Fashion / Style

What I Wore — A Young Professional Reporter Tackles an Office Style Challenge

BY // 06.15.18
photography Morgan Chidsey-Brosnan

I’ve said it before: I’ve never been afraid of taking sartorial risks. I thrive on theme parties and fancy dress-code opportunities. 

Sadly, everyday office wear is a different story entirely. As a newly minted adult, figuring out how to be business casual without being boring has been a learning process. So, when Dallas-based photographer Morgan Chidsey-Brosnan of A Sea of Love asked if she could document me on my lunch break every day for a week, I was excited for the personal style challenge.

I pre-planned my outfits for the week rather than standing idly in front of my closet for 15 minutes every morning (a noble, albeit temporary lifestyle change). The whole process had me thinking: “What do young women wear to work in 2018?”

Here’s my illustrated answer to that question – and while my version of “business casual” may be a little too heavy on the “casual” for some offices, I think it offers a fun, unexpected way to dress professionally without losing individuality.

Monday

Is a one-shouldered blouse office-appropriate these days? I’m not quite sure, but I keep this Stelen top (from Need Supply Co.) in my regular rotation. What it lacks in one sleeve, it makes up for with the other, and the crisp fabric reads “business” to me.

I paired it with vintage Tommy jeans and embellished denim mules for a monochromatic casual office look.

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Tuesday

If you haven’t figured it out, I have a thing for interesting sleeves. This puff-sleeved blouse from Zara has a fun ’80s vibe, and the white-and-navy pinstripe is a perfect match for denim. I chose a vintage denim wrap skirt and a pair of denim pumps to complete the look. (Yes, I do have more than one pair of denim shoes.)

Tuesday’s look, shot at The Crescent.

Wednesday

As soon as I hear the words “business attire,” my mind goes to ’90s power dressing. Why did the sneaker-skirt suit combo ever go out of style? (Don’t answer that.) I love it.

Once again, I opted for a monochromatic color palette, choosing a vintage beige dress and Ralph Lauren blazer with nude Nike Air huaraches.

Thursday

Okay, listen: This dress is a little too short for the office. I get that. I’m very tall and often underestimate my own size when ordering online (once again from Need Supply Co.). What I hoped to be a cute work dress has been relegated to a nighttime outfit. And I did not, in fact, wear this outfit to the office this week. (Morgan and I shot two outfits on one of the days.)

But, imagine that this was an appropriate knee-length ensemble. Cute, right? To make the shirtdress a bit more playful, I paired it with candy-apple-red pumps and matching red sunglasses.

Friday

Fridays are the time to get comfy – and with triple-digit heat approaching, an airy linen dress is just what the doctor ordered. (I always keep a jean jacket at my desk to throw on over sleeveless tops or dresses, because office air conditioning is serious.)

I complemented the dress with nude Via Spiga slides that felt equally light, and I threw on an old sunhat – because, why not?

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