structuring the look. Pairing a flowing blouse under a straight coat, or a basic t-shirt under a blazer, adds a touch of both elegance and practicality. The key is to strike a balance between respecting corporate codes and asserting your own style.
More than just a trend, this method is a real asset for adapting to all seasons and situations. Well-mastered layering gives an impression of control and reflection, reinforcing the image of competence with colleagues and interlocutors. Between style effect and respect for the rules, layering is the best ally for a look that's both assertive and professional.
Expert advice to perfect your style at work
A stylist's opinion: assume your style
An outfit that represents your personal style has a positive effect on your productivity, so it can be seen directly as a professional investment.
Take inspiration from successful models to find your own style
1. Timeless classic style
Adopted by the likes of Victoria Beckham and Meghan Markle, it's based on straight cuts, neutral colors and well-chosen basic pieces. Ideal for a serious professional environment, it emphasizes elegance and sobriety.
2. Minimalist chic
Inspired by the looks of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen or Phoebe Philo, this style favors quality garments with clean lines. Less is more: a structured coat, tailored pants and a flowing blouse are all you need to create a sophisticated silhouette.
3. Mastering casual style
Like Jeanne Damas or Katie Holmes, this style blends comfort and elegance with well-cut jeans, knit sweaters and refined accessories. Perfect for a more casual work environment, it allows you to remain chic without overdoing it.
4. Bold, creative style
Followed by icons like Iris Apfel and Leandra Medine, it plays with colors, prints and overlays. Ideal for artistic professions or flexible environments, it reflects an assertive personality and a free spirit.
5. Power dressing
Popularized by the likes of Anna Wintour and Amal Clooney, it relies on structured cuts, well-tailored jackets and impeccable pumps. This style sends a message of strength and professionalism, perfect for positions of responsibility.