I’ve always felt that office dressing can easily veer into the “too corporate” territory. Black suits, white shirts, pointy heels—it’s safe, yes, but often a little too reminiscent of a workplace uniform. Work is already structured enough; the last thing I want is to look into the mirror each morning and see a version of myself that feels more like a machine than a person.
This week, I decided to make a few subtle shifts—nothing dramatic, but just enough to help me feel more like me in a room full of schedules and spreadsheets. Yesterday, for instance, I wore a soft beige knit top with wide-leg trousers in a creamy almond tone, and slipped on a pair of simple loafers. No logos, no flashy colors—just soft neutrals with layers and ease. A colleague complimented me at the coffee machine, saying I looked “relaxed but put-together,” and honestly, that’s the exact energy I’ve been going for.
Today’s look leaned a bit more elevated. I wore a navy satin midi skirt paired with a cropped blazer in a muted taupe—a color that holds weight but doesn’t feel stiff. I added a pair of pearl studs, just to lend a little quiet polish. I’ve grown to love this in-between space: where clothes feel appropriate for meetings, yet still carry your personality. Sitting at the conference table, I didn’t feel like a “role,” I felt like a whole version of myself.
Sometimes, even just a color choice can shift the energy of the day. I’ve recently been reaching for muted greens and misty blues—soft enough to stay professional, but warmer than the usual black-and-white uniform. Last Friday, I wore a lake-blue button-down with a creamy white midi skirt. It wasn’t a calculated look, but something about the color combination made me walk a little taller, like I was carrying a subtle breeze with me.
Workwear doesn’t have to be a tug-of-war between formality and expression. It can be a quiet blend of structure and softness, of polish and comfort. All it takes is a bit of intention—injecting just enough “life” into the “office”—to feel layered, real, and quietly confident.
I don’t aim to look fancy every day. But I do hope that even in my most professional outfits, there’s still a softness to me—a voice. Dressing up, after all, doesn’t need to shout. It can still speak volumes in a whisper.
