How to Dress After Work
When the end of the work day comes, and you leave your office behind, you may want some ideas of how to transform your business attire into casual wear. If you have some basic work and play clothes, it will be easy to mix and match the two so you can be ready to head to a sporting event, a movie or dinner with friends. You can also switch gears and change into trendy leisure or workout wear so you will be able to stop by the gym, run to the grocery store and even do a load of laundry before turning in. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Things You'll Need
- Dress pants
- Button down
- Wool skirt
- Hooded sweatshirt
- Wrap dress
- Leggings
- Turtleneck
- Jeans
- Sweat suit
- Fleece pants
- T-shirt
Instructions
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Turn a suit into separates when the end of work comes. Wear the set with a sleek turtleneck, pearls and pumps during the day, then after 5 p.m., you can swap out the jacket and pearls for a ribbed hooded sweatshirt, and change the heels for casual clogs or other wedge shoes to give the pants a more relaxed vibe. This is an easy way to change your look so you can catch up with friends and run errands in casual comfort and style.
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Trade in the dress pants and heels for a pair of distressed jeans and modern athletic shoes or ballet flats to catch a movie or go to a sporting event. The tailored blazer will balance out the casual feel of the jeans, giving the outfit the perfect balance for almost anything.
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Transform a wrap dress by day into a cardigan in the evening. Leave it open over a T-shirt and leggings for a cozy outfit that can work for drinks after work if you wear it with boots, or wear it with sneakers instead so you will be ready for running errands, talking a walk or hanging out at home.
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Select a neat jogging suit so you can head to the gym for a workout and still be neat enough to stop by to visit with friends on your way home. Velour fabrics, contrast stitching, embroidery, patches and other embellishments can turn this athletic item into a fashion piece. Look for lower-waist pants, flap pockets and shrunken jackets for the most modern fit.
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Change the professional feel of a crisp button down and wool skirt by untucking the top, and pairing it with jeans or fleece pants. You can further relax the look by leaving the blouse open over a T-shirt. Or wear the wool skirt with a long sleeve stretchy T-shirt, leggings and ballet flats for a sophisticated outfit perfect for dinner and drinks out.
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Browse the aisles at stores that carry a mix professional pieces and casual wear to get ideas on how to strike the right balance and wear things different ways. J Crew, Banana Republic and the Gap (listed in the resource section) all do a good job of presenting collections that can work for both business and casual settings.Sometimes just trading out polished jewelry for a scarf around your neck and changing your heels to wedges or boots can achieve a different look.
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Lounge around in soft fleece pants and a cotton T-shirt and give your work clothes a rest if you won't be going out.
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Tips & Warnings
Trade stockings and heels for leggings and flats to instantly make your work dress or skirt feel more relaxed.
Hang up your work wear and change into weekend clothes if you will be sitting on the grass, cleaning your house or engaging in other messy activities that might ruin what you wear.
